Aims & Competencies

Interns will carry a diverse caseload at the Butler University’s Counseling and Consultation Services.  Interns will conduct individual therapy, initial assessments, psychological assessments, consultations, outreach programs, crisis intervention and supervision at Counseling and Consultation Services.  If available, interns are encouraged to co-lead a group each semester.

Interns will be exposed to models characteristic of both traditional counseling psychology and clinical psychology approaches to applied practice; i.e., interns will learn to view clients by using developmental frameworks common in university environments as well as models of psychopathology typical of clinical/medical settings.  The overarching goal is for interns to gain experiences that contribute to their professional identity as Health Service Providers in psychology.

Aims

  • Interns will become competent to provide scientifically-based clinical services in varied treatment modes utilizing a broad range of skills.
  • Interns will demonstrate competence in dealing with issues of individual difference, diversity and multicultural issues in their work as psychologists.
  • Interns will integrate professional and personal development to function as competent Health Service Providers in psychology.

Competencies of Internship Training

  1. Interns will display competence in intervention and are expected to:
    1. Establish and maintain effective relationships with therapy clients
    2. Develop evidence-based intervention plans linked to service delivery goals
    3. Effectively implement interventions informed by the current scientific literature, assessment results, diversity and contextual variables
    4. Develop a treatment plan for each client based on collaborative and continual re-evaluation of goals within a theory-based case conceptualization
    5. Evaluate treatment effectiveness and modify intervention consistent with evaluation
    6. Establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships within group
    7. Utilize group interventions that are evidence-based
    8. Show group leadership skills by articulating group dynamics & phases of development
    9. Demonstrate ethical behavior and adhere to professional standards providing group therapy
    10. Demonstrate sensitivity to diversity issues within group therapy
    11. Show receptivity to feedback for group leadership skills
    12. Demonstrate effective clinical skills with a wide range of clients
  2. Interns will display competence in assessment measures and methods used in a university counseling center and are expected to:
    1. Select and apply empirically-based assessment methods; collect relevant data using multiple methods appropriate to the cultural context and assessment goals
    2. Interpret results following current research/prof standards while guarding against decision-making biases
    3. Communicate orally and in writing the findings and implications of assessments in an accurate and effective manner sensitive to a range of audiences
    4. Demonstrate current knowledge of diagnostic classification systems, functional and dysfunctional behaviors, including consideration of client strengths and psychopathology
    5. Demonstrate understanding of human behavior within its context (e.g., family, social, societal and cultural)
    6. Demonstrate the ability to apply the knowledge of functional and dysfunctional behaviors including context to the assessment and/or diagnostic process
  3. Interns will display competence in both consultation and interprofessional skills and are expected to:
    1. Demonstrate knowledge and respect for the roles of other professionals
    2. Demonstrate knowledge of consultation models and practices
    3. Apply knowledge of how to consult with clients, other professionals, or groups
    4. Consult with senior staff as appropriate
    5. Show flexibility in accepting outreach assignments
    6. Design outreach programs effectively using literature on outreach programming
    7. Demonstrate initiative in developing and implementing outreach programs
    8. Prepare adequately for outreach programs and be timely in completing projects
    9. Show receptivity to feedback regarding outreach efforts
    10. Demonstrate sensitivity to diversity issues in design and presentation of programs
    11. Take responsibility for engaging practicum students in outreach efforts and encourage development of their outreach skills
  4. Interns will display competence in research and are expected to:
    1. Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate and disseminate research or other scholarly activities at the local, regional, or national level
    2. Demonstrate familiarity with the treatment literature, particularly regarding empirically supported interventions
  5. Interns will display competence in communication and interpersonal skills and are expected to:
    1. Establish effective, collegial relationships with peers, staff, and supervisors (e.g., volunteers readily/team mentality, makes training needs known, and accepts/provides feedback with staff/peers)
    2. Communicate clearly using verbal, nonverbal, and written skills that are informative, well-integrated, and professional
    3. Negotiate differences and handles conflict satisfactorily
    4. Develop effective relationships with those receiving professional services
  6. Interns will display competence in supervision and are expected to:
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of supervision models and practices and apply this    knowledge to supervision of trainees
    2. Establish supervisory relationship that fosters supervisee development, creates a safe learning environment, and facilitates positive client outcomes
    3. Effectively address cultural differences within the supervisory relationship and in relation to supervisee’s clients
    4. Effectively address difficulties within the relationship with supervisee, including following procedures for remediation if necessary
    5. Demonstrate understanding of the ethical, legal, and contextual aspects of the supervisory role
    6. Appropriately assess the need for additional consultation related to supervisory role
  7. Interns will display competence in individual and cultural diversity and are expected to:
    1. Understand how their own history, attitudes and biases may affect their work with a range of diverse people
    2. Demonstrate knowledge of current theoretical and empirical knowledge related to addressing diversity across all professional activities
    3. Demonstrate knowledge of current theoretical and empirical knowledge related to addressing diversity across all professional activities
    4. Relate respectfully and appropriately to clients, peers, staff, supervisors and supervisees of diverse cultural backgrounds
  8. Interns will display competence in ethical and legal standards and are expected to:
    1. Demonstrate familiarity with and acts in accordance with APA’s Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct and Indiana legal statutes
    2. Demonstrate professional responsibility for client management (e.g., schedules, paperwork, agency policies, HIPAA) and professional commitments (e.g., attendance, punctuality, follow-through on tasks)
    3. Recognize ethical dilemmas as they arise and apply ethical decision-making processes in order to resolve the dilemmas
  9.  Interns will display competence in professional values and attitudes and are expected to:
    1. Actively seek and demonstrate openness and responsiveness to feedback and supervision
    2. Be able to self-reflect regarding one’s personal and professional functioning and engage in activities to maintain performance and well-being
    3. Exhibit progressive professional identity development as a psychologist, including integrity, deportment, accountability, lifelong learning, and care for others
    4. Respond professionally to increasingly complex situations across time