Thrive Counselling
Year 2 Practicum
September 2025- April 2026
Name of Practicum Site, Unit or Program: Thrive Counselling
Location: Burlington – 777 Guelph Line, Burlington, Suite 207, Oakville – 465 Morden R., Suite 200, Oakville
Description of the practicum site and student activities:
Thrive is a community based counselling agency providing service to individuals, couples and families. The agency is multi-site, providing services in Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Georgetown. For Masters counselling students there are five supervisors available: Connie DeForest, Carol Oosting and Luis Goncalves, who are RSWs and Mary Anne Bedington and Magen Dunkley who are RPs. So, we are all able to provide supervision for people wanting to register with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, or the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. For Bachelors level students, Carol Oosting (Oakville site) and Connie DeForest (Burlington site) are the supervisors. The placement selection process is a competitive one and candidates are asked to provide a resume; and selected people are invited to an interview.
The issues that bring people to Thrive include the following: depression, anxiety, parenting issues, parent/child conflict, marital problems, adjustment to separation and divorce, gender-based violence, family violence, sexual abuse, issues with aging, etc.
Masters level students: Students are responsible for assuming the primary counselling role with several clients. In addition, there may be an opportunity for students to lead or co-lead groups. They are expected to be involved at the agency for a minimum of two days per week. Weekly supervision is provided and it is expected that students will make use of recording their sessions to enhance their learning and skill development. Some evening hours are required. Currently in-person placements are being offered with students providing both in-person and virtual counselling. It is a requirement that students provide a Vulnerable Persons Police Check and be fully vaccinated.
This placement opportunity is best suited for students who have work experience in the field and/or who have completed one master level placement. Training in offering tele-mental health is recommended.
Practicum Requirements:
(Click on all the boxes that apply.)
☐ Immunizations per PHA Guidelines
☐ N95 Respirator/Mask Fitting
☒ Covid Vaccinations
☒ Influenza Vaccination (Flu shot)
☐ Police Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check
☐ Driver’s License
☐ Use of Own Car
☐ Travel by public transportation between home visits, or satellite offices, or community meetings, etc.
☒ Comfort working with the population being served
☐ Comprehensive report writing and documentation
☐ Lived experience/Current member of the community being served
☒ Evening attendance
☐ Weekend attendance
☐ Changing shift attendance
☐ Language (specify in field below)
Other requirements:
-Previous counselling experience.
-Thrive does not operate on Fridays. Students in this practicum must attend Wednesday, Thursday and do 7 additional hours in the evenings.
Please select Fields(s) of Study:
(click on all boxes that apply.)
☐ Children and their Families
☐ Social Justice and Diversity
☒ Mental Health and Health
☐ Social Work in Gerontology
☐ Human Services Management & Leadership
Does your practicum require any previous experience?
(If yes, please specify.) Yes, successful candidates have some had direct counselling experiences
Is this practicum in-person, remote or hybrid?
In person, offering in-person and remote services.
Will this practicum involve direct work or a mix of direct and indirect?
Primarily direct counselling
Number of practicums offered:
2 – if students are able to flex their placement days Thrive does not offer placements on Fridays
Field Instructor name and credentials:
Carol Oosting, MSW, RSW; Luis Goncalves, MSW, RSW and Connie DeForest, MEd., RSW
Application deadline: Any time
Do you require a resume? Or resume and cover letter?
Resume and cover letter preferred.
Accessibility Considerations:
- Will the student have access to a private space for notes or computer use? Yes
- Are there breaks between clients/patients/meetings? Yes
- Is the practicum considered fast-paced? Medium
- Is there a high noise level in the practicum? Low
- Is the site wheelchair accessible? Yes
- What are the physical demands of the practicum?
Being able to sit – for both counselling sessions and note-taking.
- Are there any other accessibility considerations that potential applicants with disabilities should be aware of? No, we have accommodated students with both visual and hearing issues,
To apply for this practicum, please send a cover letter and resume to miri.ben.dat@utoronto.ca by 4 pm on March 3, 2025. Applications will be sent to the site.