USU Counseling and Psychological Services REACH PEER Program

REACH Peers are volunteer undergraduate students who are seeking experience working in a counseling center. Peers divide their time between clinical hours (working with clients on skills training) and work on outreach projects. Peers go through an intensive training program, beginning shortly after they are selected and continuing during the first four weeks of the academic year. The training program covers professional ethics and basic counseling skills. REACH Peer positions are available to individuals who will be juniors or seniors next year. Persons selected must be available for the entire academic year and work under the direction of the USU Counseling Center.

REACH Peers volunteer an average of 6-7 hours per week, including 1.5 hours in a weekly training/planning meeting (usually Tuesdays at 5:15 p.m.), 1 hour for individual supervision (with a CAPS staff member), 2 hours spent with individual clients working on relaxation, stress management, social skills and/or assertiveness training, and 1.5 hours per week on planning and providing outreach.

Initial training will begin in April (2 sessions) Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 5 - 9 p.m. and continue in September (extended weekly meetings for the first 2 weeks). There will also be a retreat on a Saturday in early September. Credit is available for Psychology and FCHD majors for the REACH Peer experience, but Peers must talk with department advisors and complete paperwork PRIOR to Fall Semester.

In this position, we consider direct work with individuals and prevention-oriented programming to be equally important. Applicants will be evaluated on their aptitude for: listening to individuals, planning and presenting programs, and working as a team member with the other peers and Counseling Center professional staff. In addition, we look for "a good fit" in terms of student needs. We try to select REACH Peers who can reach out to various parts of the campus community. For example, to reach out to non-traditional students, we will look for at least one REACH Peer who fits that niche. Based on the applications, we will invite 12-15 applicants for group interviews. Of those, 8-10 will be selected for the REACH Peer positions. If you have any questions, you are welcome to visit with this year's Peers by calling the Counseling Center at 797-1012.

Applications available in TSC306 or by printing this page

All applicants must provide two (2) letters of reference from qualified individuals who know them well enough to comment on work habits/dependability, teamwork and interpersonal skills. These letters should include phone numbers and email addresses, if available for follow-up contact as needed. Letters are due Friday, March 06, 2009 and can accompany application or be sent separately to:

APPLICATION AND LETTERS OF REFERENCE DUE: FRIDAY, MARCH 6TH BY 5:00 P.M. IN TSC 306 or may be submitted as email attachment to Thomas.Berry@usu.edu

REACH Peer Coordinator
OR
E-Mail: Thomas.Berry@usu.edu
USU Counseling and Psychological Services
Subject: Peer Letter
0115 Old Main Hill
OR
Logan UT 84322-0115
Fax: 435-797-0855

REACH PEER - APPLICATION

Name:   E-Mail:  
Local Address:  
  Phone:  
Permanent Address:  
  Phone:  
Current Student Status: ____Sophomore    ____Junior    ____Senior
Major: : Anticipated Graduation Date

COMMITMENT:
REACH Peer work requires an approximate commitment of six (6) hours per week for both Fall and Spring Semesters.

1.5 hours training/planning meeting (usually Tuesday's 5:15 p.m.)
1 hour supervision (w/CAPS staff)to be scheduled each semester
2 hours working with individual clients (matched to your schedule = Monday - Friday 8 - 5)
1.5 hour planning and providing outreach (mainly at your availability)
Are your willing to make such a commitment? _____Yes _____ No

 

Initial training will begin in April (two sessions) and continue in September (two sessions). These are evening sessions held once a week from 5 - 9 p.m.
Are your willing to make such a commitment? _____Yes _____ No

 

Some planning will need to be done over the summer via e-mail, which will require checking your e-mail on a regular bases and responding quickly.
Are your willing to make such a commitment? _____Yes _____ No

 

All applicants must provide two (2) letters of reference from qualified individuals who know you well enough to comment on work habits/dependability, teamwork and interpersonal skills. These letters should include phone numbers and email addresses, if available, for follow-up contact as needed.

Letters are due Friday, March 6th and can accompany application or be sent separately.

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Summarize key experiences that may have prepared you to work with individual clients, organize events, or present workshops:

 

 

 

Define your key interpersonal strengths:

 

 

On a separate sheet of paper, list the classes you have taken in psychology or other behavioral/social sciences. Below, please describe the two or three most important things you have learned in these classes:

 

 

Identify specific groups on campus with whom you have connections or with whom you are interest in working: (e.g. Career Exploration; Women's Center; RHA; Multicultural or International Students, etc.)

 

 

Discuss your experience with and appreciation of diversity:

 

 

List any educational events, projects or workshops you would like to see REACH Peers provide next year:

 

 

APPLICATION AND LETTERS OF REFERENCE DUE: FRIDAY, MARCH 6TH BY 5 p.m. IN TSC306 or may be submited as email attachment to Thomas.berry@usu.edu

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