KKC Wellness Center Practicum Details
Practicum Details:
The wellness center at Kennedy-King College (KKC) offers a strong clinical practicum designed for graduate students in counseling seeking to work within a diverse, urban community college setting. Interns will gain hands-on experience providing short-term individual therapy, conducting comprehensive intake assessments, and leading psychoeducational workshops tailored to the unique needs of the Englewood community. Additionally, there is opportunity to host workshops and conduct outreach to increase awareness on an array of wellness related topics.
Interns will engage in training designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and clinical mastery. A primary focus is placed on ethical decision-making, trauma-informed care, multicultural competency, clinical documentation, and self-awareness. Interns will manage a varied caseload of clients with presenting issues such as mood disorders, anxiety, academic stress, interpersonal conflicts, crisis situations, and trauma. We believe this exposure can enrich the interns learning and increase their understanding of mental health concerns within the community, which will prepare them for their professional career journey.
Active participation in professional development is a requirement for interns. Interns are expected to attend weekly 1-group supervision and individual supervision to discuss cases and other clinical concerns. Interns are responsible for and expected to conducting assessments, maintaining accurate clinical documentation, and facilitate therapy sessions.
The ideal applicant:
The ideal applicant is naturally empathic, flexible, and has a strong desire to help underserved populations. We value kindness, initiative, creativity, and teamwork as well as the ability to work independently. In addition to the more traditional concerns of college students, our clients cope with all the issues one may find in any urban mental health center, including physical and sexual trauma, legal issues, and lack of basic resources.
Supervision Philosophy:
Supervision is a special and pertinent component of the practice of counseling. The process ensures that the counselor-in-training and counselor are adhering to ethical standards set forth by the American Counseling Association (ACA), using up-to-date evidence-based treatment, receiving feedback that is conducive to encouraging self-awareness and self-reflection, and managing the counselor-in-training personal wellbeing. Supervision should be a process that occurs in a supportive environment, where the counselor and counselor-in-training feel safe enough to be open and honest about their experiences in the field; I make sure that the environment is nonjudgmental. I use a solution-focused approach to identify the strengths of the counselor-in-training and work collaboratively with them to identify ways to build upon their success.
Biography:
Dr. La Toya L. Patterson is the current clinical director for KKC’s wellness center. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 17 years of experience in the counseling field and eight years of experience as a professor in higher education. Dr. Patterson received her BA in psychology and MA in clinical professional psychology from Roosevelt University. She received a second MA in forensic psychology-law enforcement concentration from Argosy University and her PhD in Counselor Education from Adler University. Dr. Patterson is the past president of the Illinois Association for Couples and Family Counseling. In her current role, Dr. Patterson has a deep-seated dedication to the mentorship and evolution of the next generation of mental health professionals.
