Training Activities
The primary training method of the internship is experiential. As such, interns provide clinical services to clients throughout the entire year under direct supervision. Clinical experiences are augmented by didactic training and supervisory experiences. The overall training curriculum is comprised of three major areas of training emphasis that are identified: Individual Therapy, Group Therapy, and Psychological Assessment. Minor curriculum areas include Integrative Health/Consultation and Intern Selected Projects. Finally, interns participate in a minor rotation on the Crisis Stabilization Unit.
Individual Therapy
Group Therapy
Psychological Assessment
Individual Psychotherapy plays a significant role in the training experience. Under the supervision of licensed psychologists, interns will have the opportunity to work with clients presenting with a range of DSM-5 disorders. Interns will identify client needs and strengths to develop an individual service plan for each case.
Interns will have opportunity to shadow Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) groups for adults in an inpatient setting. Each intern will co-facilitate one round of DBT groups. Several hours DBT Training is provided early in the year. Throughout the year, interns will have DBT group supervision and consultation. Additional opportunities may be present for interns to lead groups on various topics, such as stress management, grief, and coping skills.
Interns will be provided with the opportunity to conduct evaluations for a variety of populations and presenting referral questions. Both child and adult assessment cases will be referred to interns for evaluation. Interns will receive supervision on each case in an effort to select the most appropriate assessment measure and procedures. A variety of psychometrically sound assessment instruments are available to interns. Assessments are comprehensive in nature. Interns are expected to accept one assessment referral, per week, at minimum.
Integrated Care/Consultation
Intern Selected Projects
Interns will participate in the multidisciplinary weekly staff meeting at Hopewell Health Centers. During this meeting, they will have the opportunity to discuss professional issues, remain updated on agency procedures, and obtain a multidisciplinary perspective about select cases. Staff meetings are an opportunity for interns to work collaboratively and consult with nurses, counselors, psychiatric providers, chemical dependency counselors, and social workers on shared cases.
The Appalachian Psychology Internship believes in fostering life-long learning, growth, and service. As such, each year interns are required to conduct one intern-driven project within the clinic in an effort to improve practice and the overall quality of services provided in a rural setting. Intern projects should be intern-driven, but must be approved by the training committee prior to the start of the project. In past years, interns have conducted program evaluations or provided a clinic-wide training. Program evaluations have involved interns collecting and analyzing outcomes related to a program. These program evaluations have included analyzing outcomes related to a youth diversion program, reviewing client satisfaction with outpatient services, and conducting a focus group for parents of youth involved in intensive services.
Clinic-wide trainings have involved interns identifying a training need among clinic staff, preparing an hour-long training aimed to address the need, conduct the training, and field any follow-up questions or consultations that may arise in the weeks and months following the trainings. These have included trainings on working with clients from LGBTQ+ populations, and diverse spiritual backgrounds.
The mission of the Appalachian Psychology Internship is to produce graduates who are prepared for the entry-level practice of professional psychology in rural areas
Accreditation Status
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
The Appalachian Psychology Internship Program is accredited by the American Psychological Association. Questions related to the program’s accreditation status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation.
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 336-5979
Email: apaaccred@apa.org
Questions or Request?
Contact appalachianpsychologyinternship@hopewellhealth.org
