ALEXIAN BROTHERS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOSPITAL
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTICA
(Therapy and Diagnostic Placements)
for
Doctoral Students of Clinical Psychology
At Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital (ABBHH), we offer numerous training opportunities for
individuals seeking advanced clinical training in clinical psychology. ABBHH has a reputation for excellence
in training and we strive to provide an optimal training experience that maximizes each student’s strengths
while encouraging opportunities for growth. Our site is very competitive and we recommend that all
interested candidates carefully review the following brochure to ensure that your training needs and
academic background are a good match with the clinical training opportunities that we offer.
INTRODUCTION
For over seven centuries, the Alexian Brothers--a Roman Catholic order of laymen--have dedicated
their lives to caring for the poor and sick. The Alexian Brothers maintain several hospitals and medical
centers, along with facilities caring for the elderly, in the United States, Europe and Asia. Promoting the
emotional well being of patients is an integral part of the Alexian Brother mission. Thus, training in
behavioral health sciences is highly valued throughout the system.
For more information about the Alexian Brothers and their mission and values, please go to
www.alexianhealthsystem.org.
TRAINING FACILITY
ABBHH is a 141-bed, not-for-profit, JCAHO-approved provider of mental health and addiction services.
The hospital provides inpatient and outpatient behavioral health and addiction services in Hoffman
Estates, Illinois (a northwest suburb of Chicago). The hospital is part of the Saint Alexius Medical
Center, which also includes Saint Alexius Hospital and The Alexian Brother’s Women & Children’s
Hospital. A large outpatient Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences practice is also located on the
medical campus in a separate building. At ABBHH, a strong spirit of inclusiveness prevails, and
diversity among staff and patients contributes to the richness of the treatment milieu.
You will gain experience working collaboratively with staff and other trainees from various professions
including.
 Chaplains
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Placement Opportunities for Psychology Practicum Students
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Credentialed Expressive Therapists
Dieticians
Health Educators
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors
Licensed Clinical Psychologists
Licensed Clinical Social Workers
Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Psychiatrists
ABBHH is home to a nationally renowned APA-Accredited Pre-doctoral Clinical Psychology Internship
Program. Our commitment to the stringent training standards set by the American Psychological
Association guides us to maintain and exceed the highest standards of training that, in turn, permeates
all other training programs at ABBHH. We take pride in our strong commitment to quality training,
supervision, and mentoring. Our highly experienced licensed clinical psychologists work closely with
trainees to ensure that your training experience at ABBHH meets all the requirements of your graduate
program and educational goals.
TRAINING PROGRAM DETAILS
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Mandatory Hospital Orientation: The last Monday and Tuesday of July
Training Start Date: The first Wednesday, Thursday or Friday after Hospital Orientation.
(The actual day will be determined by your weekly training schedule.)
Training End Date: The last Friday in June of the following year.
One Hour Individual Supervision on a weekly basis with a Primary Supervisor who is a
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
One Hour Group Supervision
One Cumulative Hour of impromptu Supervision with Primary Supervisor or other
Licensed Clinical Professional.
Weekly individual and group supervision, informal on-site impromptu supervision, team meetings, case
consultations, and formal didactic training opportunities are provided each week. We are committed to
outcome research with a focus on cultural diversity and interprofessional collaboration. Students are
placed in one intensive PHP track or the Psychology Testing Service for the year in order to gain a solid
clinical experience.
All trainees are expected to be on site 3 days a week for a total of 20 to 24 hours per week. The
number of hours per week will be determined before training begins to assure that you will meet your
required hours of training by year’s end.
Some evening work may be required.
Our didactic “Professional Seminar” is held every Wednesday
from Noon – 1:00 p.m. and all students are required to attend.
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Placement Opportunities for Psychology Practicum Students
CLINICAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCED THERAPY PLACEMENT
Adolescent Partial Hospital Program and School Refusal Program
(2 Positions)
The emphasis on family sessions makes this a strong systems therapy opportunity while training to
provide group therapy with adolescents. The trainee in this program will gain exposure to working with
adolescents who have conduct disturbance, anxiety, depression, ADHD, substance use and other
mental health disorders. The trainee must be able to work adaptively within the context of a structured
program in a very fast-paced environment.
School Refusal
(1 position)
The School Refusal program is a specialized service track within the Adolescent PHP Program. Its
treatment model is based upon the essentials of Exposure with Response Prevention and CBT.
Trainees take an active role in educating adolescents in the evidence-based practice of ERP to
overcome their anxiety about school.
Adult Partial Hospital Program
(1 Position)
The Adult program treats mood and anxiety disorders with co-occurring personality and/or trauma
disorders. The emphasis is on mood stabilization and skill development. This is an intense population
that requires previous mental health experiences and is both intensive and personally challenging.
Autism Spectrum and Developmental Disorders Resource Center (ARC)
(2 Positions)
ARC provides assistance to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (all levels of functioning) at all
ages (early childhood through adulthood). Trainees provide triage assessments for families and brief
diagnostic screenings. This track also includes training opportunities in the Child Partial Hospital
Program; conducting a social skills group and working individually with some patients and their families.
There are additional group therapy experiences. Strong interest and some previous experience with the
autism spectrum population are required.
Center for Addiction Medicine (CAM)
(2 Positions)
Trainees in CAM learn to treat the full range of chemical abuse and dependency issues. Trainees work
with a treatment team ready to supply the trainee with mentoring and modeling of treatment
interventions that are evidence based. CBT, Motivational Enhancement, and ACT are utilized. Dual
diagnoses are common and patients are occasionally tracked into another program. This is an
excellent program to include in your training for Adolescent or Adult treatment, even if you don’t
specialize in addictions.
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Placement Opportunities for Psychology Practicum Students
Child Partial Hospital Program
(1 Position)
Students are trained using Behavioral and Cognitive Behavioral therapy in a highly structured
environment. Group, classroom, and family interventions are the primary means of treatment in the
Child PHP. Children in the Child PHP present with a wide array of clinical disorders including
disturbances of mood, conduct, and thought.
Eating Disorder Partial Hospital Program
(1 Position)
The eating disorders program treats patients suffering from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, obesity,
and other eating disorders. Group interventions and milieu treatment with adolescent and adult
population are the main sources of intervention. Considerable family work is also central to treatment
on the ED PHP service. The program utilizes a self-regulation model with CBT and DBT skills. An
interest in research, nutrition, or health psychology is an asset.
OCD and Anxiety Disorders Program
(2 Positions)
Learn the essentials of Exposure with Response Prevention Therapy and CBT from a renowned
expert psychologist in the field of OCD Treatment. Trainess take an active role in educating family
members and patients in the evidence-based practice of ERP, and work individually with assigned
patients.
Outpatient Individual Psychotherapy
(2 Positions)
This is a great opportunity for an Advanced Therapy Practicum student to experience training in an
outpatient group setting. Trainee will treat a case load of 8 to 12 clients, of all ages (5 years and up),
with a wide range of diagnoses. Primary responsibilities will include conducting individual, family and
couples therapy. Trainees will also develop and implement at least one therapy group. Trainees are
also offered the opportunity to conduct diagnostic assessments in order to bolster their clinical
experience before applying to internship. In order to conduct diagnostic assessments in this track, the
trainee has to have already completed a testing practicum.
Self-Injury Recovery Services (SIRS)
(1 Position)
This program has excellent therapeutic presence in a fast paced milieu. Patients are typically youth
with moderate to severe self-injurious behavior. The self-regulation model is implemented and is the
basis of the training modules. Trainees require previous mental health experience and must be able to
function in a fast-paced, high-acuity treatment environment.
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Placement Opportunities for Psychology Practicum Students
CLINICAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIAGNOSTIC PRACTICUM
Psychology Testing Service
(3 Positions)
Learn the process and procedure of testing in a psychiatric hospital with diverse ages, disorders, and
experiences. The diagnostic population includes many children and adolescents, with some adults. The
patient presentation may include diagnoses of mood, anxiety, psychosis, eating disorders and/or
chemical dependency.
The testing student is required to complete 15 testing batteries during the training year.
Diagnostic Practicum Training Goals:
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To Work within the Construct of a Referral Question.
To Conduct Chart Reviews
To Collaborate with other health care professionals
To Conduct an Initial Interview
To Select Appropriate Measures to Administer
To Gain Acumen in Test Administration
To Gain Competency in Scoring and Interpreting Test Data
To Formulate Meaningful Recommendations
To Write a Formal Report in a Concise and Efficient Manner
To Provide Testing Feedback
REQUIREMENTS:
Interested applicants must currently be enrolled in an APA-accredited doctoral program of study in
Clinical or Counseling Psychology.
HOW TO APPLY:
In order to apply for an Advanced Therapy Practicum or Diagnostic Practicum training position at
ABBHH please submit the following materials:
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ABBHH Application Form Download the application form from the web-link, complete it, and mail
it in with the rest of your materials. On this form please indicate your primary, secondary and
tertiary training track of interest. If you are only interested in one or two of the training tracks, you
do not need to rank order any others.
Statement of Interest
Curriculum Vitae
2 Letters of Recommendation
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Placement Opportunities for Psychology Practicum Students
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A copy of your School Transcripts (does not need to be an official copy at this point of the
application process)
Applications may only be submitted between the dates of December 1st through February 15th.
Any application received after February 15th will not be given consideration.
Send your application materials in one packet to:
Rocco Domanico, Ph.D.
Director of Training
ABBHH
1650 Moon Lake Boulevard
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
rocco.domanico@alexian.net
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Placement Opportunities for Psychology Practicum Students