Bloom Child and Family Therapy, Kitchener

Year 1 or Year 2 Practicum

April- August 2025

Name of Practicum Site, Unit or Program:

Bloom: Child & Family Therapy

Location:

7 Willow St Waterloo, ON and 301-690 Belmont Ave West, Kitchener, ON

Description of the practicum site and student activities:

Position Overview:
This internship offers an exceptional opportunity for a student to gain hands-on experience in a private psychotherapy practice that specializes in providing care for neurodiverse children and adolescents. The practice integrates creative therapy modalities, including play therapy, art therapy, music therapy, and evidence-based approaches such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). As an intern, you will learn how to provide neurodiverse-affirming care in an inclusive, creative, and supportive therapeutic environment.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Clinical Experience:
   • Observe therapy sessions, gaining exposure to play therapy, art therapy, music therapy, and other therapeutic approaches for neurodiverse children and teens.
   • Co-facilitate group therapy sessions under the supervision of an experienced therapist, contributing to group dynamics and therapeutic interventions.
   • Learn how to do an assessment and create treatment plans and individualized care strategies, integrating various evidence-based techniques.
2. Neurodiverse-Affirming Care:
   • Learn and practice neurodiverse-affirming care principles, ensuring all interactions reflect inclusivity, respect, and understanding of neurological differences such as autism, ADHD, and other neurodiverse experiences.
   • Engage with clients in a way that celebrates their unique strengths and needs while providing a compassionate and non-judgmental environment.
3. Client Services Support:
   • Maintain the therapy playrooms by ensuring they are well-organized, safe, and inviting for children and teens during their sessions.
   • Provide administrative support by helping with scheduling, client check-ins, and other tasks that support the practice’s day-to-day operations.
   • Help create a warm, welcoming atmosphere for both clients and families, ensuring that everyone feels comfortable and cared for during their visit.
   • Assist with preparing materials and resources for therapy sessions and ensuring all therapy spaces are conducive to the needs of the clients.
4. Marketing and Community Outreach:
   • Assist in promoting the practice’s services through digital platforms (e.g., social media, newsletters) and community outreach efforts.
   • Help design and create educational materials on mental health topics and neurodiversity for clients, families, and the broader community.
5. Professional Development:
   • Attend supervision sessions and team meetings to discuss casework, receive guidance, and deepen clinical understanding.
   • Stay updated on current best practices, emerging research, and trends in neurodiverse care and child therapy.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in a relevant graduate program (e.g., psychology, social work, counseling).
• Interest or experience working with neurodiverse children and adolescents in a therapeutic setting.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with a compassionate, patient demeanor.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and independently when required.
• Creative mindset and willingness to engage with children through different forms of therapy (e.g., play, art, music).
• Organizational skills and attention to detail for maintaining therapy spaces and administrative tasks.

Benefits:

• Hands-on experience in a creative and neurodiverse-affirming therapy practice.
• Mentorship and supervision from licensed therapists with a range of specialties.
• Exposure to a variety of therapeutic modalities and evidence-based practices.
• Opportunity to develop skills in client interaction, administrative support, group therapy facilitation, and marketing.
• A welcoming and inclusive learning environment for both personal and professional growth.

This internship is ideal for students who are passionate about working with neurodiverse children and adolescents and want to contribute to a vibrant, creative practice. The role offers a dynamic learning experience, combining clinical exposure with hands-on client services support in an encouraging and nurturing environment.

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:

• Interest or experience working with neurodiverse children and adolescents in a therapeutic setting.
• Child and adolescent courses completed.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with a compassionate, patient demeanor.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and independently when required.
• Creative mindset and willingness to engage with children through different forms of therapy (e.g., play, art, music).
• Organizational skills and attention to detail for maintaining therapy spaces and administrative tasks.

For Year 2 Practicums only, 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.)

Education and volunteer/work experience with children and adoledscents.

Is this practicum in-person, remote or hybrid?

In person, some hours at home

mix

Will this practicum involve direct work or a mix of direct and indirect?

Direct and indirect mix

Number of practicums offered:

1-2 per semester

Field Instructor name and credentials:

Melissa Fellin MSW, RSW, MA, PhD, CPT

Application deadline:

March 6, 2025.

Do you require a resume? Or resume and cover letter?

Both resume and cover letter

Accessibility Considerations:

• Will the student have access to a private space for notes or computer use? No

• Are there breaks between clients/patients/meetings? Clients are back to back but there is lots of time for breaks and movement

• Is the practicum considered fast-paced? Somewhat

• Is there a high noise level in the practicum? No

• Is the site wheelchair accessible? No

• What are the physical demands of the practicum? Working with children on the floor, being able to move quickly, able to sit on the floor or chair and get up quickly.

• Are there any other accessibility considerations that potential applicants with disabilities should be aware of?

The student will also be sitting at a desk for some of the time. Getting up and moving to get refreshments for clients, cleaning up rooms, getting them ready in the morning, etc.

If you are interested in this practicum, please send a cover letter and resume to miri.ben.dat@utoronto.ca by 4 pm on March 6, 2025. Applications will be forwarded on to the site.

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