-
The Practicum Coordinator asks each full-time student to fill out an Experience and Interest form in their first fall semester. Part-time students complete the form in the fall semester of the second year. The Practicum Coordinator then individually meets with each student to review the form and talk about their situation and the practicum training. The students' interests and experiences along with geographic location, personal situations, goals, academic skills, and faculty input are all factored into developing a specific training agency and plan for each student.
-
LMU has worked hard at building mutually beneficial training collaborations with many of the top mental health agencies in the Los Angeles region. Each year we compile a list of agencies that are able to train our students in practicum. Availability is based on many factors including budgetary and supervisory restraints at the agencies and student feedback. Additionally, we are always developing new agency collaborations in the Los Angeles area as well as in outlying areas based on student needs each year. Students are encouraged to remain flexible in this process and understand that from year-to-year agencies we have used in the past may not be available.
-
The Practicum Coordinator works with each student and gives them a prospective placement for an interview. Unlike some other training programs, LMU students are not given a master list and told to choose an agency and engage in competitive interviews. In the last six weeks of the fall semester (and spring for second year placements) students are given their practicum assignments and directed to make an appointment at the agency. This process allows the agency (and the student) to make certain the fit is right. In some rare occasions, it may be determined from the interview that the placement is not compatible with the student. In this case, the Practicum Coordinator works with the student to develop another placement opportunity based on the concerns raised.
-
Full time students begin their practicum at the onset of the spring semester in the first year. Part time students begin their practicum in the spring semester of their second year. In most cases the practicum falls within the boundaries of LMU's academic semester. However, in some school-based practicums, the student may be asked to remain until the end of that school district's semester. In these cases the student has agreed in advance to remain beyond LMU's end of the semester and it does not effect grades or degrees being posted.
-
If a student has challenges or problems at an practicum agency, he or she is encouraged to interact with the on-site supervisors or agency liaison to problem solve. If the appropriate resolution is not reached, the student is encouraged to problem solve with the off-site art therapy supervisor who can dialogue with the agency and advocate for the students needs if necessary. If there is still not the necessary resolution, the student should dialogue with the Practicum Coordinator. Finally if there is still no resolution, the student should seek out assistance from the Department Chair.
-
Art therapy supervision allows the student to benefit from the expertise of someone trained specifically in the art therapy modality who can evaluate and guide directives, media choices, and facilitate understanding of the art process and imagery. Clinical supervision is provided by clinicians who have been licensed in the state of California for two years in order to make the hours gained in practicum count towards licensure. This clinical supervision allows the student to get specific support and feedback regarding clinical questions, countertransference, and agency paperwork.
-
Most agencies designate their own clinical supervisors with whom our program works closely. LMU contracts directly with art therapy supervisors who provide this specialized supervision either on campus, on-site at the agency, or in their private offices. This supervision is scheduled weekly at a time that works best with supervisors' and students' schedules. The supervisors are chosen based on clinical skills, experience, and availability. Additionally, supervisors are evaluated each year by their supervisees and the program factors in their feedback in the retention and promotion of supervisors.
-
The Board of Behavioral Sciences allows trainees to gain hours of experience in practicum while a student. This practicum training must be overseen by a degree program, which for LMU falls only within the academic year (Fall and Spring semesters). There are certain instances where summer practicum can be arranged through the school for specific reasons. but a student cannot seek additional training on their own over the summer or remain at their first practicum throughout the summer.
-
Once a student's degree is posted a student may apply to the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to become an MFT Associate to gain post-graduate hours of experience. The degree is generally posted about two weeks after graduation. A student can download the application from the BBS website and will receive instructions from the Department Chair on how to get the State of California Program Certification form signed.
-
After graduation a student needs to complete 1,000 hours of direct clinical service as an art therapist, and have that work supervised by an registered art therapist (ATR). Once those hours have been gained the student may apply for registration by the Art Therapy Credentials Board.