COMPETENCIES / GOALS & OBJECTIVES

The fundamental objective of our program is to facilitate the development of competent professional psychologists who are ready to assume the responsibilities of an entry level doctoral psychologist position. Our internship training is directed towards developing six basic core professional competencies expected of an entry level doctoral level psychologist in the areas of:

(1) Assessment and Diagnosis: Competency in conducting clinical interview-based assessment and in administering and interpreting basic psychological tests in the areas of intellectual assessment, basic cognitive assessment, and personality assessment; familiarity with the prevailing diagnostic procedures, e.g., ability to assign appropriate diagnoses to individual patients; ability to communicate findings and recommendations orally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.

(2) Intervention and Treatment: Competency in conducting individual and group counseling/psychotherapy across a variety of problems and populations; familiarity with empirical findings concerning the efficacy of psychotherapy; an understanding and knowledge of empirically supported therapeutic approaches for specific mental disorders.

(3) Consultation and Supervision: Competency in conducting consultations under supervision for members of the medical staff; familiarity with and understanding of methods and theories of supervision.

(4) Professional and Ethical Behavior: Demonstration of sound professional clinical judgement and behavior in the application of assessment and intervention procedures with individuals; familiarity with and understanding of professional and legal standards in professional psychology; a thorough working understanding of APA ethical standards.

(5) Understanding of Human Diversity Issues in the Professional Practice of Psychology: Demonstration of understanding of and sensitivity to human diversity issues in the practice of psychology; familiarity with empirical findings pertaining to diversity issues in assessment and diagnosis, tests and measurement, psychopathology, interventions and treatment.

(6) Strategies of Scholarly Inquiry and Clinical Problem Solving: Demonstration of understanding and knowledge of strategies of scholarly inquiry; awareness of current empirical studies in major professional practice journals; competency in reviewing and integrating relevant scholarly literature to assist in clinical problem solving.

The internship experience involves training which extends and integrates the intern's basic academic program. The internship is designed to offer a broad range of experiences to develop these core professional competencies. Interns have a shared responsibility in designing and planning the internship experience in collaboration with the Psychology Internship Training Committee (PITC). This process is intended to ensure that the intern's training plan is integrated with the intern's overall graduate or professional school training plan, and that the internship provides a coherent progression from the basic knowledge and practical clinical skill competencies achieved in the academic program to the core practice competencies that are to be acquired in the internship. Upon completion of the internship, interns are prepared to assume an entry level doctoral psychology position in inpatient and outpatient adult and child medical, psychiatric and mental health settings.