Graduate Level Social Work Experience
Program Overview
The goals of the Social Work Training at CAPS are to provide social work students with training opportunities specific to college mental health and prepare them for the transition from social workers-in-training to early career professionals. We believe that the social work training program at CAPS offers trainees a well-rounded training experience: a chance to incorporate prior academic learning, and an opportunity to develop and enhance their clinical skills; including case management, advocacy, and therapy. Within the structure there is room for personalized growth and professional development. We encourage trainees to take an active role in their training experience and to take full advantage of the many training opportunities available to them throughout the training year.
The goals of the Social Work Training at CAPS are to provide social work students with training opportunities specific to college mental health and prepare them for the transition from social workers-in-training to early career professionals. We believe that the social work training program at CAPS offers trainees a well-rounded training experience: a chance to incorporate prior academic learning, and an opportunity to develop and enhance their clinical skills; including case management, advocacy, and therapy. Within the structure there is room for personalized growth and professional development. We encourage trainees to take an active role in their training experience and to take full advantage of the many training opportunities available to them throughout the training year.
Program Typical Schedule
Within a 20-hour work week, Social Work Trainees will engage in approximately 12 hours of direct clinical service which includes providing individual and group therapy, case management, transition of care appointments, screenings, and outreach. Social Work Trainees receive approximately 4 hours of training and supervision, 1 hour of individual supervision and 1 hour of peer supervision. Other activities included are training seminars, group supervision, and professional development. The remaining 4 hours is comprised of administrative responsibilities including but not limited to record keeping and service preparation. During the second semester of the training experience, social work trainees will have will be given the opportunity to specialize in individual therapy or case management.
Within a 20-hour work week, Social Work Trainees will engage in approximately 12 hours of direct clinical service which includes providing individual and group therapy, case management, transition of care appointments, screenings, and outreach. Social Work Trainees receive approximately 4 hours of training and supervision, 1 hour of individual supervision and 1 hour of peer supervision. Other activities included are training seminars, group supervision, and professional development. The remaining 4 hours is comprised of administrative responsibilities including but not limited to record keeping and service preparation. During the second semester of the training experience, social work trainees will have will be given the opportunity to specialize in individual therapy or case management.
- Clinical Service Requirements (12 hours/week)
- Maintain a caseload of ongoing, individual clients (2 hours)
- Transition of Care (3-5 hours)
- Screening (1-3 hours)
- One group (3 hours)
- Outreach (0-1 hours; expected to complete a total of 3 outreaches each semester, upon completion an additional individual client may be added to the caseload)
Training Requirements (4 hours/week)
- Training Seminar (1-2 hour/week)
- Individual Supervision (1 hour/week)
- Peer Supervision (1 hour/week)
- Training Overview (0-1 hour/week)
Administrative Requirements (4 hours/week)
- Case Management (clinical recordkeeping, tracking hours, service preparation, and other administrative responsibilities)
Additional Requirements
- Written transcription of 10 minutes of a difficult interaction with a client. Transcription will be discussed in peer supervision.
- One formal case presentation per semester to include mental status exam, DSM-5 TR diagnosis, well-developed case conceptualization, comprehensive treatment plan, and a 5-minute video clip of the client in session. The presentation will be written from a different theoretical perspective each semester. The written portion should be submitted to the student’s individual supervisor 2 weeks prior to the presentation for editing. The case will be presented to a group of clinical staff members and the current training cohort.
Optional Opportunities
- Collaborative Care: Trainees interested in collaborative care may be allowed to shadow Behavioral Health Care Managers.
Agency Overview
Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) exists to be a center of excellence in the provision of multidisciplinary mental health services to the UGA student population. We strive to provide services that are above all student-centered, innovative, and based in the latest science and art of professional practice. We seek to infuse our work with a mixture of best-practices and creativity, balancing treatment with training and education of students, staff and faculty. We endeavor to keep pace with the changing needs of the student population while maintaining a working environment that models and parallels care and respect for each other and the students we serve. We celebrate diversity in all its forms both within the UGA community and amongst our staff.
Our dedication to excellence permeates the multitude of services we provide, ensuring that:
students receive superlative care rendered in a nurturing and healthy atmosphere,
our use of technology interfaces with the needs of our client population, and
the integration of care across the continuum encompasses all aspects of health and wellbeing.
Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) exists to be a center of excellence in the provision of multidisciplinary mental health services to the UGA student population. We strive to provide services that are above all student-centered, innovative, and based in the latest science and art of professional practice. We seek to infuse our work with a mixture of best-practices and creativity, balancing treatment with training and education of students, staff and faculty. We endeavor to keep pace with the changing needs of the student population while maintaining a working environment that models and parallels care and respect for each other and the students we serve. We celebrate diversity in all its forms both within the UGA community and amongst our staff.
Our dedication to excellence permeates the multitude of services we provide, ensuring that:
Commitment to Diversity
The CAPS training programs are dedicated to providing multiculturally informed education and training and strive to provide these services in an atmosphere that is welcoming and respectful for all participants. For additional information, please review the CAPS Commitment to Diversity.
The CAPS training programs are dedicated to providing multiculturally informed education and training and strive to provide these services in an atmosphere that is welcoming and respectful for all participants. For additional information, please review the CAPS Commitment to Diversity.
Application Process
The School of Social Work identifies appropriate candidates for our training program. Once identified by your program you will need to submit the following documents and schedule an interview with our training committee.
Cover letter that details clinical experience and expresses professional goals related to the Social Work Field Experience. Names and phone numbers of 3 professional references that can be contacted by phone should also be included.
Current curriculum vitae
Please send materials to Casey Heermans, LCSW, Social Work Training Coordinator: cheermans@uhs.uga.edu.
The School of Social Work identifies appropriate candidates for our training program. Once identified by your program you will need to submit the following documents and schedule an interview with our training committee.