As my time as a practicum student at The Cove comes to an end, I’m excited to share some of my reflections. It’s been quite the journey, and I’ve learned so much along the way. From
shadowing sessions, weekly supervision meetings, participating in workshops and trainings, and even planning and presenting my own workshop on PMDD – every part of my experience has helped shape my understanding of psychotherapy.
One of the highlights was shadowing my supervisor for a few sessions. I know from
my own experience how vulnerable therapy can be, so I feel so grateful for the clients that
allowed me the unique opportunity to sit in on their sessions for the purpose of learning.
Shadowing sessions allowed me to better understand the client-therapist relationship and
witness the subtleties of client engagement and see therapeutic techniques come to life.
Weekly supervision sessions were equally impactful. They were a space for reflection and
discussion, which helped me to process my observations, experiences, and ask any questions that came to mind. The environment at The Cove is so warm and welcoming that supervision sessions felt more like having a coffee with a friend, and something I would look forward to every Monday morning, and definitely one of the things I will miss most about The Cove!
During my practicum I was able to attend some workshops and trainings. One of my favourites was an EMDR training that Danielle was completing, that I was able to sit in on. These were more than just learning opportunities – they were eye-opening experiences for me. I found the EMDR training so interesting and inspiring that I now hope to complete the training myself in the future!
While I had so many amazing experiences during the three months I’ve been at The Cove, I
would say that one of my peak experiences was planning and presenting a workshop on
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). Preparing for and executing this workshop was both exciting and nerve-wracking. As the date of the workshop got closer and closer, I started feeling anxious (like, really anxious), but with the team’s incredible support and guidance, I was able to navigate those nerves and deliver a workshop that I felt truly proud of. The experience was SO rewarding in the end. Not only did it boost my confidence, but it also affirmed my desire to work with clients struggling with PMDD in the future. Having lived experience with the lonely and often misunderstood disorder, I’ve always been passionate about supporting others who face similar challenges. After this workshop, I’m even more committed to integrating this into my practice and helping clients navigate their PMDD journeys as well.
Overall, my time at The Cove has been such an amazing and transformative experience. I’m so thankful that I had the chance to learn and grow alongside such a supportive and inspiring team. Each moment has left such an impact on me and I’m eager to carry forward all the lessons and insights I’ve gained here into my future practice. I’m filled with gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead, and I hope that my path crosses with The Cove again in the future!
Paige is an advanced practicum student at The Cove (May-August 2024). She’s going into her final year in the Bachelor of Applied Science in Community Social Services program at the University of Guelph-Humber. She is passionate about mental health, specifically in the relationship between women’s hormonal fluctuations and mental well-being. If you ever engage in a conversation with Paige, don’t be surprised if she asks you what your zodiac sign is!