Wright Wellness Center Practicum Details
The Wright College Wellness Center Team welcomes master’s graduate students in Counseling /Counseling psychology or Social work seeking a Therapy practicum placement.
Practicum Details:
At Wright College Wellness Center, our internship program provides a rich and diverse experience designed to support the growth of emerging mental health professionals. This program offers comprehensive training and hands-on opportunities that foster both personal and professional development.
Interns begin with two weeks of training covering essential topics such as ethics, diagnosis, trauma-informed care, diversity, self-awareness, progress notes, and CCC policies and procedures. Additionally, interns receive ongoing support through weekly individual and group supervision sessions.
A key aspect of the internship experience is working with a varied clientele. Interns interact with individuals from different age groups and cultural backgrounds, addressing a wide range of presenting issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship challenges. This exposure equips interns with a well-rounded understanding of mental health concerns within the community, preparing them for future professional endeavors.
Active engagement in professional development is expected from all interns. They are encouraged to attend supervision sessions regularly and participate in case discussions, facilitating constructive feedback and shared learning experiences. Interns are responsible for conducting assessments, facilitating therapy sessions, and maintaining accurate clinical documentation tasks that are integral to building their clinical competence and confidence.
Beyond direct psychotherapy, interns at Wright College Wellness Center have numerous opportunities for experiential learning. They can lead workshops or support groups on relevant topics, participate in community outreach initiatives, and engage in various programs led by the Wellness Center, including athletic programs, peer specialist initiatives, and advocacy efforts. Interns also attend seminars and training sessions focused on current trends in mental health, further enriching their educational experience.
Our campus is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where interns can thrive. They benefit from networking opportunities with experienced professionals and access to a wealth of resources, including training workshops. This nurturing atmosphere encourages open dialogue and collaboration, essential for growth in the field of mental health.
Ideal Applicants:
- Unique Contributions: Bring their own unique abilities to the treatment team while actively participating and supporting fellow team members.
- Compassionate Environment: Maintain a focus on creating and nurturing a warm and compassionate atmosphere for clients and within the treatment team.
- Professional Growth: Invest in their own professional development and contribute to the growth of the intern group.
- Receptiveness to Feedback: Exhibit the ability to accept and apply constructive criticism.
- Personal Characteristics: Possess qualities such as initiative, curiosity, empathy, respect for diversity, flexibility, ethical responsibility, and reliability, along with a social justice mindset.
- Flexibility: Be adaptable to respond to the needs of students and clients as they arise, including crisis situations, developing groups or workshops, and outreach in classroom settings.
- Cultural Awareness: Show interest in examining personal and group cultural biases, privileges, and dynamics.
Self-Care Commitment: Be committed to discussing self-care practices and providing appropriate support to peers.
Supervision Philosophy of the Site:
At Wright College Wellness Center, supervision is a fundamental component of our practice. We are committed to providing a supportive environment where individuals can thrive both personally and professionally. Each intern or trainee will receive one hour of individual supervision and two hours of group supervision weekly, with additional opportunities for guidance as needed.
Our supervision philosophy emphasizes collaboration, diversity, and cultural sensitivity. We recognize that each individual brings unique backgrounds and experiences to the table, and we strive to create an inclusive atmosphere that values and respects these differences. By embracing diverse perspectives, we enhance the learning experience for all team members.
We integrate various therapeutic modalities and evidence-based practices, ensuring that supervisors provide holistic support tailored to each trainee’s unique strengths and needs. Our focus on cultural competence prepares trainees to effectively engage with and support diverse populations, fostering a deep understanding of how culture impacts wellness.
We aim to cultivate a culture of continuous improvement, where feedback is constructive and aimed at enhancing both clinical skills and personal resilience. Through this philosophy, we empower our trainees, equipping them with the tools and insights necessary to become effective practitioners and advocates for wellness in the community.
Meet the Team!
Hoyam Tanon MA, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Hoyam Tanon holds a degree from Argosy University in Chicago, IL. She has extensive experience working with diverse populations across various age groups and settings, including the non-profit and government sectors, the United Nations, educational institutions, and community clinics. Her work emphasizes deep emotional healing and the cultivation of creativity to facilitate self-initiated change, providing symptom management tools for improved well-being.
Hoyam’s approach integrates psychodynamic principles and is trauma-informed, justice orientated, and person-centered. She also draws from additional modalities as needed, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Narrative Therapy. Hoyam believes in the inherent strength of every individual to achieve clarity and enact meaningful change.
With experience supervising master’s level interns and LPCs seeking clinical licensure, her training and supervision philosophy is person-centered and developmental Model. She emphasizes positive support to help trainees grow both professionally and personally as therapists.
Renee Reggans MA, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
She completed her master’s degree in Community Counseling at Argosy University in Chicago, IL, and has been working in the field for eight years. Her experience primarily spans community counseling and private practice settings, where she has supported a diverse range of clients, from individuals grappling with anxiety and depression to those facing significant life transitions.
This extensive work has not only honed her therapeutic skills but also deepened her understanding of the unique challenges faced by different populations, emphasizing the importance of culturally competent care and holistic approaches.
In practice, she draws from various theoretical perspectives, including Gestalt therapy, person-centered approaches, reality choice therapy, and Afrocentric counseling theory. By integrating these diverse frameworks, she creates tailored interventions that address the specific needs of each client, fostering an environment conducive to personal growth and healing. Her commitment to Afrocentric counseling theory allows her to honor and incorporate the cultural identities and histories of her clients, promoting a sense of community and connection in the therapeutic process.
She also emphasizes the importance of collaboration, empowering clients to actively participate in their own healing journeys. Continuously pursuing professional development, she engages in workshops and training to enhance her skills, ensuring she remains responsive to the evolving needs of those she serves.
Daniel Jerez, LCSW
Daniel Jerez received his MSW from the Jane Addams School of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Daniel began his career as a youth care worker at The Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. He transitioned to counseling after earning his MSW and worked at Youth Guidance as a BAM Counselor. While there he supervised both undergraduate and graduate interns before being promoted to an official supervisor. Daniel transitioned to private practice therapy for a few years where he treated mostly teens and young adults. Daniel is now settling in at Wright College ready to continue working with young adults and passing on his knowledge to the next generation of clinicians.
Daniel is a multi-theorist, believing whole heartedly that each client is an individual and requires tailored treatment. While his work begins and ends with CBT, he will often utilize elements of Attachment Theory, Solution Focused Theory, DBT, the ARC model, ACT, and the Strengths Based approach. Daniel is constantly learning and working to improve his craft. As a supervisor, he believes the role is to turn potential into reality, to understand your skillset and help you to maximize your strengths while improving your areas of growth.
Karina Meza, MA is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Karina is a dedicated counseling professional with a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the Chicago School of Psychology. Her approach is rooted in person-centered, psychodynamic, and humanistic theories, allowing her to create a supportive and empathetic environment for families, adolescents, and children facing challenges. She employs a holistic model in her supervision of counseling interns, integrating their professional, personal, and contextual development while enhancing their clinical skills and self-awareness. By utilizing diverse theoretical frameworks, she tailors her guidance to accommodate different client needs and intern styles.
In her supervision of counseling interns, Karina emphasizes a holistic approach that recognizes the interplay of emotional, physical, and social factors in their development, as well as the importance of cultural diversity. She fosters a supportive environment where interns feel comfortable discussing their challenges and successes, enhancing their confidence and resilience. By promoting reflective practice and collaborative learning, she encourages open dialogue and shared decision-making. This holistic supervision equips her interns to become more effective and empathetic practitioners, well-prepared to meet the diverse needs of their clients.
