Training Program

CAPS offers an APA-accredited doctoral internship in health service psychology. The internship is both training and service oriented. Interns are considered to be developing professional psychologists and are treated as colleagues. While preparing interns for multifaceted careers, the internship provides a unique preparation for those planning careers in university counseling centers. The aims of the training program are to support continued development in clinical skills, outreach and consultation, and scholarly and professional development. A multicultural and diversity focus is thematic throughout the internship program. Ongoing development of ethical and legal standards, professional values, attitudes and behaviors, and communication and interpersonal skills are also emphasized. Interns are expected to participate in all areas of service delivery and supervision. Opportunities exist to develop or expand upon special interests. Along with a senior staff of counseling and clinical psychologists, interns study, discuss, and apply psychological theory, principles, and findings. Interns completing the program successfully will be competent for the entry level of practice. They will have demonstrated the capability to function autonomously and responsibly as practicing psychologists.

The internship has established the following competencies, elements and learning outcomes:

Competency #1: Research

Interns demonstrate knowledge, skills, and attitudes to integrate theory and research to inform practice across all professional activities.

Outcomes: 1) Reads, evaluates, and utilizes interventions informed by empirical research in individual and group therapy, outreach and consultation, diversity seminar, clinical supervision, and scholarly activities; 2) Develops treatment plans on basis of chosen theoretical orientation and relevant research; 3) Demonstrates ability to use research to evaluate clinical effectiveness and modify treatment interventions appropriately; 4) Ability to independently evaluate and disseminate research and scholarly activities (e.g., case conference, case presentations, supervision, outreach, dissertation) at the local, regional, or national levels.

Competency #2: Ethical and Legal Standards

Interns demonstrate knowledge and application of the profession’s ethics and legal standards across all professional activities.

Outcomes: 1) Knowledgeable and applies ethical and professional codes, standards, and guidelines in accordance with the current American Psychological Association Ethical Principles; 2) Knowledgeable and applies California laws and statutes pertaining to the practice of health service psychology, including the areas of confidentiality, child abuse reporting and duties under the Tarasoff decision; 3) Follows policies and procedures at the department and university levels; 4) Independently recognizes ethical and legal issues, analyzes them accurately, and addresses them appropriately.

Competency #3: Individual and Cultural Diversity

Interns demonstrate knowledge, awareness, sensitivity, and skills when working with diverse individuals and communities across all professional activities.

Outcomes: 1) Demonstrates self-awareness and knowledge about their own cultural background and how it may impact the counseling process; 2) Demonstrates awareness of own cultural similarities, differences, and biases (e.g., racial/ethnic identification, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, ability status, spiritual/religious identity, etc.) within the therapeutic process; 3) Demonstrates ability to identify, address, and integrate diversity issues (culture, ethnicity, nationality, immigration status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability status, SES, religion, age, and others) to conceptualize and develop culturally congruent interventions across all professional activities, including, research, supervision, consultation, outreach, and service; 4) Demonstrates understanding of the intersection of multiple identities; 5) Demonstrates knowledge of differences between culture bound values within counseling and culture specific values/knowledge of an individual, group, and/or community (e.g., diagnosis and treatment planning, language barriers); 6) Utilizes research, theory, educational, consultative, and training experiences to enrich understanding and effectiveness in working with areas of individual and cultural diversity ; 7) Initiates consultation and supervision for issues related to diversity; 8) Demonstrates ability to recognize the limits of their competencies and recognize developing expertise in working with diverse groups and diversity issues.

Competency #4: Professional Values, Attitudes, and Behaviors

Interns demonstrate attitudes and behaviors that reflect the values of the psychology profession.

Outcomes:1) Demonstrates professional conduct by completing responsibilities promptly (e.g., appearance, punctuality, clinical documentation, prepared for supervision, brings recorded counseling sessions); 2) Demonstrates professional values and attitudes by behaving in ways that reflect the values and attitudes of psychology, including, integrity, accountability, lifelong learning, and concern for the welfare of others; 3) Demonstrates ability to engage in ongoing self-reflection and self-assessment in recognizing and addressing one’s personal and professional functioning (e.g., self-care, managing personal stress; 4) Demonstrates ability to non-defensively receive and respond to feedback from supervisors and peers; 5) Demonstrates ability to share constructive feedback with supervisors and peers; 6) Demonstrates a willingness to process intern-supervisor dynamics with the supervisor; 7) Demonstrates ability to respond professionally in increasingly complex situations with a greater degree of independence (e.g., takes initiative, works independently and consults when appropriate); 8) Formulates realistic professional goals for self; 9) Seeks appropriate consultation from supervisor and takes active responsibility for learning in supervision by ongoing self-assessment and review of training goals.

Competency #5: Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Interns demonstrate ability to communicate effectively, to interact appropriately, and to develop professional relationships across all professional activities.

Outcomes:1) Establishes respectful, productive, and culturally sensitive relationships with staff members, supervisors, fellow interns, clients/students, and campus community members; 2) Demonstrates ability to engage in self-reflection and is open and responsive to feedback about interpersonal skills and communication style; 3) Demonstrates ability to manage professionally challenging situations, acknowledges own role, and utilizes supervision appropriately in taking steps to problem-solve conflict appropriately; 4) Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills and the ability to manage difficult communications well; 5) Communicates effectively, in written and oral form, to other professionals (e.g., case presentations, outreach presentations, etc.); 6) Ability to write comprehensive and professional documentation that is concise, informative, well-integrated, and sensitive to a range of audiences.

Competency #6: Assessment

Interns demonstrate competency in conducting evidence-based assessment.

Outcomes:1) Demonstrates knowledge and ability to apply assessment methods based on empirical literature; 2) Demonstrates current knowledge of diagnostic classification systems, functional and dysfunctional behaviors, including consideration of client strengths, cultural background, and psychopathology; 3) Conducts a thorough clinical interview including social, cultural, psychological, and biological histories; 4) Collects relevant data using multiple sources and methods while attending to relevant diversity characteristics of the client; 5) Interprets assessment results, following current research and professional standards and guidelines, to inform case conceptualization, classification, and recommendations, while being aware of decision-making biases; 6) Demonstrates ability to communicate findings and implications verbally and in writing in an accurate manner and sensitive to a range of audiences; 7) Demonstrates ability to assess and make appropriate recommendations for treatment; 8) Demonstrates ability to effectively conduct crisis assessment and accurately screen for immediate safety and health needs, including risk and protective factors (e.g., cultural, environmental, individual).

Competency #7: Intervention

Interns demonstrate competency in evidence-based interventions, across individual and group counseling, crisis intervention.

Outcomes:1) Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain an effective counseling relationship with a wide variety of clients; 2) Applies relevant theory and research to clinical decision making; 3) Develops and implements treatment plans consistent with theoretical orientation, relevant research literature, assessment findings, diversity, and developmental context of client; 4) Demonstrates ability to evaluate clinical effectiveness and modify treatment interventions appropriately; 5) Effectively facilitates the therapeutic phases of counseling; 6) Demonstrates an awareness of and ability to work through countertransference; 7) Demonstrates ability to effectively utilize a brief model of counseling; 8) Demonstrates ability to develop an effective plan for intervening in crisis situations including mobilization of client support network, referral, hospitalization, and appropriate follow up.

Competency #8: Supervision

Interns demonstrate appropriate knowledge of supervision models and practices, and the ability to apply this knowledge in direct or simulated practice with psychology trainees or other health professionals.

Outcomes:1) Demonstrates ability to apply knowledge of theories and models of supervision when conceptualizing and intervening with supervisees; 2) Demonstrates ability to communicate how own theoretical orientation influences supervisory style; 3) Demonstrates ways to explore transference and countertransference in supervision; 4) Demonstrates strategies to foster a strong working alliance with a supervisee; 5) Demonstrates ability to provide constructive and timely feedback as a supervisor; 6) Demonstrates knowledge and ability to explore issues of diversity with supervisee; 7) Communicates knowledge and attends to legal and ethical responsibilities as a supervisor; 8) Able to assess and identify own strengths and growth areas as a supervisor to improve the supervisory work.

Competency #9: Consultation and Interpersonal/Interdisciplinary Skills

Interns demonstrate the ability to consult with other health care professionals, interprofessional groups, and multidisciplinary settings.

Outcomes:1) Critically evaluates and integrates relevant research on specific topic and/or population for consultation and outreach; 2) Understands the various types of consultation and consultation processes; 3) Demonstrates ability to assess the consultation needs of a group or organization; 4) Demonstrates ability to design, implement, and evaluate consultation projects; 5) Effectively consults with psychiatrist, case manager, and/or other mental health professionals regarding clients; 6) Provides effective psychological consultation to university community (e.g., faculty, staff, and third-parties) while maintaining appropriate boundaries for client and department; 7) Demonstrates ability to design, implement, and evaluate outreach programs for specific populations.

Clinical Skills

Short-term counseling and psychotherapy are the primary means of direct service delivery. Interns can expect significant experience and supervision in individual short-term counseling. A limited number of clients may be seen long-term; interns may expect to follow two cases for the full year. Interns will be scheduled for crisis coverage on a weekly basis, with supervision and consultation readily available. Interns conduct intake interviews on a weekly basis. Along with behavioral observation, structured clinical interviews, and assessment, interns utilize standard diagnostic systems such as the DSM-V in client conceptualization and treatment planning.

A special component of the internship is training and practice in group counseling. CAPS maintains an active group program each semester. The groups offered may be process oriented or structured, general therapy or theme based, for the general population or for special populations. Typically, interns co-lead one group each semester.

Training in outreach services is emphasized. Training in the various forms of consultation is provided. Among those who make use of the consultation services are academic support and student services as well as faculty and staff. Outreach programs seek to promote positive student development in a variety of settings. Staff and interns are also available to provide requested workshops, training seminars, and didactic presentations. Psychological debriefing sessions are offered following a traumatic event. Interns may participate in the development of new outreach programs as well as in continuing programs. The internship offers an opportunity to design and facilitate psycho-educational groups. Outreach programs and consultation projects are developed and implemented with support from senior staff.

Interns will have an opportunity to design and implement outreach and consultation interventions from a multicultural perspective targeted at various aspects of the non-client student population. Interns will also explore their professional areas of interests and focus on integrating their personal, professional, and clinical interests into their outreach and consultation work in the Outreach and Consultation biweekly seminar.

Located in Los Angeles County, California State University, Long Beach offers an extremely diverse student population. The development of competence in the provision of counseling and consulting services to diverse individuals and groups is emphasized. Interns are expected to actively seek out experiences of diversity with students, clients, and colleagues. The training focus is based on the premise that awareness of one’s own values, assumptions, and behaviors is necessary in order to develop into a competent clinician. Interns participate in a weekly diversity training seminar that is both didactic and experiential in nature. Multiculturalism is infused within clinical supervision, training seminars, counseling, and outreach.

Diversity Training Opportunities: There are a range of diversity training opportunities at CSU Long Beach. We have a highly diverse staff that is involved with clinical, community, and professional activities that reflect our commitment to multicultural issues. We expect intern involvement in these activities and support interns in their areas of interest. Examples of diversity training opportunities that interns have been involved with include:

• Latina Connections Conference
• Sisterfriends African American Women's Support Group
• Asian American Women's Support Group
• Educational Equity Programs
• LGBTQ Resource Center
• Women and Gender Equity Resource Center
• Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
• Center for International Education
• International Student Association
• University Interfaith Center
• Latinas at the Beach
• Men’s Success Initiative

The purpose of the internship year is to maximize the progress of the interns toward their professional goals. Time may be available during semester breaks, spring break, and summer session for completion of dissertation or other research projects. Interns are encouraged to participate in local and national training workshops and conferences, professional associations, and continuing education opportunities. Professional development module topics include: communication styles, interviewing, licensing, and professional self-care.

Professional release time is granted and limited financial support is provided when funds are available.

Intern work hours are consistent with CAPS office hours, Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm. Weekend and evening hours are not required.