August Counseling Residencies Build Community, Confidence, and Skills

From August 5-9, 2024, Palo Alto University's Counseling Department hosted its latest in-person residency programs, bringing together students and faculty for an intensive week of hands-on clinical skills training and community building. The residency programs, divided into Residency 1 and Residency 2, are structured to build on foundational clinical skills and progress to more advanced training over time. These residencies provided invaluable opportunities for students to apply their knowledge in practical settings and connect with peers and mentors.

Residency Overview

Residency 1, focusing on foundational counseling skills, welcomed approximately 72 students at the PAU Mountain View Campus. Meanwhile, Residency 2, emphasizing advanced skills including group counseling and crisis counseling, hosted about 120 students at the Embassy Suites in Milpitas. Both programs offered structured schedules filled with large group activities, cohort group practices, and skill-building sessions.

Dr. Rachel Jacoby, Counseling Residency Coordinator, shared her thoughts on the experience: "After all of the residencies that I have helped teach at or coordinate, it is always so rewarding to see how our students grow and evolve in their confidence and skill development. It is also rewarding to see how our Counseling Department evolves as a community. I always look forward to seeing what kind of lessons we can learn and experiences we can cherish from future residencies."

Highlights and Unique Experiences

Residency 2 students had the opportunity to work with trained therapy animals, exploring their application in clinical settings. This activity not only provided a unique learning experience but also reinforced the programs' focus on self-care and wellness—crucial elements in group work and crisis counseling.

Residency 1 featured a popular "speed dating" exercise, where students spent 15 minutes with rotating faculty members for crash courses in different clinical techniques. This innovative approach was particularly well-received by the students.

Both residencies emphasized the importance of community building. For many predominantly remote students, the in-person residency provided a vital opportunity to connect with peers and faculty, enhancing their sense of belonging within the program.

Dr. Donna Sheperis, Counseling Department Chair, emphasized the importance of these residencies: "Our residency experience is pivotal to our training model and provides a unique and immersive opportunity for our distance learning students to develop and refine their clinical skills in a focused, intensive environment. This fall, we're excited to have our PhD students join the experience for the first time, creating an enriching, collaborative atmosphere that deepens the learning for everyone involved."

Outcomes and Student Feedback

The residencies proved to be transformative experiences for many students. Participants reported significant advancements in their clinical skills and abilities, coupled with a boost in self-confidence. Many students experienced 'aha!' moments, reaffirming their choice of counseling as a career path.

Students particularly appreciated the conference-like atmosphere and the hands-on approach to learning. The opportunity to meet faculty members in person, and university leadership like Provost Dr. Erika Cameron, was a highlight for many.

Looking Ahead

As the Counseling Department continues to refine and expand its residency programs, Dr. Sheperis shared exciting news about the future: "In the spring, we will host our largest residency to date with more than 290 students from all over California, the U.S., and international destinations all coming to the Palo Alto area!"

The success of these August residencies underscores their vital role in PAU's counseling program, providing essential in-person experiences that complement the distance learning curriculum and prepare students for their future careers in counseling.

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For more photos and highlights from the August Counseling Residency programs, please visit our photo album here. 

We encourage our students and faculty to continue sharing their experiences on social media using #IAmPAU or #WeArePAU.