Training

Predoctoral Psychology Internship Program
Western Michigan University

Since 1997, our pre-doctoral psychology internship training program has been accredited by the American Psychological Association, Office of Consultation and Accreditation, which is located at 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 2002-4242. Their phone number is; 202-336-5979.

WELCOME

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the Pre Doctoral Internship Training section of our web site. If you are thinking about applying to our program I hope you will take the time to carefully read over our information and see if we might be a good fit for you. It has been written that the internship year is the "capstone" experience in your training as a psychologist and is often viewed as the most important part of training. We believe that we provide our interns with the opportunity to really fine tune their clinical skills and develop skills in specialty areas, as well as develop the personal side of the professional self.

One unique aspect of our program is the Holistic Health focus that allows the interns to learn more about evidence-based alternative techniques that compliment traditional interventions for many psychological concerns. Expressive therapies, nutritional recommendations and meditation techniques are taught and practiced with selected clients within the parameters of the training experience.

We also place a great value on training the interns in providing career assessment and counseling. This is such an important aspect in college counseling, but also is relevant to on-going life concerns as we spend one-third to one-half of our waking hours engaged in work. We believe that all psychologists need to be aware of what it takes to have a "good fit" with one's occupation.

We have a strong commitment to provide quality diversity training experiences. We define diversity in the broadest sense so that we focus on populations representing racial, ethnic, cultural, spiritual/religious, sexual orientation, sexual identity, mental ability, physical ability, age, gender, and economic differences. We also tend to look at each person and their unique combination of factors that makes them the individual that they are. To support our focus on diversity we offer a rotation with the Division of Multicultural Affairs.

We are also excited that we can offer a rotation with the Health Promotion and Education Department through out health center, that provides a "community theater" program to the campus. Interns have been able to provide consultation to the student actors as they develop performances for "Great Sexpectations", "No More Lies", and "Cross Colors". Many other experiences are also available in this rotation, including health coaching, working with an interdisciplinary team and providing substance abuse screenings.

Another great opportunity is completing the rotation with our Suicide Prevention Program. Outreach and training activities are provided to students, staff, faculty and the community.

These are just a few of the highlights of what we consider an outstanding training program. Read on to find out more about us and to see if we might be the place that you would like to spend this important year.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at paula.andrasi@wmich.edu and write Internship in the subject box.

Paula Andrasi, Ed.D.
Training Director/Associate Professor

General Information:

The University & Surrounding Community:

Western Michigan University was established by the State Legislature in 1903. It has been accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools since 1915. Currently, approximately 26,000 students are enrolled with, over 20% of these students pursuing graduate degrees in one of seventy graduate programs. Western has been designated as a Research-Extensive University, by the prestigious Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. It reflects Westerns commitment to graduate education through the doctoral level and to the desire to contribute to the general public through meaningful research and scholarly production.

In its 2007/2008 guide to "America's Best Colleges", US News and World Report included Western among the nation's best 200 national universities. Money magazine listed WMU as one of the nation's 100 "best buys" in public higher education.

Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, centrally positioned approximately 2 1/2 hours between Chicago and Detroit. The University is approximately one hour from Lake Michigan. There are several forest preserves, state parks and small inland lakes also within a one-half hour drive. The population of Kalamazoo is 77,000 and of Kalamazoo county is 238,600. The community is known for its commitment to the arts. There are numerous theater groups, a resident dance troupe, a public art center and a symphony orchestra to enjoy in Kalamazoo. It is also home to the nationally renowned Gilmore Key Board Festival, the United States Tennis Association's Boys Championship, and the International Girls Softball Championship. Kalamazoo has several semi-professional sports teams including hockey and baseball. Two auto race tracks can be found in neighboring towns.

The University Counseling & Testing Center:

The Western Michigan University Counseling and Testing Center (UCTC) is the University's primary facility for psychological services for registered students. In addition to psychotherapy, the Center provides career counseling, a career exploration and career resource center, consultation, and outreach and prevention services. The clientele is varied in terms of socioeconomic status and cultural diversity. After Euro-Americans (82%), the groups represented at the Center include 6% African Americans, 10% Asian Americans, 1% Hispanic American, and 1% Other. Approximately 70% of the clients seen at the Counseling Center are female, 30% male. First-time clients seeking career, or personal counseling account for 75% of overall clients seen, whereas 25% have previously been in some type of counseling at this center.

WMU's Counseling and Testing Center reports to the Vice President for Student Affairs who reports to the President. Financial support for the Center is provided through the general budget of the University. Therefore, services are provided with no direct charge to the students, except for some testing fees.

Professional staff at the Center are Western Michigan University faculty members. As such, many are actively engaged in research, consultation and other scholarly endeavors, in addition to their responsibilities for therapy services and graduate training. The staff is comprised of clinical and counseling psychologists, licensed counselors, interns, counseling psychology graduate assistant trainees, a support staff, and student workers. The staff may consult with the University psychiatrist who is housed at the Health Center. The staff represent a full range of theoretical orientations.

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