APA Accredited Predoctoral Psychology Internship
2008-2009
The mission of the Counseling and Consultation Service is to provide a comprehensive array of mental health services to assess, treat, prevent, and resolve the mental health issues for OSU students. More specifically, we promote the personal well-being and academic success of students by providing comprehensive individual and group mental health services, psycho-educational prevention, and outreach programming; by influencing the community as a nurturing environment through support, advocacy and education/training; by enhancing the academic quality of life; and by supporting the emotional, relational and intellectual development of the students served and the mental health professionals in training.
The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University has one of the largest student body populations on one campus in the United States. Its enrollment of nearly 51,818* is richly diverse, with approximately 15% of students on the main Columbus campus identifying as non-White (African American, 6.8%; Asian/Pacific Islander, 5.3%; Hispanic, 2.4%; American Indian/Alaskan Native, .4%). In addition, approximately 7.0%, or 3,638, OSU students are international. Underrepresented group members are seen as clients in greater numbers at CCS than are reflected in the campus population enrollment statistics. The Counseling and Consultation Service also serves a significant representation of clients from other ethnic, cultural, religious, sexual orientation, and disability groups. In serving such a large and diverse student body, the Counseling and Consultation Service takes both a developmental and mental health approach. This approach is consistent with the philosophy of the OSU Division of Student Affairs, of which CCS is a department.
The OSU campus is located in central Columbus, the capital city of Ohio. With a metropolitan area of over 1,000,000, Columbus is geographically situated in the heart of Ohio. Social, cultural, and recreational opportunities exist to suit every taste: classical music to country, gourmet dining to "down home cooking," football to marathon racing, ballet to progressive art, and ethnic festivals to a huge state agricultural fair. An additional attractive aspect of the Columbus community is the reasonable cost of living for a city of its size.
*Enrollment figures are for Fall, 2006, Columbus campus.
The Counseling and Consultation Service
The CCS staff is a seasoned diverse group which includes 20 senior staff (12 psychologists, 3 psychiatrists, 2 counselors, and 3 social workers), 4 adjunct staff from the Career Connection office and the Sport Psychology program, 1 part-time nutritionist, 6 post-internship clinical fellows, 5 psychology interns, 2 social work interns, 2 clinical counseling interns, 1 psychiatric resident, 5 practicum students, and 8 support staff. We also usually have adjunct clinical staff who help us provide some evening services. Predoctoral psychology interns are considered an integral part of the staff and are included in all functions of the agency. The CCS staff employs an energetic, innovative, and multicultural group of people who sustain the high level of activity necessary to meet the demands of a large university. Clinical service and training are given high priorities, with room for staff members to pursue projects of particular interest to them. Administration of the center is decentralized, giving all staff members the opportunity to be involved in planning and decision-making. Psychotherapy and supervision training at CCS is enhanced by digital recording capabilities installed in each intern’s private office.
The CCS is housed on the 4th floor of the state-of-the-art Younkin Success Center. The Success Center was designed to provide a variety of offices to support students' success at The Ohio State University. The other offices comprising the Success Center are: 1) Career Connection (a centralized career counseling office and a Career Resource Center), 2) the Student Athlete Support Service office (SASSO), 3) Faculty and TA Development (an educational teaching and learning support office, which includes a state of the art academic learning lab).
The hours of operation of the center are from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Friday during the Fall, Winter, and Spring terms. Summer hours of operation are from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., daily, with one-two evenings per week designated with a 7:30 p.m. closing time.
The Internship Training Program
Philosophy of Training
The philosophy of the training program is based on a comprehensive model of training multiple mental health disciplines within the same organization. The psychology internship program is a distinct, yet integrated, training program within a broader multidisciplinary mental health training program and human service agency housed within a university community. By engaging with staff and trainees from the disciplines of psychology, psychiatry, social work, and counseling, interns are involved in a rich training environment that promotes multidisciplinary interaction.
Another cornerstone of the philosophical foundation of the psychology internship is a belief in the necessity of integrating theory, practice, and research in a supervised experience. The psychology training program is based on a philosophy of experiential learning through supervised professional practice--an experiential "learning by doing" process. Interns learn by engaging in the professional practice of psychology. Interns have the opportunity to stretch existing skills and develop new therapeutic intervention skills while providing clinical services to clients. In addition to individual counseling, interns co-lead groups and workshops and provide conjoint couples counseling with senior staff or other interns. Presenting outreach programs to the campus community is another aspect of supervised practice. Interns also provide crisis services and intake counseling. Supervision of this work by senior staff members allows interns to examine themselves and to reflect on and grow from their clinical experiences.
A third philosophical theme woven throughout the training program is an appreciation for and an awareness of the rich diversity of humanity. Interns and staff are encouraged to examine their personal and professional awareness of the rich multicultural diversity among themselves as well as the clients they serve. Training opportunities help staff examine how they react to cultural, racial, gender, religious, sexual orientation, physical, socio-economic, and age differences. This focus on multicultural issues incorporates some population-focused training while it also includes issues that cut across groups, such as oppression and world view. This multicultural emphasis is maintained throughout the training program as well as through the clinical service opportunities available when serving a diverse student population. Our emphasis on diversity is also reflected in the multidisciplinary composition of our staff and trainees.
A fourth element of the program's philosophy is a focus on training generalist psychologists who will be capable of independent functioning as ethical professional psychologists in a wide array of professional activities. This aspect involves not only structured training activities to prepare an intern to skillfully practice the content of psychology, but also involves the professional socialization of the intern who is becoming a colleague throughout the internship year. Interns are valued as important and contributing members of the CCS staff.
A fifth aspect of our philosophical foundation is based on the genuine respect we hold for our trainees, whom we believe have as much to offer CCS and the training program as we have to offer them. This belief promotes our emphasis on ongoing formal and informal feedback and evaluation which is reciprocal in nature. We utilize the input from interns on a regular basis to make improvements and modifications to the program. In addition, our respect and support for interns is reflected in various opportunities available to allow for the development of a specialization focus through individual contracting.
The CCS internship provides a rich variety of learning opportunities through direct experience in the agency, as well as through supervision and formal training activities, which are described in the following material. The internship is designed to provide a series of sequential professional activities leading toward independent functioning as a psychologist.
Overview of Training Program
Interns have the opportunity to practice and develop the multiple roles of a psychologist during the 2000-hour, 12‑month internship. Quarterly contracting on specific commitments allows each intern some flexibility for individual emphasis and insures basic competency in required areas. Interns will find that their experience at CCS will be full of rewarding professional work and learning, as well as time and energy demands. Given these demands, it is important to the CCS staff to provide a humanistic and supportive environment in which interns are encouraged to strive for a healthy balance in their personal and professional lives, while realistically meeting the challenges of this intensive training experience.
An integral aspect of our training program involves the active participation of interns in the examination of the interactions that occur in therapy and training experiences. These interactions include an examination of the personal reactions to clients, as well as to an exploration of the dynamics present in the trainee group. The CCS staff values this self-reflection and supports interns to process such reactions in a manner conducive to professional and personal growth. The emphasis on a growing awareness of "self-in-therapy" is woven into individual supervision discussions, case conference, and training sessions. Risk-taking in the level of self-disclosure of interns’ personal reactions is respected and encouraged; however, appropriate limits to such disclosures are also respected. Our training program adheres to the APA Ethical Principles in this and every aspect of our training program.
Clinical Service Training Experience
Individual Therapy - CCS offers opportunities to work with clients requiring psychological, career, and academic effectiveness counseling. While CCS provides primarily short-term counseling (1-10 individual sessions), opportunities for longer-term therapy are also available through an internal CCS managed care process of utilization review for treatment extension. Training in different psychotherapeutic models is available through individual supervision as well as during the Psychotherapy training series and Case Conference. Interns may be exposed to a wide range of theoretical approaches due to the diversity of senior staff theoretical orientations, which include Adlerian, Afrocentric, Cognitive-behavioral, Ericksonian, Existential, Family systems, Feminist, Gestalt, Multicultural Feminist, NLP, Jungian, Psychodynamic, and Relational orientations.
Group Therapy and Workshop Facilitation - CCS offers approximately 10-15 groups and workshops each quarter. They include therapy, counseling, and support groups as well as single to multiple-session stress-management workshops. Ongoing groups focus on issues (depression, incest, relationships, substance abuse), specific populations (women, men, graduate students, African Americans, Latin@s, Asians, gay men, and lesbians), and general therapy. Training is provided in group dynamics and group facilitation skills during orientation training, Case Conference, the Training Series, and debriefing sessions with the senior staff co-leader.
Intake Counseling - Typically, a client's first visit to CCS is a scheduled intake appointment. Interns provide 1-2 hours of intake counseling each week. Training is provided on diagnostic interviewing and referral during Fall orientation, the Assessment training sessions, Case Conference, and ongoing individual supervision.
Crisis Intervention/Urgent Counseling - To respond to the immediate and urgent concerns of OSU students, CCS provides counseling resources on a daily basis for crisis intervention for urgent concerns. Interns provide 1-2 hours of urgent counseling each week. Interns are also involved on staff teams which respond to campus mental health emergencies. Training is provided on crisis intervention skills during orientation and individual supervision as well as during the clinical debriefings following a crisis situation.
Career Counseling - Students coming to CCS who initially express career concerns may be referred to an adjunct office, Career Connection, to utilize web-based career assistance, (i.e., FOCUS II), testing, printed or other internet materials. Interns can work closely with Adjunct Career Connection staff. The Career training series can provide training in the assessment of career interests, self-efficacy and career options, and a case conference-approach to career counseling. Opportunities exist for one-to-one counseling on career concerns and career exploration, outreach projects, and involvement with the Career Connection staff and programs. Opportunities are also available for interns to enhance their own career planning and job search skills during the Professional Issues training series.
Relationship Counseling - CCS provides counseling services to married students, gay and lesbian couples, couples living together, and roommates. Relationship counseling is usually provided by a team of co-therapists. Training opportunities provided during the Psychotherapy training series and during debriefing of couples counseling sessions assist interns in combining theoretical and applied approaches to family/relational/systems therapy.
Outreach Programming and Consultation - As an integral part of the preventive and developmental emphasis of our agency, CCS provides services to many units of the university, including residence halls, student organizations, academic departments, and administrative offices. In 2005-2006, CCS completed 148 outreach projects, reaching more than 8,167 students and staff. Outreach programs are designed to meet student needs, help faculty and staff interact more effectively with students or with each other, and work with other campus units to develop new programs for students. Contacts include outreach efforts initiated by CCS as well as those developed in response to requests from other units. Outreach programs are offered on such topics as stress management, test anxiety, diversity, and healthy relationships. Interns are also involved in providing workshops for the First Year Experience program for entering OSU students and for orientation sessions with parents of incoming students during summer term. Training on outreach programming is provided during orientation and in occasional apprenticeship opportunities with senior staff. Frequently, outreach programs are provided by a team of CCS personnel. Traditional consultation opportunities are fairly rare but, depending on requests to CCS may occur, and may include intern involvement in an optional Consultation training series. Clinical case consultation occurs regularly. Training for this activity is provided during individual supervision and Case Conference.
Supervisory Experience - Interns supervise practicum students from various OSU academic programs, including the Clinical Psychology program, the Counselor Education department, and the Couple and Family Therapy program. In addition, CCS has a collaborative practicum with the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Akron. Training and supervision of interns on their supervisory skills is provided in a group, facilitated by senior staff psychologists, which meets weekly for two hours during Fall term and 1 1/2 hours for Winter and Spring terms. Interns typically supervise a practicum student each academic quarter of their internship. Additional supervision opportunities are currently being explored by the training committee to augment the current supervision experience for interns.
Administration and Research
Administration - Interns participate in staff meetings, on CCS committees, and on CCS task projects, where they have administrative responsibilities. Committees currently include: Clinical Services, Internship Selection, Disposition Team, Training, Wellness, Stigma Reduction, International Student Task Force, and Utilization Review. Interns can also elect administrative involvement with the Career Connection office. Administrative time is also allocated for client preparation, paperwork, and correspondence. Interns may also participate in a unversity-wide committee, such as the Sexual Assault Committee or the Body Image Task Force, depending upon available opportunities.
Intern Project and/or Presentation – This is an optional activity. Interns can complete a project of relevance to both themselves and CCS. Projects can be natural extensions of clinical service or administrative tasks in which the intern is involved. Examples of prior intern projects include the development of psychoeducational pamphlets on a variety of topics such as eating disorders; understanding gay, lesbian, and bisexual persons; single parenting; etc.; the development of a training module on job search techniques for psychology interns; the revision of the intake form utilized by CCS; the development of a CCS web page; administering and summarizing the annual CCS evaluation of services; and the development of our digital web cam recording program. The intent of the intern project is to showcase an intern's expertise and provide a forum in which an intern can leave a legacy at CCS, as well as provide a specialization activity. Interns can also provide a presentation to the CCS staff on a topic of interest, their dissertation research, or in preparation for a job search colloquium. The presentation is designed as another professional development activity wherein an intern can make a professional presentation to the staff and serve in the role of trainer. An intern can elect to complete a project and/or make a presentation.
Development of a Specialty Focus: Opportunities exist for an intern to elect to develop or further an area of specialization during their internship year. Selection of specific clinical, administrative, and/or research activities designed to further expertise in a particular area can be organized upon the intern’s initiation.
Research - Interns are welcome to participate in any ongoing research projects that may be occurring. They may also develop projects of their own, as well as projects of relevance to the services CCS provides. Interns have been involved in outcome and attrition studies, service satisfaction research, and in needs assessment surveys. During the summer term, a full day can be devoted to research activities, which may include ongoing work on dissertation projects.
Formal Training Activities
Training Seminar Series - Ongoing training sessions occur weekly in 2-hour segments and are organized in the following areas of emphasis: psychotherapy training, multicultural training, professional issues and ethics training, psychiatry training, outreach and consultation training, career training, assessment training, and supervision training. Training sessions are scheduled during each ten-week quarter in the autumn, winter, and spring terms. Interns determine the scope and frequency of the training series during the summer term. Specific topics included in the various training sessions relate directly to one of the training themes mentioned above and have included: counseling African Americans, Latin@s), Asians, gays and lesbians, transgendered persons, individuals with disabilities; psychopharmacology; brief therapy; techniques of sex therapy; group therapy; HIV/AIDS; working with eating disorders; chemical dependency; incest/abuse/trauma survivors; multicultural issues in assessment; and hypnosis. Interns’ areas of interest and training preferences are considered in selecting seminar topics.
Case Conference - Weekly one and one-half hour forum in which trainees take turns preparing and providing case presentations on particular clients or groups. The focus of the training includes case conceptualization, diagnosis, case management, and clinical intervention. A multicultural clinical analysis of cases is required, and a case highlighting the integration of assessment, as well as a presentation on one of the group or couples therapy experiences in which the intern is engaged, are typically presented throughout the year. Case Conference is attended by all CCS trainees, which provides a rich multidisciplinary diversity to the case discussions from the perspectives of psychology, social work, counseling, and psychiatry.
Individual Supervision - Weekly two-hour supervision with a senior staff psychologist to focus on clinical case dynamics, case management issues, and professional/personal development issues. Supervisors change each quarter with input from interns regarding supervisor preferences.
Supervision of Group Counseling - Training on group strategies is provided during orientation. Ongoing supervision of group counseling skills and group process is provided by Senior Staff group co-facilitators. Occasional seminar sessions are devoted to discussion of current group counseling experiences.
Special Training Periods - Two periods of intensive training include Orientation Training, which involves a two to three week period in September prior to the beginning of Autumn quarter, and December Training, following the completion of Autumn quarter. These training periods involve half-day or full-day sessions covering a variety of topics, including orientation to CCS and the university, crisis intervention, intake counseling, and time-specified therapy. Other sessions frequently include topics in the general theme areas of multicultural, assessment, and psychotherapy training.
In addition to the experience gained in clinical service and opportunities for learning provided by formal training activities, interns and staff are encouraged to participate in a range of other professional development opportunities, such as CCS professional development programs and local and national professional meetings. An annual Big 10 Counseling Center Conference is held each year in February, hosted by one of the Big 10 Counseling Centers. Interns are provided financial support to attend the Big 10 Conference.
Another available professional development activity is embodied in the optional Intern presentation, which is a presentation on a topic selected by each intern to present to the CCS staff.
Special Training Opportunities
During the summer quarter, interns can elect to initiate an externship rotation at another clinical facility in the Columbus area. The externship possibility is offered for interns who are interested in an area of psychological service that is not available at a university counseling center or an area that is available in which the intern desires a greater depth of training. An externship rotation may be an aspect of specialty training. Externships require the dedicated interest of the intern, as they are experiences that are not organized by CCS. Former interns have completed externships at a children's guidance center, a head injury in-patient unit, a sport psychology center, and an academic department.
Also, during summer term, interns can elect to take a research day to work on their dissertation research or on another research project of their interest.
Typical Weekly Schedule
This sample schedule is provided as an example of an intern's typical weekly activities for a 40-45 hour week.
Clinical Services
- Intake: 1
- Urgent: 1
- Clients: 12
- Groups: 2-4
- Outreach: 1
- Client & Group Preparation: 4
- Staff Meeting: 1
- Committee Meetings: 1-2
Training
- Individual Supervision: 2
- Training Series Sessions: 2-4
- Supervision of Practica: 2
- Supervision of Supervision: 1 1/2-2
- Case Conference: 1 1/2
- Meeting with Training Director: 1
- Research, preparing workshops and outreach programs (program design) administration, etc.: 5
Criteria of an "Ideal" Intern Applicant
The Intern Selection Committee has created the following list of items we keep in mind when reviewing internship applications. As the above title notes, this list is considered "ideal." We do not expect every candidate to meet every criteria 100%. This list is included in these materials to assist applicants in understanding the type of candidate we are seeking.
- Breadth of clinical experience, with interest in a college population (counseling center practice)
- Multicultural interest/experience
- Various clinical and training activities, including coursework and/or experience in Assessment, Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories and Practices, Group Counseling, Multicultural and Diversity Counseling, Career Counseling, and Supervision
- Clarity of emerging theoretical framework
- Special area of expertise
- Open to growth (lifelong learning)
- Mature/mentally healthy
- Interpersonal relationship skills
- Well-rounded (good citizen)
Benefits
-
Stipend: $24,480, twelve months, full time; starting September 1, 2008.
-
Stipend includes individual health insurance coverage of approximately $59.46 per month if the intern elects to participate in the OSU health insurance program.
-
Private office with telephone, AV equipment, computer terminal, including an e-mail account and internet access.
-
Ten paid holidays, 10 paid vacation days (5 of which are taken during the last week of August), and 5 paid professional development/ conference days.
-
Negotiated leave time for dissertation work, job search, and graduation.
-
Flexibility in scheduling during academic breaks.
-
Use of excellent library facilities.
-
Access to additional computer resources, including consultants and computer labs.
-
Access to university recreational facilities.
-
Opportunity to purchase faculty/administrative parking privileges.
About Our Staff (click here)
Application Procedure
Completion of all required coursework and practicum experiences in a counseling or clinical psychology doctoral program is required prior to the starting date of internship. Successful completion of comprehensive examinations is required prior to December 15, 2007.
To complete our application process, please submit a printed copy of your APPIC Application for Psychology Internship (AAPI) as well as the following:
- A letter of application including:
- a statement of expectations for internship, not already included in the APPIC form
- a statement of any long range personal and professional goals not already included in the APPIC application form
- Current vita reflecting applied professional experience and related coursework
- Letters of recommendation from
- major academic advisor
- two persons familiar with your applied performance
- Transcript(s) of graduate coursework. (We will accept a copy of your official transcript.)
We fully endorse the APPIC policy summarized in the following statement:
"This internship site agrees to abide by the APPIC Policy that no person at this training facility will solicit, accept or use any ranking-related information from any intern applicant."
All correspondence should be sent to:
Karen M. Taylor, Ph.D.
Director of Training
Counseling and Consultation Service
The Ohio State University
4th Floor - Younkin Success Center
1640 Neil Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43201-2333
Application deadline: Materials must be received by November 1, 2007.
The Ohio State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
Qualified Women, Minorities, Vietnam-Era Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Counseling and Consultation Service is a Department within the Division of Student Affairs.
All new employees of The Ohio State University are required to successfully pass the University Police background check
as a condition of employment.
Computer Matching Information
We are utilizing the uniform psychology internship application form (AAPI) developed by The Association of Postdoctoral and Psychology Internship Centers (APPIC). It can be located at http://www.appic.org. As a member of APPIC, we also participate in the computer matching process for the selection of our Psychology Interns. Information on the APPIC National Matching Process and the details regarding registration procedures can be found at http://www.natmatch.com/psychint/.
You can easily access these websites by clicking on the links provided above.
ACCREDITATION STATUS OF THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The predoctoral internship program at the Counseling and Consultation Service is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The Committee on Accreditation of the APA can be contacted at:
Committee on Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First St., NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Telephone: (202) 336-5979
Current Interns (2007-2008)
Abu Raiya Hisham
Bowling Green State University
Karen M. Bretz
University of North Texas
Karmen M. Garrett
The University of Akron
Yi-Jiun Lin
University of Missouri-Columbia
Dwight D. Tolliver
University of Tennesse, Knoxville
Prior Interns (2006-2007)
Courtney M. Camillus
The Ohio State University
Eric V. Currence
The Ohio State University
Noa J. Kageyama
Indiana University
Scott G. Olenick
Ball State University
Nicole A. Surething
University at Albany
Prior Interns (2005-2006)
Josephine Dickinson
University of Akron
Allyson Havill
Duquesne University
Shawn MacDonald
Western Michigan University
Shonali Raney
Ball State University
Amanda Warbel
University of Akron
Prior Interns (2004-2005)
Chasee S. Chappell
Our Lady of the Lake University
Sherry E. Haggins
The University of Georgia, Athens
T. Anne Hawkins
West Virginia University
Jennifer Shadia Wassif Kennedy
Alliant International University
Saul Rivera
Andrews University
Prior Interns (2003-2004)
Luis G. Cruz-Ortega
Andrews University
Rebecca Block Lapidus
Georgia State University
Christopher J. McNally
The University of Akron
Dionne Maria Smith
The University of Tennessee
Joy Stephens
Indiana University