Baylor University Counseling Center
Doctoral Internship in Psychology
Overview of Psychology Internship Program
The Baylor Counseling Center staff strives to be a transformative presence in the lives of our
students, as well as with trainees. Our vision for the Doctoral Internship in Psychology is to
develop professional psychologists with the conceptual and clinical competencies necessary to
deliver psychological services in a manner that is effective and responsive to individual and
societal, needs both now and in the future.
Internship Training Model and Philosophy
The underlying philosophy for the training program is a practitioner-scholar model that
integrates theory, research, and clinical practice. We believe sensitivity to individual
differences and cultures in a diverse society and openness to self-reflection and life-long
learning are necessary to bring these together.
Therefore, the person of the therapist, with a set of cultural / life experiences and personality,
is an integral part of translating theory and research into practice; all counseling is
multicultural. Growth in this comes by attention to the process of our work, and attention to
our own personhood.
Interns will be trained in an empirically-based and self-reflective clinical practice to gather
information from clients, reflect upon and evaluate the process and outcome of their
interventions, and plan future interventions based upon an integration of this experience. To
accomplish this goal, psychological theory and research will be incorporated with supervised
clinical experiences and self-reflective learning. Supplementary learning methods will include
didactic presentations, skill-building seminars, small group discussions, behavioral rehearsal
and modeling, and consultative guidance.
This training approach to clinical work is trans-theoretical, multi-cultural, and process-oriented.
Growth comes by attention to the process of interns’ work, as well as attention to their
personhood. We are helping interns to find their own path as a clinician and as a professional.
So, our overall training focus for Interns will be exploring and discovering answers to the two
questions, “Who am I as a therapist?” and, “How am I therapeutic?” In this manner they shall
explore both the self-awareness/self-reflection part of a therapeutic alliance and the ways they
express these parts of themselves in skills and techniques. We are working therefore, more to
empower than to only teach technique, and we hope for the training program to capture this.
Interns will explore these questions as they apply to the overall goals of the internship.
Answering these questions, on a continual basis is vital to the process of becoming a therapist
and a psychologist. These questions will be explored in trainings, workshops, and the
supervisory process.
Goals of Internship
The content and training methods of the internship program are determined by the following
goals and objectives:
Goal 1: To provide training and opportunities for skill development in the areas of
A)counseling/psychotherapy skills, B)case conceptualization, C)treatment planning,
D)termination, E)crisis intervention, F)psychoeducational programming, G)consultation,
and H)supervision.
The internship at the Baylor Counseling Center is designed to prepare interns for professional
practice as counseling and clinical psychologists by providing supervised experiences in
essential skill areas. Because we are training interns to function as generalist psychologists, we
provide them with broad skills which are applicable in a variety of outpatient settings. These
skill areas include counseling/psychotherapy, case conceptualization, treatment planning,
termination, crisis intervention, psychoeducational programming, consultation, and supervision.
Counseling/Psychotherapy Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.
To develop core therapeutic skills
To develop awareness and use of oneself in the therapeutic process
To develop understanding of the importance of diversity in therapy
To develop group therapy skills
Case Conceptualization Objectives
1. To develop skills in integrating data and conceptualizing clients
2. To develop skills in diagnosis
3. To develop skills in formulating treatment strategies based above information
Treatment Planning Objectives
1. To develop skills in developing treatment plans with clients
2. To develop skills in flexibly responding to changing client needs
Termination Objectives
1. To develop skills in preparing client for termination throughout treatment
2. To develop skills in addressing termination issues as they arise
Crisis Intervention Objectives
1. To develop skills in the assessment of crisis situations
2. To develop crisis management skills
3. To develop consultation skills in crisis situations
Psychoeducational Programming Objectives
1. To develop skills in planning and presenting psychoeducational presentations and workshops
to diverse populations.
Consultation Objectives
1. To develop clinical consultation skills
Supervision Objectives
1. To develop knowledge and understanding of supervision theory and techniques
2. To develop clinical supervision skills
3. To develop evaluation and feedback skills, including self-evaluation
Goal 2: To promote knowledge, awareness, skills, and an appreciation of multicultural
competency and diversity in the above skill areas.
The Baylor Counseling Center and internship program are committed to the development of
awareness and appreciation for individual differences within a diverse society. In order to
provide quality clinical, counseling, psychoeducational, consultative and supervisory services in
a competent manner, knowledge and understanding of the potential impact of cultural issues and
individual differences are essential. We believe that self-awareness and the continuous
exploration of one’s beliefs and assumptions regarding diversity are important in the
development of therapeutic and professional relationships. Therefore, we encourage interns to
be aware of their own cultural identity development status as they interact with clients and
colleagues.
Diversity Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.
To develop Knowledge of individual and cultural diversity
To develop Awareness of Client Diversity
To develop Awareness of self and one’s own cultural and ethnic background
To develop Skill in implementing multicultural Knowledge and Awareness in the clinical
process while providing psychological services to diverse populations
Goal 3: To assist interns in developing a professional identity, which incorporates A)
Professionalism (ethical practices and sound professional judgment) and B) effective use of
supervision.
A primary goal of the Baylor University internship program is to facilitate the development of
interns’ professional identities as psychologists as they transition from the role of trainee to entry
level professional. An important part of one’s identity as a professional involves knowledge and
integration of ethical/legal/professional standards into all areas of practice. Another component
of one’s developing identity involves the identification and pursuit of one’s professional
interests. As interns become increasingly aware of their strengths and limitations, they develop
the ability to function at increasing levels of autonomy and initiative. Over the year they gain
self-awareness and confidence in their role as a member of the CC staff and make the transition
from intern to professional colleague.
Professionalism Objectives
1. To increase knowledge and understanding of ethical/legal/professional standards of
practice.
2. To engage in exploration of professional interests
3. To increase awareness of personal and professional strengths and areas for growth as
they relate to the practice of psychology
4. To develop awareness and understanding of the dynamics of functioning as a member
of a professional team
Supervision Objectives
1. To develop skills in being prepared for supervision
1. To develop receptiveness to new ideas and approaches
3. To develop openness to feedback about counseling strengths
and deficits
4. To demonstrate using what is learned in future sessions
5. To demonstrate openness to looking at own issues as they
impact therapy
The staff of the Baylor Counseling Center are committed to quality training of future
professionals. We will try to meet the specific needs of each intern, within the bounds of the
core training program, as we endeavor to help them grow both personally and professionally.
We hope to provide interns with a strong foundation for understanding and integrating ethics and
professionalism into practice. Interns are required to adhere to the ethics and principles of the
American Psychological Association and to the rules and regulations of the Texas State Board of
Examiners of Psychologists.
Expectations
This list is not exhaustive of the expectations for intern experiences. However, at a minimum for
successful completion of the internship, interns are required to meet the following requirements:
1. 2,000 Hours of Internship (minimum) must be completed
2. 500 Direct Service Hours
Direct service includes individual, group, and couples counseling, crisis intervention,
consultation with clients or concerned family members/staff/faculty, providing outreach
services, providing supervision, leading a psycho-educational training to trainees or staff
& conducting assessments.
3. Participate fully in all internship components
4. Complete all Core Experiential Components
5. Complete Individual Intern Project
6. Complete Individual Diversity Project
7. Quarterly Completion of the Intern Log which documents the 2000 hour internship
and direct service requirements.
8. Participation in as many as Six Outreach Activities
Interns are expected to participate/present in workshops, classroom presentations,
awareness tables, etc...
9. Completion of an Intern Individual Outreach Project
Interns will complete an intern outreach project, approved by the Outreach Coordinator.
10. Completion of Supervision of Practicum Student Paper
Interns are expected to write a supervision reflection paper at the conclusion of their
provision of supervision experience.
11. Co-Facilitation of a Group with a Senior Staff Member
At a minimum, interns are required to co-facilitate at least one group during their
internship year.
12. Successful Attainment of Minimum Thresholds for Identified Competencies on
Evaluation Forms.
13. Complete all written records and reports (including progress notes, assessment
reports, intern logs, intern project summary, etc.)
14. Complete all required evaluations of supervisors and the training program