Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Sexual Behaviours Clinic & Talking Change
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
Description of the practicum site and student activities:
Description: The SBC serves adult clients who have been charged and convicted of a sexually motivated offence, or who have a sexual interest that could lead to legal involvement. Services offered include: biopsychosocial assessment and treatment (CBT based, and delivered primarily in a group format). TFC serves adult clients who are seeking support for sexual interests or behaviours involving minors. Services offered include: a Canada wide anonymous helpline by chat and phone, and psychotherapy services for clients who submit self-referrals (primarily group).
Student activities: Students will shadow and conduct biopsychosocial assessments, join CBT informed treatment groups as a co-facilitator, and be able to support clients on the TFC anonymous helpline by chat and phone. Additionally, students will have intake screening calls to determine eligibility for the TFC program. There are limited opportunities for individual client work, which is predominantly engaging in catch-up sessions when clients are absent from group meetings. Shadowing opportunities for other disciplines are available and are actively encouraged, as the SBC and TFC are multidisciplinary clinics. Students may also be able to participate in research opportunities, depending on what is occurring in the clinic during their practicum. Students may (if they wish to do so) participate in facilitating a bi-weekly evening (4:30pm-6pm) Follow-Up Group, if they are interested in supporting clients who are in the maintenance phase of treatment.
Practicum Requirements:
☒ Immunizations per PHA Guidelines
☒ N95 Respirator/Mask Fitting
☒ Covid Vaccinations
☒ Police Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check
☒ Comfort working with the population being served
☒ Comprehensive report writing and documentation
☒ Evening attendance Note: this is to be determined based on groups available and student interest in the maintenance group.
Does your practicum require any previous experience?
More important than having previous client experience, is the fact that students must be comfortable clinically supporting and interacting with clients who have sexual paraphilias or who have been convicted of sexual offences. The content of the clinical work at the SBC and TFC involves discussing highly sensitive sexual topics, and we would strongly encourage potential applicants to deeply reflect on whether they can provide therapeutic support to our clientele with an empathic and nonjudgemental approach. Facilitators will be readily available to support and debrief with the practicum student, as we understand the sensitive nature of this work.
Is this practicum in-person, remote or hybrid?
Hybrid.
Will this practicum involve direct work or a mix of direct and indirect?
Direct client work, some indirect work available.
Number of practicums offered: 1
Field Instructor name and credentials:
Eleni Kelly, MSW, RSW
Danielle Mitrevski, MSW, RSW
Application deadline:
September 25, 2025
Do you require a resume? Or resume and cover letter?
Resume and cover letter required.
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? None
- Are there any other accessibility considerations that potential applicants with disabilities should be aware of? None
To apply for this practicum, please send a cover letter and resume to miri.ben.dat@utoronto.ca by 4pm September 25th, 2025. Applications will be sent to the site.