Counseling Center's Externship Program

The University of Maryland Counseling Center, accredited by the International Association of Counseling Centers, has provided mental health services to university students for over 70 years. As the primary mental health agency on campus, our services target a large and diverse student population. Our services include brief assessments (intakes), short-term individual therapy, groups therapy, vocational counseling, outreach/consultation, and collaboration with other university departments and services.

The center is open Monday-Thursday - 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Friday - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Externs are not expected to work the evening hours. 

The externship requires 16 to 18 hours per week dependent on the extern's interests and the requirements of their training program. Externs usually are scheduled to be at the Counseling Center for two full days per week. Externs are responsible for ensuring that their hours meet the criteria for their respective programs. The following is an outline of weekly activities.

1. Individual Therapy (6-8 hours per week)
Clients are generally seen once a week. Sessions take place at the Counseling Center. All sessions with clients are recorded. Externs will initially carry 4-6 individual clients during the first few weeks of their externship and gradually pick up their caseload to 6-8 individual clients per week

2. Supervision on Individual Therapy Cases (2 hours per week)
Each extern will have two clinical supervisors for individual therapy cases. A licensed psychologist and/or pre-licensed senior staff will provide supervision.

3. Clinical Case Conference (1 hour per week; Mondays or Thursdays, 1-2 p.m.)
The externs are required to attend the weekly case conference meetings either on Mondays or Thursdays depending on the schedule of the externs. The case conference consists of several senior staff, 2 interns, and 1 extern. Like other staff and trainees, externs will be expected to write up a brief case presentation for the clients they will present at the case conference (due one week prior to the conference).

4. Intake Observation and Administration
Each extern is required to observe three brief assessments conducted by a senior staff member or an intern. If interested in conducting brief assessments independently (this is optional), the extern will have to conduct three brief assessments under the observation of 3 senior staff members and obtain approval from all observing staff before the extern can perform a brief assessment independently (once per week).

5. Group Counseling or Workshop Facilitation (Optional)
During the spring semester, externs will have the opportunity to serve as co-facilitator in ongoing general therapy groups or themed groups co-led by members of the staff. Or, they may choose to facilitate a series of coping skills-focused workshops after they have received the appropriate training.

6. Outreach (Optional)
Externs will have the opportunity to provide outreach/consultation projects within the University community. The externs are encouraged to contact the outreach/consultation coordinator to further discuss their outreach interest (e.g, topic, audience population).

7. Professional Development (Optional)
Throughout the training year, the externs will have the opportunity to participate in the staff development training programs which are generally scheduled 2-3 times per semester (usually on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon).

Applicants must be doctoral students in APA-accredited counseling psychology or clinical psychology training programs. Externs are typically in their fourth year of academic training. Preference is given to applicants who have completed a minimum of 3 clinical practica. Questions about the externship may be directed to Dr. Shealyn Blanchard.

Applications should be submitted via email in Word or PDF format

To apply, students should send:

1. A statement of interest
2. A curriculum vitae describing academic and clinical training
3. One (1) letter of recommendation from the student’s advisor or program training director*
4. Two (2) letters of recommendation from clinical supervisors*

*Please Note: Emails from letter writers should indicate your name in the subject heading

All materials must be received by Tuesday, February 4, 2025 by 4:00pm EST.

Please send applications by e-mail to Dr. Shealyn Blanchard.

UMD Counseling Center is NOT part of the Consortium and the offers to applicants will be made prior to the Consortium match date.