Practicum placements
A 10-month supervised placement offering direct clinical experience for graduate counselling students.
Now accepting applications for the September 2027 cohort. The application deadline is January 29, 2027.
Helping emerging counsellors build real clinical experience
Women's Mental Health offers a 10-month graduate practicum placement for students in the final stage of their Master's degree. Practicum counsellors gain meaningful direct client experience while receiving ongoing individual and group supervision from our experienced clinical team.
What your placement will look like
12 hours of direct client work per week
You will carry a steady caseload of approximately 12 hours of direct client work each week, in individual and group counselling, plus about 10–15 hours of indirect work such as record keeping, case preparation, and peer consultation. Practicum counsellors do not provide couples, relationship, or family counselling during the placement.
Weekly individual and biweekly group supervision
You will meet with your primary supervisor for one hour of direct individual supervision each week, and participate in one hour of group supervision every second week.
10-month commitment
The placement runs from September through June and requires a minimum commitment of two to three days per week. Hours are typically scheduled during weekday business hours (9:00 am–5:00 pm), with the possibility of offering some evening sessions depending on clinic needs.
Application timeline
Applications for the September 2027 cohort are now open. Here is what to expect throughout the application cycle.
Applications open
Applications for the September 2027 cohort are now open. Apply using our online application form.
Application deadline
Deadline for applications is January 29, 2027.
Cohort begins
The placement starts in September and runs for 10 months through the following June.
Our supervisors
Students work under the direct supervision of experienced counsellors and receive ongoing support and guidance to ensure professional, high-quality care.
Who can apply
Practicum applicants must meet all of the following requirements.
You must be enrolled in a graduate program — a Master of Arts or Master of Education in Counselling Psychology, a Clinical Social Work degree, or a related program from a recognized university.
You must have counselling-related experience through an initial counselling practicum or relevant work experience.
You must commit to the full 10-month placement (September through June), at least 2–3 days per week. We only offer primary placements, not part-time or secondary placements.
If shortlisted, you will need a current B.C. Criminal Record Check.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about applying to our practicum program.
We are now accepting applications for the September 2027 cohort. Placements for the September 2026 cohort have been filled. Women's Mental Health only offers placements beginning in September and has paused offering January placements while reviewing the program structure.
Applications for the September 2027 cohort are now open. Submit your application through our online application form, linked on this page. The application deadline is January 29, 2027. Questions can be sent to practicum@womensmentalhealth.ca.
The practicum is a 10-month commitment running September through June. Students work a minimum of 2 to 3 days per week, generally weekdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with the option to work evenings.
The practicum is primarily virtual. In-person opportunities at our main office at 550 West Broadway may be available for a hybrid option when space allows.
Practicum counsellors complete 12 hours per week of direct counselling, limited to individual and group counselling. Couples, relationship, and family counselling are not part of the practicum scope.
Students receive 1 hour per week of individual supervision and 1 hour biweekly of group supervision on weekdays. Supervision focuses on relational therapies rooted in the Person-Centered Counselling model.
No. Women's Mental Health does not offer volunteer placements.