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Site Name: FamilyForward

Department: Developmental Trauma Center

Department : Developmental Trauma Center

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 2577
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Provisional Membership
Site: FamilyForward
Department: Developmental Trauma Center
Address: 11358 Van Cleve Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63114
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
St. Louis, MO-IL
Distance from Major City:
Phone: 314-968-2350x5224
Fax: 314-968-4239
Email: Jamie.Scaccia@familyforwardmo.org
Web Address: http://www.familyforwardmo.org
Brochure Website's Address: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k7IHirfYvp9idMfEjKhmUe8oNOD_u6JA/view?usp=sharing
Primary Agency Type: Community Mental Health Center
Additional Agency Types:
  • Community Mental Health Center
Member of APPIC since:
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Not Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Jamie Scaccia
Chief Psychologist: Jamie Scaccia
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: 09/03/2024
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 2
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 45000
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class:
Fringe Benefits: Comp Time , Dental Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): Interns receive benefits commensurate with full time employees, including a wellness week (gifted time off between Christmas and New Years) and wellness hours. We center a health work-life balance through organizational health and value a strong, diverse, and nurturing culture. As such, we have many opportunities for staff community building and recognition. In addition to the formal didactics, interns are invited to regular Lunch and Learns including talks from outside professionals, professional group meeting time, book club, and other trainings that come to the St. Louis area (e.g. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy). FamilyForward has a new campus that spans 2 buildings and offers a specialized location for the treatment of developmental trauma. As such, we have been highlighted in local and national news programs for the quality and unique services we offer. We have been fortunate to build an internal occupational therapy program and research program that provide opportunities to collaborate and grow. A number of committees are available for participation, including a dedicated Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) team. Aside from during COVID, FamilyForward has offered multiple community building opportunities as well, such as Family Fun day and Founders Day. We prioritize intern learning and offer a variety of formal and informal opportunities to learn about trauma through intervention, theory, community systems, and family dynamics. Work-life balance and proper self-care is a strong value that we uphold within the agency.
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Psychology Interns are full-time employees of FamilyForward expected to work 40 hours per week for the duration of 12 months. They will complete at least 2000 hours within the 12-month internship, with an anticipated start date in August or September and end date of August or September of the following year. It is expected that a minimum of 50% of the interns’ 40-hour work week will include direct client services, which equates to 20 hours weekly. Included within direct client services is face-to-face time with clients, which will encompass a minimum of 10 hours weekly. Within an intern’s workweek, 10-20% of time will be allocated to intervention services in the format of individual, group, or family therapy, facilitation of psychoeducational groups or summer camps, consultation and collaboration with other mental health professionals within or outside of our organization, and development of programs, interventions, and treatment plans. Interns will have a therapy caseload of 3-5 clients. Most of the interns’ work will occur during the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. However, we value being flexible with the families we serve and there may be occasional client sessions that occur outside of this window.
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: Yes
Application Due Date: 01/02/2024 11:59 PM EST
Interviews at this site are: Optional
A Virtual Interview is: Preferred
Interview notification date: N/A
Tentative interview date: N/A
Interview process description:

Prospective interns will be interviewed as applications are received.  We encourage virtual interviews in fairness to those around the country.  Interviewees will learn about FamilyForward as an agency, hear from the Program Directors of our different services, and have opportunities to ask questions with our licensed psychologists and other staff.  As time allows, we will also invite other staff members to participate in the final question/answer portion of the interview to give prospective interns a glimpse of our agency culture.
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: Antioch 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: No
Comprehensive Exams Passed: Yes, by start of internship
Dissertation Proposal Approved: Yes, by start of internship
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable):
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):
Accepted / Not-Accepted Program Types
Clinical Psychology Accepted
Counseling Psychology Accepted
School Psychology Not 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:
Other Requirements: Interns are required to complete a background check and fingerprinting, get a TB test, and receive a physical at the cost of the agency.
Program Description

FamilyForward’s mission is to move vulnerable children in the direction of hope by delivering comprehensive therapeutic and educational services to support biological, foster, and adoptive families. We strive to be a leader in the community in providing innovative solutions, evidenced-based practices, and utilizing partnerships to provide services that lead to better outcomes for the families that we serve and the surrounding communities. Our Core Values include Out Front: We are leaders in the use of innovative tools and methods to get better results for the children and families we serve. We prefer to set the pace, testing new ideas and collecting data, always striving to make the biggest impact we can. Whole Hearted: We are tirelessly committed to the vision and mission of FamilyForward. We use our unique talents and expertise to serve our clients and community with compassion, acceptance, and respect. and Rock Solid: We are responsible stewards of an organization with a long and proud history of service. Reliable, trustworthy, and hard-working, we do whatever it takes to get the job done, even when no one is watching. 

The primary focus of this doctoral internship in health service psychology is completing psychological evaluations for children and adolescents who have experienced developmental trauma before the age of 8 (e.g. abuse, neglect, exposure to trauma/war, etc.). Assessment batteries vary depending on the need of the client, including intellectual, academic, personality, social, and emotional functioning. The assessment team is housed within the Developmental Trauma Center, which provides services within the framework of the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT), developed by Dr. Bruce Perry and the Child Trauma Academy. The interns would participate in training to fully learn, incorporate, and utilize this model in assessments and trauma-informed care. This focus also frames our approach to assessments, as we are careful to provide an experience that is thoughtful, attuned, and culturally responsive to the need of each client in regards to scheduling, approach to sessions, test selection, self-care, and feedback. We also utilize the Therapeutic Assessment model, developed by Dr. Stephen E. Finn, to direct our experience with clients to be more therapeutic, transparent, and client-centered.

 A secondary focus of this doctoral internship is on intervention, where interns would have the opportunity to build their evidence-based therapeutic skills in individual, family, and group formats. Interns have further opportunities to grow in their trauma-informed practice by participating in trainings and workshops, research with the Child Trauma Academy,  presentations, community engagement, and program development. We encourage collaboration, positive workplace culture, diversity, self-care, flexible scheduling, and professional development.

Our program aim is to prepare psychologists for entry level practice in health service psychology with an emphasis on psychological evaluations and trauma-informed care.

St. Louis

To those familiar with St. Louis, it is no surprise that we call it a Big Little City.  While it is a full metropolitan area with all of the benefits of a large city, it is easily commutable, friendly, and easy to access from a lot of local cities.  We are also a midwestern town complete with charm, endless parks and walking trails, and friendly neighbors and community members.

If you’re interested in the outdoors, St. Louis is friendly to hiking, biking, sporting, tubing, camping, and even skiing!  If you prefer museums, our Art Museum, Historical Museum, and Science Museum are a blast.  St. Louis is also very family friendly, as our zoo is consistently rated one of the best in the country and our City Museum and Magic House are like no other!  Sports fans need to look no further as we will celebrate a good Cardinal’s or Blues’ win anytime!  Check out the Arch, our new aquarium, indoor arcades, famous toasted ravioli or barbeque, botanical gardens, breweries, and theatre!

St. Louis is full of character.  The free local events are plentiful and there is a lot of community pride and engagement.  From the city nightlife to the suburban quiet nights, St. Louis genuinely has a variety to offer.  Our community is diverse and spans pockets of cultural hubs, universities, and quirky local shops and events.  Many are free and St. Louis seeks to find ways to offer activities and family fun that is affordable, easy to access, and welcoming.

Internship Training Opportunities

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

(training opportunities continued)

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

(training opportunities continued)

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

Throughout all of FamilyForward service is a focus on developmental trauma.  As such, interns will leave the training year with a specialization in trauma.  

Furthermore, there are developing opportunities for research to be a larger component of the training year based on the interests of the intern.

 

For more specific information regarding the internship year and services an intern will provide, please see our program manual: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TNHLTlkVmUlIdH0L1DrF-_Mfxp3KpKgB/view?usp=sharing 

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: www.familyforwardmo.org  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: 4
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 3
Total number of interns: 1
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 1
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 0
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 1
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 1
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written
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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