Clinical Training Opportunities
This includes:
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Intake interviewing
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Clinical assessment
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Development and application of a treatment plan
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Effective termination of treatment
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Assessing for and making appropriate referrals
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Crisis intervention
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Clinical consultation
The training program also enables interns to develop and strengthen their own professional identity. This is done by helping interns to:
- Define and clarify their theoretical orientation
- Allow theory to inform and strengthen their clinical practice
- Identify, explore, and address legal and ethical concerns in clinical practice
- Increase their cross-cultural competence
- Refine their case presentation skills
- Consult, collaborate, and set effective boundaries with other professionals
Interns will be exposed to a range of theoretical orientations and clinical practices through weekly meetings and consultations with permanent staff. Readings, discussions, case presentations, and experiential exercises will be used to support interns’ clinical training and personal growth. Particular areas of focus in training include mindfulness, multicultural, relational, CBT, and psychodynamic clinical approaches. Supervision will be tailored to the individual experiences, perspectives, and set of skills of each trainee.
Structure of Internship
Internships are typically 20-24 hours per week. Interns receive at least one hour of individual supervision and one hour of group supervision per week and are expected to carry an active caseload of twelve to fifteen clients. In addition, interns attend all staff meetings, case conferences, and clinical training opportunities. Throughout the year, interns are encouraged to initiate and/or participate in outreach and training efforts on campus. Interns will conduct initial assessments of clients but do not generally perform on-call or after hours coverage duties unless significant experience and interest warrant otherwise. Interns are awarded a modest stipend each semester as well as given some financial support for professional development.
Application
One or two counseling internships are available each academic year. Masters and doctoral level students in clinical psychology, counseling, or social work programs are eligible to apply. Applicants who have experience doing clinical work with older adolescents or young adults are preferable candidates.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, CV, and three letters of recommendation with contact information to Kyra Babakian, LCSW either electronically or via post. If possible, please include at least one letter of recommendation from a current clinical supervisor. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis starting in January with a final deadline of February 8th. All applications are reviewed by counseling center staff, who select prospective candidates to be invited for an interview at the Counseling Service. Interviews are typically scheduled between February and early-March for the next academic year.
All candidates must be willing to undergo a background check, if selected for an internship position.
If you have any questions regarding the internship and/or the application process, please email Kyra Babakian, LCSW or call our office at (207) 725-3145