The purpose of the internship program is to train generalist practitioners who are interested in developing competence and confidence for work as psychologists in a comprehensive university counseling center or other outpatient mental health setting. The training experience includes the supervised practice of brief initial consultations/assessment, individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, consultation and outreach to the university community, and peer supervision with fellow interns. Other opportunities include eating disorders, alcohol and drug assessment and treatment, and the development of preventive programs and interventions for issues or populations of the intern's own interest.
The agency places significant value and emphasis on multicultural competency. Training staff interests and the diverse composition of the student population necessitate interns utilizing a multicultural perspective, irrespective of their theoretical orientation. Consistent with the principles and ethical code of our profession, the Counseling Center values diversity and individual differences (e.g., race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity). We are committed to training our interns to work effectively with clients who represent a full range of diversity. In keeping with this objective, it is expected that our interns will welcome and be open to this learning opportunity. It is also expected that interns will actively engage in seminars and other experiences where self-exploration with the aim of increasing multicultural competency in service to our clients, is essential.
Individual supervision is a cornerstone of the program. Interns receive two hours of clinical supervision per week from a primary supervisor who is a licensed psychologist. Interns will switch supervisors half way through their internship year. Interns have secondary supervisors for group therapy and outreach experiences. Additional clinical supervision is available as necessary. In addition to individual supervision, interns meet with a licensed psychologist and a clinical staff member(s) weekly for two hours in a group format to discuss cases and provide peer supervision to each other. Interns also participate in weekly seminars throughout the year focusing on topics that are relevant to clinical practice in a university counseling center.
Interns meet in a support group with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for one hour per week. The group is a space for interns to process their experiences and raise issues and concerns.
Additionally, interns meet weekly with the TD for additional support.
As part of their professional development, interns also participate in agency committees and professional development opportunities.
Please note that while every effort will be made to maintain consistency and offer the opportunities listed above, with the uncertainty re: COVID-19, changes may have to be made. These changes, if any, will be considered carefully by the TD and the training staff before they are implemented in order to ensure the sanctity of the training program and to meet the needs of the interns.