Practicum Sites

My practicum at Northlight Secondary School did not materialize and I could understand why. The counseling setting did not seem to match what I am trained for. The resident counselor counsels on his feet. And he provides a lot of social support too.

I felt supported when ECTA endorsed Queenstown Baptist Church as a practicum site for Helena and myself. One of our church pastors who is graduating from the Singapore Bible College in Master of Pastoral Counselling this May will be spearheading the Lay Counselling Ministry. I was encouraged to learn the counseling corner was going to be set up in one of rooms downstairs at church.

The room is easily accessible and counselees will not need to show up at the church office (2nd floor). This is ideal setting for confidentiality reason. As the church has yet to come out with a structure pertaining to counseling protocol and data record, I have been advised to use whatever format ECTA has provided me. Todate I have used the room twice and my clients have commented that the room is rather cozy. I was happy for the client too in that there is no charge for use of it.

I am currently also following up a case at Paragon clinic. The client finds the location convenient. I have seen him one on one over 5 sessions.

Mt E Charter is another site I go to provide counseling support to outpatient. Although convenient I took a while to get used to the environment.

Siglap Free clinic is the furthest from home but I find the clinic rather conducive and the environment quiet and private.

Presently my clients who need counseling follow-up have 3 sites to choose from and that is indeed a great thing. Gone were the days when I would worry over the distance and cost for clients who cannot afford to pay. 

With greater exposure to counseling and training, I noticed changes in my self-relationship. There is an increased self-awareness, greater openness to experience (e.g. speaking in group setting), greater self-acceptance, improved self-esteem, increased capacities to self-comfort and to receive and give affection. More wonderfully, a greater sense of personal agency or empowerment and a more hopeful or grateful engagement with life ! 