Graduate Counseling Program conducts valuable training for area counseling professionals

Josh Francis, assistant professor in the Department of Human Services, presented during a training course for counseling site supervisors that included both practicum and internship on March 30.

Wright State University is helping counseling professionals from local mental health agencies, private industry, K-12 schools and higher education add critical skills.

The Graduate Counseling Program conducted a half-day training course for counseling site supervisors that included both practicum and internship on March 30.

“The Wright State counseling program was pleased to offer trainings as a service to our affiliated sites and stakeholders who provide a wonderful and rich experience for our counseling students,” said Josh Francis, assistant professor in the Department of Human Services. “We pride ourselves on the ongoing relationships with our community partners and hope that it is a mutually beneficial arrangement that provides a needed and vital mental health service to the Greater Dayton area.”

Wright State University Site Supervisor Training: Wellness and Self-Care in Supervision was free and provided three continuing education supervision credits for participants. In addition to live attendance, the training was streamed for live viewing and recorded for participants to watch at their convenience, while still earning continuing education credit.

“The training opportunities also offer a great opportunity for Wright State counseling programs to reaffirm their advocacy for the importance of wellness and self-care in all of the helping professions,” said Francis.

Donna Tromski-Klingshirn, associate professor, Leslie Neyland-Brown, assistant professor, and Stephen Fortson, Chair of the Department of Human Services, during the workshop.

The training provided a showcase for the department’s rebranding and helped promote its new emphasis on “Wellness and Self-Care in Counseling.”

Stress, burnout and compassion fatigue continue to plague the helping professions throughout many disciplines. The rebranding and program refocus includes a strong community education and outreach element directed at mental health providers in an effort to promote competent, healthy and abundant counselors who can effectively manage a career in the counseling field.

The counseling program plans to begin providing both spring and fall training opportunities to site supervisors, alumni and stakeholders on diverse and emerging topics within the addictions, rehabilitation, school and clinical mental health counseling fields.

The Counseling Program is an approved provider of continuing education units by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board.