Practicum Program
For graduate students seeking a thoughtfully held practicum experience, Ground & Grow offers a structured and supportive environment for clinical growth and professional formation.
Overview
The Ground & Grow Practicum Program is designed as a reflective training environment for emerging therapists in the final stages of their graduate education.
More than a placement site, this program functions as a professional holding space, where students can deepen clinical skills, strengthen ethical awareness, and develop a grounded therapeutic identity within a supervised and reflective framework.
Our aim is to support students not only in completing required practicum hours but in growing into thoughtful, accountable, and relational clinicians.
Our Training Philosophy
Our training model is grounded in relational integrity, reflective practice, and professional accountability.
Ground & Grow operates in collaboration with experienced Registered Psychotherapists who provide clinical supervision to student therapists. Together, this layered model of leadership and oversight supports both professional growth and client safety.
As Practicum Director and faculty member at The CREATE Institute, Daniela Garcia brings extensive experience in clinical education, ethics, documentation standards, cultural sensitivity, and the safe and effective use of self in clinical work. These foundations inform the structure and expectations of the program.
We view training as both clinical and developmental. Students are supported in:
• Cultivating ethical and culturally responsive practice
• Developing strong documentation habits
• Strengthening therapeutic presence and professional boundaries
• Engaging in ongoing reflection and case consultation
• Integrating feedback into clinical growth
In addition to core supervision structures, Daniela facilitates a monthly professional development workshop for practicum students. Ground & Grow may also host optional workshops led by guest facilitators from varied clinical backgrounds, offering exposure to diverse therapeutic perspectives and modalities.
We also provide thoughtful guidance for students preparing to transition toward independent practice. This includes support in clarifying areas of clinical focus, articulating a professional identity, and developing a responsible and ethically grounded online presence.
What Students Can Expect
• A clearly defined practicum framework
• Ongoing supervision provided by Registered Psychotherapists
• Case consultation and reflective discussion
• Clear expectations regarding documentation and professional conduct
• Guidance on ethical decision-making and clinical boundaries
• Support in developing therapeutic confidence and relational depth
• Exposure to integrative and creative therapeutic approaches (where relevant)
• Opportunities for optional workshops and professional enrichment
• A respectful and accountable training environment
This program is designed to balance autonomy with support, challenge with containment, and growth with ethical responsibility.
Students are supported within a learning environment that values accountability while recognizing the emotional and ethical responsibility inherent in clinical work. Space is created not only for skill development, but for processing the vulnerabilities that arise in holding clients’ stories, maintaining confidentiality, and practicing with professional boundaries.
Eligibility & Requirements
Ground & Grow partners with graduate-level counselling and psychotherapy programs.
We accept applications from advanced students who are eligible to begin practicum in accordance with their university’s policies and curriculum requirements. All placements must align with the academic and regulatory guidelines of the student’s training institution.
Applicants must:
• Be enrolled in a recognized graduate-level counselling or psychotherapy program
• Have completed all prerequisite coursework required by their institution before beginning practicum (if applicable)
• Demonstrate readiness for clinical work
• Commit to the professional and ethical standards of the practice
• Proof of Professional Liability Insurance
An application process is required for all prospective practicum students.