What I learned completing my practicum

I am now at the end of this chapter of my educational journey. The final part of the Yorkville MACP program is a practicum placement, which is a little over 6 months long. In that time, here are some of the things I have learned:

1. Be patient

   
   

   I had a really slow start at first, which is completely normal. It can be really stressful worrying about hours and making sure you are on track but try to be patient for the first month or so and see if things pick up. I noticed things picked up into November, so about two and a half months in. However, to alleviate some of the pressure, I applied for a secondary site that I started in January. I knew I had the time to dedicate to getting as many hours as I could and I wanted to ensure I had more than enough. Now I am seeing 15-20 clients a week which has been really comfortable for me.

2. Time management is critical

   
   

   Specifically I find, in regards to documentation. In a busy day it can get hard to remember to document that day and its easy to push it to a later time. I do my best to make sure all my notes are in the system on the same day but that is not always possible. I try to prepare by writing the key points of the session on my notebook to refresh my memory when I can sit down and do my documentation. You can also see if the system you’re using is able to set up reminders for you, or create a list of to do’s. 

   
   

   This is also relevant for client emails and scheduling sessions. I find it best to set time aside in my day to catch up with booking sessions and staying on top of emails. I have struggled previously with emailing a client to book a session but then forgetting to put it into my calendar. This can cause so many issues and additional stress so try to prioritize giving yourself time to do your scheduling and communications before your week starts.

   
   

3. Self awareness and reflection are key

   
   

   This is so relevant for so many areas. It is important for boundaries, comfortability, personal biases and judgements, scheduling, and supervision meetings. Something that I learned is that I struggle with scheduling clients with really big gaps between them. I find this makes me more tired and I loose my momentum throughout the day. With this in mind, I try to schedule clients closer together. 

   
   

4. You can admit when you have made a mistake

   
   

   If you jumped to conclusions, if you were slow in following up with emails, if you forgot something a client has mentioned, it is okay to be honest and apologize. Being honest with clients helps show that you're human too. This openness can actually help break down barriers and build trust and rapport in the therapeutic relationship.

   
   

   Further, being honest with your supervisor lets them know if you are needing more guidance and support, and gives you the opportunity to learn and grow. Mistakes happen, just remember your ethical obligations and responsibilities to ensure you are not causing harm (non-maleficence).  

   
   

5. Embrace supervision

   
   

   I remember feeling nervous for my first supervision. I didn’t want my supervisor to think I wasn’t doing a good job, that I had made mistakes, or to question having me as a student. I have been so fortunate to have a wonderful supervisor who I feel comfortable sharing my thoughts, processes, and weaknesses with. I think similarly to therapy, supervision is only beneficial if you show up authentically and willing to participate. Ask questions that you might think are stupid, be open to their feedback, and embrace the opportunity to learn.  

6. Establish boundaries early on

   
   

   Establish boundaries with clients early on. For instance, it may feel uncomfortable to follow up with clients who haven't paid on time, but it's important to set clear expectations from the beginning. It's much easier to maintain consistent boundaries than to try to enforce them later on after they’ve been overlooked.

   
   

   This is true for cancelations and showing up on time, self-disclosure, contact outside of sessions, and physical touch. 

   
   

7. Step outside of your comfort zone

   
   

   Now is the time to step outside of your comfort zone and work in areas you may have less experience or comfortability with. You will never know until you try. I know I was hesitant to work with male clients as my background was exclusively working with women. I am glad I leaned into my uncomfortability and gave myself the chance to learn and develop skills that I did not possess prior. 

   
   

8. Log your hours

   
   

   If you have a slower start at your site, it might seem really easy to stay on top of logging your hours into the Sonia system but once you start growing your client load, it can get tricky to remember.  I think it is always best practice to log your hours at the end of that day, instead of at the end of the week. You can also log future hours in the system, which I have done for supervisions as they are scheduled and consistent. Having to backtrack and look through all your direct and indirect hours if they have piled up is really overwhelming and time consuming. Save future you the hassle!