50-60% Individual, Couples, Family, or Group Psychotherapy

Interns are expected to maintain a caseload of clients sufficient to log 1,000 hours in direct client contact hours in an effort to gain considerable experience as a psychotherapist. Interns work with clients having moderate and severe mental disorders. Responsibilities include diagnosis, treatment planning, and empirically-supported treatment interventions. The intern will demonstrate his or her skills to the assigned supervisor by means of recording of sessions (with client consent) for training and supervision purposes. The number of clients and the number of sessions recorded is at the discretion of the supervisor. Interns may also elect to co-lead a group of his or her choice when such opportunities are available. The intern will demonstrate the following in individual supervision sessions:

1.  Ability to establish effective therapeutic relationships
2. Ability to correctly identify and classify disorders
3. Ability to write appropriate treatment plans
4. Proficiency in individual, group, and family therapy according to supervisory guidelines
5. Competence and sensitivity to cultural and individual diversity concerns in planning and implementing treatment
6. Knowledge and skills associated with effective case management
7. Ability to utilize family and community resources in treatment planning and referrals

5-10% Attendance at Didactic Seminars

The purpose of the weekly didactic seminars is two-fold: (1) To integrate and apply the concepts, principles, theories, and techniques of clinical practice within a variety of clients and groups; and (2) To combine each intern’s individual educational, employment, and life experiences, as well as their current internship experiences into a defined professional self.

The seminar provides interns with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate each intern’s awareness of his or her own psychodynamics and their impact on others; to be supportive of his or her peers and listen to contributions of others without judgment; to allow for differences and hear feedback or positive criticism; and to contribute to the learning process by asking questions and offering thoughtful comments or questions.

Attendance at all seminars is mandatory. If an emergency arises and a student is unable to attend, advance notice must be provided to the training manager. Particular importance is placed on attendance and punctuality in order to develop and observe the intern’s capacity to contain and hold information, practice self-discipline, observe the rules of confidentiality, and demonstrate respect for supervisors, staff, and agency policies

5-10% Supervision

The internship includes a minimum of two hours per week of regularly scheduled, formal, face-to-face, individual supervision with the specific intent of dealing with mental health services rendered to clients directly by the intern. Attendance at the weekly group supervision session is mandatory. If an emergency arises and a student is unable to attend, advance notice must be provided to the training coordinator. Attendance at additional supervision groups (e.g., play therapy) is optional, but highly recommended. If the intern wishes to have additional supervision, he or she may arrange additional supervision hours with the Director of Clinical Training.

Theoretical Orientation

Staff: Major views represented include psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic-existential, and integrated approaches

Students: Varies according to interests

Specialization and Restrictions

The Center’s clientele includes outpatients of many ethnicities, all genders, and all ages.

Clients who are not seen at The Center include those who are imminently suicidal, those who are actively psychotic, and those seeking substance abuse treatment. These individuals are referred to other organizations that provide these specialized services.

Application Requirements

1. Third or fourth-year doctoral students in good standing in an APA-approved (or equivalent) clinical psychology or doctoral re-specialization program. This requirement includes the completion of the university’s externship or practicum requirements
2. Interest in community mental health
3. Clinical mental health practicum plus courses in personality theory, psychodiagnostics, psychopathology, and psychotherapy
4. Experience with two or more standardized tests of intellectual, cognitive, academic, and social-emotional functioning

Internship Duties & Requirements

Upon offer of an internship opportunity, all prospective interns must sign a contractual agreement to fulfill the following internship requirements:

1. Participate in the program for 2,000 hours for 50 weeks of the year: Full-time interns must log 40 hours per week; Part-time interns must log 20 hours per week
2. Provide a minimum of 20 hours of individual psychotherapy services each week (10 hours for part-time interns)
3. Each week, work one four hour shift of intake services and related duties
4. Each week, work either one evening (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.) or Saturday
5. Attend all scheduled internship seminars, including the didactic seminar, group supervision group, and individual supervision sessions
6. Adhere to all Center policies and procedures, including those governing documentation and records
7. Inform all clients of one’s training status (i.e., that services are being provided by an intern) and advise clients at least two months in advance of internship termination date
8. Provide a copy of TB test results
9. Provide a copy of liability insurance (through one’s school or individual policy) and agree to keep the policy in effect for the full duration of the internship
10. Attend a mandatory internship orientation session
11. Take HIPPA test
12. Background check