Training Program

Message from the Supervision Team:

Thank for your interest in the University of Louisville Counseling Center as a practicum site.

An important part of the Counseling Center’s purpose on UofL’s campus is contributing to the training of students in mental health-focused graduate programs. In support of the Counseling Center’s overall mission, the training program provides opportunities for students to join our team in providing mental health services to UofL students.

We offer year-long Therapy practica from Master’s and Doctoral students from UofL’s Counseling and Human Development programs, Doctoral students from Spalding University’s Clinical Psychology program, and Master’s students from the UofL Kent School of Social Work. We also offer semester-long (Fall or Spring) Assessment practica for students from both clinical and counseling doctoral programs. While we would be open to partnering with other mental health graduate programs, this would be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Click here for information on Graduate Assistantships

Introduction to the Supervisory Staff:

Gabrielle Billings, LCSW — Counselor Intermediate

My approach to therapy is eclectic, drawing especially from Motivational Interviewing, CBT and Systems Theory. I have a very holistic and collaborative approach to counseling. I look at all aspects of a person’s life to work with them to determine their goals and what will work best for them to achieve those goals.

I love providing supervision. I like to tailor supervision to each student and their needs. My approach is generally to have students start slowly and then increase their workload and case difficulty as their skills and confidence increase. I work to make supervision feel safe and challenging for students so that they can increase their clinical and professional skills as well as build their self-awareness.

Rachel Evans, ATR, LPCC-S — Counselor

As a registered art therapist and licensed professional clinical counselor, I take an integrative approach to my clinical work. I tend to pull from person-centered, CBT, and motivational interviewing techniques, and I particularly enjoy incorporating art therapy interventions into counseling sessions. Much like the way I approach therapy, I tailor supervision to meet each student where they are in terms of skill and level of experience. I will work with you to identify your individual goals as a developing clinician and professional, as well as challenge you to try different techniques as you explore your own theoretical orientation. I also emphasize the importance of learning the practical "behind the scenes" work we do as clinicians, including developing good note writing and time management skills.

Rachel Fitzgerald, PsyD, HSP, — Clinical Psychologist

In my clinical work, I utilize humanistic, psychodynamic, and cognitive-behavioral approaches, depending on the client’s needs, and I view the relationship between client and therapist as the main agent of change. My supervisory style is similar, placing an emphasis on collaboration and creating a supervisory relationship that meets an individual’s needs while fostering self-awareness and growth. I enjoy working with students on developing their conceptualization skills, whether that be for psychotherapy or psychological assessment, and aiding them with tailoring interventions and recommendations to client needs and their own clinical approach. I strive to ensure supervision is a place for students to think critically and feel supported and more confident as they continue in their training.

Geetanjali Gulati, PsyD, HSP — Clinical Psychologist, Associate Director of Clinical Services

I primarily use CBT and Motivational Interviewing techniques in my work, but also incorporate dynamic and attachment theories in development of a case conceptualization. The focus of my supervision is usually to provide a student the opportunity to develop their own clinical orientation and also learn different approaches to clinical work. I take a very pragmatic approach to supervision with a focus on learning hands-on clinical techniques, as well as the ‘how-to’ of therapy. I also emphasize learning good note writing and focus on the student’s development of their own clinical techniques.

Aleska Hagan, PhD, HSP — Counseling Psychologist

As a Clinician, I tend to integrate Client Centered, Interpersonal, CBT, and Feminist theories amongst others, and my supervision typically falls in line with this as well. As a supervisor, I try to stay mindful the power differentials inherent in a supervisory relationship, and I work hard to navigate those by being transparent, genuine, and approachable. It is my belief that supervision works best when supervisees feel safe and able to be vulnerable. I enjoy working with supervisees at all levels of training. I enjoy facilitating trainee growth as it pertains to conceptualization skills and therapeutic style. I tend to emphasize risk assessment skills. I also think it is very important to attend to transference, countertransference and any biases that may be at play in the therapeutic relationship. In addition, I hope to be able to collaborate to create a supervisory experience that best work for the trainee, and I will regularly solicit feedback with the hopes of providing the best training experience possible.

Michelle Pinckney Johnson LPCC-S, LMFT — Counselor Intermediate

My approach to therapy is very collaborative & integrative in nature. I like to incorporate techniques from Systems Theory, CBT, Solution Focused & Motivational Interviewing. I take on this same approach in supervision as well. I will meet students at their level of training development & strive to foster a supportive space where students can learn clinical skills, explore their own theoretical orientation & apply this to case conceptualization. I also focus on the importance of rapport building while also highlighting individual strengths to help build self-confidence in the therapy room. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with & challenge students as they grow & launch into their professional careers.

Sarah Kolb, PhD, HSP — Counseling Psychologist

I approach supervision much in the way I approach therapy. I take a very collaborative approach and tailor my approach to meet the supervisee’s individual needs and developmental level. I place a strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship, and will challenge students to attend to the relationship with their clients. In therapy, I take a predominantly CBT and interpersonal/psychodynamic approach. I encourage students to explore their own theoretical orientation and to try different theoretical approaches, and to be willing to tailor their style to the client’s needs. I am very willing to give directives regarding clinical techniques to try and selecting appropriate assessment measures, but I will also challenge students to explore their own ideas about how to proceed with clients and explore the thought process behind these decisions. I truly enjoy working with students and watching the process of growth and development of confidence in their role as clinicians.

Meghana Suchak, PhD, HSP — Counseling Psychologist, Associate Director of Training

I conceptualize my clients from the lens of psychodynamic, interpersonal and systemic theories. Having said that, I am happy to work with supervisees who take a different approach. As a supervisor I know that some of you are still trying to figure out the intricacies of therapy. My job will be to get you to think about those intricacies critically from various perspectives (be it your notes, case conceptualization, or even ethical issues).

Through supervision I would like to help you develop your voice both inside and outside the therapeutic realm so that you can go on to have a successful practicum experience with us at the counseling center.

Practicum Information

All our practicum positions are filled for the year 2023-24. Please check in February 2024 for updates.

We interview prospective practicum students during the spring semester prior to the fall in which the practicum placement begins. After receiving applications from interested students we will contact candidates for on-site or virtual interviews. We will interview candidates until we have filled all available practicum slots for the academic year. The number of slots available each year varies based on available staff resources. The application for Fall 2023 will be made available in Spring 2023. You may contact the Training Director, Dr. Meghana Suchak with any concerns or questions.