Components of the Training Program
The internship provides extensive training in each of the areas of competency required of the interns.
Supervision experiences:
Individual Supervision is provided to enhance interns' clinical skills. Given that individual psychotherapy is interns' primary clincial duty at the USDCC, supervision is viewed as an integral part of the training experience. In order to provide exposure to varying theoretical styles and approaches of supervisor, supervision rotates midyear. Interns make requests for supervision at the beginning of the year, and final decisions about supervision are made in collaboration with the Coordinator of Training.
Consultation Group is designed to allow interns to receive and provide case consultation in a setting that includes about three staff members and one to two interns. In this setting, new intakes are presented and staffed, and ongoing cases are discussed. Interns receive exposure to the clincial work of different staff and have the opportunity to receive feedback from staff not currently supervising them. Interns are also encouraged to give feedback to staff presenting cases; this is a primary setting in which interns begin to view themselves as colleagues as well as trainees.
Supervision of Group Therapy is provided for each group the intern facilitates. This experience facilitates the intern's development of effective group therapy skills. Because all groups are co-facilitated by a senior staff member who also serves as a supervisor, interns' group skills are observed in a live format. One hour of supervision per group is typically provided, often in the form of typically one half hour of group preparation and one half hour of post-group discussion.
Meeting with Coordinator of Training occurs several times per month to allow interns and the Coordinator of Training the opportunity to discuss emerging issues and training needs. Use of this meeting varies according to the needs of the intern group.
Outreach Supervision occurs monthly. This meeting allows interns to seek regular consultation and guidance with the Coordinator of Outreach or another designated supervisor.
Diversity Consultation. These meetings provide interns with an opportunity to develop a greater sense of self and cultural awareness, and how this impacts their capacity to integrate issues of diversity into their work and their professional identities as psychologists.
Assessment Consultation is scheduled monthly. The focus of this experience is clinical consultation regarding the interns’ use of testing with their clients. Additional consultation is available as needed, and interns are also encouraged to discuss their testing experiences in primary supervision and consultation group.
Additional supervision and consultation is available from all staff as needed.
Supervision of Supervision occurs weekly in the Spring semester and allows interns to process their supervision experiences with peer advisors.
Rotation Supervision is provided for interns completing a rotation.
