The first blog post of 2026 also marks the start of Winter quarter, which is quarter 10 out of 11 in the counseling program at Palo Alto University. For the first time since starting this journey, the end of the program feels less abstract. It is not here yet, but it is clearly on the horizon.
This quarter, I will be taking Research and Program Evaluation, a course focused on research methodology, foundational statistics, and program evaluation. The purpose of the course is to give us the tools to critically analyze counseling research and assess how it can inform our clinical practice. As someone who values evidence-based work, I appreciate the emphasis on learning how to read findings carefully rather than accepting them at face value.
One especially exciting aspect of this course is who will be teaching it. Research and Program Evaluation will be co-taught by two professors who taught us early in the program. Full-time faculty rarely co-teach due to their workload, but my cohort asked anyway. To our delight, they said yes.
There is something special about returning to these professors at this stage. They were part of our early formation as counselors-in-training, and now they will be with us as we begin the closure process with the program. It feels intentional, even if unplanned.
I am also taking Internship I, a course similar in structure to Practicum that combines weekly class meetings with practical requirements connected to our work at internship sites. I will remain with the same faculty member and the group of students with whom I worked during Practicum, which makes the experience feel like a true continuation. While the course builds on the clinical foundation established in the Fall quarter, the expectations increase substantially. Practicum required a minimum of 100 total hours, including at least 40 hours of direct client contact. Internship I raises that requirement to 300 total hours, with at least 120 hours consisting of direct work with clients.
Like many trainees, I do not fully control whether those hours materialize. Cancellations can quickly affect the count. That said, my internship sites have assigned me a solid caseload, which makes it possible to meet the requirements by the end of the quarter, assuming attendance holds reasonably steady. I am cautiously optimistic. Practicum helped me establish a rhythm, and I hope that foundation will support a smoother flow of hours this time around.
Balancing Internship I with a full-time job, academic responsibilities, and personal commitments remains an ongoing effort. In this situation, self-care for me requires attention to the basics: maintaining an exercise routine, eating a plant-based diet, prioritizing sleep, and protecting time with family and friends. These anchors are the foundation for my success. This quarter will again test how well I can protect those anchors while meeting the demands of training.
As the next 11 weeks begin, I am looking forward to continued growth across clinical, academic, and relational domains. I value the deepening connections within my cohort, as well as the relationships forming with peers in Internship I. Being this close to the end of the program brings both momentum and anticipation.
The work continues, and I will see you next week.
If you would like to receive my blog posts in your inbox, please enter your email address below.
Roque Neto 