The Brattleboro Retreat, Predoctoral Clinical Psychology Internship Training Program offers three tracks - partial hospital, inpatient adult, and inpatient adolescent. All interns have responsibility for leading groups, and providing indvidual therapy. In addition, interns are expected to complete at least one in-depth psychological assessment. Supervisors come from a broad range of theoretical perspectives (e.g., Psychodynamic, Person-Centered, CBT, ACT), and interns from all theoretical orientations are welcome. However, applicants should be aware that group therapy is based on third-wave cognitive behavioral therapy (e.g., ACT, DBT), and all Interns are expected to have familiariity with, and willingness to, lead this type of group on a daily basis. The focus of supervision is supporting interns in developing case comceptualizations that are comprenehsive and consistent with their theoretical orientation, developing treatment plans that meet the patients's goals and needs, and addressing successes and opportunities for improvement that arise in working with patients and colleagues.
A primary goal of the Internship is to increase the number of Psychologists practicing in rural New England, and particularly at the Retreat. Therefore, preference will be given to applicants with a stated goal of establishing a career in the area post-garduation.
The internship provides professional psychology training that emphasizes both generalist and specialty training using a scholar-practitioner model. The general goals of the internship are:
- to integrate the theoretical, research, and applied aspects of graduate education and training in psychology with the professional practice of psychology
- socialization that leads to the development of a professional psychologist identity;
- to prepare to function independently, competently, and ethically as a professional practicing psychologist;
- to develop adequate levels of proficiency in basic professional skills required to evaluate, treat, and consult with a wide range of clients with a variety of psychological disorders;
- to build upon a generalist foundation with specific training in the area of psychological treatment for uniformed services personnel including police, fire, military, veterans, emergency medical technicians, and corrections personnel;
- and to develop in the practice of professional psychology an increased awareness and sensitivity to issues related to racial/ethnic bases of behavior.