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Site Name: Western Carolina University

Department: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Department : Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 2132
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Western Carolina University
Department: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Address: 225 Bird Building 2nd Floor
Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Distance from Major City: ~ 50 miles SW of Asheville, NC; ~150 miles NE of Atlanta, GA; ~ 160 miles W of Charlotte, NC
Phone: 828-227-7469
Fax: 828-227-7004
Email: mjmanalo@email.wcu.edu
Web Address: http://www.wcu.edu/experience/health-and-wellness/caps/capstraining.aspx
Brochure Website's Address: http://www.wcu.edu/experience/health-and-wellness/caps/capstraining.aspx
Primary Agency Type: University Counseling Center
Additional Agency Types:
  • University Counseling Center
Member of APPIC since:
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Jay Manalo
Chief Psychologist: Caroline Engler Ph.D.
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 3
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 0
Position Information
Start Date: 08/01/2024
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 3
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 28000
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits:
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): Interns are appointed as temporary hourly positions, paid at a rate that equates to $28,000 over the course of the 12 month internship year. Accordingly, interns are not eligible for the employer subsidized North Carolina State Health Plan. However, interns may elect to either keep existing healthcare coverage they may already have or independently purchase healthcare coverage through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace.

Interns may elect within 30 days of internship start date to enroll in the North Carolina State High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP); it should be noted that there is no employer contribution to HDHP coverage. An overview of this plan is available here:
https://www.shpnc.org/employee-benefits/high-deductible-health-plan-active-employees

If you elected this option, your coverage would start on September 1.

Interns can also compare coverage and costs with the general ACA Marketplace plans available through https://www.healthcare.gov/

Please consult with Human Resources regarding any other current fringe benefits available to temporary hourly employees. More information is also available at http://hr.wcu.edu.

Please refer to CAPS website and doc intern brochure for other benefit info:
https://www.wcu.edu/experience/health-and-wellness/caps/capstraining.aspx

This position is not vacation or sick leave earning. However, in order to obtain the necessary hours to complete internship, we have calculated twenty-four (24) days of time away from work that may be used (with prior supervisor approval) over the course of the internship year. The 24 days of time away from work are also inclusive of university holidays when the CAPS office is closed. Because interns are paid at an hourly rate, their biweekly paycheck may vary depending upon if the intern uses any time away from work or if there are holidays during that pay period. When the 24 days away from work are used over the course of the internship year, the remaining days spent working at the calculated hourly rate described above will equate to being paid the advertised stipend of $28,000 per year. The internship year officially ends as of July 31. Employee expressly understands that these days of time away from work carry no cash value and will not be paid out to the employee if not utilized before the end of the appointment period as defined above.

Other fringe benefits: Personal offices with desktop PC & webcam; library access with inter-library loan privileges; university holidays off; CAT Card Employee Discounts; parking near office building (with purchase of staff parking permit); faculty/staff membership rate at Campus Recreation Center (73,000 sq ft facility with indoor track, cardio equipment, free weights, basketball court, group exercise classes, rock climbing & bouldering wall, Adventure Shop for outdoor equipment rental, access to campus pool, etc.); other state employee optional discounts; access to athletic events; ongoing theater and cultural events through Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center.
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site The CAPS office is open from Mondays - Fridays from 8 AM - 5 PM. Interns are expected to work 40 hours per week (which includes a daily 1 hr lunch break). Approximately 20 hours a week are spent in face-to-face psychological services to clients (consisting of Quick Access triage appointments, therapeutic intakes, personal counseling, group counseling, crisis services, outreach and consultation, and 3rd party consultations). At least 2 hours a week are spent in didactic activities (including seminars, professional development/in-services, and case conferences). Interns receive a minimum of 4 hours a week of supervision (2 hours with a primary supervisor who is a licensed psychologist; 1 hour a week of cohort supervision; 1 hour of additional supervision which could include group work, secondary supervision, supervision of supervision). The actual number of hours spent in each activity may vary from week to week.

This position is on-site at our Cullowhee campus; the majority of our clients prefer in-person services so the intern must be able to deliver services on-site.

In the spring semester, interns receive training in the provision of supervision. Depending on the needs of the interns and our master's/practicum trainees, the sup of sup experience may include options for role play, periodic consultation with master's trainees, co-facilitation and supervision of a master's trainee's group work, or potentially supervising a small number of individual cases with a master's trainee.
Does this site have practicum psychology students on site? Yes
Doctoral Psychology Practicum StudentsYes
Masters Psychology Practicum StudentsYes
Do Psychology Interns/Postdocs Have the Opportunity to Supervise Practicum Students?Yes
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: Yes
Application Due Date: 11/20/2023 11:59 PM EST
Interviews at this site are: Not Offered
A Virtual Interview is: Required
Interview notification date: 12/15/2023
Tentative interview date: 01/03/2024
Interview process description:

Applicants should include as part of their AAPI 3 references, at least one of whom must have served as a clinical supervisor or directly observed some of the applicant's clinical work.

Because services at CAPS are provided within a culturally relevant framework that intentionally emphasizes social justice, accepted applicants will be invited to interview via Zoom video conferencing. Phone options are available if applicant does not have access to Zoom. Accepted applicants should expect an approximately 45 – 50 minute interview with a group of CAPS staff members.

We do not offer an on-site interview, however if an interviewee wishes to arrange an in-person visit or tour of CAPS or a separate Zoom meeting with the Training Director after the interview process or to contact current interns, they are welcome to contact the Training Director (jay.manalo@wcu.edu) to request this, but this is completely voluntary and not a required part of the interview process.
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: Adler University
American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University San Francisco Bay Area
California Institute of Integral Studies
Carlow University
Chicago School of Professional Psychology-Los Angeles
Chicago School of Professional Psychology-Anaheim
Duquesne University
Eastern Kentucky University
Fielding Graduate University
Florida School of Professional Psychology - Argosy University Tampa
Loyola University Chicago
Marshall University
Marywood University
Mercer University
Midwestern University
Minnesota School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University
Nova Southeastern University
Pacific University
Pacifica Graduate Institute
Springfield College
Tennessee State University
The University of Georgia
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of the Rockies
The Virginia Consortium in Clinical Psychology
Western Carolina University
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: Yes, by application deadline
Comprehensive Exams Passed: Yes, by ranking deadline
Dissertation Proposal Approved: Yes, by start of internship
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable): 300
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 10
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 Accepted
APA-Accredited Accepted
CPA-Accredited Accepted
PCSAS-Accredited Accepted
Non-Accredited Accepted
Ph.D Degree Accepted
Psy.D. Degree Accepted
Ed.D. Degree 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: N/A
Other Requirements: Applicants should include as part of their AAPI three references, at least one of whom must have served as a clinical supervisor or directly observed some of the applicant's clinical work.

Applicants must be enrolled in a program currently accredited by APA, CPA, or PCSAS, or enrolled in a program that has successfully COMPLETED at least one of the following concrete accreditation milestones by the application deadline:
- Submitted for Intent to Apply status
- Submitted an accreditation self-study
- Has been granted an APA/CPA/PCSAS accreditation site visit


Interns who match to our site must have successfully completed all required coursework (specified by their academic program) prior to the start of internship.

In considering places to live in the area, we encourage staff and interns to have access to reliable transportation and to be mindful of commute times for their own personal needs, to consider the impact on distance on being able to engage with work related activities, and to consider your own work/life blending. Our work hours are M – F, 8 AM – 5 PM, and we regularly have meetings and/or client obligations that start at 8 AM and are scheduled till 5 PM. Staff in the past have typically lived in places including Cullowhee, Sylva, Dillsboro, Bryson City, Franklin, Waynesville, and Clyde. Please also know that since we are in a rural area, public transportation and pedestrian-friendly options to get to campus are very limited.

We strongly recommend that applicants who successfully match to the WCU CAPS internship program allow sufficient time to move and get settled in the area prior to the first day of internship as this can at times be a challenge living in a rural community where local businesses can have limited hours. The beginning of the internship year includes an intensive orientation schedule from 8 AM – 5 PM each weekday that may not allow sufficient time for outside errands or other time outside the office.

Interns are also required to maintain their own professional (student) liability insurance during their internship and will provide proof of insurance coverage to the Training Director by the start of internship.

After applicants successfully match to our site, they must also complete a standard human resources job application as part of being a WCU staff member which includes a background check and screening for eligibility requirements. This is a standard procedure for all WCU employees as doctoral interns are classified as WCU staff. Further information is available at the following links:
WCU Human Resources http://hr.wcu.edu
University Policy 98 Employment Background Screening

Additional policies related to employment are found in Appendix B of our Psychology Internship Brochure as well as at WCU's university policy website:
WCU CAPS Training Program Website
WCU University Policy Website

Interns are classified as WCU employees and as such must have an authorization to work in the United States of America. Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment.

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, and veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program.

Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please contact the Training Director.

If you are currently receiving services at WCU CAPS and intend to apply to the training program, you should discuss this with your counselor to avoid potential conflict of interest.

For applicants who are accepted into the training program, they cannot receive WCU CAPS counseling services once they begin their training experience at CAPS. CAPS can provide community referral information in these situations. You can talk to your counselor more about these options.

This position is on-site at our Cullowhee campus; the majority of our clients prefer in-person services so the intern must be able to deliver services on-site.
Program Description

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is offering three positions for the 2024-2025 training year (08/01/2024 - 07/31/2025).  

WCU Land Acknowledgement - Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

Our 2000-hour internship program is rooted in the values of trauma-informed care and decolonization principles. Our training focuses on developing skills in individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, outreach, consultation, psychological assessment, training the in provision of supervision, and inter-disciplinary consultation.  

Some distinguishing features of the training program at CAPS include the following: 

  • Learning the nuances of providing mental health care in a rural university counseling center setting in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina.
  • Working within a trauma-informed environment.
  • A team-oriented, collaborative approach including integrated care coordination with WCU’s Health Services and Campus Recreation & Wellness
  • Interns will learn about the historical context and indigenous perspectives around mental health and social justice issues of the land and communities where they will live and work.  In doing so, they will learn about Cherokee culture and the relationship WCU has with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and other communities in the Southern Appalachians.
  • Our provision of supervision is something we take seriously. We give lots of growth oriented feedback.
  • Communal learning, lots of laughter, and potlucks.
  • Getting to “choose your own adventure”. We focus on equity for interns. You will be able to individualize your internship experience within the parameters set forth by internship requirements.
  • As part of our intentional efforts to infuse reflective practice throughout our department, interns engage in a multiculturally focused cohort supervision experience.
  • Getting to work with US!!!

The mission of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is to empower students to engage in and be successful in a full range of academic, social, and cultural opportunities through fostering psychological wellness.

The CAPS CODE reflects our department’s values: CONNECTION OPENNESS DIVERSITY EQUITY

As part of this code: We are a supportive and confidential space.  We pursue connection with all members of our community.  We strive to eliminate barriers.  We challenge harmful systems.  We work toward equity for all.

In the 2020 – 2021 academic year, CAPS committed to creating and maintaining a culture that emphasizes Trauma-Informed Care principles:

Safety; Choice; Collaboration; Trustworthiness; Empowerment; Cultural, Historical, & Gender Contexts

We also have committed to reviewing our practices through a decolonization lens. These principles have become a very important part of our value system at CAPS. We are also committed to teaching you about this practice.

The training program at CAPS promotes the development of clinical skills and professional identity for the next generation of mental health professionals. This mission is accomplished through the provision of didactic training, clinical supervision, and direct practice experiences within an interdisciplinary, supportive, and collaborative team environment.

A holistic-wellness model, a trauma-informed and decolonization-practice perspective, and a teamwork orientation provide the foundation for the development and delivery of CAPS services.

  • WCU, a member institution of the University of North Carolina school system, has a population of over 11,000 students enrolled in both undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
  • Originally founded in 1889 as a teacher education program for students in the mountains of western North Carolina.
  • Now provides educational opportunities in over 120 programs.
  • Located in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina, approximately 50 miles southwest of Asheville, 160 miles west of Charlotte, and 150 miles northeast of Atlanta, GA.
  • WCU has earned Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine's Top Adventure College five times since 2014 and was inducted into their Top Adventure College Hall of Fame as of 2021.
  • The area is also home to various diverse groups and cultures including local artisans, musicians, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, individuals of Scots Irish and Southern Appalachian heritage, and other traditions.

WCU’s student body profile statistics are available on WCU's Office of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness Student Body Profile. 

Specific data and statistics about CAPS visits is available in the 2022 – 2023 WCU Student Affairs Annual Report (see pgs. 14 & 39).

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations
Infants:
Toddlers:
Children:
Adolescents: Yes
Adults: Yes
Family:
Older Adults:
Inpatients:
Outpatients: Yes
Gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender: Yes
Ethnic minorities: Yes
Spanish-speaking:
French-speaking:
Deaf/Hearing-impaired:
Students: Yes
International Students: Yes
Rural: Yes
Urban:
Low income: Yes
Homelessness: Yes
Other: student athletes, substance use, 1st generation college students, non-traditional students, military veterans

(training opportunities continued)

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

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology:
Women's Health: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sexual Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:
Physical Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Learning Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Developmental Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Assessment: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Neuropsychology-Adult:
Neuropsychology-Child:
Serious Mental Illness: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Anxiety Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Trauma/PTSD: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sexual Abuse: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Substance Use Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Forensics/Corrections:
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology:
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Vocational/Career Development: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Multicultural Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Feminist Therapy: Experience (21% to 30%)
Religion/Spirituality: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Empirically-Supported Treatments: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Public Policy/Advocacy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Program Development/Evaluation: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Supervision: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Research:
Administration: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Integrated health care - primary: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Integrated health care - specialty:
Other:

Interns will learn about the historical context and indigenous perspectives around mental health and social justice issues of the land and communities where they will live and work.  In doing so, they will learn about Cherokee culture and the relationship WCU has with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and other communities in the Southern Appalachians.

Safe Zone training (LGBTQ+ ally program) via seminar series

Outreach opportunities with various other WCU departments; past outreaches have involved Residential Living, Campus EMS, Athletics, Intercultural Affairs, Base Camp Cullowhee, HOMEBASE (first generation and independent students), Military Student Services

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: http://www.wcu.edu/experience/health-and-wellness/caps/capstraining.aspx  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: 25 43 31 34 32 30 31
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 21 27 26 29 30 24 25
Total number of interns: 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 1 3 3 3 3 2 3
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 1 2 2 0 1 1 1
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 2 1 1 3 2 2 2
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 2 2 1 2 2 3 2
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 1 1 2 1 1 0 1
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 0 3 6 1 8 10 6
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 8 8 20 7 44 19 35
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2022-2023
Academic teaching: 0
Community mental health center: 0
Consortium: 0
University Counseling Center: 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 1
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 0
Psychiatric facility: 0
Correctional facility: 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0
School district/system: 0
Independent practice setting: 2
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0
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