Practicum in a Box: a toolkit for setting up a practicum site

About This Toolkit

The BC Association of Clinical Counselling (BCACC) developed this toolkit to support clinics, agencies, and Clinical Supervisors in creating meaningful, ethical, and effective practicum experiences for counselling students. Designed in collaboration with educational institutions and key stakeholders, this resource provides practical guidance for establishing and maintaining a practicum site that supports student learning while reflecting the mission, values, and operational needs of your organization.

Whether you are developing a new practicum site or strengthening an existing one, this toolkit offers adaptable resources and best-practice guidance to help support students, supervisors, and practicum sites throughout the learning journey.

In this toolkit, we’ll cover:

• The role and purpose of a practicum site
• BCACC standards, ethical considerations, and best practices
• Responsibilities of practicum sites and Clinical Supervisors
• Supporting student learning and professional development
• Collaboration with universities and educational programs
• Structuring supervision and feedback processes
• Creating policies, procedures, and documentation practices
• Aligning practicum experiences with clinic values and operations
• Resources, templates, and tools to support successful placements
• Considerations for maintaining a positive and sustainable practicum experience