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.
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.
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.
Program Tracks
The Division of Clinical Psychology offers two tracks, one for Clinical-Adult
and another for Clinical-Child training. The interns in each of the two
tracks interact extensively and have overlapping experiences. Both tracks
are fully approved by the American Psychological Association and are open
to matriculated students in APA-approved clinical psychology doctoral
programs.
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
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