The Psychology Internship Program
Phone: 315 464-3120
Fax: 315 464-3163
Email: intern@upstate.edu
Location: Division of Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210-2375
Psychology Interns
Upstate Provides a Collegial Atmosphere ...
Clinical Focus
The focus of the clinical psychology internship at the SUNY Upstate Medical University is on the clinical enterprise. The internship orientation is consonant with the scientist-practitioner model. Respect for both clinical acumen and knowledge gained from empirical study provides a stimulating framework for training, seminars, and supervision. Students are invited to question and discuss the assumptions, rationale, and theoretical propositions of the various clinical approaches to problems. They are also encouraged to relate the therapeutic and assessment skills they are acquiring to the research underpinnings of these areas.
The faculty help to guide the intern’s experience and deepen clinical sophistication through supervision, by acting as role models demonstrating high-level clinicianship, by their activities in the research domain, and by their involvement in local, state, and national professional activities.
Objectives
Major goals of the internship program include assisting interns in the development of new skills, enhancing previously learned skills, providing exposure to cutting edge research and concepts, and nurturing the professional identity of psychologists in their final phase of graduate training. Upon completion of the program, interns will demonstrate the ability to accurately assess, conceptualize, and provide effective treatment strategies for individuals who present with emotional, behavioral, and cognitive difficulties. They will be able to communicate their evaluation of cases to other health care professionals while maintaining an appreciation and understanding of relevant ethical and research issues.
In short, specific goals are:- Increase psychotherapy proficiency
- Increase psychodiagnostic testing skills
- Enhance interns' knowledge and expertise in a variety of therapeutic models
- Develop ability to collaborate and consult with other health care providers
The faculty of the internship program understand that interns have diverse aspirations for careers in clinical service and academics, but they believe that the profession of clinical psychology will continue to thrive only as long as the marriage of its practice and research components is nurtured.
Supervision
The hallmark of the clinical psychology internship at the Upstate Medical University is intensive individual supervision. This supervision encompasses ongoing review of all the intern’s work in psychotherapy and assessment. Faculty and interns participate in all conferences and seminars in both the child and adult areas. The overall goal of the supervisory process is to enable increasingly independent functioning on the part of the intern. In addition to conventional individual supervision, there are opportunities to work side-by-side with faculty and observe these seasoned clinicians in action.
Research
Although the focus of the internship training program is on well-supervised clinical experiences, the program also offers abundant opportunities for participation in research. Research collaboration with faculty is encouraged and, over the years, many interns have been involved in projects and published papers with faculty members.
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
(T)202-336-5979 (F)202-336-5978
http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/
Email: apaaccred@apa.org