The internship program provides a planned and programmed sequence of training experiences designed to enhance the skills of interns and provide a breadth and depth of training necessary to practice within the field of health service psychology. Training is focused on building intern’s competencies in clinical practice and understanding complex presenting concerns, dynamics, and cultural components. Supervisory staff continually monitor the progress of interns in these areas and encourage opportunities to promote growth and awareness while building confidence and clinical skills. Health and Human Services is dedicated to training and takes a developmental approach to supervision. Interns provide individual, couple, and family therapy throughout the course of the training year. Interns are expected to carry a caseload of 18-20 clients, which consist of children, adolescents, and adults. Interns also receive training in psychological assessment, community prevention and outreach, intake assessment, group therapy and crisis intervention. Opportunities also exist for employee assistance programming, career counseling, school consultation, and applied research. Interns engage in a variety of didactic trainings and seminars throughout the course of the training year. For the entire training year, Interns participate in two seminars that are integral to the training program of HHS: Psychotherapy Seminar (1.5 hours, weekly) and Multicultural Competence and Community Psychology Seminar (MCCP) (2.5-3 hours weekly). HHS has a strong focus on providing a quality supervisory experience for interns which focuses on interns’ direct clinical service, professional and personal development, multicultural competency, and interns’ development into a supervisory and leadership role. Interns at HHS receive 4 hours of weekly supervision, which includes 2 hours of individual supervision by a licensed psychologist, 1 hour of group supervision by a licensed psychologist, and 1 hour of supplemental individual supervision with a licensed psychologist. Video and audio recording is required and is reviewed in all forms of supervision. Interns also receive training in providing supervision. Interns are responsible for supervising one practicum student starting in January, and receive 1 hour of weekly group supervision on this process from a licensed clinical psychologist. The Department of Health and Human Services Internship training program is committed to enhancing the personal and professional growth of clinicians in our field.
Due to circumstances with COVID-19, both in person and telehealth services are being provided at The Village of Hoffman Estates, Health and Human Services. Each intern will have their own office. Health and Human Services is a health department/facility so there are a number of policies to follow in order to ensure the safety of all interns, students, and employees including wearing masks, using hand sanitizer stations which placed around the department, and sanitizing office space upon entry and exit.