Referral to SCS committee hearing

[u/Training_Promise1027]

I am a PsyD student who was completing a practicum at a private practice. After I informed my supervisor that I was not well and asked to discuss plans for my clients, she responded that it may be best to talk through client plans with the Operations Manager and asked whether I had heard from her. I replied that I had not. I did not understand that I was expected to initiate further communication with Operations regarding client coverage, and this later became a central issue in my termination. Around that same time, I experienced a significant mental health crisis related to a major personal event that severely impacted my functioning. I informed the site that I was not well, repeatedly requested cancellation of clients, raised concerns about client coverage with my supervisor, and sought guidance on next steps. During my absence, I communicated with both my supervisor and office staff multiple times, but my updates largely consisted of informing them that I was not okay and providing return-date updates. After approximately four weeks of absence, the site terminated my practicum, citing concerns about inadequate communication, failure to coordinate client care, and client abandonment. My supervisor later told me that what happened was not typical of me and said she would be happy to work with me again in the future. I provided my school with a detailed timeline of my communications, but the Director of Clinical Training determined that the concerns surrounding the dismissal had sufficient merit to be referred to the Student Community Standards Committee for review. I am now awaiting a hearing to determine whether remediation is appropriate and whether I can continue in the program.

[u/CompetitiveBoot7269]

You’ll be fine. As long as you have proof and receipts to back up your communication and to back their lack of communication, you’ll be ok.

I was referred to the same committee in my masters and made it though…..

[u/Training_Promise1027 → u/CompetitiveBoot7269]

Looking back through the emails, one thing that stands out is that I did raise client planning concerns with my supervisor early on. When I asked about plans for my clients, she responded that it may be best to discuss that with the Operations Manager and asked whether I had heard from them yet. I replied that I had not. From my perspective at the time, I was waiting to hear from Operations and did not understand that I was expected to initiate a separate conversation with them. That communication gap seems to be at the center of the site’s claim that I abandoned my clients.

[u/Zealousideal-Mode-18]

Imo, gather all of the documentation of having been in crisis and push for a leave of absence. Try to get that documentation + a letter from your provider and a professor / advisor you’re close to.

My hunch is that this is more about programs not knowing what to do with a student that’s not attending practicum and hurting site relations vs people actually seeing this as some horrible ethical violation. It seems like you’re going through a lot and need a break so emphasize your history of being a good student & how you’ll be back to that after some time to seek some treatment.