Program Expectations
The internship program is completed in 12 months. Interns exit the program upon completion of approximately 2000 hours of clinical training, which includes:
- 1000 hours of direct clinical service
- 4 hours per week of supervision (2 of which are individual supervision)
- Satisfactory completion of 6 psychological testing batteries
- Participation in a minimum of 3 live supervision therapy sessions (which can include audio/video tape, 1-way mirror, and/or supervisor in session)
- Presentation in several forums on a scholarly topic
- Participation in clinical rotations that correspond to program placement
- Participation in at least 2 outreach events.
Direct service is any clinical service and activities involved with the delivery of direct service other than routine paperwork. This includes face-to-face clinical encounters, crisis consultation by phone, observation sessions, assessment protocols, special report writing, phone contact with other clinicians working on the case, phone contacts with other parties (e.g., follow-up with parents, school departments, etc.), and case conferences and similar meetings. Not included: routine documentation, filing records, time spent drafting case presentation materials, research projects, seminars, and travel time to and from sites.
All interns are expected to work for the contracted number of hours per week, Monday through Friday. With the exception of scheduled trainings, group supervision, case consultation group and staff meetings, interns schedule their own appointments.
Interns are expected to attend all scheduled trainings, group supervision meetings, and staff meetings, or otherwise notify the training/group/meeting facilitator, who has sole discretion to permit or deny absence. Interns are expected to complete all training and supervision projects or assignments given by a supervisor such as, but not limited to, literature reviews, case presentations, or reports, within the deadlines set by the supervisor.
In addition, interns are expected to meet all performance requirements of the program, such as maintain a clinical caseload set by their supervisor, deliver assigned clinical services at a level that is suitable for an intern in clinical psychology, and maintain appropriate clinical records.
If an intern fails to meet these standards, the due process procedure enables specific remediation procedures to be implemented and places responsibility on both the trainee/intern and training program to correct any difficulties. The due process procedure protects you in ensuring that additional training is provided and that you are not surprised later with poor evaluation on an error you were not given a chance to remediate. Please refer to the due process procedure for more information, which addresses due process for problematic conduct, as well as for grievances against the internship program and/or the supervisory team.
Documentation Requirements
Interns are expected to complete all documentation in a timely manner. Please refer to the Santa Clara County Department of Mental Health Clinical Record Documentation Manual for Outpatient Mental Health Services for specific requirements.
Presentations
Interns are also required to be on a rotation for case presentation in their group supervision meetings, and facilitate one training in a clinical didactic group, one training in an assessment didactic group, and one training for the Behavioral Health Department at AACI.
Upon completion of the training program, you will be issued a certificate of completion listing the date of completion. This document will be useful when applying for licensure, board certification, or additional certification.
