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Site Name: California Department of State Hospitals-Metropolitan (DSH-M)

Department: Psychology

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Department : Psychology

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 1144
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: California Department of State Hospitals-Metropolitan (DSH-M)
Department: Psychology
Address: 11401 Bloomfield Avenue
Norwalk, California 90650
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA MSA
Distance from Major City: 15 miles south of Downtown Los Angeles, CA; in Los Angeles County
Phone: 562-367-3773
Fax:
Training Director Email: Anna.Kafka@dsh.ca.gov
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: https://www.dsh.ca.gov/Metropolitan/Internships/Psychology_Doctoral_Internship.html
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.dsh.ca.gov/Metropolitan/Internships/docs/Metro_Internship_Program_2027-28.pdf
Primary Agency Type: State/County/Other Public Hospital
Additional Agency Types:
  • State/County/Other Public Hospital
Member of APPIC since: 06/04/2018
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Anna Kafka
Chief Psychologist: Christian Trausch
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 48
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 0
Position Information
Start Date: 09/01/2027
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 5
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 55068
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Dissertation Release Time, Dental Insurance, Health Insurance, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above):
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site The typical work day can vary based on the assigned track and unit. However, some of the fundamental aspects of the internship experience include the following: - Morning Report (with nursing staff) - Treatment Team Meetings - Treatment Planning (with patient) - Individual Therapy - Group Therapy - Psychological or Neuropsychological Assessment Administration - Report and Progress Note Writing (and various other paperwork) - Didactic Training - Individual or Group Supervision
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: 11/02/2026 11:59 PM EST
A Virtual Interview are: Required
Interview notification date: 12/07/2026
Tentative interview date: 01/04/2027, 01/05/2027, 01/06/2027, 01/08/2027, 01/12/2027, 01/13/2027, 01/15/2027, 01/19/2027
Interview process description:

The most competitive applicants are offered an interview. Interviews will be scheduled on weekdays between 01/04/2027 and 01/19/2027 (tentative; dates subject to change) and will occur via video. Applicants are individually interviewed by a panel of three psychologists, which will include the Internship Director. The individual interviews are 45 minutes in length. Applicants may also be required to complete a writing sample based on data/materials that will be provided. The Internship Director and training supervisor(s) may host a virtual orientation of the program. 

 
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: Alliant International University, Fuller Seminary, John Jay University, UC Santa Barbara, Pepperdine University, Azusa Pacific University, Eastern Kentucky University, Florida School of Professional Psychology, University of La Verne, Palo Alto University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Rosemead School of Psychology (Biola University), Midwestern University - Downer's Grove, Texas A&M 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 application deadline
Dissertation Proposal Approved: Yes, by start of internship
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable): 200
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 100
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable): 300
Does your program require applicants to submit supplemental materials (i.e., an assessment report and/or a case/treatment summary): Yes
Minimum Number of Years of Grad Training Required (if applicable): 3
Accepted / Not-Accepted Program Types
Clinical Psychology Accepted
Counseling Psychology Not Accepted
School Psychology Not Accepted
APA-Accredited Accepted
CPA-Accredited Accepted
PCSAS-Accredited Accepted
Non-Accredited Not Accepted
Ph.D Degree Accepted
Psy.D. Degree Accepted
Ed.D. Degree Not 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: Applicants accepted for an interview must also create a CalCareers account and take a statewide exam, which can be found here: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=2835 Applicants must then also complete the state application for this position (link TBD).
Program Description

Located in the suburban community of Norwalk, approximately 15 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, DSH-Metropolitan is a distinguished state psychiatric facility that has been serving around 800 patients since its establishment in 1916. DSH-M is organized into six treatment programs serving adult criminal commitment (forensic) patients, civilly committed patients (e.g., Murphy Conservatorship and Lanterman-Petris-Short; LPS), and patients who require a skilled nursing facility (SNF). These programs are designed to cater to a variety of age groups, levels of care, and patient needs. The treatment approach may vary based on the patient’s legal status, with forensic programs primarily addressing competency to stand trial for pre-adjudication court-involved patients, while civil programs focus on civilly committed patients with severe and persistent mental illness. Specialized cognitive remediation programs, such as Functional Rehabilitation and Education Experience (FREE) and Social-Cognitive Treatment for Adaptive Recovery (STAR), are also offered. Additionally, as indicated above, dedicated units serve patients requiring skilled nursing services.

Our intensive full-time program offers a diverse range of experiences, including provision of individual and group psychotherapy, cognitive screenings, skills training, psychological and functional behavioral assessments, and consultation services to treatment teams, as well as behavior plan development and monitoring. Interns will engage in two six-month rotations, with possibilities for assignment to LPS (civil commitment) units, Forensic (criminal commitment) units, off-unit rotation in Neuropsychological Assessment, or off-unit rotation in Advanced Cognitive Assessment.

DSH-M offers two training tracks: Neuropsychology Track and General Track

Interns matched with the General Track will complete their first rotation on either an LPS or Forensic unit and their second rotation on an LPS unit, a Forensic unit, or off-unit with a focus on Advanced Cognitive Assessment.

Interns matched with the Neuropsychology Track will complete their first rotation with the Neuropsychological Services office, with the aim of preparing for a formal postdoctoral placement in neuropsychology. These interns will complete their second rotation on either an LPS or Forensic unit.

Interns at DSH-M are expected to actively participate in diverse training assignments, irrespective of their chosen areas of focus. The program's primary training objectives revolve around achieving competence in various domains. These objectives encompass knowledge and skills in the philosophy and techniques of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery models; psychological assessment, including cognitive, diagnostic, personality, risk, forensic, malingering, and functional behavioral assessments; evidence-based interventions; treatment planning; and those specific to working with a forensic population. Additional training objectives relate to broader professional development, such as comfort in setting personal and professional boundaries and realistic self-appraisals of strengths and growth areas.

The program aims to align with the required Profession-Wide Competencies in health service psychology established by the APA. By the conclusion of the internship year, each intern is anticipated to demonstrate proficiency in essential domains, including research, ethical and legal standards, individual and cultural diversity, professional values, attitudes, and behaviors, effective communication and interpersonal skills, assessment, intervention, supervision, and consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary collaboration. DSH-M is dedicated to nurturing a new generation of skilled and competent clinical psychologists.

Benefits include vacation, dissertation time, professional development time, sick time, and health, dental, and vision insurance.

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations
Infants:
Toddlers:
Children:
Adolescents:
Adults: Yes
Family:
Older Adults: Yes
Inpatients: Yes
Outpatients:
LGBTQ+: Yes
Ethnic minorities: Yes
Spanish-speaking: Yes
French-speaking:
Deaf/Hearing-impaired:
Students:
International Students:
Rural:
Urban: Yes
Low income: Yes
People without housing: Yes
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Individual Therapy: Experience (21% to 30%)
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: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Primary Care:
Evidenced Based Practice: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Evidence Based Research:
Supervision of Practicum students :
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

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

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: https://www.dsh.ca.gov/Metropolitan/Internships/Psychology_Doctoral_Internship.html  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 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027
Number of Completed Applications: 74 32 49 140 77 82 76 86 210 119
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 28 21 29 40 30 35 30 43 58 52
Total number of interns: 5 5 5 5 5 5 2 5 5 5
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 5 5 5 5 5 5 2 5 5 5
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 1 0 0 0 1 2 2 3 1 2
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 4 5 5 5 4 3 0 2 4 3
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 5 5 5 5 5 5 2 5 5 5
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 4 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 20 13
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 40 44 16 40 33 43 45 50 86 260
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026
Academic teaching:
Community mental health center: 0 0 0 1
Consortium: 0 0 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0 0 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 5 1 4 1
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 0 0 0 1
Psychiatric facility: 0 0 1 0
Correctional facility: 0 0 0 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0 0 0 0
School district/system: 0 0 0 0
Independent practice setting: 0 1 0 1
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0 0 0 0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data: https://www.dsh.ca.gov/Metropolitan/Internships/docs/Admissions_Support_Initial_Placement_Data_2022-2025.pdf
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