
The
Training Program:
Interns are involved in a variety of activities designed to:
1. Strengthen basic skills in client assessment and treatment
which may include increasing the understanding and application
of various theoretical models.
2. Integrate ethical principles and develop professional integrity.
3. Develop a respect for human differences and learn to recognize
how these may be manifested in clients.
4.
Experience a wide range of role models as examples of how psychologists
function in counseling centers and other settings.
The program involves the intern in service activities, training
activities, and professional activities. Approximately 75% of
the intern's time is spent in professional and service activities
with 25% allocated for training activities. Since this program
recognizes and honors the individuality of each intern, interns
are encouraged to design and develop experiences to meet their
individual needs in addition to the core competency requirements.
Although we can't guarantee student participation, opportunities exist for the intern to develop outreach programs
or therapy groups around such populations and focal issues as
substance abuse prevention and treatment, LBGT concerns, couples,
eating disorders, stress reduction, sexual assault, career
development, suicide prevention, intimate relationships, multicultural
issues, etc. These are developed through consultation with the
Training Director or Assistant Director. Interns are required
to conduct a minimum of 12 outreach activities during the year.
All interns work a 40 hour week. There is a range of contracted
hours for many of the service, training, and professional activities
allowing the intern some flexibility (see typical week). The internship
is designed as a 2,000 hour training experience to be completed
in a full-time, funded capacity over 12 consecutive months.
Interns provide the same variety of clinical and outreach services
as permanent staff. They are encouraged to pursue research interests
and are allotted four hours for research each week. Additionally,
they have two hours each week for professional development which
is time allotted for readings in areas that supplement their clinical
cases or professional growth. They have access to a computer consultant
within the Division and have Dell computers in their offices.
Computer accounts give interns access to University Library databases,
e-mail, and web access from their offices.
- Intern Seminars
Two hours per week are devoted to professional development training
seminars. Intern seminar topics vary from year to year, but these core
topics are offered every year: professional practice issues, suicide assessment, consultation training,
multicultural counseling, outreach, ethical issues, eating disorders, sexual assault, addictions and brief therapy. Other
topics may include; psycho-pharmacology, brief therapy, suicide,
depression, couples counseling, EMDR, codependency, developmental
needs of students, men's issues, sexual identity issues, borderline
disorders, hypnosis, relational therapy, sex therapy, and dream
work. These presentations are based on the needs and interests
of the intern group, and are offered as time allows.
- Assessment
During the fall semester interns will participate in an assessment
seminar for 2 hours per week. Interns will receive training in
assessment of issues commonly seen in college populations, methodology and instruments used to identify these issues, how to apply DSM IV, and treatment planning.
They will be responsible for providing case presentations which
incorporate an integrated assessment protocol.
- Supervision
Interns will have the opportunity to supervise a doctoral level
graduate assistant during the spring semester. The Supervision
of Supervision will occur during a two-hour group supervision
discussion/case presentation facilitated by the Training Director.
Training on models of supervision and preparation for those activities
occur during the fall semester.
- Crisis
During the summer sessions, the interns will provide crisis coverage for at least two hours
per week. Clients experiencing extreme distress, depression and
suicidal ideation may be seen at that time. Direct supervision
and support will come from primary supervisors. The interns will
also participate in the weekly disposition meeting with the Assistant
Director.
- Additional Experiences
Several additional experiences are available for the intern. Interns are required to participate
in the Career Testing and Counseling component within the Center.
This involves career test assessment and teaching a career exploration
class. During Summer Sessions, an intense training in Holistic
Health will be provided for all interns. This will involve not
only didactic presentations on topical issues but also supervision
from a Holistic perspective of three selected cases. Optional
experiences for individual interns include four (4) hour per week rotations at
Multicultural Affairs, or Health and Wellness programs. These rotations will provide experience
and one hour extra supervision for the intern. Due to the tight
time schedule and commitments built into the training program
interns are able to participate in only one additional training
experience per semester to accompany the mandatory activities. Rotation options may change each semester. Not all rotation options are available every semester so some choices may need to be made about desired experiences. There are also opportunities to have intensive experiences working with eating disorders, sexual assault, substance abuse, and suicide prevention.
- Diversity
Each
intern will be required to develop a diversity portfolio. This
will reflect the activities the intern engages in during the year
to increase their knowledge, skills and personal awareness with
two diverse populations of their choosing. The intern will select
one racial/ethnic group and one group from the following areas:
religious, physical disability, LBGT, gender, social class, learning disability or developmental stage. The diversity portfolio is coordinated by the Training Director. Presentations of the portfolios will occur
during Summer I.
- Counseling
The University Counseling and Testing Center currently has no
fee for counseling services and a session limit based on clinical need. Interns have the opportunity to carry a
portion of their caseload as long-term training cases. Interns
are encouraged to designate several of their clients
for work in a brief therapy framework. Specialized training is provided to assist interns in determining the stage of change that each client presents with and the appropriate methods and lengths of therapy that will be beneficial to the well-being of the client. We operate from a "best practice/evidenced - based" paradigm with a recognition that individual client needs may necessitate creative interventions.