Field Experience

Naijian Zhang, PhD, is a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania and tenured full professor in the Department of Counselor Education at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Zhang has over 20 years’ experience of clinical practice and teaching in counseling psychology, higher education/student affairs, and language programs at college and university and was also a university administrator (Acting Department Chair, Graduate Coordinator). He has authored, coauthored, and edited over 40 articles, book chapters, and books. His most recent books include Field Experience: Transitioning from Student to Professional in 2015, Counseling Theory: Guiding Reflective Practice in 2014, Becoming a Skilled Counselor in 2013, Rentz’s Student Affairs Practice in Higher Education and Psychology in 2016, and Multicultural and Diversity Issues in Student Affairs Practice: A Professional Competency-Based Approach in 2019. Dr. Zhang is also the co-editor of the book series Counseling and Professional Identity which consists of 23 counseling books and editor of the book series, American Series in Student Affairs Practice and Professional Identity (11 volumes). Dr. Zhang was Vice President, President, and Past-President of the Association of Chinese Helping Professionals and Psychologists – International. He is a recipient of the Travel Award from the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Outstanding Research Award and Outstanding Service Award from the American College Personnel Association (ACPA). Currently he is teaching in a full load of graduate courses and seeing clients in his private practice. In addition, Dr. Zhang frequently gives presentations and conducts counseling training workshops internationally.Richard D. Parsons, Ph.D. is a Full Professor in the Counselor Education Department at West Chester University.  Dr. Parsons has over 45 years of university teaching in counselor preparation programs. Prior to his University teaching Dr. Parsons spent 9 years as a school counselor in an inner-city high school.

"This text goes above and beyond the ‘typical’ skill building approach to field placement experiences. The emphasis on the development of professional identity will support students as they practice applying what they have learned in a classroom to clinical work in the real world—a transition that can be challenging for many students."

• Chapter 1: Field Experience as Formative to Professional IdentityField Experience: A Unique Learning ExperienceField Work: Fostering an Emerging Professional IdentityNurturing Your Professional IdentityPostscriptChapter 2: Matching Self to SiteIt Starts With Self-AppraisalAssessing Field Placement OptionsMatching Self to Site: Targeting Professional DevelopmentChapter 3: From the Ideal to the RealKnowing the IdealThe Real Is Often Less Than IdealEven Interns Can Effect Change and Define RolesChapter 4: The Ethics of Practice: More Than Knowing, BeingThe Need and Value of Professional EthicsThe What: In PrincipleFrom the Ideal to the RealChapter 5: Reflecting on PracticeReflecting on Practice: Case ConceptualizationReflecting in Practice: Guiding Moment-to-Moment DecisionsReflective Practice: Supporting Efficacy and AccountabilityReflection: For Professional DevelopmentChapter 6: Growing Through SupervisionCounseling SupervisionExpectations of Counseling SupervisionIssues and Dilemmas in SupervisionChapter 7: Multicultural Counseling in PracticeMulticulturalism in CounselingMulticultural Counseling CompetenceDeveloping Multicultural Counseling CompetenceMulticultural Counseling Competence and Professional IdentityChapter 8: Crisis Prevention and Intervention: Suicide and HomicideThe Nature of Crisis and Crisis InterventionSuicideWhen Harm Is Other DirectedSite Policy on Crisis ProceduresChapter 9: Reducing RiskThe Risk of Physical HarmReducing Legal RisksPostscriptChapter 10: Documentation and Record KeepingPurpose of Documentation and Record KeepingEthical and Legal RamificationsThe “What” of Case DocumentationThe “How,” or Format, of Case DocumentationConcluding ThoughtsChapter 11: Termination and ClosureTerminating the Counseling RelationshipChallenges to Effective and Ethical TerminationSteps Toward Effective and Ethical TerminationTerminating Other Relationships at InternshipChapter 12: Self-Care and Self-Protection—Necessary for All CounselorsCounseling: Challenging the Well-Being of the CounselorBurnoutCompassion FatigueChapter 13: Transition from Practice to CareerConnection Between Internship and CareerPreparation for EmploymentPlacement ResourcesAdvanced EducationPostscriptChapter 14: Transitions: Self as CounselorIdentityResponding to the CallingWith Pride