[HumanSer] Trouble finding a practicum site in california

Mon Aug 25 17:52:04 UTC 2025

Serena,

I think you have a mature outlook on this. It is good to look at both sides of this situation. 

I am legally bkind, essentially can't read any more and my field of view restrictions and difficulty with facial recognition, as examples, has led to my essentially stopping seeing clients. 

Not all clinicians are cut out to be supervisors - it is a related but different skillset. Also, not all settings are conducive for the growth of emerging clinicians. Internship and the time until independent licensure are great times for learning and even for trying out things that are not what you plan to do long term. I appreciate having worked inpatient and a variety of roles in community mental health in those early years. I believe I am a stronger outpatient clinician, supervisor and practice owner as a result. 

Of those who approach my practice for placement, many are not even given an interview, and of those who do only a fraction are offered placement. This is the overall situation everyone faces. This is not to say that there aren't places that are biased or who discriminate against people for a whole variety of reasons, including blindness. Some of this is from their perception of whether you can do the job - so how does your approach and presentation address this? how do you make sure this is addressed when it is present? In other cases, it may have to do with concerns about accommodations and these may not even be the accommodations you will need. At what stage and how can these be discussed. In some cases, an accommodation may he unreasonable (a small practice may not reasonably be able to change from an inaccessible EHR, for example) but this is not always the case even if it is an anxietyon the practice’s side. 

Let me go back to the general case. How can you improve your chance if an interview or at least a conversation of some sort (remember that many don't clear this hurdle). For me, here are some pointers that make applicants be more likely to take that step (and while some of these are mine, I have heard colleagues say similar):
- for your approach, include a resume and a cover letter (the latter is usually missing but shows a professionalism)
- in your resume, highlight related relevant experience but don't stretch it too far, when not so relevant highlight traits about you that a supervisor would like to see
- in your cover letter, address why THIS placement is of interest to you, make it individualized, don't make it too generic (although you could base it from a template and some paragraphs can be generic), and don't misaddress it by not changing it from a previous approach (yes, this happens frequently). It makes me feel there is already a better connection when you show me that you have looked into me and aren't just emailing every possible place whether it will be good or not
- for an internship, include a sheet outlining what you will require in the experience and what the qualifications are for a supervisor - these can vary dramatically from school to school and not every site can meet every requirement and supervisors are less likely to pursue someone who they don't know if they will line up against 
- ensure it is proof read, there should not be spelling or grammar mistakes - don't think this is just an issue of blindness and screen readers, everyone needs to do this
- have a certain degree of deference and respect for the person you are approaching. About a month ago, I had a person approach us saying she was starting in two weeks. Not only is she not being interviewed, I wrote the school to complain. Think about this to a lesser degree as well. 
Does this list sound basic? Probably, but only a very small percentage of approachers live up to it. You can stand out from others just on these basics. That then gives you a chance to talk about how you can do the work and learning, and how your blindness can become a non-issue or even an asset. 

Christopher L. Smith
New York

------
C. Smith

Sent from a remote device. 
Please do not reply to this email address, rather use my regular email address (this may possibly be found in the cc) or offer at clsonline.us

> On Aug 25, 2025, at 12:50 PM, Serena Cucco via HumanSer <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Armando,
> 
> It's quite difficult for many blind people to find practicums and jobs.  I
> have my Masters in Social Work.  Both of my practicums didn't work out as
> well as I hoped.  One of them because my supervisor only let me observe the
> court proceedings, not interact with clients.  Although I'm sure part of
> this was because I'm blind, the social worker who worked for this court
> retired right before I started there, so it's possible that my supervisor
> had never dealt with interns.  At the second practicum, my supervisor gave
> me plenty to do, except running therapeutic groups simply wasn't and still
> doesn't match my skill set.  To her credit, she let me work with clients
> individually my second semester.  That worked out a bit better, but I still
> wouldn't have wanted to work there.  Sorry I can't provide more positive
> advice.  Good luck finding a practicum!
> 
> Serena
> 
>> On Sun, Aug 24, 2025 at 10:03 PM Armando Maldonado via HumanSer <
>> humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hello,
>> 
>> I know this may be a long shot but I'm seeking assistance in the following:
>> I'm currently a Master Student enrolled at National University's Master of
>> Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program. I have applied both in
>> person and remotely to no avail. I have been the subject of potential sites
>> discriminating me as they tend to focus on my visual impairment verses what
>> I'm able to do. What are some best places to perhaps secure a practicum
>> placement for March of 2026? Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated.
>> Thanks and hope you have a good day.
>> 
>> Respectfully,
>> 
>> Armando Maldonado
>> 
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