Doctoral Internship in Clinical Psychology: Training Activities

University of San Francisco
Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)

Training Activities
Interns participate in several weekly structured training activities that support the CAPS training goals. Interns receive specialized training in and provide: Intake and Triage Assessment, Individual and Group Psychotherapy, Crisis Intervention, Psychoeducational Outreach, Consultation, and utilization of University and community resources and referrals.

Supervision 

Individual Supervision - Interns receive two hours of individual supervision on a weekly basis. The primary supervisor provides one hour of weekly face-to-face supervision and monitors the intern’s overall clinical, professional development, and individual caseload throughout the training year.  The primary supervisor and intern develop specific goals to supplement the general goals of the internship and provide an individualized learning experience. An additional hour of weekly supervision is provided by the Delegated Supervisor, another licensed staff psychologist who supervises a minimum of five active cases. Interns submit recordings to their primary and delegated supervisors each semester to be discussed in supervision.  In addition, supervision may include review of case notes or direct observation, depending on the needs and skill level of the intern.  There are opportunities to change delegated supervisors during the summer semester to broaden the training experience.

Group Supervision

Group Supervision: Cohort - Interns participate in one hour of weekly group supervision with the training director, during which cases are presented on a rotating basis for consultation and discussion by the training cohort. Discussion of issues related to the internship experience and professional development are also provided during this time.

Group Supervision: Case Conference - A second hour of group supervision is provided in the weekly, one-hour case conference, where interns present cases for group feedback and discussion. During the first month, interns observe their supervisors presenting cases and have the opportunity to witness the case conference format and provide feedback. For the remainder of the training year, interns present on a rotating basis to the entire clinical staff. 

Supervision of Group Therapy (Optional)

Additional supervision is provided for any group counseling experiences, usually by the licensed staff psychologist functioning as the co-therapist.

Educational Staff Meeting - Interns participate in a weekly one-hour meeting with the entire clinical staff to address clinical issues, center procedures and policies, and increase effective response to needs of clients and the University at large.

Intercultural Seminar - Interns participate in a weekly 90-minute seminar during which interns are provided with a forum to explore a variety of intercultural issues relevant to the practice of psychology. This seminar utilizes a variety of training modalities including: staff/guest speaker presentations, readings, films, and group discussion of case material.  The purpose of this seminar is to integrate intercultural issues in an ongoing manner, while continuously striving for competence in assessment, case formulation, and the delivery of psychotherapy services to a diverse college campus community. Interns examine how their own cultural beliefs and values may impact interactions with one another and their clients.  At the end of spring semester, each intern develops and presents a Capstone Intercultural Case Presentation to the CAPS clinical staff.

Didactic In-Service Seminar - Interns participate in a weekly two-hour seminar where CAPS licensed staff psychologists and guest speakers from the community present topics relevant to the acquisition of assessment and psychotherapy skills in a university setting, grounded in evidenced-based practices and legal and ethical guidelines. 

Supervision, Program Evaluation, and Professional Development Seminar - Interns participate in an 8-session series with three components:  (1) knowledge of best practice models of supervision and acquisition of basic supervision skills; (2) knowledge of models of program evaluation and execution of a summer program evaluation project; and (3) an exposure to career options in psychology (through interactions with psychologists in the greater professional community), an understanding of the licensing process, and an emphasis on networking within the professional community and involvement in professional organizations.

Direct Service - CAPS provides assistance to students seeking counseling/psychotherapy for a wide range of presenting concerns-from typical, developmental and situational issues to significant clinical concerns. We work within a session-limited approach (10 session maximum), and make an assessment at triage or intake regarding the appropriateness of a brief therapy approach versus referral for longer-term or more specialized work.

Individual Counseling/Psychotherapy - Focus on brief integrative therapy with a maximum of 10 sessions per client.

Group Counseling/Psychotherapy - Both structured-thematic and process-oriented groups may be offered each term.  Interns are encouraged to serve as co-therapists in ongoing CAPS groups, or to initiate a new group relevant to the needs of the student population.  There are no limits on the number of sessions, and students can simultaneously receive individual and group sessions.

Intake and Triage Assessment - Interview-based evaluation of presenting problems and differential diagnosis; evaluation of motivation for treatment and fit of client problems within a brief therapy model.

Crisis Intervention - Crisis evaluation, intervention, and management including assessment of safety and risk factors, effective response to crisis situations, and facilitation of hospitalization.  During summer semester, interns participate in after-hours on-call duties, which include consultation with Public Safety, Student Housing and Residential Education (SHaRE) and other University representatives; phone triage, and provision of referrals.  Interns consult with a licensed staff member in crisis situations involving potential harm to self or others.

Psychological Testing - Routine administration of the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms (CCAPS-62) to clients at intake, termination, and at specific intervals during the course of therapy.  The CCAPS-62 is supplemented by other assessment instruments including the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), as relevant to the evaluation and treatment of the client.

Consultation and Collaboration Activities - Provide a minimum of five consultations to staff, faculty, and other University representatives; parents and family members; and students regarding mental health issues and CAPS services.   Provision of appropriate on and off-campus referrals, discussion of rationale, and follow-up; establish professional relationships with other University colleagues.  

Outreach Activities - Provide training and represent CAPS to resident advisors, student athletes, and other student leaders; conduct educational programs, workshops, and lectures to students in residence halls, classrooms, and club meetings; serve as a liaison to student organizations such as a culturally-focused student club or other academic and/or service-oriented organizations. Interns are expected to participate in a minimum of 10 outreach activities including:  three networking or event outreach activities, three tabling/liaison outreach activities, and three facilitation/presentation outreach activities.  Additionally, interns oversee one self-initiated annual project such as Alcohol Awareness Week, Body Image Awareness Week, Depression Screening Day, or some special project initiated by the intern or licensed staff member.

Intern Weekly Hours - Sample Schedule