Program Information: Training Division

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 1116
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services
Department: Training Division
Address: 323 N. Prairie Avenue, Suite 430
Inglewood, California 90301
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA MSA
Distance from Major City:
Phone: 310-751-5364
Fax: 424-835-3799
Email: ehubbard@didihirsch.org
Web Address: https://didihirsch.org/training/student-training-programs/apa-pre-doctoral-internship/
Brochure Website's Address: https://didihirsch.org/wp-content/uploads/Didi-Hirsch-MHS-2023-2024-Internship-Brochure.pdf
Primary Agency Type: Community Mental Health Center
Additional Agency Types:
  • Community Mental Health Center
Member of APPIC since:
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director & Lead / Director: Erin Hubbard Psy.D.
Chief Psychologist: Erin Hubbard Psy.D.
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 12
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: 4
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 33363.20
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: 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 Given the range of training activities and experiences offered to interns, as well as the unique needs of our community population, no two work days are ever quite the same. Generally, interns devote a significant percentage of their time to the provision of direct (or remote) clinical services, including individual/group psychotherapy, psychological assessment, brief consultation, targeted case management/linkage, and advocacy. These services are provided in both the clinic and field-based settings, depending on client need (please also refer to COVID-19 specific information at the end of this paragraph). In addition to direct (or remote) service activities, interns conduct a community outreach project and a program evaluation project during their training year. Additionally, interns have the opportunity to provide biweekly group supervision to less advanced trainees (i.e., psychology practicum students, MSW students), for which they receive regular supervision-of-supervision. Their own individual and group supervision (4-6 hours per week); interdisciplinary team meetings; weekly formal didactic seminars; and weekly Professional Development supervision round out the training experience. Please note: Due to COVID-19 and in accordance with mandates from the Governor of the State of California (i.e. "Safer at Home"), please note that some or all training experiences may occur through telehealth (remote service delivery). This may consist of delivery of Intervention and Assessment services via HIPAA-compliant technology, as well as remote training activities (e.g., didactics, professional issues seminars, supervision, etc.). Being that pandemic containment and State/Federal responses are ongoing and fluid, our Agency and Internship Program remain dedicated to adhering to the 4 Guiding Principles recommended by APPIC in formulating our response to the pandemic and its impact on Intern training, including 1) Safety of both Interns and Clients, 2) Equity in our selection process and access to services, 3) Ethics in guiding every aspect of our work, and 4) Reliance on Science and best practices recommended by reputable public health entities to inform our agency/Intern program’s pandemic response. Psychology Interns are considered "Essential Workers", and should also be wiling to provide some portion of services in-person (face to face) with clients, and/or on-site remote services offered via telehealth.
Does this site have practicum psychology students on site? Yes
Doctoral Psychology Practicum StudentsYes
Masters Psychology Practicum Students
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: 11/14/2022 11:59 PM EST
Interviews at this site are:
  • Virtual
Interview notification date: 12/12/2022
Tentative interview date: N/A
Interview process description:

Due to State of California “Safer at Home” guidelines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, possible site closures during the Winter of 2022/2023 due to COVID-19, and APPIC recommendations related to the 2023-2024 Internship Application/Interview cycle, our site will be conducting Open Houses and Interviews virtually for the 2023-2024 Internship application cycle. No on-site Open Houses or Interviews will be offered. Open Houses are tentatively scheduled for the mornings of Tuesday January 3rd and Monday January 9th (from 9-12 PST); virtual interviews will occur between January 3rd, 2023 and January 20th, 2023. The interviews last approximately 45 minutes and are conducted by the Training Director and members of the supervisory/training team. Interviewees are asked structured questions, and invited to ask their own questions. All applicants will be notified of their interview status by email, so please ensure that you let our site/program know if you change this information after your application is submitted through the AAPI online. 

How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: Please see internship brochure (pg. 12) for a list of student graduate programs from previously matched Interns. The brochure can be downloaded from: https://didihirsch.org/wp-content/uploads/Didi-Hirsch-MHS-2023-2024-Internship-Brochure.pdf
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 ranking deadline
Dissertation Proposal Approved: Yes, by start of internship
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable): 400
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 100
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable):
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 Not Accepted
PCSAS-Accredited Not 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: N/A
Other Requirements: Applicants must be willing to take and able to pass a background check during pre-employment. While prior legal history does not automatically exclude an applicant from training at Didi Hirsch, final decisions regarding clearance are made at the level of our Human Resources Department, and are determined in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act (see https://www.dfeh.ca.gov/resources/frequently-asked-questions/criminalhistoryinfoinemploymentfaqs/ for further details). In accordance with this law, final employment decisions will include an individualized assessment of prior conviction history, and take into account multiple factors (i.e., nature of the conviction(s) relative to essential intern functions, timeframe in which the offense occurred, mitigating circumstances). PLEASE NOTE: The California Department of Public Health issued a mandate on August 5th, 2021 that COVID-19 vaccination is required of all healthcare workers in specified facilities (under which Didi Hirsch is included), with exceptions provided for medical and/or religious exemptions. Interns will be expected to comply with this state mandate as a condition of employment. For more information, please visit: www.cdph.ca.gov -> Programs -> CID -> CDC -> COVID-19. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens (or Permanent Residents), or be able to obtain an F-1 Visa and authorization to participate in Curricular Practicum Training from their university. Didi Hirsch does not sponsor students for visas. Please note that all applicants must have a valid US Social Security Number. For further information related to applicant requirements, please visit our website at: https://didihirsch.org/training/student-training-programs/apa-pre-doctoral-internship/#1544062615625-7897818f-5e15
Program Description

The Doctoral Internship Training Program in Professional Psychology is currently accredited by the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA), having been awarded a 7-year accreditation in 2016. Questions related to this program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242 or (202) 336-5979. E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org, Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

The Internship is located in an urban Community Mental Health Center with 10 sites across Los Angeles county and nearly 500 staff.  We offer core mental health services to adults with severe/persistent mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbance, crisis intervention and short-term counseling services, and substance abuse treatment and prevention services. Training activities are focused on 10 competency areas: Ethical and Legal Standards; Individual-Cultural Diversity; Scientific Knowledge/Research/Evaluation; Professional Values, Attitudes, and Behaviors; Communication and Interpersonal Skills; Assessment; Intervention; Consultation and Interprofessional/Interdisciplinary Skills; Supervision-Teaching; and Community Outreach. Interns provide services in mental health clinics at any of our sites, but both training tracks (Child/Family as well as Adult Services) house Interns at a primary office in Inglewood, CA (please also note COVID-19 specific updates below). All Interns participate in individual, group, and family psychotherapy in the office in the field, or remotely, as well as crisis intervention, diagnostic intake assessments, comprehensive psychological assessments, community outreach projects, and a small program evaluation or research project. Interns lead group supervision of practicum students and receive "supervision of supervision." The program provides intensive supervision, weekly didactic seminars, a professional development group, participation on interdisciplinary treatment teams, and bimonthly agency training seminars.

PLEASE NOTE: Per recommendations from the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC), we have updated our Program Brochure to reflect potential changes to our training program in response to COVID-19 and Safer at Home Guidelines issued by the Governor of the State of California. Acknowledging that pandemic containment and State/Federal responses are ongoing and fluid, our agency and Internship Program remain dedicated to adhering to the 4 Guiding Principles recommended by APPIC in formulating our response to the pandemic and its impact on Intern training, including 1) Safety of both Interns and Clients, 2) Equity in our selection process and access to services, 3) Ethics in guiding every aspect of our work, and 4) Reliance on Science and best practices recommended by reputable public health entities to inform our agency/Intern program’s pandemic response. Throughout our brochure and public materials, please see COVID-19 specific information demarcated by an IMPORTANT COVID-19 RELATED UPDATE modifier for further information related to adjustments to our program and training opportunities. We will update our program brochure and other public materials frequently and regularly as updates to our program occur.

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations

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

Treatment Modalities

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

Experience

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

Interns may participate in other speciality services/populations, including Birth to Five and suicide prevention.

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://didihirsch.org/training/student-training-programs/apa-pre-doctoral-internship/  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
Number of Completed Applications: 171 173 119 143 120 128
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 67 71 73 70 73 68
Total number of interns: 4 4 4 4 4 4
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 4 4 4 4 4 4
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 3 3 2 2 2 2
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 1 1 2 2 2 2
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 4 4 4 4 4 4
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 10 10 4 8 3 2
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 36 19 14 59 73 38
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022
Working on dissertation/Student: 1 0 0 1 0 0
Postdoctoral Fellow: 0 0 0 2 1 2
Community Mental Health Center: 1 0 1 4 1 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Veteran's Affairs Medical Center: 0 0 1 0 0 0
Military Medical Center: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Private General Hospital: 0 0 0 0 0 0
General Hospital: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other Medical Center: 0 0 1 0 0 0
Private Psychiatric Hospital: 0 0 0 0 0 0
State/County/Other Public Hospital: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Correctional Facility: 0 0 0 0 0 0
School District/System: 0 0 0 0 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0 0 0 0 0
University Teaching Faculty: 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 or 4 year Undergraduate Teaching Position: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Medical School: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Academic Non-Teaching Position: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Research Position: 0 1 0 0 0 0
Independent Practice: 0 2 0 5 2 2
Other (e.g. consulting): 1 0 0 0 0 0
Not Currently Employed: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Changed to Other Career Field: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown: 0 1 1 0 0 0