Field placements are an integral step for students pursuing a career in mental health.

On the first day of her field placement, Sam Mendelson, M.A. ’24, saw clients one-on-one, completing intakes and forming treatment plans for them.

“The most that I have learned from being in grad school has been through my field placement,” the Master of Arts in professional clinical counseling (PCC) student said.

Mendelson was completing clinical hours at Family Therapy & Consultation Services, a mental health facility in New Jersey, as PCC students need to fulfill 700 hours to graduate, per the program.

Field placements are an integral step for students pursuing a career in mental health: Students are able to apply what they learned in their respective programs and determine the settings and populations that most interest them professionally.

“The clinical experience helps students develop real-world skills,” LeeAnn Cardaciotto, Ph.D., associate dean, professor, and interim director of the PCC program, said. “They are sharpening their clinical intuition.”

Shaping the next generation

Abby Collins, ’22, Psy.D, ’25, knew she wanted to specialize in reproductive psychology. Collins, who is on track to graduate in 2025, completed an externship at Jefferson Hospital, working with women who had perinatal mental health issues such as postpartum depression.

“Because I had that specialized training during my last externship, I wanted to be more well-rounded,” she said.

Collins interns at the Coatesville VA Medical Center, where she serves clients with post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders.

She hadn’t experienced treating those disorders before the VA internship, so she is developing the skills and knowledge that will allow her to better serve the population she wants to work with in her career.

“I am continuously inspired by the commitment and passion that our students and faculty bring to these programs,” Frank J. Mosca, Ph.D., interim dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, said. “The hands-on experiences that our students gain during their field placements not only prepare them for future careers but also allow them to directly impact the communities they serve. I am proud of the work our programs do in shaping the next generation of mental health professionals.”

A powerful combination

Students undergo rigorous training and education before stepping foot in their field placement. They participate in clinical simulations and supervised externships, alongside learning the theories and principles of their field.

La Salle’s Psy.D. program has over 50 externships across 42 different sites, all of which help students land a quality internship in their final year. That will prepare students for a post-doc fellowship.

“If you want to learn how to become a psychologist, you really need supervised guidance,” Randy Fingerhut, Ph.D., interim program director for La Salle’s Psy.D. program, said. “Carrying out the tasks of clinical psychology with the guidance of someone who has expertise in that field—that, to me, is the essential component that complements the classroom education.”

A ripple effect

Ramon Laboy, MSW, learned how not to treat students in his first internship.

As director of practicum education in La Salle’s Department of Social Work, Laboy works directly with Brendan Young, DSW, LSW, ’12, the graduate program director and assistant professor of La Salle’s Department of Social Work, to ensure students have a more guided experience.

“I really try my best to ensure students feel confident in their ability, because it’s going to have a ripple effect on the people they serve,” Laboy said.

Field placements are “hugely important,” Terica Smiley, the clinical supervisor at Good Friends Inc., a community-based licensed residential treatment program for individuals with substance use disorders, said. She’s been with the program for more than 40 years and has overseen La Salle students throughout her time.

“Theory gives you reference points to start from, but working with clients gives opportunity for the application. People are trickier than learning theories,” Smiley, who has hired several La Salle graduates who interned for her, remarked. “It’s important to learn how to monitor expectations and develop rapport [with clients].”

Deeper than the career

La Salle’s network of field placement sites and its reputation in the community were personal draws for Collins. She hadn’t heard of the University before she began applying for doctoral programs. Now she intends to stay in the area.

“A lot of students are in touch with La Salle alumni about their career paths,” she said. “It’s a really strong network, very closely connected.”

La Salle is uniquely positioned in Philadelphia, known as “America’s poorest big city.” The University’s programs have the potential to reach people living below the poverty level and address the stigma around mental health.

—Taylor Goebel