I have successfully completed my Practicum, and I feel a genuine sense of accomplishment in saying that because it wasn’t guaranteed. It required persistence as I balanced a full-time job, graduate studies, client sessions, supervision meetings, and my personal life. Practicum is often described as the bridge between the classroom and the therapy room, yet nothing fully prepares a counselor for the moment a real person sits across the room and entrusts their story to them. What follows are some of the most meaningful lessons I learned along the way.
1. Trust what you know
One of the first lessons I learned is that perfection isn’t the goal. I imagined my first session would be polished, but instead, I stumbled and questioned whether I was using my counseling skills the “right” way. I soon realized that clients respond to authenticity more than flawless technique. Simply being present, listening, and resisting the urge to fix can be powerful interventions.
At times, I felt uncertain and wondered if I truly knew enough. Yet within that discomfort, I discovered that I do know a few things, especially since I have been studying for more than two years. In this sense, Practicum taught me to trust the foundation I have built while remaining open to growth. Competence in the therapy room, I’m learning, is about showing up with confidence, humility, and genuine presence.
2. This is not a role play anymore
In class, we practiced with classmates who understood the structure, boundaries, and purpose of each exercise. Practicum changed that completely. Real life rarely fits the neat categories I studied in textbooks. The people who sit across from me are real clients who bring complexity and unpredictability. Sometimes their struggles align with what I have studied, and other times they do not fit anywhere in my current knowledge.
This experience taught me to be flexible and to let the client lead, rather than trying to fit them into a conceptual box that mirrors where I am in my development as a therapist. For every session, I try to keep in mind that theory can guide me, but the person sitting in front of me ultimately shapes the work.
3. Supervision is a lifeline
Before Practicum, I understood that supervision was important. Now I know it is essential. It became the space where I brought everything, including my doubts, anxieties, missteps, and the small wins that might otherwise go unnoticed. In supervision, I feel comfortable saying, “I wasn’t sure what to do here,” “This session felt heavy,” or “This was great and I feel proud.” My supportive supervisors create a sense of grounding and often remind me that growth comes through reflection and humility.
When doubt and uncertainty arise, supervision provides perspective. The vulnerability of bringing my reflections, recordings, and session notes into that space allows me to see missed opportunities and receive feedback that is sometimes affirming, sometimes challenging, but always useful.
4. Paperwork can break you
This lesson caught me off guard: progress notes can quickly accumulate, and things can get stressful when they do. Staying on top of paperwork has become a form of self-care. It keeps me organized, reduces stress, and supports continuity of care for clients. I have also challenged myself to keep my notes short, focused, and clinically meaningful.
Wrapping up
Practicum was humbling, challenging, and incredibly rewarding. But it was only the beginning. Now I am moving into Internship, which will be more demanding because the required hours will triple in the winter quarter compared to the fall. I am stepping into this next stage with excitement and respect for the work ahead. Practicum helped me build a foundation. Internship will test it and strengthen it. And I am ready to continue becoming the counselor I hope to be.
I will see you next week, when I will be sharing an interview with my friend Lili Niclas. Stay tuned.
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Roque Neto 