Doctoral Counseling Practicum 2026, Counseling Center

Doctoral Counseling Practicum 2026, Counseling Center

Are you an equity-minded doctoral student who believes in fostering inclusive and accessible counseling services? Do you want to counsel a diverse student body at an open-enrollment institution? Do you have lived experiences similar to the students we serve? If you answered yes to the questions above, we invite you to apply for the doctoral practicum program. The Bellevue College (BC) Counseling Center is seeking a doctoral student who is open to working with college student populations across the spectrum of developmental and mental health issues as well as a willingness to provide socially-just mental health services to BIPOC, neurodivergent, and other underrepresented populations.

The BC Counseling Center focuses on individual and group therapy and does not provide family or couples counseling.

Practicum learning objectives include:

• Executing core clinical knowledge and skills in providing culturally-competent and socially-just short- and long-term individual (personal, educational, and career) and group counseling.
• Assisting students, including those on academic probation, in identifying and resolving problems affecting their educational and personal development by clarifying short- and long-range educational/personal/occupational goals.
• Assessing and helping clients prepare for, minimize, and resolve crisis situations.
• Developing culturally responsive therapeutic modalities when working with historically underrepresented student populations.
• Creating and maintaining ethical and professional relationships with all students, clients, supervisor, and colleagues and staff at the Center and on campus.
• Identifying and connecting clients with appropriate campus and community resources and services.
• Generating ideas for outreach activities targeting different student populations, planning outreach projects, and conducting outreach activities appropriate for the targeted populations.
• Adhering to the Center's standards for record keeping and utilizing feedback obtained from developmentally supportive clinical supervision for personal and professional growth.

Site objectives include:

• Providing at least one hour of weekly individual supervision.
• Supporting practicum students in applying what they are learning in an ethical and culturally competent manner through their engagement in developmentally supportive clinical supervision and other learning activities.
• Fostering practicum students' confidence as mental health professionals.
• Supporting practicum students in developing their identities as mental health providers in a college setting.
• Providing mentorship for the next generation of counselors.

Practicum schedule and expectations include:

• Practicum officially begins in the first week of September with onboarding activities, ahead of the fall quarter which starts in mid to late September. Practicum students may begin earlier in August if required by their academic programs.
• Practicum students are generally expected to work a minimum of three days per week. Daily shifts typically start between 9 and 10 AM and conclude between 3 and 5 PM.
• This is an unpaid position and successful interns are expected to work 16-20 hours per week.
• This position is for 9-12 months, with no expectation of continued employment beyond the current appointment.
• This position is expected to NOT be eligible for benefits.

About the College:

Bellevue College is a diverse student-centered, comprehensive and innovative college, committed to teaching excellence that advances the life-long educational development of its students while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of its diverse community. Bellevue College is located just 10 miles east of Seattle where we serve a student population of over 54% students of color and over 1,300 international students. The college promotes student success by providing high-quality, flexible, accessible educational programs and services; advancing pluralism, inclusion and global awareness; and acting as a catalyst and collaborator for a vibrant region.

As an essential part of our vision, diversity, equity and pluralism are promoted and fostered in all aspects of college life. By enriching student life through leadership opportunities, personal learning and cultural experiences, we are committed to building an inclusive and diverse campus community that fosters creativity, innovation and student success.

About the Department:

The Counseling Center serves all students, including those who are facing personal and educational challenges as well as those who are undecided in their major and/or career. We strive to support these students by promoting a holistic sense of self and wellness by providing personal, educational, and career counseling as well as Human Development courses and workshops. We also support faculty and staff and the overall BC community through consultation and training. These services are interconnected through the overarching lenses of mental health and social justice.

The Counseling Center commits to advocacy, social justice, and service to all students, including those who have been historically underrepresented and underserved. We strive to make a positive difference in our students' lives by supporting and inspiring them to reach their personal, educational, and career goals.

BC Counseling Center's Holistic Approach to Mental Healthcare:

At the Bellevue College Counseling Center, mental health and well-being are central to everything the counselors do. This focus is embedded across their workshops, outreach events, and classroom visits, where counselors share information about available services and address topics such as stress management, test anxiety, and other mental health-related concerns. They also engage with students at various campus events by staffing informational tables.

Counselors extend their support into the classroom by teaching Human Development (HD) courses, which emphasize mental health and student success topics such as self-esteem, stress management, learning strategies, personal relationships, motivation, assertiveness, and career exploration. These classes provide a structured and supportive environment for students to explore issues that are often discussed in individual counseling, but in a way that may feel more approachable due to the stigma surrounding one-on-one mental health services.

In addition to working directly with students, counselors consult with faculty and staff to support students who may be experiencing emotional challenges. These consultations help equip college personnel with the psychological insight needed to better assist their students.

The Counseling Center offers a full range of direct services, including individual counseling for personal, academic, career, and crisis-related concerns.

Essential functions of a practicum student include:

• Providing culturally-competent and socially-just short- and long-term individual (personal, educational, and career) and group counseling.
• Assisting students with identifying and resolving problems affecting their educational and personal development by clarifying short- and long-range educational/personal/occupational goals.
• Providing crisis counseling and assessment for students in emotional distress.
• Using culturally responsive therapeutic modalities when working with historically underrepresented student populations.
• Referring students to appropriate campus and community resources and services.
• Supporting students on academic probation and other student populations by providing appropriate interventions to help them achieve academic success.
• Providing developmental advising practices to help students set educational goals.
• Performing related duties as required.

Minimum qualifications include:

• Enrollment in an accredited university in Counseling; Counseling Psychology; Clinical Psychology; Educational Psychology; Educational Counseling; Social Work, or related field.
• Applicants enrolled in an accredited university not located within WA State, must:
• Be able to be physically present at the Bellevue College Counseling Center during their internship.
• Check with their individual programs and State licensing boards to ensure that an practicum placement with the Bellevue College Counseling Center meets their requirements.
• Completion of at least 3 credits of each of the following or related courses:
• Professional and Ethical Issues in Counseling/Psychotherapy
• Theories of Counseling/Psychotherapy
• Diagnosis and Assessment/Psychopathology
• Counseling Lab/Skills (1 -3 credits)
• Cognitive Assessment (e.g., WAIS-V)
• Objective Assessment (e.g., PAI, MMPI)
• Integrative Assessment
• Willingness to learn to provide culturally responsive personal, academic, and career counseling, especially to individuals with diverse backgrounds.
• Openness to receive and integrate feedback.
• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills and an ability to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse teams and diverse populations.
• Willingness to commit to a 9-12-month experience, with an end date of no earlier than late June, as well as working a minimum of 18 hours per week in-person.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Interest in pursuing a career in higher education.
• Experience or familiarity with short-term counseling models (e.g., CBT, ACT, Solution Focused Therapy, etc.