The Training Philosophy and Model:

The Center's philosophy is that each clinical or counseling psychology intern is a unique professional in training. As such, there is a core of expected competencies, but there is also an opportunity for individualized experiences and study to remediate learning or experiential gaps or to strengthen already developed expertise in a given area. The core competencies are developed from the view that interns should be trained as generalists who can function in a broad range of counseling/therapy activities and counseling/mental health settings.

Core competencies include:
- individual counseling and psychotherapy skills
- assessment
- ethics
- supervision
- multicultural sensitivity
- career testing/counseling
- crisis management
- integration of research and practice
- personal/professional stability
- psychiatric/medical collaboration
- holistic health

Additional training experiences may include:
- substance abuse treatment
- eating disorders treatment
- thematic group therapy
- health and wellness rotation
- multicultural affairs rotation
- sexual assault treatment
- suicide prevention activities

Supervised experiences, readings, consultations, presentations and seminars are provided to develop skills in these areas.

The Center employs a Scholar-practitoner model with a "reflective" component that encourages the interns to examine how proven psychological theories and interventions actually apply to the clients with whom they are working. Diverse and unique needs and learning styles of the clients are taken into consideration, and interns are supported in developing treatment plans which will most effectively meet these needs and styles. Interns are also encouraged to reflect upon the role they play in the therapeutic relationship.

Throughout the training program emphasis is placed on ethical issues and ethical conduct. A major program goal is to provide interns with individualized support and direction to further the development of their professional integrity and ethical behaviors as established by the American Psychological Association.

Candidates will find themselves a good fit with our program if they are open to self-reflection and to processing the material and experiences that are presented. We look for flexibility and enthusiasm.

Our program makes every effort to support the professional and personal development of each intern.

 

University Counseling and Testing Center
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 5323 USA
(269) 387-1850 | (269) 387-1884 Fax
cindy.town@wmich.edu