1) Ethical and Professional Standards
You are expected to become familiar with the policies and procedures of the SUU Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Center and the AAMFT Code of Ethics. Particular attention should be paid to confidentiality, professional conduct, and observation protocols. Students will practice maintaining professional boundaries, respecting client privacy, and discussing cases only in approved settings. Failure to adhere to professional standards may result in review by the MFT Advisory Committee and may require remediation, educational intervention, or, in severe cases, dismissal from the program.
2) Diversity and Inclusivity
You are expected to demonstrate respect for differences, honoring the many factors that produce diversity in our community. These include age, culture, environment, ethnicity, gender, health/ability, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, spirituality, and socioeconomic status. Students should reflect on how their own perspectives and biases may influence clinical work and observation.
3) Goal Setting and Feedback
You are expected to establish three professional development goals for the semester, focusing on skills such as observation, theoretical integration, professional identity, and cultural responsiveness. Goals should be outlined in a one-page paper due by the second class session. Throughout the semester, you will monitor your progress toward these goals, provide constructive feedback to peers, and submit a brief end-of-semester reflection evaluating your growth.
4) Observation and Case Discussions
During Pre-Clinical Practice, you will observe live and recorded therapy sessions conducted by advanced students and faculty. You are expected to:
- Take structured notes guided by the case observation template (provided in class).
- Discuss systemic perspectives, cultural factors, and therapist interventions.
- Reflect on how theory informs observed practice.
- Ask questions and contribute meaningfully to team discussions.
You will not be responsible for presenting your own clinical cases. Instead, you will practice articulating working hypotheses, noticing interventions, and connecting theory to observed sessions.
5) Video Observation and Review
When observing recorded sessions, you are expected to come prepared, having reviewed the case background materials. You will practice identifying key moments, reflecting on interventions, and posing thoughtful questions for discussion.
6) Session Planning and Feedback
Although you will not lead sessions, you are expected to participate in team-based pre-session planning and post-session debriefings for cases observed. This includes offering observations, asking systemic questions, and reflecting on how you might approach the case in future practicum experiences.
7) Professional Development Documentation
Instead of clinical documentation, you will complete:
- Weekly observation logs.
- Reflective summaries connecting observation to theory and ethics.
- Goal-setting and progress reflections.
These documents serve to track your learning, not clinical records.
8) Attendance and Participation
You are expected to attend and be on time for all pre-clinical practice sessions, observations, and group discussions. Consistent attendance and active participation are crucial for developing clinical reasoning, professional identity, and readiness for practicum. Absences must be communicated in advance. Excessive absences will impact your grade and may require remediation.
9) Evaluation and Self-Assessment
At the end of the semester, you will complete a self-assessment of your progress toward your goals and receive feedback from your instructor. Evaluation will focus on your growth in observation skills, theoretical integration, ethical understanding, cultural awareness, and professional conduct.