DOCTORAL PSYCHOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

For the 2023-2024 training year, two intern will carry out the 12-month internship beginning September 3, 2024. Internship is designed to be carried out over 40-50 hours per week, at least 25% will be spent in direct client care (face-to-face). Actual time may vary due to time needed to complete reports and other paperwork, make telephone contact, engage in case management, or attend special meetings. The completion of at least 2,000 total hours is required for the internship program. The internship precedes the granting of a doctoral degree and is post-practicum/externship. 

Psychology Interns will begin their training at the Detention Center at the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice building for Orientation during the fall semester. During orientation, interns will tour the facility and review of detention and clinical services policies and procedures. Psychology Interns will attend the DCJD academy that includes training on First Aid/CPR, Handle With Care, PREA, and various other topics. During the initial weeks, each Psychology Intern will have the opportunity to observe psychological assessments and crisis screens. Next, the intern will be observed conducting crisis screens and assessments in the presence of a supervisor or other clinician as part of a “checkout” process prior to being allowed to work independently. During the checkout process, the Psychology Intern will be provided specific feedback and suggestions to assist in developing their assessment skills, completing assigned reports, and evaluation skills for crisis screens and safety watch plans. Once they have been observed and it is determined that the intern is able to conduct the required assignments, they will be given weekly assessments and crisis screens. If interested, intern may observe, learn and participate in more advanced forensic assessments such as competencies and certification evaluations. During the second and third rotations, Psychology Interns will have a modified schedule of three days at designated residential treatment centers and two days at the Detention Center.

ACCREDITATION Dallas County Juvenile is an APPIC member and a Self-Study has been submitted to APA for accreditation. 

Each Psychology Intern will be provided didactic training at least two hours per week.  The topics chosen are designed to assist with rotations at different facilities and includes topics relevant to the early career Psychologist in general practice. Psychology Interns will have opportunity to participate in all conferences, trainings or seminars hosted by the Juvenile Department (e.g., Annual Conference of Treatment with Juveniles with Sexual Behavior Problems). 

Interns will receive a minimum of two hours of scheduled individual supervision and at least two hours of group supervision per week. At least two hours of individual supervision is provided by psychologists licensed in Texas. Other supervision may be provided by other mental health professionals at DCJD (i.e., licensed professional counselor (LPC), licensed psychological associate (LPA), licensed sex offender treatment provider (LSOTP), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), or other professionals with expertise in the area of supervision being delivered. At various times during the training year, interns will meet with and shadow multidisciplinary team partners as part of their consultation experience. Interns will collaborate with these partners as they complete their day-to-day responsibilities while simultaneously gathering information about how mental health providers can support their work and vice-versa. 

COVID-19 has presented the need for adaptations to our service and training delivery models in addition to possible adaptations to the interview process. Due to the complexities of providing care using Distance Services and rapidly evolving landscape of the provision of services on-site/off-site, some of the training opportunities originally described may not be implemented as originally intended. 

Intern will function as Dallas County employees during their training. All offers of employment are contingent upon acceptable criminal background checks, child abuse registry checks, physical and drug screening. US citizenship is required and Texas Identification MUST be obtained at least 30 days prior to start date.