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Site Name: Western State Hospital

Department: Washington State Office of Forensic Mental Health Services

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Department : Washington State Office of Forensic Mental Health Services

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 1624
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Western State Hospital
Department: Washington State Office of Forensic Mental Health Services
Address: 1949 S State Street
Tacoma, Washington 98405
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Distance from Major City: 42 miles southwest of Seattle and 170 miles southwest of Vancouver, Canada
Phone: 253-341-1243x
Fax:
Training Director Email: emily.mackelprang@dshs.wa.gov
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/bha/internship-program-overview
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/bha/internship-program-overview
Primary Agency Type: State/County/Other Public Hospital
Additional Agency Types:
  • Child/Adolescent Psychiatric or Pediatrics
  • Prison or Other Correctional Facility
  • State/County/Other Public Hospital
Member of APPIC since: 1986
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Emily Mackelprang
Chief Psychologist: Richard Yocum
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 95
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 2
Position Information
Start Date: 08/02/2027
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 4
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 76000
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Comp Time , Dissertation Release Time, Dental Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Insurance, Licensing Exam Release Time, Life Insurance, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): *Note: The stipend of $76,000 and the provision of the noted fringe benefits is based on the current Washington State budgetary situation and is guaranteed for the 2026-2027 training year. While it is expected to remain the same for the 2027-2028 training year, ongoing budgetary negotiations may impact both the stipend and the provision of the noted fringe benefits.
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Typical work week for an intern: Monday 0800-1200 Work with supervisor on rotational duties 1200-1630 Designated research time (program evaluation or dissertation) Tuesday 0800-1630 Work with supervisor on rotational duties Wednesday 0800-1630 Work with supervisor on rotational duties Thursday 0800-1630 Work with supervisor on rotational duties Friday 0800-0900 Group Supervision 0900-1000 DCT or Assessment Seminar 1000-1130 Intern Seminar Series Didactic or Case Law Seminar 1130-1300 Intern Cohort lunch 1300-1600 Forensic Seminar Didactic
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: 11/02/2026 11:59 PM EST
Interview notification date: 11/18/2026
Tentative interview date: 01/07/2027, 01/13/2027
Interview process description:

 

We are conducting an in-person open house for invited candidates on Thursday, January 7, 2027, from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. In the morning, there will be presentations about our available rotations, as well as an overview of our didactics/seminars. Lunch, beverages, and snacks will be provided. Group interviews will take place in the afternoon.  The interview process will consist of a group interview with 3-4 candidates and 2-3 committee members or other staff.  The candidates may be asked original questions, or they may be asked to respond to something said by another candidate.  The group interview will last 45-60 minutes.

 

For invited candidates who are unable to attend in-person, we are offering a virual open house on Wednesday, January 13, 2027, from 8:00 to 12:00 that will be similar in format and content.

 
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: Past 8 years: (2026-2027) University of North Dakota, Arizona State University, Chaminade University of Honolulu, Antioch University Seattle (2025-2026) Sam Houston State University (2), University of South Florida, Spalding University (2024-2025) Sam Houston State University (2), University of South Dakota, Antioch University (2023-2024) Drexel University, University of Nebraska, University of Memphis, Sam Houston State University (2022-2023) Sam Houston State University (2), Simon Frasier University, University of Wisconsin (2021-2022) Sam Houston State University (2), University of Alabama, University of North Texas (2020-2021) University of North Texas (2), University of Alabama, John Jay University (2019-2020) Simon Frasier University, Central Michigan University, Sam Houston State University, Palo Alto 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): 300
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 100
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable): 500
Does your program require applicants to submit supplemental materials (i.e., an assessment report and/or a case/treatment summary): No
Minimum Number of Years of Grad Training Required (if applicable): 3
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 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: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/bha/internship-program-overview
Program Description

The Washington State Office of Forensic Mental Health Services Internship Program (formerly known as the Western State Hospital Internship Program), features broad-based training in major mental illness and inpatient mental health. Specialty rotations include work with criminal forensic, adult civil, sexually violent predator, and child/adolescent populations. Ample training opportunities include extensive forensic seminars, intern seminar series, and other continuing education. Each rotation is four months long. Our psychology department is one of the largest in the state with approximately 95 licensed psychologists, a significant percentage of which are former interns. The program holds an internship open-house in January as well as a virtual interview option for those unable to attend the open house. Please contact us by email with any questions.

The Seattle-Tacoma area provides a wealth of opportunities for recreation. Shopping, dining, and medical facilities are easily accessible in both cities. Music, theater, and other arts activities are also available, with opportunities for attendance as well as participation. Nearby outdoor recreational opportunities include skiing, boating, fishing, clamming, hiking, and mountain climbing. Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens are approximately 70 and 130 miles from Tacoma, respectively. The Canadian border and the city of Vancouver, British Columbia are within a 3-hour drive, and the city of Portland, Oregon is just over 2 hours away. The maritime climate is moderate, with temperatures rarely reaching more than 90° in the summer or less than 25° in the winter. Institutions of higher learning in the area include the University of Washington, Seattle Pacific University, Pacific Lutheran University, Seattle University, University of Puget Sound, and several community colleges, including Pierce College, which is located adjacent to Western State Hospital.

Internship Training Opportunities

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

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Individual Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Couples Therapy:
Family Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Group Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Community Intervention:
Consultation/Liaison: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Crisis Intervention: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Brief Psychotherapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Cognitive Rehabilitation:
Primary Care: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Evidenced Based Practice: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Evidence Based Research: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Supervision of Practicum students : Experience (21% to 30%)
Other: Forensic Evaluations

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology:
Women's Health:
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders:
Sexual Disorders: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:
Physical Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Learning Disabilities: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Developmental Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Assessment: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Neuropsychology-Adult:
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: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Forensics/Corrections: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sexual Offenders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Geropsychology: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Pediatrics: Experience (21% to 30%)
School:
Counseling:
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy:
Feminist Therapy:
Religion/Spirituality:
Empirically-Supported Treatments: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Public Policy/Advocacy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Program Development/Evaluation: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Supervision: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
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.dshs.wa.gov/bha/internship-program-overview  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: 115 103 113 114 119 93 100 108 110 151
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 30 30 35 36 33 36 33 34 35 36
Total number of interns: 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 4 4 3 3 4 4 4 4 3 3
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1
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 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 4
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 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 18 13 21 15 21 9 21 11 13 7
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 62 81 35 47 48 43 58 51 41 43
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026
Academic teaching: 0 0 0 0
Community mental health center: 0 0 0 0
Consortium: 0 0 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0 0 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 0 0 1 0
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 0 0 0 0
Psychiatric facility: 4 4 2 3
Correctional facility: 0 0 0 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0 0 0 0
School district/system: 0 0 0 0
Independent practice setting: 0 0 0 1
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0 0 1 0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/bha/internship-admissions-support-and-initial-placement-data
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