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Predoctoral Internship in Professional Psychology

Training Program: Goals & Objectives

The mission of the training program is to help interns develop a broad range of skills necessary for professional practice as a psychologist. This includes gaining self-awareness and knowledge with respect to issues of pluralism, using scientific thinking and findings to inform clinical practice & supervision, and developing an identity as a psychologist with respect to both the general profession and the specific organization in which she/he works. Interns are expected to practice within the scope of the APA Ethical Code, including the multicultural guidelines and guidelines for psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients.

Goal 1: Interns will integrate research and theory in clinical practice.

Objective 1: Interns will seek out and read literature that may be relevant to a specific client and/or situation.

Objective 2: Interns will critically evaluate the applicability of research findings to a specific client and/or situation, and make modifications as necessary to fit the individual circumstances.

Objective 3: Interns will demonstrate the ability to use the clinical or supervisory situation to gather data and test hypotheses.

Objective 4: Interns will be able to articulate their personal theoretical approach to psychotherapy and supervision.

Goal 2: Interns will demonstrate intermediate to advanced competence in assessment.

Objective 1: Interns will display the ability to accurately assess and articulate client problems and levels of severity of these problems with consideration of the sociocultural context of the client's life.

Objective 2: Interns will demonstrate the ability to make appropriate referrals based on assessment data, clinical judgment, and recognition of the limits of their own areas of competence.

Goal 3: Interns will demonstrate intermediate to advanced competence in individual counseling and psychotherapy.

Objective 1: Interns will demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective working alliances with clients, including effective interviewing and listening skills, appropriate empathy, genuineness, acceptance, and trust.

Objective 2: Interns will demonstrate the ability to implement appropriate clinical interventions, which are formed by an understanding of theoretical concepts, as well as clinical judgment and experience.

Objective 3: Interns will appropriately consider ethnic and cultural background in the therapeutic process.

Objective 4: Interns will demonstrate the ability to integrate relevant data into meaningful and coherent conceptualizations relevant to treatment planning in both verbal and written form (i.e., treatment plans, termination reports).

Objective 5: Interns will demonstrate familiarity with and application of relevant cultural theories and models (e.g., LGBT, identity development, acculturation).

Objective 6: Interns will demonstrate competence in dealing with the process of counseling (e.g., transference/countertransference, timing, therapeutic relationship).

Objective 7: Interns will demonstrate an ability to tolerate uncertainty and ambiguity in order to avoid premature commitment to a conceptualization and/or course of action.

Objective 8: Interns will demonstrate the ability to deal effectively with the issues involved in the termination of counseling.

Goal 4: Interns will demonstrate intermediate to advanced competence in crisis assessment and intervention.

Objective 1: Interns will demonstrate the ability to accurately assess psychological emergencies and crisis situations and provide appropriate interventions.

Objective 2: Interns will demonstrate an understanding of the criteria for "imminent" danger and the risk of suicide and homicide.

Objective 3: Interns will demonstrate an understanding of "duty to warn" mandates in cases of suspected child and elder abuse or potential for suicidal, homicidal, or violent behavior.

Objective 4: Interns will recognize the need for psychiatric evaluation/consultation and make appropriate referrals.

Objective 5: Interns will demonstrate the ability to coordinate crisis response with other university representatives (e.g., University Police, Residential Life).

Goal 5: Interns will demonstrate intermediate to advanced competence in group counseling and psychotherapy.

Objective 1: Interns will demonstrate the ability to effectively work with a co-leader and understand the impact of the co-leader relationship on group dynamics.

Objective 2: Interns will integrate theoretical knowledge into group conceptualizations and interventions.

Objective 3: Interns will demonstrate the ability to effectively conduct group screenings and use this information for appropriate selection.

Objective 4: Interns will consistently and accurately integrate multicultural theories and models in conceptualizations and interventions.

Objective 5: Interns will demonstrate the ability to make group as a whole interventions.

Objective 6: Interns will demonstrate the ability to facilitate exploration and expression of affect.

Objective 7: Interns will demonstrate an ability to tolerate uncertainty and ambiguity in order to avoid premature commitment to a conceptualization and/or course of action.

Objective 8: Interns will demonstrate the ability to deal effectively with the termination phase of group counseling.

Goal 6: Interns will demonstrate intermediate to advanced competence in programming and consultation.

Objective 1: Interns will demonstrate an understanding of the process of mental health consultation in a university setting.

Objective 2: Interns will demonstrate the ability to work with various members of the university community to assess programming needs accurately.

Objective 3: Interns will demonstrate the ability to design and facilitate workshops on psychoeducational issues.

Objective 4: Interns will demonstrate competence in providing information regarding Counseling Center programs and services to students, academic departments, and student services units.

Goal 7: Interns will demonstrate intermediate to advanced competence in the provision of clinical supervision.

Objective 1: Interns will demonstrate competence in the development of effective supervisory relationships with their supervisees.

Objective 2: Interns will collaborate with their supervisees in the formulation of goals for supervision.

Objective 3: Interns will demonstrate an understanding of how cultural issues and differences (age, gender, ethnicity/race, sexual orientation, religion, and disability) may affect the supervisory process.

Objective 4: Interns will demonstrate competence in providing guidance and feedback to supervisees regarding their clinical work.

Objective 5: Interns will pay close attention to their clinical, ethical, and legal responsibilities toward their supervisees' clients.

Objective 6: Interns will monitor their supervisees' case notes and treatment plans, and will give both verbal and written feedback in a timely manner.

Objective 7: Interns will acquire knowledge about models, theories, and research on supervision.

Goal 8: Interns will demonstrate the knowledge and ability to adhere to legal and ethical guidelines and professional standards for clinical practice.

Objective 1: Interns will acquire and demonstrate knowledge of professional ethics, agency policies, procedures, and standards, and laws regulating the practice of psychology.

Objective 2: Interns will adhere to professional and ethical guidelines, agency policies, and laws relating to the practice of psychology.

Objective 3: Interns will demonstrate the ability to act appropriately in the face of ethical dilemmas and seek consultation as needed.

Objective 4: Interns will demonstrate an understanding of the limits of their own competence, will appropriately refer clients they do not have the expertise to counsel, and will seek consultation, training, and supervision as needed.

Objective 5: Interns will demonstrate awareness, knowledge and skills related to multicultural issues and ethical guidelines for treatment.

Goal 9: Supervision and professional development.

Objective 1: Interns will effectively use supervision (e.g., being prepared, initiating discussion in areas requiring expansion of skills, interacting and sharing ideas, being open to learning).

Objective 2: Interns will demonstrate openness to feedback as well as the ability to integrate the feedback into their functioning.

Objective 3: Interns will demonstrate the ability to give constructive feedback to supervisors and colleagues.

Objective 4: Interns will understand the importance of and demonstrate the ability to reflect on their own behaviors as a therapist, colleague, and organizational member.

Objective 5: Interns will demonstrate movement from student to professional (i.e., develop a professional identity).

Goal 10: Interns will reflect upon themselves within an organizational context.

Objective 1: Interns will demonstrate an awareness of personal reactions in the work environment and how these reactions may inform their behaviors.

Objective 2: Interns will articulate and demonstrate an awareness of the multiple ways in which one's behaviors may impact and be interpreted by others across multiple levels of the organization.