The Developmental Stages of Practicum

Anticipation Mixed feelings Excitement Apprehension Level of task accomplishment usually low (shadowing versus doing) Clear and realistic expectations and goals (of self, clients, agency, helping field)

Disillusionment Incongruency between expectations and reality of the practicum experience (dissonance) Disappointment and discouragement leading to self-doubt (Is this the career for me?) Crisis of growth

Confrontation Working through the Disillusionment stage Reviewing expectations and goals Do you have a support system in place? * family * friends * practicum seminar Interpersonal difficulties Personal crisis Personality (the need to be proactive)

Competence Increased self-confidence in abilities Being able to trust self and others in the workplace Excellence versus perfectionism Being able to be a great “juggler”

Culmination Ending of the practicum experience Mixed feelings The need to say goodbye The need to review and evaluate Where do I go from here?

Other important things to remember about the developmental stages: Morale (interpersonal and intrapersonal tone of the practicum experience) versus Task Accomplishment (attitudes, skills, and knowledge acquired) Rate of progress affected by: * hours spent at agency * previous practicums * student’s personality * personal issues * level of support * style of supervision * nature of work and emotional issues stimulated by the client population