Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Treatment Center Doctoral Internship in Professional Psychology
The Pine Grove Doctoral Internship in Professional Psychology seeks to provide well-supervised and quality training experiences for doctoral interns in the practice of professional psychology from a practioner-scholar model. The goals, objectives and competencies listed below explicate what is expected of interns at Pinegrove's behavioral health and addiction treatment center. The formal evaluations are structured around these competencies. At the end of this section is a list of the minimum competencies and the requirements to pass the internship.
Goals, Objectives, and Competency Areas
Goal 1. The intern behaves ethically and professionally over the course of the internship.
Objective 1.1 Legal and Ethical Issues: The intern demonstrates knowledge and behavior consistent with APA ethical principles and relevant United States and Mississippi mental health and other legal statues.
Competency 1.1A. The intern demonstrates knowledge of and exhibits behavior that is consistent with the American Psychological Association’s ethical principles.
1. The intern behaves in a consistently ethical manner in all professional activities throughout internship.
2. The intern participates and contributes in orientation and training seminars on ethical issues.
Competency 1.1B. The intern demonstrates knowledge of and behavior consistent with Mississippi mental health statutes and United States and Mississippi legal statutes.
1. The intern behaves in accordance with all state and federal statutes relevant to the practice of psychology in Mississippi.
2. The intern participates and contributes in orientation and training seminars on legal issues in the practice of psychology.
Evaluation for Objective 1.1: Evaluation of interns' knowledge and behavior in the areas of professional ethics and the law will be performed by all internship staff members who have direct contact with the intern (at minimum, supervisors from each rotation and the Training Director).
Objective 1.2 Professional Behavior: The intern demonstrates professional behavior, functions effectively as a staff member, and completes administrative tasks in a timely manner.
Competency 1.2A. The intern communicates knowledge of the American Psychological Association and Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards and can describe their organizational structure and the benefits of membership in APA.
Competency 1.2B. The intern takes initiative in structuring experiences to develop strengths in areas of relative weakness in order to further enhance and solidify his or her professional identity.
Competency 1.2C. The intern demonstrates the ability to function effectively as a staff member.
1. In his or her professional relationships, the intern exhibits maturity, respect, sensitivity to potential areas of conflict, effective conflict resolution techniques, professional attire and demeanor, and sound professional judgment.
2. The intern is active in staff meetings, works cooperatively with staff, and demonstrates a willingness to assume additional responsibility in response to the needs of the rotation sites.
3. The intern works effectively with support staff and accomplishes routine tasks (such as paperwork) efficiently.
Competency 1.2D. The intern contributes to the maintenance of agency evaluation and accountability data.
1. The intern keeps accurate administrative and client records and produces clinical notes in a timely manner.
2. The intern responds to requests for information concerning their areas, reports weekly activities in a timely fashion, and demonstrates understanding of the need for certain administrative procedures.
3. The intern accurately reports use of vacation, sick leave, professional development time, etc. and fills out the Documentation of Hours form every week. The intern will give copies of the Documentation of Hours forms to the Training Director every month or when requested.
Evaluation for Objective 1.2: Evaluation of an intern’s professional behaviors will be performed by all internship staff members who have direct working contact with the intern (at minimum, supervisors from each rotation and the Training Director). The Training Director will maintain copies of the Documentation of Hours forms.
Goal 2. The intern demonstrates competency in the core professional psychology skills of psychotherapy and assessment with sensitivity to diversity issues and uses supervision appropriately to develop these skills.
Objective 2.1 Psychotherapy: The intern exhibits competence in psychotherapy skills in individual, couples, and group therapy, and crisis intervention based on empirically-based/supported treatments and with sensitivity to individual and cultural diversity..
Competency 2.1A. For all the modalities of therapy listed below in Competencies 2.1B., 2.1C., 2.1D., and 2.1E., the intern demonstrates the following therapeutic skills:
1. The intern uses basic relational strategies (empathy, genuineness, and warmth) and advanced therapeutic skills (confrontation, process comments/immediacy, interpretation, silence) in therapy.
2. The intern develops and implements a treatment plan based on an assessment of the client and of treatment strategies that have an optimal chance for success, using knowledge of psychotherapy research and prior clinical work (see Objective 4.1 below). The treatment plan should contain specific goals that are observable and measurable. The treatment plan should be discussed with the client and consent to the treatment plan should be documented.
3. The intern demonstrates the ability to implement time-limited approaches to psychotherapy with clients when clinically appropriate.
4. The intern evaluates progress of therapy (this includes the ability to analyze a given session; the refinement of the treatment plan based on evaluation of progress; the ability to address termination issues; and other dimensions as determined by the supervisor).
5. The intern manages her or his own affect without compromising treatment or the therapy relationship.
6. The intern demonstrates case management skills (judgment concerning need for medication referral, knowledge of major classes of psychotropic medication, referral for hospitalization, etc.) and consults appropriately with a supervisor on these issues.
7. See Objective 2.3 for working with cultural and individual diversity.
Competency 2.1B. The intern demonstrates competence in individual psychotherapy.
1. The intern carries a caseload of individual clients of varying difficulty and with a variety of presenting concerns and symptoms. The intern sees at least six individual clients on the Adult Psychology Rotation and at least two individual clients on the Child and Adolescent Rotation.
2. The intern gives at least one formal case presentation that is focused primarily on therapy issues and that incorporates basic demographic information, interview data, and the dimensions discussed above in Competency 2.1A in conceptualizing the client and tying this conceptualization to the treatment. This case presentation may be done on the Adult Psychology Rotation at staffing or during the Intern Seminar.
Competency 2.1C. The intern demonstrates competence in group therapy.
1. The intern conceptualizes the group and bases interventions on a major theory of group development and treatment or based on an empirically-based intervention (see Objective 4.1 below). When the intern is working at a site that has a specific model of group therapy, the intern is able to adapt to this model and make appropriate interventions.
2. The intern is a therapist or co-therapist for at least one psychotherapy group on each rotation.
Competency 2.1D. The intern demonstrates couple/marital and/or family therapy skills.
1. The intern sees at least one family or two couples over the course of the internship.
2. The intern is able to discuss the family therapy or couples therapy work that she or he does from a specific theoretical perspective based on the empirical literature and make interventions that are congruent with that theoretical perspective (see Objective 4.1 below).
Competency 2.1E. The intern demonstrates competence in general crisis work.
1. The intern manages crises that may arise in her or his ongoing caseload.
2. The intern uses knowledge of crisis theory in assessing a crisis situation and in implementing intervention strategy.
3. The intern maintains a professional demeanor in crisis intervention, informs the supervising psychologist immediately, and consults with other professionals as necessary if the primary supervisor is not available.
Evaluation for Objective 2.1: All internship staff who have significant contact with interns with respect to their functioning will be expected to provide evaluative feedback. The primary clinical supervisor, the Director of Training, and any staff co-therapists will have major responsibility in evaluating interns' performance in therapy.
Objective 2.2 Assessment and Diagnosis: The intern demonstrates competence in using the intake interview to assess the client's presenting concern and reach an appropriate diagnosis. The intern demonstrates competence in psychological assessments and produces appropriate reports.
Competency 2.2A. The intern demonstrates competent intake interview skills to develop an assessment of client's presenting concern.
1. The intern completes intake evaluations legibly and promptly. The intake should address history and current status of the presenting concern, psychosocial and relevant family history, psychiatric history, history of physical and/or sexual abuse, assessment of social support systems, client's use of mood-altering substances, client's physical health (surgeries, sleep and eating habits, illness) and other data as relevant. In addition, the intake report should make recommendations regarding modality and length of treatment, diagnostic impressions (Axis I through Axis V), severity of the diagnosis if appropriate, and make appropriate referrals.
2. The intern completes at least two formal intake evaluations on both the Adult Rotation and the Child and Adolescent Rotation.
3. The intern participates in discussions and presentations in the Assessment Seminar.
Competency 2.2B. The intern demonstrates the ability to select, administer (if appropriate), score, and interpret psychological tests, showing good judgment in determining which tests might be useful in answering the particular referral questions.
1. The intern administers (where appropriate), scores, and interprets each of the following: at least two objective personality measures, at least two intelligence measures, and at least 2 behavioral or self-report measures.
2. The intern selects and uses other instruments as needed in consultation with her or his supervisor.
Competency 2.2C. The intern demonstrates the ability to integrate test and interview material into a psychological report.
1. The intern gives at least two complete batteries of psychological tests (i.e., a minimum of an intelligence, an objective personality, and a behavioral or self-report measures).
2. The intern integrates results from that battery with interview and demographic data into a clearly written psychological report that incorporates rationale for testing, results and recommendations for therapy or other treatment.
3. The intern gives at least one assessment case presentation that incorporates formal interview and testing data into the case conceptualization. This presentation is typically done in the Assessment Seminar.
Competency 2.2D. The intern demonstrates basic competence in use of the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.
Evaluation for Objective 2.2: Evaluation of above competencies will be accomplished primarily through the primary clinical supervisor (or other staff members serving as an assessment consultant) who will review the interns' work in assessment and the Assessment Seminar facilitator.
Objective 2.3 Cultural and Individual Diversity: The intern develops competency in understanding the influence of cultural and individual diversity (including age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, language, national origin, race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, and social economic status) in the delivery of professional psychological services.
Competency 2.3A. The intern displays awareness of her or his own cultural identity development and the ways in which her or his culture can interact with her or his patients’ culture. Additionally, the intern is able to reflect on the ways in which his or her own cultural backgrounds shapes the values that he or she holds and the ways those values may affect interactions with others, including clients.
Competency 2.3B. The intern demonstrates an awareness of cultural and individual diversity factors including age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, language, national origin, race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, and social economic status. Additionally, the intern is participates in discussions about regional factors and special issues with rural communities that may affect clients in Mississippi during orientation and throughout the year.
Competency 2.3C. The intern applies an understanding of cultural and individual diversity factors listed in B. above in working with clients in therapy and assessment and makes appropriate modifications to therapy. The intern discusses specific concerns about cultural or individual diversity in supervision. The intern participates in discussion of cultural and individual diversity factors in orientation and intern seminars.
Evaluation for Objective 2.3: All internship staff who directly supervise the clinical work of interns are expected to provide assessments of the performance of the interns on the dimensions outlined above. The Primary Supervisor(s) on each rotation will rate the intern with input from the Training Director and adjunct supervisors as appropriate.
Objective 2.4 Receiving Supervision: The intern utilizes supervision to increase his or her competency in psychotherapy and assessment.
Competency 2.4A. The intern demonstrates professional behavior in supervisory activities, including an openness to feedback and exploration of issues, the ability to articulate her or his own position on a given issue, and a willingness to share his or her own work (e.g., presentation of audio/videotapes, written notes or reports, etc.).
Competency 2.4B. The intern demonstrates knowledge of her or his own limitations as a therapist, including acknowledgment of any counter-transference issues which may be present, inexperience with certain types of clients or presenting concerns, and areas of weakness in understanding of theory or research.
Competency 2.4C. The intern demonstrates the ability to be appropriately assertive with the supervisor and to disagree or challenge supervisor’s viewpoint.
Competency 2.4D. The intern demonstrates involvement in the supervisory process through preparedness, punctuality, and evidence of thoughtfulness.
Evaluation for Objective 2.4: All staff who supervise the clinical work of interns are expected to provide assessments of the performance of their supervisees on the dimensions outlined above, either by providing feedback to the primary supervisory on each rotation or through completing a separate evaluation form. The Training Director will also give feedback as part of the evaluation process.
Goal 3. The intern demonstrates basic competency in other professional skills such as consultation, outreach, program and therapy evaluation, and providing supervision.
Objective 3.1 Consultation: The intern demonstrates basic competency in the ability to implement models of consultation, which will culminate in a formal consultation project.
Competency 3.1A. The intern completes at least one ongoing consultation project during the internship year. The project will be approved by and supervised by the Training Director or other internship staff.
Competency 3.1B. The intern exhibits knowledge of at least one model of consultation which is an appropriate for the type of consultation the intern is doing. The intern uses the empirical literature to develop the project (see Competency 4.2A below).
Competency 3.1C. The intern uses ideas generated by the model being employed to plan, implement, and evaluate the consultation project. When appropriate, the evaluation of the consultation project is in written form and completed by either the consultee or the clients served in the consultation.
Competency 3.1D. The intern completes a written summary of the consultation project by the end of the internship year that includes a description of the problem, intervention, and evaluation of the consultation. The intern includes references to relevant empirical literature employed. The report is submitted to the supervisor and the Training Director.
Objective 3.2 Outreach The intern demonstrates knowledge of and ability to implement models of outreach to design, deliver and evaluate at least one outreach workshop.
Competency 3.2A. The intern becomes involved with at least one outreach activity for either clients, the general public, or other professionals (i.e., preparing or assisting in preparing a program, workshop, or presentation). The intern uses the empirical literature in preparing the presentation or other outreach (see Objective 4.2B).
Competency 3.2B. The intern provides a copy of the outreach presentation or other materials to the Training Director, along with a copy of written evaluations (from presentation attendees) if available and references used.
Objective 3.3 Therapy and Program Evaluation The intern demonstrates knowledge of and ability to implement models of therapy outcome evaluation and program evaluation.
Competency 3.3A. The intern selects appropriate measures to assess therapy progress and outcome, such as symptom measures, behavioral or homework compliance measures, or therapeutic alliance measures.
Competency 3.3B. The intern learns a basic model of program evaluation and completes an evaluation of at least one program by the end of the internship year. The intern completes a report that summarizes the results of the program evaluation. The intern uses the empirical literature in preparing the program evaluation (see Competency 4.2B).
Evaluation for Objectives 3.1-3.3: Internship staff members who are either administratively responsible for consultation, outreach, and program evaluation or who are responsible for the specific project the intern works on will have the primary responsibility for evaluating the intern in this area. The primary supervisor on each rotation will assess the intern’s ability to use psychotherapy outcome measures under Psychotherapy on the evaluation form.
Objective 3.4 Providing Supervision: The intern develops basic competence in providing supervision to graduate students in psychology.
Competency 3.4A. The intern demonstrates the ability to conceptualize the supervisee and the supervisory relationship within a coherent theoretical framework, incorporating professional literature on models of supervision and research in the area. The intern participates in the Supervision Seminar.
Competency 3.4B. The intern demonstrates the ability to create a supervisory environment which incorporates monitoring supervisee’s clients’ treatment, attending to supervisee’s counter-transference issues and discusses the supervisory relationship as relevant.
1. In supervision of supervision, the intern discusses the supervisee’s clients’ psychological issues, the supervisee’s assessment of the case, and the supervisee’s counter-transference issues that may affect her or his clients’ progress.
2. The intern presents tapes of supervision session that illustrate a supervisory environment in which both challenge and support are demonstrated.
3. The intern manages her or his own affect during supervision.
Competency 3.4C. The intern demonstrates the ability to function as a professional role model for the supervisee.
1. The intern provides specific treatment alternatives, readings, and other resources for supervisee.
2. The intern makes extra time available for the supervisee for emergency consultation or direct assistance.
Competency 3.4D. The intern demonstrates the ability to provide accurate and specific feedback to supervisee in a constructive fashion.
Competency 3.4E. The intern demonstrates the ability to establish an effective working liaison relationship with the supervisee’s primary licensed supervisor.
Competency 3.4F. The intern demonstrates the ability to develop a supervision contract to use with supervisees that specifies the orientation to supervision and the responsibilities of both supervisor and supervisee.
Evaluation for Objective 3.4: The primary evaluative responsibility rests with the licensed psychologist providing supervision of the intern’s supervision. However, other internship staff members who have relevant data regarding the intern’s supervision of practicum students or participation in the Supervision Seminar can also provide evaluative feedback. Additionally, the graduate student who is supervised by the intern will be asked to provide feedback on the intern to the primary supervisor.
Goal 4. The intern demonstrates the ability to integrate research and practice through training in scholarly inquiry, review of empirically based/supported treatments, and awareness of cultural and individual diversity research.
Objective 4.1 Empirically Based/Support Treatments The intern demonstrates the ability to use the empirical literature to determine appropriate treatments and assessment measures.
Competency 4.1A. The intern participates in presentations during the Empirically-Based/ Supported Treatments Seminar, the Assessment Seminar, the Supervision Seminar, and the Intern Seminar that review the empirical literature on treatment, supervision, and/or assessment.
Competency 4.1B. For at least one individual client, the intern surveys the empirical literature to determine an appropriate empirically based intervention and provides the supervisor with at least two relevant articles.
Evaluation for Objective 4.1: All internship staff who have significant contact with interns with respect to their functioning in psychotherapy and the seminars will be expected to provide evaluative feedback. The primary clinical supervisor and the Director of Training will have major responsibility in evaluating the interns' integration of the empirical literature into therapy.
Objective 4.2; Scholarly Inquiry for Consultation, Outreach, and Evaluation The intern demonstrates the ability to use the empirical literature when planning consultation, outreach, and evaluation.
Competency 4.2A. The intern includes at least one reference for a model of consultation and at least one reference from the research relevant to the study when writing up their consultation project.
Competency 4.2B. The intern includes at least three references from the relevant research in their outreach presentation or project.
Competency 4.2C. The intern includes at least one reference for a model of program evaluation and at least one reference from the research relevant to the study when writing up their program evaluation project.
Evaluation for Objective 4.2: All internship staff who directly supervise the clinical work of interns or the consultation, outreach, or program evaluation projects are expected to provide assessments of the performance of the interns on the dimensions outlined above.
Objective 4.3 Scholarly Inquiry and Diversity The intern demonstrates the ability to use the empirical literature to determine modifications for treatment or assessment based on cultural and individual diversity factors.
Competency 4.3A. The intern participates in presentations during orientation and the seminars that review the empirical literature on cultural and individual diversity.
Competency 4.3B. For at least one individual client, the intern surveys the empirical literature to determine appropriate modifications for an empirically-based intervention based on cultural diversity.
Evaluation for Objective 4.3: The primary clinical supervisor and the Director of Training will have major responsibility in evaluating interns' use of the empirical literature to modify therapy or assessment based on diversity factors.
Minimum Competencies and Requirements to Complete the Internship:
Interns are expected to be minimally competent on each of the following domains on each rotation: Legal and Ethical Issues; Professional Behavior; Psychotherapy; Assessment; Receiving Supervision; Cultural and Individual Diversity; Providing Supervision; and Scholarly Inquiry. Minimum Competency is defined as a rating of 4 on a 7-point scale in each of these areas. Interns need to have a rating of at least 4 in every competency assessed on that rotation (Providing Supervision is not assessed on each rotation) in order to pass the rotation. They need to pass each rotation to successfully complete the internship. Interns are also expected to complete a Consultation Project, Program Evaluation, and Outreach Presentation by the end of the internship that is evaluated as “meets criteria” based on the competencies listed above under Objectives 3.1-3.3 in order to satisfy the entire internship at Pine Grove's behavioral health and addiction treatment center.
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