Clinical Psychology Traineeship

Position Description

Timetable 

A placement within Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) includes seeing Ohio University student clients from a variety of backgrounds and with a variety of concerns. Trainees will provide counseling to on-going individual clients, as well as crisis/drop-in coverage. The opportunity to process, observe, or co-facilitate a group is available. 

We at CPS believe that training future practitioners is part of our mission and therefore encourage you to participate in activities we are engaged in and which meet your own interests and career plans. We provide up to two hours of weekly one-on-one supervision per trainee. We also provide trainees with one and a half hours of weekly group supervision and continuing education through our graduate professional seminar.  

Sample Weekly Schedule for a Trainee

• Two hours of individual supervision  
• One hour of supervision prep  
• One and a half hours of graduate professional seminar 
• 6-8 hours of individual client contact  
• Two hours of drop-in/initial contact and referral  
• Two hours of paperwork  
• Maximum of two hours for other training experiences as assigned (e.g., outreach, group therapy, etc.)  

Policy and Procedures 

Please see Training Policies and Procedures for all information regarding taping, documentation of clients and supervision. 

Supervision 

Individual clinical supervision (two hours per week through fall and spring semesters). 

Trainee supervision is a priority of the program and is geared to the trainee's developmental needs. Each trainee receives a minimum of two hours of individual supervision weekly. One supervisor is a licensed psychologist and the other is a pre-doctoral psychology intern (supervised by a licensed psychologist). In addition, other staff members contribute supplementary supervision on an as-needed basis.

Trainees are evaluated at the end of each academic semester over their two-semester experience by their ongoing supervisors. This evaluation, as well as their evaluation of supervision, are shared with the Psychology Department. At the end of the academic year, competency review forms will be completed by the licensed primary supervisor and shared with the Psychology Department. Evaluation is discussed in more detail in the evaluation section of the Training Policies and Procedures. 

Philosophy of Training 

CPS offers a Clinical Psychology Traineeship based on a developmental mentorship training philosophy. Our program is designed to build upon previously acquired skills and knowledge, fostering the competencies for delivering professional psychological services. We provide graduated learning opportunities with increased responsibility as the year progresses and focus on the developmental process and transitions of trainees as they move from student/learner in the classroom to learner/practitioner in the field. 

The basic components of our training program are:

1. A strong emphasis on the growth process of the trainees throughout their experience of socialization into the field of professional psychology
2. The amount and quality of supervision and mentoring the intern receives from experienced clinicians.

For doctoral students in the clinical psychology program who do elect to pursue a traineeship at our clinic, this means they will have an opportunity to grow as practitioners through intensive hands-on experience, with a great deal of supervision, mentoring, and consultation, in a supportive environment, with a seminar that integrates shared clinical experiences that puts a high premium on valuing diversity among people. Any trainee coming to CPS would work within this value. 

The multicultural staff at CPS recognize that many factors including race, ethnicity, range of ability, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, culture, socioeconomic status, and other unique challenges are salient in students' lives. It is our commitment to welcome all people with respect and sensitivity.

CPS values all identities and we value students in all their individuality. 

Benefits

1. A high quality training experience in a HIPAA-compliant environment
2. Flexibility and responsiveness to meet individual training needs
3. Supervision from an appropriately licensed professional
4. A minimum 25% of training time spent in direct service provision

Eligibility

• Enrolled in Ohio University's clinical psychology program
• Completion of first two years of supervised courses

A complete description of entrance criteria is provided in the Training Policies and Procedures. 

Application Process

1. Inform director of clinical training, Dr. Julie Suhr, of interest in the position during the preceding spring semester
2. Complete the Clinical Psychology Traineeship Application form.
3. Submit the following information to Assistant Training Director Chad Wilt or to the front desk staff on the third floor of Hudson Health Center.
   1. Curriculum vitae or resume 
   2. Transcripts (may be unofficial; your DARS report may suffice) 
4. Please have your Advisor or Program Director complete the Department Applicant Permission Form.

If you have questions or concerns, contact Chad Wilt, LPCC-S, Assistant Director for Training.