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Site Name: Monterey County Behavioral Health Doctoral Psychology Training Program

Department: Children's Division

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Department : Children's Division

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 2205
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Monterey County Behavioral Health Doctoral Psychology Training Program
Department: Children's Division
Address: 331 N Sanborn Rd
Salinas, California 93905
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Distance from Major City: 18 miles northeast of Monterey, CA; 62 miles south of San Jose,CA; 38 miles southeast of Santa Cruz,
Phone: 831-755-8430
Fax:
Training Director Email: Perez-CorderoLA@countyofmonterey.gov
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/Home/Components/JobPosts/Job/86/10034?backlist=%2fgovernment%2fdepartments-a-h%2fhuman-resources%2finternship-program%2fintern-opportunities-resources
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/125371/638412570856530000
Primary Agency Type: Community Mental Health Center
Additional Agency Types:
Member of APPIC since:
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Liz Perez-Cordero
Chief Psychologist: Liz Perez-Cordero
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 8
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 0
Position Information
Start Date: 07/27/2026
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 3
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 45000
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits:
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): None; interns receive a stipend and are not eligible for fringe benefits. Leave time that is needed for sick, vacation, and dissertation release time is available.
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Through a dual rotation arrangement, interns have the opportunity to engage in diverse training experiences and are exposed to a broad range of client populations within a trauma informed community based mental health approach. The Avanza Program (Transition Age Youth) is completely voluntary and youth guided. Interns provide individual, family and group therapy, along with intensive case management for youth aged 16-25. The Psychology Intern will help the Avanza team provide these services as well as conduct psychological assessments to help inform diagnosis and guide clinical treatment. Youth are taken out for social outings which may require some evening or Saturday hours from time to time. The F.A.S.T. (Family Assessment Support and Treatment) Assessment Team provides comprehensive mental health assessments and treatment to children and families involved in dependency proceedings where the court has deemed it necessary to remove the child(ren) from the home due to abuse and/or neglect issues. The team typically uses attachment theory and systems perspectives in helping understand and conceptualize the family’s challenges, strengths, and services needed. Interns typically have a varied therapy caseload (including families) along with their ongoing assessment cases. Detailed reports that include clinical impressions, systems formulation, and treatment recommendations are provided to the Department of Social Services (DSS) and the Juvenile Dependency Court. This process is rapid and requires solid clinical assessment skills, good writing skills, and time management competencies.
Does this site have practicum psychology students on site? Yes
Doctoral Psychology Practicum StudentsYes
Masters Psychology Practicum StudentsYes
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: 11/09/2025 11:59 PM EST
A Virtual Interview are: Required
Interview notification date: 12/05/2025
Tentative interview date: 12/15/2025, 12/16/2025, 12/19/2025
Interview process description:

Interns from both Ph. D. and Psy. D. programs are encouraged to apply. Individuals who have completed their required coursework, supervised practica, and are in good standing with their respective psychology-training program are eligible to apply. We are committed to providing interns form diverse backgrounds and experiences training opportunities in our program. Our program has sprecifically developed training opportunities for bilingual/bicultural interns, including the opportunity to receive clinical supervision in the Spanish language. Our didactic seminars and case conferences have a consistent focus on compentency in practice in culturally diverse setting and with a wide range of clients. 

For initial application to our program, please submit a completed AAPI and ensure that a minimum of 2 letters of recommendation are included. No additional application materials are required at this initial point in the process.

The Training Director will contact applicants that have been selected for an invitation to interview by December 5, 2025 via email. Interviews are expected to take place between December 15 and December 19, 2025. Additional dates may be added.  Applicants that are invited for an interview will be asked to submit a sample psychological evaluation report.

We utlize a Virtual Interview process for all applicants. Interviews are approximately 4 hours in length. This process will include individual and panel interview rotations with several licensed psychologists that are directly involved in the training program, and a written vignette. 
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: Palo Alto University, Pacific Graduate School of Psychology Adler University Alliant International University University of LaVerne Midwestern University Chicago School of Psychology California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) Pace University Fielding Graduate Institute California Institute of Integral Studies Biola University Azusa Pacific 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): 500
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 75
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 Not Accepted
School Psychology Not Accepted
APA-Accredited Accepted
CPA-Accredited Accepted
PCSAS-Accredited
Non-Accredited 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:
Program Description

Our program offers an intensive training experience covering a broad range of clinical populations for the internship participants within the context of community mental health. Our training program was successfully granted APA accreditation effective February 2017.

The Monterey County Behavioral Health Doctoral Psychology Internship Program functions within a developmental-mentorship-practitioner training model that is culturally focused. The internship’s mission is to develop competent generalists who can function professionally in multiple clinical contexts and settings. Our program views learning as a developmental process that depends on support, challenge, feedback, and role modeling. High importance is placed on providing a setting where an intern’s professional identity is explored and further developed. This is achieved through: 

(1) a developmental perspective which is taken on all training activities over the course of the internship year,

(2) a mentorship philosophy which provides a variety of opportunities to interact with multiple psychologists and senior clinical staff through clinical, training, and outreach activities, and

(3) a practitioner orientation which emphasizes ethical, culturally sensitive and relevant clinical practice and intervention. The psychology internship provides a wide range of clinical practice opportunities including outpatient, in-custody and at-home assessment and treatment, group therapy, and community outreach activities. Interns learn the importance of integrating science with practice through the use of culturally relevant, evidence based treatment practices and evaluating treatment efficacy and outcomes. These are also critical practices within our public behavioral health service delivery system. 

We seek applicants with diverse backrounds and experience, Spanish language skills, and cultural sensitivity.The Monterey County Behavioral Health Doctoral Psychology Internship Program is composed of two clinics. Through a dual rotation arrangement, interns have the opportunity to engage in diverse training experiences and are exposed to a broad range of client populations. 

The Avanza Program (Transition Age Youth) is completely voluntary and youth guided. Staff provides individual, family and group therapy, along with intensive case management for youth aged 16-25. The Psychology Intern will help the Avanza team provide these services as well as conduct psychological assessments to help inform diagnosis and guide clinical treatment. Youth are taken out for social outings which may require some evening or Saturday hours from time to time.

The F.A.S.T. (Family Assessment Support and Treatment) Assessment Team provides comprehensive mental health assessments and treatment to children and families involved in dependency proceedings where the court has deemed it necessary to remove the child(ren) from the home due to abuse and/or neglect issues. The team typically uses attachment theory and systems perspectives in helping understand and conceptualize the family’s challenges, strengths, and services needed. Interns typically have a varied therapy caseload (including families) along with their ongoing assessment cases. Detailed reports that include clinical impressions, systems formulation, and treatment recommendations are provided to the Department of Social Services (DSS) and the Juvenile Dependency Court.

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations
Infants: Yes
Toddlers: Yes
Children: Yes
Adolescents: Yes
Adults: Yes
Family: Yes
Older Adults:
Inpatients:
Outpatients: Yes
LGBTQ+: Yes
Ethnic minorities: Yes
Spanish-speaking: Yes
French-speaking:
Deaf/Hearing-impaired:
Students:
International Students:
Rural: Yes
Urban:
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: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Family Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Group Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Community Intervention: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Consultation/Liaison: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Crisis Intervention: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Brief Psychotherapy: Experience (21% to 30%)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Cognitive Rehabilitation:
Primary Care:
Evidenced Based Practice: Experience (21% to 30%)
Evidence Based Research:
Supervision of Practicum students : Exposure (1% to 20%)
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology:
Women's Health:
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders:
Sexual Disorders:
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:
Physical Disabilities:
Learning Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Developmental Disabilities: Experience (21% to 30%)
Assessment: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Neuropsychology-Adult: Experience (21% to 30%)
Neuropsychology-Child: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
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: Experience (21% to 30%)
Substance Use Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Forensics/Corrections: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology:
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling:
Vocational/Career Development: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Multicultural Therapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Feminist Therapy:
Religion/Spirituality:
Empirically-Supported Treatments: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Public Policy/Advocacy:
Program Development/Evaluation: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Supervision: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Research:
Administration:
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.countyofmonterey.gov/Home/Components/JobPosts/Job/86/10034?backlist=%2fgovernment%2fdepartments-a-h%2fhuman-resources%2finternship-program%2fintern-opportunities-resources  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: 38 89 45 86 104 126 22 37
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 23 53 36 37 47 24 15 28
Total number of interns: 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 1 1 1 0 0 1 2 1
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 2 2 2 3 3 2 1 2
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 2 5 4 4 3 0 0 13
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 25 25 37 8 35 5 19 53
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025
Academic teaching:
Community mental health center: 3 3 3
Consortium: 0 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 0 0 0
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: https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/125373/638291807262600000
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