Practicum in the midst of a pandemic: a unique clinical counselling experience at Family Service Regina

Abstract

This practicum report outlines my unique clinical counselling experience at Family Service Regina within the Counselling Unit and the Thrive Walk-in Counselling Clinic (WICC). My placement involved providing in-person clinical counselling for the first half of my practicum, and telephone and video counselling sessions for the latter half of my placement from a remote location in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that emerged during my practicum. The objective of my practicum placement was to gain advanced knowledge and clinical skill development in providing counselling to children, individuals, and families experiencing a wide array of challenges on an ongoing or single-session basis. This report highlights the three predominant therapeutic approaches that were implemented throughout my clinical counselling experience, including: solution-focused brief therapy and narrative therapy with both adults and children, and child-centered play therapy with children. These three approaches were guided by trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and strength-based values and ideology at personal, Agency, and professional levels from a theoretical social constructivism lens. The way that these approaches were integrated throughout my practicum experience from in-person, telephone and video-based communication platforms will be discussed. Overarching themes that emerged during my practicum placement, including personal and professional growth and skill development, challenges, and ethical considerations will also be explored.