Forensic Services (FS) is an APA-Accredited internship site, initially accredited in 2012 for a period of 7 years, and most recently in 2020 received full 10-year reaccreditation by the Commission on Accreditation.
This unique, supportive, and challenging training program offers an internship experience for students completing their doctoral degree from Clinical and Counseling Psychology Programs. FS is comprised of secure and non-secure inpatient psychiatric units. Patients come to the Forensic Mental Health Program (FMHP) on an involuntary basis, and are sometimes committed by the courts for evaluation or treatment. FS also serves as a statewide treatment facility for persons found not guilty or unable to stand trial by reason of mental illness. The program staff highly value a collaborative and collegial training environment that seeks to train strong generalist clinicians through the provision of supportive and challenging training opportunities based in a developmentally-focused training model.
The FS Doctoral Internship Program strives for excellence in professional training and educational experiences. Internship is viewed as a period of focused professional growth and skill development. The program provides a warm and supportive learning environment. Internship candidates from diverse and underrepresented communities are not only welcome, but strongly encouraged to apply. The program greatly values diversity and takes pride in FS Doctoral Internship in Clinical Psychology cultivating a workplace and learning environment that promotes respect and inclusion for all people.
FS treats a patient population that is both clinically and demographically diverse. Our patients have a very wide range of diagnoses, covering virtually all the major categories of the DSM-5-TR. The most common primary diagnoses include schizophrenia spectrum disorders, mood disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder), and personality disorders (e.g., antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder). Some of our patients have committed sexual offenses and have corresponding paraphilia diagnoses. Additionally, many patients have co-occurring substance use disorders, neurocognitive disorders, and anxiety disorders.
FS offers training experiences in a variety of clinical settings. We offer major rotations with acute patients, behaviorally stable but actively symptomatic patients, and patients who are stable and preparing to reintegrate into the community. There are opportunities to work with various acuity levels, sex offenses, and competency restoration. These experiences are offered based on intern interest and staffing availability. Intensive didactic trainings are also offered in multicultural competency, professional development, evidence-based treatment interventions, DSM-5-TR, and forensic issues.
Interns complete two, six-month major rotations that represent diverse experiences with regard to patient populations, levels of care, and therapeutic approaches. Rotations are selected by determining intern preference, facility needs, and supervisor availability. Please note that some rotations can be very popular in a given year and interns are not guaranteed a specific rotation, although the program will make every effort to match interns with rotations and caseloads that fit their desired learning experience.
The program brochure is available on our website and any additional questions regarding the program may be emailed to the training director.
