Work with Real Clients. Gain Real Confidence.
As a student in one of UCF’s top-ranked counseling programs, you won’t just learn about counseling through role-play or simulations. You’ll work with real clients in one of the largest and most active counselor training clinics in the country. And you won’t do it alone.
While you’re working with your clients in UCF’s Community Counseling and Research Center, your supervisor will be listening in from a nearby room, offering real-time guidance through a Bluetooth earpiece. Outside of sessions, you’ll meet with your supervisor one-on-one for an hour each week to ask questions, reflect on your work and receive personalized feedback on both your clinical skills and professional disposition. From them, you’ll receive two formal evaluations — one mid-semester and one at the end — intended to support your growth and track your progress. You’ll also participate in 1.5 hours of weekly group supervision with a small cohort of fellow graduate students. It’s a space to collaborate, troubleshoot and deepen your understanding of client care in a supportive, team-oriented setting.
Every part of this experience is designed to help you grow in both competence and confidence — so when you step into the field, you’re ready to practice counseling that’s meaningful, ethical and effective.
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Our Philosophy
We believe that every individual has the capacity for growth, and our role is to support that journey through thoughtful, goal-oriented care. That’s why we approach each client with compassion, respect and a commitment to meaningful progress. Through practicum and internship experiences, you’ll work collaboratively with clients to develop personalized treatment plans that outline clear objectives and measurable steps toward healing and personal development. Whether clients are navigating challenges or pursuing greater well-being, our focus remains on helping them leave stronger, more empowered and better equipped to thrive in their everyday lives.
“The direct client experience I gained at UCF's Community Counseling and Research Center allowed me to build foundational skills while growing in confidence as a counselor.”
Andrew Bekemeyer ’24MA
Owner, Bekemeyer Counseling
Practicum Experience
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Where Counselors Become Leaders
As a doctoral student, you’ll have the unique opportunity to deepen your clinical expertise by serving as a supervisor in the center beginning your second year. It’s a meaningful part of your development that helps you grow as both a clinician and a leader. With faculty support, you’ll guide master’s-level counseling students through their cases, offer feedback and model ethical, effective practice. Along the way, you’ll strengthen your own skills, deepen your understanding of the supervision process, and start shaping your identity as an educator and professional in the field. It’s hands-on, rewarding and a powerful way to prepare for advanced roles in counseling and mental health care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Services provided at the center are free; however, there is a three-semester service limit.
The master's and doctoral students are at the end of an intensive and comprehensive graduate program and are applying acquired knowledge to their work with clients seeking all forms of assistance. Supervised by faculty members and/or doctoral students learning clinical supervision, the clinical staff provides all the direct care to clients.
No. We are a training facility, and all services are offered in-person at UCF's Community Counseling and Research Center.
Maybe. We see most clients and serve families, adults, adolescents, children and couples. We will only see UCF students who have been referred from the Student Counseling Center on campus. Among other issues, we offer help to those struggling with:
Abuse(non-present) and Neglect
Anger and Rage
Attachment Issues
Career Issues
Codependency
Communication
Depression
Divorce
Family Issues
Fear and Anxiety
Grief and Loss
Infidelity
Marriage Issues
Mental Illness
Marital or Premarital Issues
Parenting Challenges
Relationships
Sexuality
Spiritual Issues
Step-Family Issues
Stress
Yes. We try to accommodate your preferences, but we cannot guarantee that each consideration will be met.
Maybe. We do our best to pair you with the same counselor, but given schedules and counselor transitions, that process may not always be possible. In that case, you’ll be paired with the next available counselor.
No. Unfortunately, we do not provide childcare. Children cannot be left in the waiting room unattended or be brought into session unless it is for family counseling.
No. We do not provide these assessments, but we may be able to provide referrals to places that do.
All the recordings are kept on a secure computer system that is password protected.
In order to meet the needs of the community and provide services to those individuals on the waiting list, we abide by a strict cancellation/no-show policy. If you fail to attend your first scheduled session, you will be automatically removed from the counselor's schedule in order to accommodate other available parties from the waiting list. In order to place your name back on the waiting list, you must call in and speak with one of our available staff members. Special considerations may be arranged by your counselor on a case-by-case basis for emergency situations.
After the first session, the clinic has a strict two cancellation/no-show policy. If you must cancel, please make sure to call the clinic at 407-823-2052 to inform the counselor. After two missed/cancelled sessions, you will be removed from the counselor's schedule. If you are interested in being placed back on the waiting list, you must call in and speak with a staff member. Again, special considerations may be arranged by your counselor on a case-by-case basis for emergency situations.
In order to request records or a treatment letter from the CCRC, you must fill out and sign the "Authorization to Use and Disclose Protected Health Information" form found in the "forms" section. When requesting records, please allow at least 3 weeks for our staff to gather and prepare a copy of requested records or a treatment letter.
Please Note: Your diagnosis will not be disclosed with any records. As a training facility, the diagnosis process is a training exercise alone for the professional growth of the counseling student and is not an official component of your records.