Please submit an application and your CV (link below) to apply for a position for our full-year practicum program. *We have now filled our cohort starting September 2024 and ending August 2025. We will accept applications in November 2025 for the program starting September 2025.

About the Program

At River's Edge Counselling Centre, we believe that professional excellence and quality care is enhanced by an active learning environment, which includes the presence of students, ongoing consultation and professional development opportunities.

River's Edge Counselling Centre provides 5 graduate students each year with supervision and support as part of their practicum requirement for a master's level program in psychology or counselling. Students are given the opportunity to learn the skills and art of counselling/psychotherapy in a supportive collegial environment, with an emphasis on an integrative, holistic approach. We have 5 clinical supervisors and ensure each student accepted to the program finds a supervisor on our team who is a good 'fit' for their learning and professional requirements.

Students must be willing to commit weekly to a minimum of 2 clinical days (providing counselling to adults and teens, and potentially children and couples), as well as an additional half-day with seminars and a process group, for one full year starting in early September. Students also facilitate one community Wellness Matters talk, and attend one team case conference per month. There may be opportunities to provide couples and group counselling, depending on the student's goals and readiness. Students are required to provide at least 325 hours of direct counselling over the year, as referrals allow. For most students, the practicum will exceed the requirements of their program for both direct client hours and supervision.

Students seeking an opportunity to develop their professional identity as a therapist, to work with clients longer-term, to integrate skills and theory, and to experience being part of a team devoted to excellence and collaboration in practice, will be a good fit for our program. Students in graduate psychology programs, intending to become a Registered Psychologist or Canadian Certified Counsellor (applying to the new College of Counselling Therapy of Alberta when proclaimed), are welcome to submit applications.

Application Form

The training program at Rivers Edge Counselling Centre also meets an important need in the St. Albert community, providing low-cost counselling services on a sliding fee scale. Referrals from physicians and our community mental health partners are encouraged for clients who need counselling, but do not have insurance coverage or the resources for therapy with a professional in private practice. The services of student counsellors are under the close supervision of a professional therapist and all efforts will be made to ensure clients are a good fit for the experience and skills of the student counsellor.

If you have any questions about our program, please contact our Director, Nicole Imgrund (nicole@riversedgecounselling.com). If you are interested in our practicum program for September 2024 - August 2025, please submit the completed application, along with your CV and two references, to nicole@riversedgecounselling.com, between November 1 and November 30, 2023.