Talk Therapy with Vera

Location:

Virtual Remote Across Ontario

Description of the practicum site and student activities:

Talk Therapy with Vera is a fully virtual placement opportunity that would involve a variety of learning opportunities including shadowing, observation, training, offering consultations, and working directly with a small caseload of clients.

Vera offers individual therapy to individuals who struggle with depression, anxiety, intergenerational trauma, workplace stress, grief and self esteem.

There may also be opportunities to facilitate workshops/groups, and be involved in speaking engagements and consulting work focused on combating anti-Asian racism and mental health. Vera uses a variety of modalities and practices in supporting clients, including CBT, DBT, mindfulness, attachment based, and trauma-informed practice. The majority of clients who access services at this organization are part of Asian or BIPOC communities, and are between 20-40 years old.

Direct practice:

Completing initial assessments, creating case formulation, and creating treatment implementation plans with supervision for all clients

– Practicing while supervised with clients (once competent and ethical) and applying Best Practices of the social work profession – Talk Therapy with Vera

– Building a small caseload of individual clients with a maximum of 3-5 clinical hours per day by the end of practicum with sufficient breaks between sessions

– Building, developing, and co-facilitating workshop(s) and/or a 4-6-week group therapy programming based on Best Practices and research-informed care with supervision

– Undertake discharge assessments and further recommendations for all clients at the end of practicum

– Engaging in extensive reflection of your own practice within supervision and identifying areas of improvement

Note: All student sessions may be recorded for review by Vera and for the purpose of the student’s active self-reflection. Treatment can only proceed with the informed consent of the client to this practice.

Indirect practice

– Extensive training and learning opportunities (i.e. Free learning through Talk Therapy with Vera, free opportunities to attend trainings offered by other providers and organizations as available, and optional paid learning opportunities to be covered by the student out-of-pocket)

– Observation of clinical sessions of Supervisor and discussion of treatment modalities used in practice (if possible)

– Supervisor review of student sessions and regular one-on-one supervision with clinical observation-based feedback about how to improve clinical practice skills and implementation strategies

– Evolving learning plans geared to expanding clinical skills to increasing competency

– Discussions about issues of transference and countertransference in practice

– Ongoing review of therapeutic orientations and interventions

– Support in understanding the impact of ethics, use of self-disclosure, codes of conduct, regulations, and legal parameters in private practice

– Learning how to create and maintain confidential and competent clinical notes and records

– Learning how to create marketing, advertising, social media, and promotional materials for your services and programming offered at Talk Therapy with Vera

– Taking partial responsibility for obtaining clients and building entrepreneurship skills and abilities

– Learning how to operate within a clinical management systems (Mynd and KeelMind) and manage a caseload in terms of scheduling, invoicing, and administrative communication

– Learning about the business/administrative aspects of a private practice (optional)

Practicum Requirements:

x Police Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check

x Comfort working with the population being served

x Comprehensive report writing and documentation

x Evening attendance (to be discussed with the student and Supervisors prior to the commencement of practicum, however flexibility may be necessary based on client availability)

x Weekend attendance (to be discussed with the student and Supervisors prior to the commencement of practicum, however flexibility may be necessary based on client availability)

x Changing shift attendance (to be discussed with the student and Supervisors prior to the commencement of practicum, however flexibility may be necessary based on client availability)

Other requirements:

☒ Proficiency with video platforms and technology to be able to utilize Mynd/KeelMind software and note-taking apps and resolve basic issues for online therapy services when they arise

☒ Student capacity to work from home or another space that is confidential, secure, and available during required practicum hours to ensure client confidentiality and not disrupt clinical tasks

☒ Student needs to supply their own reliable technology (i.e. Computer, laptop, headphones, microphone, webcam, etc.)

Please select Fields(s) of Study:

x Mental Health and Health

Does your practicum require any previous experience?

This practicum requires previous experience working directly with BIPOC clients in some clinical capacity. Preference will be given to BIPOC students who have previous clinical therapy experience. The ideal practicum candidate would also have experience creating and/or facilitating skill-based workshops and groups.

Is this practicum in-person, remote or hybrid?

Fully Remote

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

This practicum will involve direct and indirect work as outlined above.

Field Instructor name and credentials:

Vera Cheng, BSW, MSW, RSW

Application deadline:

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

A resume will be required. The student selected will also undergo a virtual interview.

Accessibility Considerations:

Will the student have access to a private space for notes or computer use? yes

As this practicum is virtual, the practicum student is fully responsible for providing a private and confidential space and access to a computer.

Are there breaks between clients/patients/meetings? yes

Yes, there will be sufficient breaks between client sessions for notes, reflection, and supervision as needed.

Is the practicum considered fast-paced? medium

Is there a high noise level in the practicum?

Due to the nature of this virtual practicum, the practicum student will be responsible in finding a space that is quiet and with minimal distractions to optimize clinical experiences for the student and the clients.

Is the site wheelchair accessible?

As this practicum is virtual, this is not applicable.

What are the physical demands of the practicum?

Students can expect to spend prolonged periods of time in front of a computer screen and sitting relatively still while in client sessions. Students are encouraged to have comfortable office equipment and an ergonomic set-up, however this will be fully at their discretion. It is also encouraged that students take breaks to move and stretch between sessions.

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

As this is a virtual practicum, the student will be responsible for any equipment needed to support their disability (e.g. Sound amplifier for hearing impairment). The Supervisor will support any disabilities as possible/necessary to ensure student success in this practicum.

If you are interested in this practicum, please send a cover letter and resume to leah.potash@utoronto.ca by May 1^st at 4 pm. Applications will be forwarded on to the site.