Talk It Out Counselling Clinic
Year 1 Practicum
January to May 2025
Name of Practicum Site, Unit or Program: Talk it Out Counselling Clinic
Location:
Remote/Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work
Description of the practicum site and student activities:
Get ready for an incredible opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the lives of others! As a student in this practicum, you’ll have the chance to directly connect with clients through: 1) virtual counseling services, and 2) innovative, community-based interventions that can be delivered virtually or in person.
But that’s not all – you’ll also get to collaborate with a range of community organizations, including Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre, Jane Finch Centre, LOFT, Parkdale Community Legal Services, TAIBU Community Health Centre, and Unison Community Health & Community Services, just to name a few. We are also creating new initiatives with UofT’s Kinesiology and Physical Education and the Kimel Family Centre for Brain Health & Wellness.
Imagine the impact you’ll have as you provide individual counseling services through video therapy or phone, supporting individuals who face multiple challenges to find their path to wellness. And if you’re craving in-person interactions, this practicum also provides in-person elements such as conducting one-off workshops and ongoing group sessions with seniors and other community residents.
What truly sets this opportunity apart is our focus on serving communities that face health and equity challenges, as well as Black and other racialized communities in the Greater Toronto Area. By joining our team, you’ll be at the forefront of promoting equality and making a lasting impact on these communities.
While prior experience in mental health, distress centers, or working with our target populations is a plus, we’re also looking for self-directed individuals who can thrive both in a team and independently. So, if you’re ready to take on this exciting and rewarding challenge, don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others!
This practicum primarily focuses on direct practice. Students will:
- Carry a caseload of clients; leading intake, assessment and counselling sessions
- Facilitate in person and virtual workshops and group programming to community residents and agency staff
- Attend weekly team meetings for discussion of their cases and processing in the large group
- Participate in learning opportunities such as orientation, weekly supervisions (individual and group supervision in alternate weeks), case conferences, and in-service training
- Complete assigned readings to complement their work and their learning in classes
In addition, students will be involved in various indirect practice initiatives, including but not limited to, working with community partners to create new initiatives, participating in community advocacy, and assisting with the Clinic’s administrative tasks.
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
- The Clinic’s operational hours are: Wednesday & Thursday 12:00pm – 8:00pm; Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm.
☐ Weekend attendance
☐ Changing shift attendance
☐ Language (specify in field below)
Other requirements:
Does your practicum require any previous experience?
(If yes, please specify.)
Past counselling and peer-support experiences are helpful to have, but are not a requirement. Previous lived experience as a racialized individual and/or experience working with racialized communities are helpful to have and preference will be given to these applicates, but is not a requirement.
Is this practicum in-person, remote or hybrid?
Remote with hybrid component. The Clinic operates virtually, however Wednesdays are an optional in-person day and some of the community groups/programs will be in person.
This site offers practicum 3 days a week throughout the entire practicum. Students who complete the Winter practicum will finish in late June or early July at a pre-negotiated time with the supervisor and the Clinic Director. The Clinic’s operational hours are: Wednesday & Thursday 12:00pm – 8:00pm; Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm.
The first three weeks of practicum will be student orientation. Attendance is required 9:00am to 5:00pm Wednesday to Friday during the first two weeks.
Will this practicum involve direct work or a mix of direct and indirect?
Both
Number of practicums offered:
4-5
Field Instructor name and credentials:
Shawnette Thompson, BSW, MSW
Aamir Subhan, MSW
Kirstin Cohen, BSW, MSW
Vi Phan, MSW
Lin Fang, MSW PhD
Do you require a resume? Or resume and cover letter?
Resume & Cover Letter
Accessibility Considerations:
- Will the student have access to a private space for notes or computer use? No
- Most of the work is performed remotely, students must be able to access private spaces with reliable internet access.
- Are there breaks between clients/patients/meetings? Yes
- Students are responsible for planning their breaks as the practicum is virtual. We ask students not to schedule clients back to back.
- Is the practicum considered fast-paced? Medium
- Is there a high noise level in the practicum? Low
- Students are responsible for planning their breaks as the practicum is virtual. We ask students not to schedule clients back to back.
- Is the site wheelchair accessible? Yes
- What are the physical demands of the practicum?
- Given that the practicum opportunity is primarily virtual, students should expect long periods of time spent on screens with cameras on:
- in sessions
- in team meetings
- trainings
- individual supervision
- In person attendance for some workshops and group programming at our community partner sites (e.g., Jane/Finch area, Scarborough, etc.)
- Are there any other accessibility considerations that potential applicants with disabilities should be aware of?
Students need to complete all chart notes and reports on a timely fashion for clients assigned to them, as this is part of professional and ethical conduct, and accountability to client welfare. While we will do our best to accommodate individual student needs, we are unable to support accommodations that exempt students from this requirement.
If you are interested in this practicum, please send a cover letter and resume to miri.ben.dat@utoronto.ca by 4pm October 9, 2024. Applications will be forwarded on to the site.