User:

Site Name: Children's Hospital of Orange County

Department: Department of Pediatric Psychology

Back

Department : Department of Pediatric Psychology

Click on a section title to expand or collapse individual sections.
Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 1146
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Children's Hospital of Orange County
Department: Department of Pediatric Psychology
Address: 1201 W La Veta St.
Orange, California 92868-3874
Country: United States
Metro Area: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA MSA
Distance from Major City: 36 miles south of Los Angeles, CA
Phone: 714-509-8481x
Fax:
Training Director Email: mnagel@choc.org
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: https://www.choc.org/careers/residency-training-programs/doctoral-internship-program-clinical-psychology/
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.choc.org/careers/residency-training-programs/doctoral-internship-program-clinical-psychology/
Primary Agency Type: Child/Adolescent Psychiatric or Pediatrics
Additional Agency Types:
  • Academic Health Center
  • Child/Adolescent Psychiatric or Pediatrics
  • Medical School
  • Psychology Department
Member of APPIC since:
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Marni Nagel
Chief Psychologist: Heather Huszti
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 46
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 6
Position Information
Start Date: 08/24/2026
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: 52956
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Dental Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): free parking, 3 days paid educational leave, overtime for hours worked over 40 hours per week, monthly hybrid worker allowance
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site All interns participate in 3 core rotations (1. outpatient therapy for 12 months, 2. medical consultation and liaison with medial inpatients or mental health services in the emergency department consultation and liaison for 6 months, 3. neurodevelopmental/psychological assessment for 6 months, and 2 specialty rotations (each for 6 months) which might include endocrinology, pulmonology, abdominal pain clinic, integrated primary care, medical stabilization of eating disorders, or mental health services in the emergency department. Depending on the specialty rotation, interns will participate in additional inpatient medical consultations, participate in medical outpatient clinics, outpatient psychotherapy, or assessment. Interns participate in rounds associated with core and specialty rotations, Child and Adolescent Assessment Seminar, Child and Adolescent Psychological Principles Seminar, and Professional Practice Seminar (includes Diversity, Supervision, and Ethics seminars). Interns receive at least 4 hours a week of regularly scheduled supervision. Interns have the opportunity to provide vertical supervision to doctoral psychology practicum students.
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: 11/01/2025 11:59 PM EST
Interview notification date: 12/15/2025
Tentative interview date: 01/05/26, 01/08/26, 01/09/26, 01/12/26, 01/15/26, 01/16/26, 01/22/26, 01/23/26
Interview process description:

In order to better serve our applicants and considering the enormous investment of time and money required for in-person interviews, we will continue with virtual interviews. Virtual interviews dates will be 01/05/26, 01/08/26, 01/09/26, 01/12/26, 01/15/26, 01/16/26, 01/22/26, and 01/23/26 and are by invitation only. Information about interview status is sent out via email. We make every effort to provide opportunities to learn about our site and program and will include a virtual tour of our setting so applicants can have a good sense of the environment. The interview process will include: an overview of our training program, a semi-structured interview with two faculty members, open ended discussions with Dr. Nagel, as well as a discussion with current interns. In the past our interviews generally last from 8:00AM until 3:00PM and includ a hosted lunch break where applicants can speak with current interns in a group setting. For those applicants who indicate they speak Spanish, a portion of the interview will be conducted in Spanish.
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: University of Oregon, Yeshiva University, Ohio University, Loyola University Maryland, American School of Professional Psychology – DC, University of Arizona, UCLA, Indianapolis University, Marquette University, University of Kansas, University of Miami, DePaul University, PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, University of Denver, University of Southern California, University of Wisconsin Madison, Illinois Institute of Technology, West Virginia University, Eastern Michigan University, University of Northern Colorado, University of Texas Austin, Loyola University Chicago, Palo Alto University, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Boston University, University of Florida, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Carlos Albizu University, Washington State University, Alliant International University/California School of Professional Psychology- San Francisco
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 start of internship
Dissertation Proposal Approved: Yes, by start of internship
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable): 100
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 100
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable):
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 Accepted
School Psychology Accepted
APA-Accredited Accepted
CPA-Accredited Accepted
PCSAS-Accredited
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 matched to the internship should understand that prior to beginning the internship they will be required to successfully pass a required brief medical examination, which includes a drug test. TB testing will also be required. Applicants will also undergo a required background test which CHOC requires of all employees in order to ensure the safety of our pediatric patients. CHOC (in compliance with California law) does require proof of vaccination for COVID or completion and acceptance of medical or religious exemption.
Program Description

The goal of the internship program at Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) is to prepare individuals for their professional career as psychologists working with children and adolescents, with speciality training in a hospital setting. The focus of the training program is on clinical activities, but we believe these activities must be based on strong scientific evidence. Internship training at CHOC includes a strong clinical practice component coupled with a variety of supervision and didactic seminar experiences. As much as possible, training is individualized to allow interns the opportunity to develop additional skills in their areas of interest and to learn knowledge and skills in new areas. For those interns who speak Spanish, there is the opportunity to participate in a specialty seminar designed to increase comfort and competence in providing psychological services in Spanish, as well as supervision in Spanish. During the year, all  interns participate in two 6-month long core rotations (1. consultation and liaison services in a medical setting or consultation and liaison services in an emergency department, 2. child/ adolescent psychlogical assessment (neurodevelopmental and/or psychological). All interns have a third core rotation providing outpatient therapy with children, adolescents, or young adults with co-occurring mental health and medical conditions for the full year. In addition, all interns will participate in two 6-month long specialty rotations. These rotations may include (endocrinology, pulmonology, abdominal pain clinic, integrated primary care, medical stabilization of eating disorders, or mental health services in the emergency department). In these specialty rotations there is an opportunity to work with different medical teams. In all of these capacities, interns are an integral part of the multidisciplinary medical teams. Interns have the opportunity to provide vertical supervision for doctoral practicum students, have individual and group supervision, and attend seminars. CHOC provides many opportunities for working with families from a wide range of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. CHOC welcomes applications from applicants with a special interest in working with children and families from diverse backgrounds. For interns who speak Spanish, there are specialized training opportunities, including supervision and a seminar series in Spanish to help increase comfort and competence in providing psychological services in Spanish. Specialized training opportunities in learning about evidence-based treatment modalities including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Committment Therapy (ACT), Familey Based Treatment (FBT) for Eating Disorders, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and Trauma-Focused Cogntive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT) are also available through seminars.

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations
Infants: Yes
Toddlers: Yes
Children: Yes
Adolescents: Yes
Adults: Yes
Family: Yes
Older Adults:
Inpatients: Yes
Outpatients: Yes
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:
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: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Family Therapy: Experience (21% to 30%)
Group Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Community Intervention:
Consultation/Liaison: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Crisis Intervention: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Brief Psychotherapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Long-term Psychotherapy:
Cognitive Rehabilitation:
Primary Care: Experience (21% to 30%)
Evidenced Based Practice: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Evidence Based Research: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Supervision of Practicum students : Exposure (1% to 20%)
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

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

Opportunities to work with gender diverse populations, culturally diverse populations, and Behavioral emergencies (suicidal ideation, etc).

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.choc.org/careers/residency-training-programs/doctoral-internship-program-clinical-psychology/  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
Number of Completed Applications: 140 190 189 161 140 139 137 161 200
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 35 36 36 40 45 60 67 64 71
Total number of interns: 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
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 2 3 3 4 4 3 3 2 2
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 2 2
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs:
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 3 2 3 3 4 3 2 3 4
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 1 2 1 1 0 1
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 1 1 1
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 8 8 14 8 18 6 7 9 7
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 57 50 64 50 22 18 48 39 35
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025
Academic teaching: 1
Community mental health center: 0 0 1
Consortium: 0 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 4 3 4
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 0 0 0
Psychiatric facility: 0 0 0
Correctional facility: 0 0 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0 0 0
School district/system: 0 0 0
Independent practice setting: 0 0 0
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0 0 0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data:
Back