Practicum Frequently Asked Questions

On this page, you will find answers to frequently asked questions for prospective practicum Volunteer Crisis Counselors. If you have additional questions not answered by this page, you can contact the University Relations team.

Requirements to Volunteer

What are the technical requirements for volunteers?

To volunteer at Trevor, you’ll need the right technology. Security, privacy, sound quality and a strong internet connection are all key elements to providing a safe and supportive experience for contacts. Our technical requirements include:

• A personal laptop or desktop computer with a minimum of 8GB of RAM – sorry no tablets, iPads, mobile phones or computers issued by your employer.
  • Please note that Chromebooks and Chromeboxes most often do not have enough RAM to meet these requirements.
• Access to a private space with a secure, private high-speed internet connection with no VPN
• An up-to-date operating system (such as Windows 10, MacOS Ventura, Big Sur, or Monterey, or the most recent Linux)
• The ability to download the latest version of Google Chrome
• A minimum of 5Mbps download speed, 2Mbps upload speed and an Octane score of over 30,000. You can measure your internet speed here and measure your Octane score here

It is also important for Trevor volunteers to have a general comfort with using online technology, including navigating multiple platforms at once while on shift. See our full article about volunteer technology requirements here.

Can I volunteer from anywhere?

All of our volunteer opportunities are remote. Volunteers may work from anywhere in the United States (50 states and the District of Columbia), as long as they have access to a personal desktop or laptop computer, a consistent and stable server, a private and secure internet connection and a private space to respond to crisis contacts. Please note that volunteers are not able to use a school or work-issued laptop or a public wifi connection (unless it is on a secure school wifi network) during their volunteer shifts. At this time we are only able to have volunteers fulfill their shifts while in the United States (50 states and the District of Columbia) due to our background check requirements and security protocols that ensure the safety of our crisis contacts.

Practicum Student Volunteer Training Program

What is training like?

Our online training consists of 40+ hours of combined lesson and practice content, with self-paced modules covering counseling skills, LGBTQ+ identities, our Support Model (the framework for all conversations on our crisis services platform), and relevant policies, procedures, and protocols to prepare prospective volunteers to speak with crisis contacts. Trainees will also complete a number of shadow shifts and scheduled role-plays to apply this training material and prepare for interactions with contacts who reach out to our service. If trainees complete their modules and pass their evaluated role-plays, they will move on to New Counselor Shifts (NCS). NCS are a counselor’s first, highly-monitored, conversations with real contacts, during which counselors receive extra support and feedback. Trainees who complete the counselor training program and adhere to Trevor’s Support Model are moved forward to become active counselors.

Do I have to be available during specific days and times for training?

The majority of your training will be asynchronous, but 2-4 weekly meetings with your trainer and task or field supervisor will be required. Trainees are expected to spend the necessary amount of hours each week to meet weekly training requirements that include the completion of training modules and module assessments, designed to reinforce the skills and concepts taught in the training modules. Additionally, trainees will be scheduled for role-plays on specific dates and times over the course of four weeks, where they will apply concepts and skills taught in training to practice scenarios.

On shift as a Practicum Student Volunteer Crisis Counselor

When do practicum student volunteer shifts take place?

The Trevor Project runs 24/7 crisis services for LGBTQ+ young people. This means that volunteer shifts happen all day and all night. Accepted practicum volunteers will meet with a practicum task supervisor to match your availability with the needs of The Trevor Project.

What support will I receive as a practicum student volunteer?

The Trevor Project’s training offers a comprehensive suite of skills and resources to support volunteers in a wide variety of circumstances. During training you will have support from a Training Coordinator who will support you through role-plays, provide feedback, and answer questions throughout your journey. During New Counselor Shifts, you will be monitored by a Digital or Lifeline On Shift Support staff member for your first conversations with youth. The University Relations team will manage your schedule, provide feedback, and facilitate ongoing learning throughout practicum. While on shift and for the duration of your practicum, you will always have access to support from your task or field supervisor and Trevor staff, with no exceptions.

What kinds of conversations will I have as a practicum student volunteer?

Contacts reach out to The Trevor Project every day for a wide variety of reasons. Some contacts are in moments of imminent risk of suicide; others just need someone to talk to. Due to the nature of our service, serious topics including suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, addiction, abuse, sexual violence, bullying, depression and other mental health crises often come up in conversation. Our team prepares practicum student volunteers extensively for the many potential scenarios that may emerge in conversation, and there are trained on-shift support staff members available to support at all times on shift.

What is the protocol if a young person is considered to be at imminent risk?

At The Trevor Project, staff may determine there is a need to contact emergency services on behalf of someone at imminent risk of suicide, but this is always a last resort. Practicum student volunteers are never responsible for managing these interventions, as this is the role of Trevor staff. First and foremost, we do this because we prioritize the safety of crisis contacts who reach out to us. Before contacting emergency services, we always make numerous attempts to de-escalate our contacts. We also try to empower the contact by having them take part in a self-intervention (e.g., help them to admit themselves to a hospital). If neither de-escalation nor a self-intervention is possible, Trevor staff may alert emergency services. Even in these instances, we cannot guarantee who exactly will arrive or if they will arrive at all because this is determined by the infrastructure and resources of the relevant local provider.

Other Important Questions

What if I want to go on vacation or something comes up and I have to miss my shift?

The Trevor Project has policies to manage shift cancellations and substitutions as they are needed. However, we limit the number of shift cancellations practicum student volunteers can take, and ask that you plan ahead to ensure you are available for shifts. You are expected to always communicate with your task or field supervisor to ensure the completion of your practicum hours.

Do you verify volunteer hours?

If you are volunteering with The Trevor Project as part of an official clinical placement or practicum partnership, your hours will be verified as part of this program. If you need verified volunteer hours as part of a course or degree requirement, Contact Us regarding University Practicum before you start volunteering.

Do you have any other volunteer opportunities for practicum students?

At this time, our only volunteer opportunities are with our TrevorChat/TrevorText and TrevorLifeline programs.

Still have questions not answered by this article? Fill out our Contact Us form to get in touch with the Volunteer Operations team.