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Site Name: Los Angeles County Department of Health Services

Department: Los Angeles County Internship in Corrections

Department : Los Angeles County Internship in Corrections

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 1130
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
Department: Los Angeles County Internship in Corrections
Address: Correctional Health Services
450 Bauchet Drive
8th Floor Room E815
Los Angeles, California 90012
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA MSA
Distance from Major City: Metro Los Angeles area
Phone: 323-568-4731x
Fax:
Email: MAli3@dhs.lacounty.gov
Web Address:
Brochure Website's Address: http://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhs/1041399_LACPsychCorrectionsBrochure.pdf
Primary Agency Type: Prison or Other Correctional Facility
Additional Agency Types:
  • Prison or Other Correctional Facility
Member of APPIC since:
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Mehjabeen Ali
Chief Psychologist: Tim Belavich
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 18
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 0
Position Information
Start Date: The data is not updated for current year. We are showing the previous data.

09/01/2021
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 42696.00
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Health Insurance, Sick Leave,
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): In the correctional setting, free lunch at the Officers' Dining Room. Use of the custody gym for a nominal fee.
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Most rotations start with a treatment team meeting to discuss patients/clients and to distribute new clinical cases. The days are spent seeing patients/clients for the following reasons: To conduct diagnostic and risk assessments; to assure that patient/inmates are appropriately housed for safety in the jail environment; to address competency to stand trial issues; and to address issues related to treatment and aftercare plans, including those surrounding reintegration into the community and reducing recidivism. Interns also conduct therapy in individual and group formats using various evidence-based practices addressing issues associated with managing stress and reducing risk in the correctional environment; effective communication skills to express needs; symptom management. Interns meet for group supervision, individual supervision, didactics, and additional training in evidence-based practices for use in this setting throughout the week. Interns may work as mental health consultants providing supportive therapy to inmate patients on the medical units and on-call services for crises and release evaluations.
Does this site have practicum psychology students on site? No
Is this program fully affiliated with one or more doctoral programs? No
Is this program partially affiliated with one or more doctoral programs? No
Internship Application Process
Accepting Applicants: No
Application Due Date: The data is not updated for current year. We are showing the previous data.

11/06/2020 11:59 PM
Interviews at this site are:
A Virtual Interview is:
Interview notification date: N/A
Tentative interview date: N/A
Interview process description:

Applicants selected to interview will be notified via email as to interview date and time options.  Interviews will be scheduled in two blocks: in early-mid December and after the new year in January, and will include time spent with the Internship Training Directors, program supervisors and our current interns. The day will include a tour of the Twin Towers Correctional Facility and/or Century Regional Detention Facility, including areas where inmate/patients are seen. Interviewees should plan to spend approximately 3-4 hours on site for the interview and tour process. We believe that it is to the benefit of both applicants and the selection committee to interview on-site, however due to the current pandemic, virtual interviews may also be considered.  The current intern class will be present to address questions and provide their perspective on the program. Applicants are interviewed individually, but program information may be given via group format, depending on how many applicants are interviewing on a given day.

Candidates must successfully pass security clearance in order to interview for an internship position. Please make sure driver's license are valid and not expired.
How to obtain application info: Email the Program
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: Adler School of Professional Psychology; Brigham Young University; The Chicago School; Alliant International University, Fresno; Alliant International University, Los Angeles; Alliant International University/CSPP- San Diego, Alliant International University, San Francisco; Antioch University, Seattle; Argosy University, Orange County; Azusa Pacific University; Carlos Albizu University Miami; Carlos Albizu University- San Juan Campus; Drexel University; Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University; Fuller Gradute School of Psychology; Kean University, Minnesota School of Professional Psychology; Nathan Weiss Graduate College; Nova Southeastern University; Pepperdine University; University of La Verne; Virginia Consortium; The Wright Institute
Internship Applicant Requirements
US Citizenship Required: No
If NOT a U.S. Citizen, Authorization to Work or to Engage in Practical Training (CPT or OPT) in the US is Required: Yes
Canadian Citizenship Required: No
If NOT a Canadian Citizen, Authorization to Work in Canada or to Engage in Practical Training (CPT or OPT) in Canada is Required: No
Masters Degree Required: No
Comprehensive Exams Passed: Yes, by start of internship
Dissertation Proposal Approved: Yes, by ranking deadline
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable): 400
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable):
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable):
Minimum Number of Years of Grad Training Required (if applicable): 3
Accepted / Not-Accepted Program Types
Clinical Psychology Accepted
Counseling Psychology Accepted
School Psychology Not Accepted
APA-Accredited Accepted
CPA-Accredited Not Accepted
PCSAS-Accredited
Non-Accredited Not Accepted
Ph.D Degree Accepted
Psy.D. Degree Accepted
Ed.D. Degree Not Accepted
This institution, department, internship, or postdoctoral program requires trainees to sign a statement about personal behavior and/or religious beliefs as a condition of admission and/or retention in the program: No
How to obtain text of statement:
Other Requirements: Final acceptance to the internship requires fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice, security clearance for the jail, a pre-employment physical, and verification of your legal right to work in the United States. Lawful permanent residents in the United States may apply.
Program Description

Link to our brochure: 

http://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhs/1041399_LACPsychCorrectionsBrochure.pdf

 

This internship will accept applications from students attending American Psychological Association (APA) accredited graduate programs. Preference is given to applicants who have completed their dissertations prior to the start of internship. To be internship-eligible for this site, by the start of internship, applicants will have 1) Completed at least three years of graduate study in psychology, 2) Received approval for internship readiness by his/her doctoral program training director, 3) Completed 400 supervised direct intervention hours, 4) Produced at least five integrated assessment reports, 5) Administered, Scored and written integrated reports using data from at least three Wechsler Intelligence Scales (child or adult) and three personality assessment measures (e.g. MMPI, PAI),  6) Conducted at least ten intake assessments. To supplement the APPIC application, we request all applicants submit one integrated testing report which includes a clinical interview, and test interpretation on measures administered and scored by the applicant. Tests administered should include an intelligence test and a personality measure.

Because there is nearly a full year of experience to be gained between the application submission and the start of the internship, we ask that applicants detail their anticipated clinical experience on the APPIC application. For example, applicants should include the various assessment measures they expect to administer, and anticipated hours. Additionally, if applicants anticipate scoring/interpreting assessment results and producing integrated reports, this should also be detailed. Group and individual treatment and anticipated hours should be reported as well. This level of detail will provide our application review team with a better representation of each applicant.  

At this internship, interns provide services focusing on symptom reduction, crisis management, recidivism reduction and aftercare to incarcerated individuals at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility and at the Century Regional Detention Center. The population served may be diagnosed with severe/persistent mental disorders, mood disorders, and PTSD. A large majority of our clients present with co-occurring disorders. In the course of their work, interns conduct clinical assessments for diagnostics, treatment and aftercare needs, with a focus on reintegration into the community. Group and individual treatment utilizes a number of evidence-based techniques and may include Seeking Safety, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), DBT, and CBT. Supervisors have been trained in a range of theoretical orientations. A minimum of two hours per week is spent in individual supervision and an additional two hours per week is spent in group supervision in accordance with American Psychological Association (APA) requirements. Formal training includes weekly didactic sessions, evidence-based practices seminars and various relevant training offered by the Los Angeles County (LAC). In addition, interns are offered additional training opportunities such as case conferences, staffing meetings, Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds and outside training through LAC. Bilingual/Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. Please note that we do not offer training in formal psychological assessment. Our focus is on clinical assessment, risk assessment, treatment and preparation for return to the community. Recruitment for, and acceptance into, the internship program conforms to the Los Angeles County Policy of Equity (http://file.lacounty.gov/bos/supdocs/070111_Equity.pdf) and all APPIC selection rules.

 

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations
Infants:
Toddlers:
Children:
Adolescents:
Adults: Yes
Family:
Older Adults: Yes
Inpatients: Yes
Outpatients: Yes
Gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender: Yes
Ethnic minorities: Yes
Spanish-speaking: Yes
French-speaking:
Deaf/Hearing-impaired: Yes
Students:
International Students:
Rural:
Urban: Yes
Low income: Yes
Homelessness: Yes
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Individual Therapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Couples Therapy:
Family Therapy:
Group Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Community Intervention:
Consultation/Liaison: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Crisis Intervention: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Brief Psychotherapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation:
Primary Care:
Evidenced Based Practice: Experience (21% to 30%)
Evidence Based Research:
Supervision of Practicum students :
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Women's Health:
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders:
Sexual Disorders:
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:
Physical Disabilities:
Learning Disabilities:
Developmental Disabilities:
Assessment:
Neuropsychology-Adult:
Neuropsychology-Child:
Serious Mental Illness: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Anxiety Disorders: Experience (21% to 30%)
Trauma/PTSD: Experience (21% to 30%)
Sexual Abuse: Experience (21% to 30%)
Substance Use Disorders: Experience (21% to 30%)
Forensics/Corrections: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sexual Offenders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Geropsychology:
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling:
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy: Experience (21% to 30%)
Feminist Therapy:
Religion/Spirituality:
Empirically-Supported Treatments: Experience (21% to 30%)
Public Policy/Advocacy:
Program Development/Evaluation:
Supervision:
Research:
Administration: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Integrated health care - primary:
Integrated health care - specialty:
Other:

Please note: Formal assessment opportunities at the jail are rare to nonexistent.

Additional information about training opportunities: Not all rotations or training experiences may be available as described in the APPIC Directory. Please consult the program's application materials or their website at: for a complete description of the training opportunities available at this training site. IF the site has not updated their information by August 1, feel free to contact the Training Director for additional information.

Summary of the Characteristics of the Specified Internship Class
2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024
Number of Completed Applications: 113 68 73 58 104
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 39 47 56 30 49
Total number of interns: 4 4 4 4 4
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 4 4 4 4 4
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 1 o 2 3 1
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 2 4 2 1 3
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 4 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 3 4 4 4 4
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 1 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 9 4 4 8 4
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 27 24 26 57 29
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2022-2023
Academic teaching:
Community mental health center: 0
Consortium: 0
University Counseling Center: 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 0
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 0
Psychiatric facility: 0
Correctional facility: 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0
School district/system: 0
Independent practice setting: 0
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0
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