Internship Training Placements Available: 3
Stipend: $43,680

Overview

Alvarado Parkway Institute Behavioral Health System (API) is an inpatient and outpatient psychiatric facility serving adults diagnosed primarily with Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Trauma Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, and Substance Use Disorders. In addition, API treats first responders as well as forensic patients.

Rotations

Interns work in both of the inpatient and outpatient settings and provide group therapy, psychoeducation groups, short-term individual therapy, crisis intervention, self-harm intervention plans, harm-to-others intervention plans, domestic violence assessment and safety planning, behavior planning, and psychological assessments. The interns participate in daily multidisciplinary treatment team meetings both inpatient and outpatient. They are often called upon to provide trainings for staff members and for external entities as part of community outreach. Treatment includes a trauma informed care focus and group and individual therapy often use DBT skills, CBT, and Seeking Safety protocols.

Special Requirements of Applicants:

N/A

Internship Training Placements Available: 8
Stipend: $35,048

Overview

Aurora Behavioral Healthcare/San Diego is a full service behavioral health care facility providing a variety of inpatient, day treatment, and outpatient services for the San Diego, Imperial and Southern Riverside County area. Aurora San Diego has been an inpatient psychiatric facility (101 beds) for seniors (55+), adults (18+), adolescents (12+) and children (5-12), Active Duty Military, and First Responders for over 30 years.  In addition to inpatient services, Aurora provides partial hospitalization (day treatment, PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (lOP) programs for adolescents and adults including Active Duty Military, and First Responders.

Rotations

Interns provide direct patient services, including group and individual psychotherapy, family therapy, couples therapy, and psychological assessment. They participate in treatment teams with other clinical staff and programs when required.  They cooperate with others within and outside the department, coordinating work efforts and offer assistance to others when necessary.

Those on the Military and First Responder tracks will in addition understand and become competent in Military and First Responder culture and the different treatments for specific needs and issues of these unique populations.Those working with children, adolescents, and seniors will also become proficient in developmental issues across the lifespan.

Special Requirements of Applicants:

N/A

Internship Training Placements Available: 4
Stipend: $49,000. 

Overview

DSH-C specializes in the treatment of Sexually Violent Predators (WIC 6600), Mentally Disordered Offenders (PC 2972), and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Mentally Ill Prisoners (PC 2684). The Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) population is the largest sub-section of the DSH-C population. The Mentally Disordered Offenders (MDO) are the second largest sub-section of the population with the Mentally Ill Prisoners (MIP) populating a single unit. The facility includes 30 living units, a psychological assessment center, a medical clinic, treatment and education group areas, arts and crafts workshops, a music center, a graphic arts center, computer labs, and a patient library.

Rotations

1. Units Rotations – Interns will participate in two 5 1/2 month long rotations on a unit. Interns can be assigned to rotations working with the SVP and MDO populations. Rotation duties can include, but are not limited to, intake assessments (Admissions Psychological Assessment, Suicide Risk Assessment, DSM 5 Assessment Measures, Psychology sections of the patient’s Treatment Plan), Treatment Plan Conferences with the goal of serving as team lead, updating Treatment Plans, carrying a small caseload of patients, and providing short-term individual therapy as clinically warranted. Please note that the unit rotations can change based on staff availability and program development efforts.
2. Assessment Rotation– Interns will further develop their test administration skills, clinical interviewing and test feedback skills, diagnostic skills, report writing/test integration skills, and consultation skills with Treatment Team members. Interns will also have the opportunity to be exposed to new testing instruments, including being trained in and conducting violence risk assessments under supervision.
    
3. Therapy Rotation – Interns will provide individual and group therapy for the population. A caseload of individual therapy patients will be assigned for the duration of the year. All individual therapy clients will be referred by their Treatment Team and screened by a member of the Internship Committee for consideration for the program. Interns will be assigned to a Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP) group for the duration of the internship year and will co-facilitate additional groups, as assigned.
    

Special Requirements of Applicants:

It is preferable that applicants have prior forensic experience and be able to demonstrate appropriate boundaries working in this therapeutic environment. Applicants must be able to pass a DOJ/FBI background check, state employment physical, and drug screen. All offers of internship are contingent upon the successful completion of the pre-employment screenings. Although legal, marijuana and alcohol can result in disqualifying drug screen for state service.

All applicants must submit an original state application to be considered for an interview.

In addition to the APPI application materials, applicants applying to DSH-Coalinga must submit the state application, form STD 678, no later than November 15th.  Please contact the site training director at Catherine.Sanchez@dsh.ca.gov for the links to the current year’s application.  Please note that two applications will be required, one for the exam and one for the vacancy.  These forms are required in order to secure an interview and are in addition to the requirements outlined in the general APPI process. Per rules set by the California State Personnel Board, all applicants must submit a standard State of California application (STD 678) This application should be completed online. STD 678 is not to be uploaded with the APPI. APPIC has approved the use of the STD 678 as an additional document for California Department of State Hospital internships.

Internship Training Placements Available: 2
Stipend: $53,460, health insurance, vision/dental coverage, vacation/sick time are also provided

Overview

Porterville Developmental Center (PDC) is one of the few remaining California state-operated facilities that serve people with developmental disabilities. The center provides 24-hour residential services for individuals who are developmentally disabled and have serious medical and/or behavioral problems for which appropriate services are not currently available through community resources. PDC also serves developmental disabled individuals who have been involved with the legal system, primarily those who have been found incompetent to stand trial and those who present as danger to self and/or others.The forensic program houses 211 clients and has designated intensive treatment residences for clients with high needs.

Rotations

Continuity Rotation – This is a longitudinal rotation where the intern is assigned a “home” unit with a small set caseload.The intern will carry this caseload throughout the internship and provide all psychological services related to the case, including but not limited to: individual therapy, crisis interventions, functional behavioral assessment, behavioral treatment plans, and behavior management restrictive intervention documentation.The intern will be immersed into the interdisciplinary team on the home unit and attend individual program plan meetings, individual educational plan meetings, meetings regarding emerging risks, and meetings regarding behavior interventions such as psychotropic medications and physical restraints.

Behavior Management Rotation – This is a 4-month rotation where the intern works closely with the Behavior Management Committee and Human Rights Committee to review and approve/disapprove requests for restrictive interventions such as psychotropic medications and restraints.

Forensic Evaluations Rotation – This is a 4-month rotation where the intern learns to assess competency to stand trial and submits a formal progress report to the courts.If desired, forensic evaluation experience may extend beyond this rotation.

Transitions Rotation – This is a 4-month rotation where the intern learns about the placement process. The intern works with the interdisciplinary team to consider various individualized factors pertinent to the client’s potential for success in a less restrictive environment.
 

Special Requirements of Applicants:

Applicants who match with the site must submit an original state application, pass a background check, and pass physical/medical clearance.

Internship Placements Available: 4
Stipend: $45,000

Overview

San Quentin Rehabilitation Center (SQRC) is California’s oldest and best-known correctional institution. The prison houses approximately 3,500 male residents and includes a Restricted Housing Unit, Main Line Units, and a Minimum-Security Work Crew Unit. Additionally, San Quentin has a licensed Psychiatric Inpatient Program and a Mental Health Crisis Bed patients for patients coping with acute psychiatric distress. There are approximately 1,300 patients in the Mental Health Program at San Quentin, which includes seriously mentally disordered patients and mildly to moderately mentally disordered patients. Diagnoses include psychotic and mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and adjustment disorders, along with chronic substance abuse, medication and treatment compliance issues, as well as cognitive and developmental disabilities. Patients represent considerable diversity in cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Rotations and Year Long Trainings:

1. The internship year begins with a three-month Diagnostic Intake Assessment rotation that includes Suicide Risk Assessment, Diagnostic Formulations, and preliminary Treatment Plans. These assessments can continue throughout the year based on the intern’s interest and development needs.
2. The internship year will also begin with Individual Treatment Training that will continue throughout the year and includes long and short-term therapy. patients are of moderate to severe psychopathology at various custody levels. Interns are given an opportunity to work with patients in the Restricted Housing Unit for behavioral concerns. Interns will also participate in Interdisciplinary Treatment Team Meetings and Case Conferences.
3. The internship includes a Group Treatment Rotation that will begin in the second month of the training year, once onboarding has been completed. Group treatment will include patients with mild, moderate, and severe psychopathology at various levels of acuity. A variety of topics may be utilized and will include educational and process groups. The rotation is ongoing until the end of the training year.
4. The internship year will include ongoing Assessment Training in which interns will further develop their test administration and clinical interviewing skills, diagnostic skills, test data integration skills and report writing, as well as providing feedback of test results to the treatment team and patient. Interns may also have the opportunity to complete risk assessment reports for the court depending on referral volume. Interns are expected to complete four assessments during the year but may completed more if assessment is a particular area of interest, or the training team identifies assessment as a necessary area of growth.
5. Interns will be given an opportunity to provide supervision to practicum students in a group supervision format under the guidance of a licensed supervisor.

Special Requirements of Applicants 

Applicants must be able to pass a background check, state employment physical, and drug screen. All offers of internship are contingent upon the successful completion of the pre-employment screenings. Although legal, marijuana and alcohol can result in disqualifying drug screen for state service.

Must have prior training and/or courses in Assessment/Psychological Testing and clinical interviewing. It is preferable, but not necessary, for the applicant to have had some exposure to forensic/correctional psychology. Applicants should be able to demonstrate appropriate boundaries in the therapeutic setting, closely utilize supervision, and adhere to safety and security regulations of the institution. The qualified applicant should be open to understanding this unique population, including exploration of transference and countertransference issues, as well as possess an interest in introspection and personal growth.

Applicants who match with the site must submit an original state application. The application can be found at: https://jobs.ca.gov/CalHRPublic/Landing/Jobs/Steps.aspx?step=1

Internship Placements Available: 6
Stipend: $25,000

Overview

State Center Community College District (SCCCD) consists of Fresno City College, Clovis Community College, Madera Community College, and Reedley College. The purpose of the Psychological Service Program at SCCCD is to meet the mental health needs of enrolled students. Psychological services offer a range of services to students and the campus community at large such as: psychotherapy, crisis intervention, psychological assessment, consultation, outreach, and primary prevention. A wide range of psychological problems are addressed with students from varied socio-economic backgrounds; the majority being ethnic minorities from low SES many of which are addressing cultural identity and stress related issues.

Rotations

Direct Services Component: The in-service training for the Direct Services component consists of five major areas and interns are expected to have experience in these areas: (a) Psychotherapy, (b) Group Therapy, (c) Crisis Intervention, and (d) Psychological Assessment. 

Psychotherapy:

Brief and Individual Therapy:

Brief therapy is a relatively short-term intervention that is applicable to individual counseling, family therapy, crisis intervention, institutional management, and organizational development. Interns and staff utilize a wide range of orientations with clients to achieve effective and desired goals. The brief therapy model delineates (1) four to six sessions of supportive therapy; (2) an extension of services under emergency conditions, or when a referral is pending; or (3) referral to other agencies for clients requiring further treatment not offered at the Psychological Service Center (i.e., inpatient drug treatment services, etc.)

Long-Term Psychotherapy: 

The staff and interns provide long-term psychotherapy for clients who will benefit from this treatment modality. Interns are encouraged to carry (typically) 5 long-term clients during their internship year. This allows the intern to refine and develop skills in treatment utilizing more long-term therapy approaches, such as Psychoanalytic, Attachment, Object-Relations, etc. 

Group Therapy:

A variety of group therapy sessions are offered. Group sessions are conducted by interns and other clinical staff. Over the years many different groups have been run to meet the need of the students, such as Art Therapy Groups, Anxiety Focused Groups, Process Groups, Mindfulness Groups, Dream Groups, LGBTQ+ Groups, Self-Compassion Groups, and College Adjustment Groups.

Crisis Intervention:

A coordinated team approach is utilized to effectively deal with on-campus crisis situations. Interns participate as members of the Crisis Intervention Team, which includes psychologists, trained counselors, district police, and nursing services. 

Psychological Assessment:

Psychological Services is responsible for overseeing testing and assessment for the State Center Community College District. This responsibility is shared by the interns, the Disabled Students Program staff, the Counseling Program staff, and Psychological Services. Testing and assessment involves preventive and direct service programs. Preventive programs focus on testing associated with personal growth, self-understanding, attentional difficulties, and learning disability. Direct services are related to the identification of psychopathology and involve psychological assessment in order to obtain mental status, make differential diagnosis, develop a treatment plan, and answer referral questions or make appropriate referrals as needed. Tests currently employed are the WAIS-IV, MMPI-3, MCMI-IV, TAT, Rorschach, RISB-II, CATA, CPT-3, and many more psychological screeners.

Many of the referral questions addressed at Psychological Services are diagnostic clarification, ADHD evaluations, treatment recommendations, and ego-functions. 

Additional Experiences:

Preventive Service Component: Preventive services consists of four areas: (1) consultation, (2) dispersion of information, (3) outreach, and (4) referral network assistance. The in-service training for the prevention service component will focus on each of the four areas noted above. 

Consultation: An ongoing problem-solving interaction which utilizes psychological principles and knowledge to enable faculty, administration and other staff to more effectively meet the needs of the college community. Interns participate in consultation in two areas: (1) Student-centered, consultation where a faculty or staff member has a work-related problem with a particular student, and,
Program-centered consultation provides input in the areas of instruction, administration, and counseling.

Dispersion of Information: Interns participate in the research and dissemination of information concerning psychological principles to heighten awareness of faculty and administration.

Outreach: Interns participate in providing a variety of different outreach services. For example, in-service trainings for staff/students by utilizing classroom settings for lectures, discussions, and conducting of workshops to promote understanding of mental health issues important to the college community.Furthermore, outreach activities may also take place on the campus grounds or greater Fresno community and take the shape of tabling events and collaboration with community organizations such as NAMI. 

Referral Network Assistance: Interns function as referral agents by establishing a liaison relationship with several off-campus resources and agency providers assisting the college community when indicated.
 

Special Requirements of Applicants:

N/A

Internship Placements Available: Not accepting interns for training year 2024-2025.
Stipend: $48,024

Overview 

With nearly 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC-Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC-Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Rotations

UC Merced Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers a single rotation experience with a diverse student population. The purpose of Counseling and Psychological Services is to meet the mental health needs of the UC Merced student population. Doctoral level graduate students and psychological interns, under licensed supervision, provide clinical services in conjunction with staff. A wide range of psychological disorders including adjustment disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, trauma related disorders, psychotic disorders, personality disorders and substance use disorders are addressed as well as problems related to academic performance, adjustment to college and family and relationships. Interns provide both preventative and direct services to the campus community.

Preventative Services include consultation and outreach. Interns may provide telephone or in-person consultation services to students, staff, faculty and parents who are concerned about a student. Interns may also provide outreach services to the campus community including presentations and workshops focused on topics ranging from an introduction to CAPS services, suicide prevention and self-care.

Direct Services include psychotherapy, crisis services, case management and group therapy. CAPS predominantly offers psychotherapy in a brief modality except when students are in need of ongoing, long term care. Students who present with severe psychological disorders or acute concerns may be provided with case management to ensure safety as well as appropriate support. Interns who are interested in working through a specific problem or goal may be appropriate for brief psychological services ranging from one to six visits. Same day crisis services are offered to students who are experiencing acute psychological concerns such as suicidality. CAPS offers a variety of psychoeducational, skill building, process and support groups focusing on topics such as anxiety and stress management, recovery from alcohol and substance use, managing emotions and adjustment to college.

Special Requirements of Applicants:

N/A

Internship Placements Available: 3
Stipend: $21,000

Overview

The PSC offers a spectrum of psychological services to the Fresno community. Doctoral-level graduate students and psychological interns, under licensed supervision, provide all the clinical therapies. Community members can receive individual, family, marital and group psychotherapy, consultation, and psychological testing and assessment.

Rotations

Interns are assigned to two year-long rotations offered throughout the training year. Rotations include:

1. Batterer’s Intervention Program

   The Batterers’ Intervention Program is a Fresno and Kings County Probation certified treatment program to treat court ordered men and women who have been convicted of domestic violence or other intimate partner violence (IPV). Our Fresno program currently treats male clients in six groups. Our Hanford program currently consists of one female client group and two male client groups. Groups utilize a combination of psycho-education and processing. Clients are also placed into individual treatment with a clinician on an individually assessed basis.
    

2. Child and Family Rotation

   The Child and Family rotation follows more of a dynamic orientation. The interventions offered are child centered with the pragmatic goal of helping alleviate symptoms while addressing underlying issues. Case conceptualization follows dynamic orientations of attachment, object relations and self-psychology.

   More specifically, dynamic theories are used to understand the origins of current patterns of interpersonal relationships, behavior, and self-concept. Child centered, relationship based therapy is used as the key to facilitating change. We consider the systems and the environments the child and their family are involved with as key to helping understand and work with them on their journey to psychological health. All of this takes place within the context of a therapeutic relationship fostered by empathic attention, and the assumption that the psyche strives for health. It is our belief that our therapeutic interventions are merely facilitating the development of good mental health.
    

3. Sex Offender/Forensic/CBT

   This rotation mainly treats juvenile sex offenders in group and individual therapy, as well as conducts evaluations that include sexual risk assessment. Other clients and programs offered in this rotation include (but are not limited to):

   • Court ordered offenders
   • Non-mandated sex offenders
   • SAVE Program (Sex education)
   • Sex/pornography addictions
   • Distressing paraphilia
   • Treatment for individuals with sexual dysfunctions
   • Clients with a significant or pertinent legal issue
   • Clients who would benefit from a primarily CBT/brief/solution-focused intervention.
   • Fire-setting Prevention Program for Juvenile Offenders/Court Mandated – clients referred from Fresno County probation. This group meets for 10 weeks [2 week credit for risk assessment/full psychological evaluation].
      

4. General Clinical & Clinical Forensic

   This rotation provides individual therapy to clients (adult and child) within the PSC with a wide variety of presenting problems and diagnoses; we also provide group therapy to at-risk populations both within and outside of the PSC. Therapeutic approach is based on the specific needs of each client. As a result, you will be exposed to a breadth of therapeutic orientations. We also provide:

   • Tulare County Competency Restoration
   • Tulare County Theft Diversion Program
   • AB109 Recidivism Reduction Grant
      

5. Forensic and Crisis Intervention

   This PSC rotation will focus on providing various empirically based cognitive behavioral treatment to adult and adolescent clients. Brief Therapy, Solution focused therapy, DBT, REBT, and Relapse Prevention paradigms will be explored depending on student interest and client needs. This rotation will provide individual and group therapy for forensic and/or acute psychiatric populations. We will also provide anger management groups and psychological assessment supervision. This rotation is focused on providing training working with difficult to treat populations such as, incarcerated/paroled clients, chronically mentally ill, personality disordered clients, and clients at high risk for hospitalization.
    

6. Adult Psychotherapy Rotation

   Goals for this rotation include:

   • Conceptualizing people’s presenting problems from a psychodynamic, interpersonal, cognitive/behavioral, cultural, and DSM V perspectives. The Gottman model of couples therapy will be the groundwork for couples work, with some use of emotion focused theory and technique.
   • Organizing treatment planning around an integration of the aforementioned points of view with the client/patients goals, internal/external resources, and motivation.
   • Integrating psychotherapy theory driven points of view with psychotherapy evidence based points of view about what constitutes “good therapy” for a particular person or persons being seen in the context of the service center by a student therapist and this supervisor.
   • Developing psychotherapy skills consistent with the aforementioned models of psychotherapy.
   • Developing skills for the proper documentation of the psychotherapy process and outcomes.
   • Developing skills for the assessment of the psychotherapy process and outcomes.
   • Developing ways of using countertransference and transference reactions for therapeutic gain and personal growth.
      

7. Therapy and Psychological Assessment Rotation


   This rotation will provide individual and group therapy to clients within the PSC for a wide variety of presenting problems and diagnoses. The therapeutic approach will be evidenced based treatment, focusing on a wide variety of presenting problems that are appropriate for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy interventions. Group therapy will specifically focus on Dual Diagnosis and Personality Disorders, primarily centered on Dialectical Behavioral Therapy interventions (M. Linehan).

   This rotation will provide an opportunity to administer, score, interpret, and generate integrative reports that will be responsive of referrals for the following reasons:

   • Juvenile Court Assessments
   • Child & Adult Cognitive Assessments
   • Child & Adult Personality Assessments
   • Assessments for diagnostic impressions; Assessments to R/O Malingering
   • Disability Assessments
      

8. General Clinical – Children, Adolescents and Adults

   This rotation draws upon the traditions of developmental attachment theory, Winnicott’s version of object relations theory, more recent developments in interpersonal neurobiology, to support development of a “therapeutic presence.” The focus of this rotation is on
   working with adolescents and adults in individual therapy. In working with children and teens, family therapy and/or work with parents will also be necessary.
    

9. Health Psychology Rotation

   This rotation focuses on developing clinical and assessment skills in the area of Health psychology and Medical Psychology. The skills you garner in this rotation are highly transferable to treating many mental health issues including anxiety disorders such as OCD, PTSD, Generalized Anxiety, Phobias, and Somatic issues. Major depression is also prevalent in those who are managing acute or chronic health issues.

   In addition, partners and family members who have a loved one with health issues may enter therapy to increase coping skills, to process grief, or for help with problem solving. Finally, you will gain knowledge and experience working with clients where health issues could present as either a primary or a secondary issue.

Special Requirements of Applicants: 

N/A