Student Experiences
Easton Public Schools-H.H. Richardson
Elizabeth Wendt
For the counseling practicum I interned with a school psychologist. I worked with third through sixth graders, one-on-one and in groups. We discussed issues such as divorce, social skills, and issues specific to each child. It was a great experience to help me prepare for graduate school and better understand the role of a school psychologist.
Lindencroft
Adam Marcil
For Counseling Practicum II, I interned at Lindencroft in Berkely. Lindencroft is a residential care facility for adolescent females. The females are there either because they have been placed there by parents who could no longer handle them or DYS or DSS decided that their families were unfit to care for them. The girls have a range of issues: emotional, mood, and behavioral disorders, and they're working on improving upon life and social skills. I counseled some of the girls, and ran groups with them in an effort to help these girls attain their particular goals.
Massachusetts General Hospital- Human Resources Department
Diana Aversa
I interned at Massachusetts General Hospital in the human resources department. As one of four human resources departments at MGH, the office I worked in is particularly responsible for recruiting and hiring new nurses, supporting nurse managers and their staff, and ensuring that the needs of each employee are met. I was involved with simple procedures such as reference checks and general observation and was later allowed the opportunity to conduct interviews, assist with recruitment and observe employee relations.
Arnone Elementary School
Tracey Johnson
For the Counseling Practicum class, I have been interning with the adjustment counselor, Victor Ortiz, at the Arnone School. I have had the opportunity to counsel students in groups as well as one-on-one.
Most days I am working with students who need anger management as well as social skills training. I get a variety of experience with 1st - 4th graders from diverse backgrounds. Since I have been interning at this site since fall, I have been able to see the progress and potential that these students have. Working in Brockton has been an experience that has helped me to advance my counseling skills. The Practicum class has been a great opportunity.
Samaritans of Fall River
Kate Gurney
For the Counseling Practicum I have been interning at the Samaritans of Fall River. It's a suicide hotline. At first I was extremely anxious about answering phones for such a serious issue, but I have been there since September now and did go through an extensive training program before I was on my own.
We get a variety of calls, some more serious than others, and I feel rather comfortable dealing with any of the calls. We cannot send help if the caller refuses rescue which is the hardest part, but you cannot force someone to be saved, and I have learned that through "befriending" as we call it sometimes we can be more helpful. It has really helped me with my counseling skills.
Angelo Elementary School, Brockton
Stacey Beavers
For the Practicum Course I interned in the adjustment counseling office at Angelo Elementary School. At first, I shadowed a counselor and interacted with small groups of students. Over time, I took on more responsibilities, and now I meet with students one on one, lead small groups on social skills, anger, and feelings, as well as discuss classroom behavior. I would certainly recommend this site.
Angelo Elementary School, Brockton
Joanne Caruso
For Counseling Practicum I intern at the Angelo School in Brockton. It is a public school with grades K-6. There, I worked individually with three students, one being an autistic first grader. I also worked alongside the adjustment counselor co-running social skills groups. Occasionally, I was able to prepare and lead a group by myself. I also had the chance to sit in on team meetings in which specific students' individual needs were discussed. It has been a great internship experience for me, and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in school psychology.
Quincy District Trial Court - Probation Department
Lauren DelCogliano
I interned at the Quincy District Trial Court in the Probation Department. The Probation Department deals with offenders who have violated the stipulations and conditions of their probation. I worked one-on-one with probation officers during client interviews, office visits, and court hearings.
West Elementary School
Natalie Andrus
For Counseling Practicum, I interned in the guidance office at West Elementary School. My advisor provided me with a variety of opportunities that ranged from counseling groups of children in the area of split families, social skills, leadership skills, and responsibility skills to shadowing a kindergarten classroom, and designing behavior plans for troubled kids.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association
Cheri Sharland
For the Spring semester I interned at the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Raynham. I worked as the public affairs and special events coordinator. With this internship I was able to combine my knowledge of both psychology and business. Mainly, I worked on coordinating fundraiser events such as bowl-a-thons and "lock-ups", in which volunteers raise bail as a form of fundraising. I was able to work both in an office setting and with clients effected by muscular dystrophy.
Beal Street Residential Program
Sara Gay
For the Counseling Practicum, I work with at-risk adolescents at my site. I am a family worker and aid with maintaining the milieu at the Program. I am required to monitor the residents, provide support, and fill out necessary paperwork. I have also had the opportunity to run individual and group counseling sessions. I would recommend this site to anyone who is looking to work with adolescents. It is both challenging and rewarding working at Beal Street.
Brockton Early Intervention Center
Melissa Gray
For the Counseling Practicum this semester, I interned at the Brockton Early Intervention Center. This center offers a variety of services for developmentally delayed children (0-3 years) and their families.
My role, as an intern, was to work with the children in a 2-hour classroom setting. In this class, I worked with other facilitators to administer lessons including: song time, art, free-play, climbing, and snack time. By working with these children in a structured and organized setting, they were able to enhance not only their social skills, but also their locomotive, motor, and speech skills.
Overall, it has been a very rewarding and worthwhile experience. I would definitely recommend this site to other psychology students.