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Gateway Requirements
The Department of Somatic Counseling Psychology has incorporated several important gateway experiences that serve as vehicles by which students are able to demonstrate mastery of critical skill sets:
Warrior’s Exam
Counseling Relationships I and II in the first year each include a warrior’s exam. These exams serve as benchmarks to determine the theoretical progress students have made in terms of integrating theory. In addition, they provide a mechanism whereby students are able to get initial feedback about their emerging clinical skills.
The warrior's exam may involve the completion of a written examination; the demonstration of particular skills; the provision of specific feedback from faculty involved in teaching core first-year courses who witness first hand practice sessions in which students are participating; or any combination of these elements.
Comprehensive Exam/Portfolio Review
The comprehensive exam is accomplished by reviewing a portfolio of documents that students have been collecting during their first two years of course work.
The portfolio includes examples of academic assignments; clinical work; personal growth experiences; artistic and creative endeavors; evidence of outside training and certification; an understanding and integration of contemplative and pluralistic perspectives; as well as other relevant material.
During the comprehensive exam students are asked to present their portfolios to faculty and to be prepared to speak about any aspect of the portfolio that faculty question them about.
Pre-Internship Review
Occurring at the end of the second year, the pre-internship review is a major gateway for all students. It is a thirty-minute meeting with the practicum coordinator and/or member of the department faculty.
The meeting involves a full evaluation by the faculty and a self-evaluation of the student’s work in the program and readiness for internship. Students must adequately demonstrate ability to work therapeutically with others.
Please view the Practicum Handbook for details on the pre-internship review criteria.
Internship
The internship in a community agency prepares the student for later professional contribution. The Somatic Counseling Psychology is directed toward careers in the clinical professions. For this reason, a supervised internship is a vital part of the program.
The internship is designed to give each student ample practice as a therapist in the mental health community and the community at large. The 700-hour, supervised internship requirement also meets the criteria for Colorado’s Professional Counselor licensure (see “State Licensure” following).The actual length of internship may vary between nine and twelve months.
Thesis
For both concentrations, students are required to complete a scholarly thesis, a written document that demonstrates the student’s clinical excellence, academic scholarship and understanding of research concepts and writing proficiency.
The thesis is meant to be an original exploration that makes a professional contribution within the field of somatic psychology. Please refer to the Thesis Manual, received in PSYS 836, Thesis Research Seminar I, for further details regarding this part of Somatic Counseling Psychology graduate studies. |
