User:

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

Department: Psychology

Department : Psychology

Click on a section title to expand or collapse individual sections.
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:
Email: kajal.sakhrani@dsh.ca.gov
Web Address: https://www.dsh.ca.gov/Metropolitan/Internships/Welcome.html
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.dsh.ca.gov/Metropolitan/Internships/docs/Metro_Psych_Manual_Internship_Program_2022-2023.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: Kajal Sakhrani
Chief Psychologist: Christian Trausch
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 41
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 0
Position Information
Start Date: 09/01/2024
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: 50628
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 greatly based on the assigned unit. However, some of the fundamental aspects of the internship experience includes the following: - Morning Report (with nursing staff) - Treatment Team Meetings - Treatment Planning (with patient) - Individual Therapy - Psychological Assessment Administration - Report and Progress Note Writing (and various other paperwork) - Didactic and Seminar Training
Does this site have practicum psychology students on site? Yes
Doctoral Psychology Practicum StudentsYes
Masters Psychology Practicum StudentsNo
Do Psychology Interns/Postdocs Have the Opportunity to Supervise Practicum Students?Yes
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: 11/05/2023 11:59 PM EST
Interviews at this site are:
A Virtual Interview is: Optional
Interview notification date: 12/08/2023
Tentative interview date: 01/16/2024, 1/17/2024, 1/18/2024, 1/23/2024, 1/25/2024, 1/26/2024
Interview process description:

The most competitive applicants are offered an interview either via telephone or video.  Interviews will be scheduled for 01/09/2024 to 01/19/2024.  Applicants are individually interviewed by a panel of three psychologists, which will include the Training Director.  The individual interviews are 40 minutes in length.  The applicants may also be required to complete a writing sample based on data/materials that will be provided. The Training Director and training supervisor(s) may possibly 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 University, Fuller Seminary, John Jay University, Univ of Calif - Santa Barbara, Pepperdine University, Azusa Pacific University, Florida School of Professional Psychology, University of La Verne, Palo Alto University, and Fairleigh Dickinson 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: No
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: Yes, by application deadline
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): 150
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 150
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable): 300
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
Non-Accredited 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: Yes
How to obtain text of statement: All employees are requested to sign an oath of confidentiality. Further information may be requested by contacting Human Resources.
Other Requirements:
Program Description

Located in the suburban community of Norwalk, approximately fifteen miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, DSH-M is a distinguished state psychiatric facility that has been serving around 800 individuals since its establishment in 1916. DSH-M is organized into five treatment programs, which encompass two criminal-commitment (forensic) programs, two Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) conservatorship/civilly committed programs, and a skilled nursing facility (SNF) program. These programs are designed to cater to specific 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 pre- and post-adjudication court-involved patients, while civil programs focus on civilly committed patients with severe and persistent mental illness. Additionally, dedicated units serve patients requiring skilled nursing services.

The program's primary training objectives revolve around achieving competence in various critical areas. These objectives encompass knowledge and skills in the philosophy and techniques of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery models, proficiency in psychological assessment for treatment planning, including cognitive, diagnostic, personality, risk, and functional behavioral assessments, expertise in providing evidence-based interventions for both group and individual therapy, and the development of advanced treatment planning skills through collaboration within a multidisciplinary Treatment Planning Team.

Our intensive full-time program offers a diverse range of experiences, including individual and group psychotherapy, skills training, cognitive screenings, psychological and functional behavioral assessments, behavior plan development and monitoring, as well as consultation services to the Treatment Team. Interns will engage in two six-month rotations, with possibilities for assignment to LPS (civil commitment) units, Forensic (criminal commitment) units, and specialized off-unit rotations in Neuropsychological or Psychological Assessment. Interns at DSH-M are expected to actively participate in diverse training rotations and assignments, irrespective of their chosen areas of focus.

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, comprehensive assessment, skillful intervention, adept supervision, and effective consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary collaboration. In the heart of suburban Norwalk, 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:
Gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender: Yes
Ethnic minorities: Yes
Spanish-speaking: Yes
French-speaking:
Deaf/Hearing-impaired:
Students:
International Students:
Rural: Yes
Urban: Yes
Low income: Yes
Homelessness: 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: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Neuropsychology-Adult: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Neuropsychology-Child:
Serious Mental Illness: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
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: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
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: Exposure (1% to 20%)
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/Welcome.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
Number of Completed Applications: 74 32 49 140 77 82 76
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 28 21 29 40 30 35 30
Total number of interns: 5 5 5 5 5 5 2
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 5 5 5 5 5 5 2
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 1 0 0 0 1 2 2
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 4 5 5 5 4 3 0
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 5 5 5 5 5 5 2
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 4 0 0 0 1 2 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 40 44 16 40 33 43 45
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: 5
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 0
Psychiatric facility: 5
Correctional facility: 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0
School district/system: 0
Independent practice setting: 0
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0
Back to the Search Page