Training

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.

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