Components of the Health Service Psychology Internship Program

Solano County Behavioral Health is an active APPIC member. Christina Urrea, Psy.D orchestrates the program to support learning and training within Solano County’s Behavioral Health Division. Interns will complete 2000 hours over a one-year (52 week) time period working 40-44 hours per week. This includes a two-week vacation/sick, all county holidays, dissertation time and a $50,000 stipend. There are two full-time Intern positions open annually.

Overview of Placement: 

The Behavioral Health Department is a large division of Health and Social Services with a range of opportunities to gain experience. To obtain services from Solano County, the ACCESS line provides brief assessment and guidance for services. The Centralized Assessment Team connects with them for assessment and treatment planning and level of care guidance. There are Children, Family, and Adult Outpatient services in Vallejo, Fairfield and Vacaville serving consumers with moderate challenges with mental health and or substance use. There are also three Full Service Partnership teams providing higher level community-based outreach for consumers managing higher levels of needs. Intensive Care Services provides services to individuals in locked facilities, Mental Health Rehabilitation Centers (MHRC.) Hospital Liaison and the Crisis Aftercare Recovery Engagement (CARE) team provide services for individuals entering and exiting the hospital for mental health and/or the Crisis Service Unit or ER for crisis support. The Forensic Triage Team provides triage services for adults in the justice system receiving diversion services for mental health. The SMART team provides services to adults receiving support through CalWorks. There are additional departments that handle higher level policy, state guidance, and quality improvement in our MHSA department and the Quality Assurance department. Community Integration services is a department that attends to the unhoused population with the Homeless Outreach Team, in addition to the Community Wellness Team.  With the variety of opportunities available our program looks to match Interns with areas of interest.

The Experience: 

Under the supervision and guidance of Training Director Christina Urrea, Psy.D. clinical psychologist, and supervising psychologist, Amanda Davis, and a multidisciplinary team including psychiatrists, licensed mental health professionals, peer support specialists, and Substance Use Disorder Liaisons, Interns will have a robust training experience. There is the opportunity for direct work (individual, group, family) with children, adolescents, adults and families within our different treatment units. The Intern would hold a caseload of 10-12 clients and complete two psychological evaluations. There is also an opportunity to integrate research projects for those inclined towards and experienced with large data sets and analysis. The county is required to complete regular Performance Improvement Plans that include identifying a problem, exploring root causes, and addressing steps to address the area of concern.

Interns will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of direct services including: Intake assessment; psychological testing; individual, group, and family psychotherapy; psychoeducation; crisis evaluation and intervention; forensic psychosocial intervention; case management; and consultation. Depending upon qualification and interests, Interns will have the opportunity to provide one or more of these services and work in programs located in Fairfield, Vallejo, and/or Vacaville.

COVID Statement: We recognize the sustained stress experienced by many over the past few years of the COVID pandemic and the continued unpredictability of when risks will be gone. While acknowledging everyone has different comfort levels and concerns, Interns at Solano County Behavioral Health are considered essential workers and are expected to follow health orders as directed by the state and federal government and as directed by OSHA. At this time, clinical teams have returned to seeing clients in person with appropriate precautions and continuing to monitor if symptoms are present before meeting face to face. We have HIPAA compliant Telehealth platforms available that we have utilized in situations the client requests telehealth, concerns with symptoms (client or provider), and when necessary. Because things are ever changing, if you have questions or concerns regarding current expectations, please email InternshipsBH@SolanoCounty.com