User:
Site Name: Appalachian Psychology Internship
Department: Psychology
Given the continued COVID19 crisis, Appalachian Psychology Internship is planning to hold optional in-person interviews during the 2020-2021 application cycle, with viirtual interviews (ZOOM) offered to all applicants selected for interview. However, if the crisis worsens, or if state and local mandates restrict travel, API may decide to only offer virtual interviews. That decision will be made in mid-November and will be communicated to invited applicants in the interview invitation emails. If on-site interview continue, they are scheduled to take place on 12/9/2020. Members of the training committee review all applications. Applicants selected for interview attend a group session with the Director of Clinical Training who provides information about the Program and a description of the internship year. After this group meeting, each applicant will have three individual interviews lasting between 20-30 minutes, as well as an opportunity to meet with current doctoral interns.
Considering the rural nature of this internship program, the training committee believes on-site interviews are an important tool used by applicants and the program to assess fit. However, also related to this site's rural nature are barriers to travel. As such, the training committee will interview via phone or ZOOM if applicants cannot attend an on-site interview, or if on-site interviews are unrealistic with the global crisis.
The mission of the Appalachian Psychology Internship Program is to produce graduates who are prepared for the entry-level practice of professional psychology in rural areas. The Appalachian Psychology Internship Program adheres to a practitioner-scholar model of training, and emphasizes generalist training. The emphasis on practice is reflected in the intern work schedule whereby the majority of time is devoted to clinical activity, assessment, and therapy with a range of client ages and presenting problems.
We believe that the internship year should be devoted primarily to activities of professional psychology and that science should guide all clinical practice. The core of the internship training is in clinical activities consisting of assessment, therapy, supervision, and didactics. Practice and science are integrated through didactic presentations of scientific information relevant to clinical practice, and supervision that emphasizes use of research materials and findings and in vivo observation and feedback. We also use empirically validated assessments and treatment practices. Graduates of the program are expected to integrate their clinical training with their knowledge and understanding of research findings in their practice.
Our model of training emphasizes three components: (1) the importance of combining practice with science (practitioner-scholar model), (2) sequential and comprehensive training over the course of the internship year, and (3) establishment of intern professional identity. The training staff view internship training as a developmental process, in which mentoring relationships with licensed professionals assist interns in moving from a student role to increasing independence and identity in the field.
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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: http://www.hopewellhealth.org/ 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.
