Clinicians spend years studying, training, and developing both their practical counseling skills along with their clinical knowledge in order to make sure they are providing the best care for clients. At the heart of every clinician's training is their in field experiences. Most clinicians get these experiences from graduate degree programs internship experiences and then some form of residency/supervision prior to licensure that allow them the ability to start getting hands on experience in their field while being supported by a professional in the field. For example, for a professional counselor in Virginia you need to complete at a graduate degree that includes a total 700 hours of practicum and internship experience before being able to apply to be a resident in counseling. Furthermore, the Virginia Board of Counseling highlights that a resident in counseling needs to complete a 3, 400 hours residency under the supervision of a qualified supervisor along with passing a board examination in order to obtain licensure as a licensed professional counselor.
In order to have these experiences students and residents in counseling need to be able to have locations in the community that accept the responsibility of supervising, guiding, and mentoring them along the way. Calming Wind Counseling's mission has been to allow clinicians the training and access they need to be able to serve the community while having the resources they need. We are moving towards fulfilling this mission by starting to supervise practicum and internship students along with residents in counseling, supervisees in social work, etc.
Calming Wind Counseling is excited to be bringing on two practicum students in January 2021 - Jerry Mize, and Victor Bucklew. These practicum students will be supervised by Jonathan Ugalde, LPC and will be starting to provide free therapy sessions as part of their practicum experience. As part of the practicum experience the students will be expected to:
one hour of supervision weekly
receive feedback from both their supervisor at Calming Wind and their faculty supervisor
observe and transition into conducting individual therapy sessions
observe and assist in conducting group therapy sessions
participating in clinical trainings
conduct individual clinical research assignments (i.e., readings, etc. )
keep a structured clinical experience journal
Following completion of their practicum experiences the students have the potential of being invited into a longer term internship experience. Sessions are able to be scheduled now through our online portal and any questions comments or concerns about practicum and internship students can be emailed to Jonathan Ugalde, LPC at jugalde@calmingwindcounseling.com.
Jerry Mize is from the greater Richmond area in Virginia. He holds a master’s degree in Psychology from George Mason University and is currently a graduate student of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the College of William & Mary. Additionally, Jerry serves part-time as a Psychology Professor at various institutions in Virginia and has research interests in social justice, privilege, and mental health and well-being. In regard to counseling, Jerry is interested in working with adults dealing with anxiety, depression, and general life stressors. He believes that self-awareness and balance are essential goals for personal growth, and that collaborative relationship between clients and therapists help navigate goals and approaches.
Victor Bucklew is working towards his Masters in Mental Health Counseling at Adams State University. His background in depth psychotherapy, contemplative practice, and training in various modalities of trauma-sensitive bodywork guide his mindfulness based, person-centered, depth-oriented, and creative style of counseling. Victor facilitates Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction courses - the gold standard for mindfulness training for health and wellbeing, and has previously served for 10+ years in the helping professions, facilitating leadership development groups, working with under-privileged youth, and guiding wilderness canoe trips. He is author of the book, The Hidden Gifts of Addiction: The Direct Path of Recovery.
When it comes to offering supervision to residents in counseling Robin Fore Martin, LPC and Jonathan Ugalde, LPC are board approved clinical supervisors who are willing to provide clinical supervision to residents in counseling. Residents in Counseling will continue their training through supervision while having more independence in being able to develop their skills as a clinician. As part of their residency in counseling they will receive frequent supervision sessions with their clinical supervisor, conduct individual therapy sessions, assist in conducting couples, family, and group therapy sessions, and have the opportunity to participate and help lead clinical trainings. If you are interested in receiving clinical supervision as a resident in counseling please email general questions to info@calmingwindcounseling.com.