The Ohio Psychology Internship Program

The Ohio Psychology Internship (OPI) is an APA-accredited consortium of Northeast Ohio agencies committed to the quality training of psychology interns. OPI has been a member of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) since 1998 and participates in the National Match. Previously known as NEOUCOM Psychology Internship, the internship formally changed to Ohio Psychology Internship on July 1, 2006.

Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

For further information, contact:

Tara Toscano, Psy.D., Training Director, Ohio Psychology Internship Program
Deborah R. Walsh, Ph.D., Program Director, Ohio Psychology Internship Program

In conjunction with the consortium agencies, Ohio Psychology Internship Program is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The internship agrees to abide by the APPIC Policy that no program representative will solicit, accept or use any ranking-related information from any intern applicant before Uniform Notification Day.

Click to view the Internship Brochure

Internship Admissions, Support, and Initial Placement Data

The Ohio Psychology Internship Program

Ohio Psychology Internship (OPI) has two distinct 40-hour a week tracks (2,000 hour internship): Outpatient Forensic Services/Community Corrections, and Corrections: State Prisons. Applicants can choose to apply for one or both of the tracks but interns will be matched with one track to be in all internship year (interns do not rotate between the sites). It is common for outpatient forensic track interns to work beyond the 40-hours a week to complete documentation or evaluations. This tends to occur on a voluntary basis based on additional opportunities being requested by the intern. Didactic trainings occur in 3-hour blocks, at least twice a month, which allows for exposure at each facility and supervisors from various facilities. Each track offers various short- and long-term individual and group treatment opportunities. Each interns' weekly schedule includes:

2 separate hours of individual supervision
1 hour of track-specific group supervision
1 hour of group supervision for the whole cohort
Documentation time each day
Treatment planning each day
Direct contact hours with clients, which varies based on intern interest and track
Interdisciplinary meetings in the form of grand rounds, staff meetings and/or meetings with referral sources
Time allotted for evaluations and report writing that can be used for documentation if no evaluation is scheduled/preferred

The Program Philosophy…

The program's philosophy is to provide each intern with sequential and graded training through a wide range of psychological experiences, thereby identifying and highlighting the areas of competence necessary to become a well-rounded clinician. Interns practice in the areas of assessment, evaluation and individual, group, family, and marital treatment, yet family and marital treatment opportunities are more limited. Licensed psychologists supervise all interns with an emphasis on shadowing and modeling. Along with the above experiences, interns attend staff meetings, case conferences, seminars, and workshops.

Training Model…

The Ohio Psychology Internship Program follows a Community Based Practitioner Model. The internship is a consortium of agencies representing different facets of the community mental health system. Interns are trained to work as psychologists within a community mental health services continuum. Interns gain exposure to clients as they experience different layers of the mental health system. For example, interns may work with a client recently discharged from an inpatient hospital into outpatient services at a community mental health center. Similarly, interns can work with clients in a community-based correctional facility and continue services in an outpatient community agency. The consortium agencies provide training in a continuum of community-based care:

Least restrictive to most restrictive level of care
Voluntary treatment to court-ordered to incarcerated
Adjustment disorders to severe mental illness
Early adulthood through gerontology clients
Crisis to outpatient to incarcerated to return to the community

Interns choose sites based on primary training interests and are exposed to all community-based treatment levels through didactic seminars and joint case presentations.
Interns are provided training experiences that enable them to enter employment in various community and correction settings – including a wide range of community forensic services, inpatient treatment, community mental health, and correction facilities. Interns have also been offered positions in forensic waiver post-doctoral programs post-internship!

Rotations, Positions, and Range of Activities

Number of Rotations and Positions

Currently, there are eight full-time positions available through the Ohio Psychology Internship.

Six interns can match with Summit Psychological Associates’ Outpatient Forensic Services for the full year and have opportunities for training at Oriana House (community corrections).
Two interns can match with Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction in State Prison(s) for the full year.

OPI Tracks & Tours

The Training Director and OPI Training Committee review applications for meeting general requirements for the internship: Readiness for the internship is verified by the graduate program director of clinical training, a minimum of 300 Intervention Hours and 50 Assessment Hours are completed, a preference is given to applicants from APA accredited graduate programs and to applicants with a Master’s Degree in a counseling, clinical or school psychology degree. Supervisors also review applications from the track of interest for a good match in applicant interests and training goals, and a good fit with previous experiences. Applicants identified as a good fit for the program are offered an interview. The supervisors conduct interviews for the track where the applicant has indicated an interest. The interview process includes required attendance at a two-hour informational session and an individual interview per track, and optional attendance at an open house with current interns. The Ohio Psychology Internship Program will not discriminate against any person or group of persons based on their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, national origin, age, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental handicap or disability, veteran status, or because they are a disabled veteran.

Intern Range of Activities

In order for interns to become well-trained psychologists, competency in a variety of specific clinical areas must be developed. To ensure that these competency levels are attained, the Internship Training Committee has established a number of requirements that each intern must complete. These requirements cover a wide range of site-specific activities and responsibilities generally expected of psychologists. The following are covered in the internship requirements:

Psychological Assessments (varied based on site/interest)
Group Therapy
Individual Psychotherapy
Multidisciplinary Team Participation
Ethical Considerations
Agency Administration
Forensic Psychology
Multicultural Issues

Specific tasks in each category must be completed during the 2,000 hour internship year. Each intern works closely with their assigned supervisor in refining the necessary skills to complete these requirements with quality and professionalism.

Seminars, Benefits, and Procedures

In addition to the individual instruction provided by each intern’s supervisor, the training committee has coordinated a series of seminars. These required seminars cover various clinical topics and offer supervisors and clinical staff exposure from all consortium agencies. Training seminar topics include forensic assessment and treatment, supervision, ethics, diversity training, psychology of sex offenders, sex offense treatment, supervision, providing expert witness testimony, working with clients who have an intellectual and/or developmental disorder, and others. Interns are encouraged to suggest ideas for additional seminar topics that meet their specific training needs. Though most didactics are conducted via Microsoft Teams, interns will travel between sites at least quarterly for didactics or other activities.

Interns are also encouraged to take advantage of the many workshops offered by area professionals and national organizations, including the Ohio Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association. Attendance at these workshops is arranged by the intern, with the approval of their supervisor. Two days of leave time are provided to each intern to attend workshops.

Benefits and Procedures

Stipend and Benefits

The stipend for interns is $32,000 for 12 months. A comprehensive medical insurance and basic life insurance plan are available, with the intern paying a portion. Worker’s Compensation is provided. Interns are required to show proof of malpractice insurance which can be purchased through an APA-endorsed policy at student rates, provided to student members of APA, or can be a part of their university coverage.

The internship is 12 months in duration, beginning July 1 and ending June 30. A total of 10 days are provided for sick, personal, or vacation days. Interns are also given two extra days (16 hours) of leave time beyond sick and vacation time to use for a conference, dissertation, graduation, post-doc/job interviews. Arrangements and approval for these days off are made through the intern’s supervisor and the Training Director. The observance of national holidays is determined by the intern’s placement site and is in addition to the ten days the internship provides. National holidays off varies at each site.
Profession Wide Competencies

According to Implementing Regulation C-8 I. Profession-Wide Competencies, interns across APA-accredited internships must meet the below standard for each element of each profession wide competency (PWC) to complete a doctoral internship program:
Minimal Level of Achievement for completion of Internship is “Readiness for Entry Level Practice” defined as:
1. the ability to independently function in a broad range of clinical and professional activities;
2. the ability to generalize skills and knowledge to new situations; and,
3. the ability to self-assess when to seek additional training, supervision, or consultation.

Profession Wide Competencies

(i) Research
• Demonstrates the substantially independent ability to critically evaluate and disseminate research or other scholarly activities (e.g., case conference, presentation, publications).
• Disseminate research or other scholarly activities (e.g., case conference, presentation, publications at the local (including the host institution), regional, or national level.

Each intern will be required to present a workshop to one of the internship sites or community and receive a rating that determines readiness for entry-level practice. The topic and format of the workshop should be developed with the site supervisor.

Each intern is also required to give a research presentation to the intern group in the third and/or fourth quarter of the internship year. The presentations consist of an informal, 15 minute oral presentation on the following possible topics: research completed by the intern in the past; ongoing research being completed by the intern; scholarly review of literature; detailed description of an evidence based treatment procedure and/or detailed case study of an intern’s client including how research was utilized in making treatment choices. Interns are encouraged to present current research on topics related to working in a community setting and topics of interest to the intern group.

(ii) Ethical and legal standards
• Be knowledgeable of and act in accordance with each of the following:
o the current version of the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct;
o Relevant laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing health service psychology at the organizational, local, state, regional, and federal levels; and
o Relevant professional standards and guidelines.
• Recognize ethical dilemmas as they arise, and apply ethical decision-making processes in order to resolve the dilemmas.
• Conduct self in an ethical manner in all professional activities.

(iii) Individual and cultural diversity
• An understanding of how their own personal/cultural history, attitudes, and biases may affect how they understand and interact with people different from themselves.
• Knowledge of the current theoretical and empirical knowledge base as it relates to addressing diversity in all professional activities including research, training, supervision/consultation, and service.
• The ability to integrate awareness and knowledge of individual and cultural differences in the conduct of professional roles.
• The ability to apply a framework for working effectively with areas of individual and cultural diversity.
• The ability to work effectively with individuals whose group membership, demographic characteristics, or worldviews create conflict with their own.

(iv) Professional values, attitudes, and behaviors
• Behave in ways that reflect the values and attitudes of psychology, including cultural humility, integrity, deportment, professional identity, accountability, lifelong learning, and concern for the welfare of others
• Engage in self-reflection regarding one’s personal and professional functioning; engage in activities to maintain and improve performance, well-being, and professional effectiveness.
• Actively seek and demonstrate openness and responsiveness to feedback and supervision.
• Respond professionally in increasingly complex situations with a greater degree of independence as they progress across levels of training.

(v) Communications and interpersonal skills
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals, including colleagues, communities, organizations, supervisors, supervisees, and those receiving professional services.
• Demonstrate a thorough grasp of professional language and concepts; produce, comprehend and engage in communications that are informative and well-integrated.
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and the ability to manage difficult communication well.

(vi) Assessment
• Demonstrate current knowledge of diagnostic classification systems, functional and dysfunctional behaviors, including consideration of client strengths and psychopathology.
• Demonstrate understanding of human behavior within its context (e.g., family, social, societal and cultural).
• Demonstrate the ability to apply the knowledge of functional and dysfunctional behaviors including context to the assessment and/or diagnostic process.
• Select and apply assessment methods that draw from the best available empirical literature and that reflect the science of measurement and psychometrics; collect relevant data using multiple sources and methods appropriate to the identified goals and questions of the assessment as well as relevant diversity characteristics of the service recipient.
• Interpret assessment results, following current research and professional standards and guidelines, to inform case conceptualization, classification, and recommendations, while guarding against decision-making biases, distinguishing the aspects of assessment that are subjectxive from those that are objective.
• Communicate the findings and implications of the assessment in an accurate and effective manner sensitive to a range of audiences.

Each intern will develop familiarity with clinical interviews and assessment instruments appropriate for use with the populations of their rotation sites. The assessment or evaluation can include psychological testing based on the needs of the consortium site and the client. A list of possible instruments is included for illustration. Please note: the list of a specific test in any area does not imply that its use will constitute an adequate clinical assessment of the area. What constitutes an adequate assessment will depend upon the clinical/referral question, the characteristics of the client and the needs of the agency. Any use of psychological tests must be decided in consultation with your supervisor.

(vii) Intervention
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with the recipients of psychological services.
• Develop evidence-based intervention plans specific to the service delivery goals.
• Implement interventions informed by the current scientific literature, assessment findings, diversity characteristics, and contextual variables.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply the relevant research literature to clinical decision making.
• Modify and adapt evidence-based approaches effectively when a clear evidence-base is lacking.
• Evaluate intervention effectiveness, and adapt intervention goals and methods consistent with ongoing evaluation.

Interns will gain experience in providing individual and group therapy (14-16 hours per week). Interns are encouraged to become familiar with the crisis management activities that are performed at their rotation sites. When possible, he/she/they should participate in these activities under the close supervision of their supervising psychologist.

(viii) Supervision
• Apply supervision knowledge in direct or simulated practice with psychology trainees, or other health professionals. Examples of direct or simulated practice examples of supervision include, but are not limited to, role-played supervision with others, and peer supervision with other trainees.
• Apply the supervisory skill of observing in direct or simulated practice.
• Apply the supervisory skill of evaluating in direct or simulated practice.
• Apply the supervisory skills of giving guidance and feedback in direct or simulated practice.

(ix) Consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills
• Demonstrate knowledge and respect for the roles and perspectives of other professions.
• Apply the knowledge of consultation models and practices in direct or simulated consultation with individuals and their families, other health care professionals, interprofessional groups, or systems related to health and behavior.
Chief Intern Position
Each year interns select a Chief Intern to attend and actively participate in the Ohio Psychology Internship Training Committee. The Chief Intern is provided time away from their rotation site to attend all Training Committee meetings. The duties and responsibilities of the Chief Intern are as follows:
- Greet and introduce presenter at seminars.
- Take intern attendance at all seminars.
- Attend all Training Committee meetings.
- Represent the interns' concerns to the Training Committee and act as a liaison between the Committee and the interns.
- Provide leadership to interns.
- Assist in recruitment of interns.
- Assist in planning for internship activities such as interviews and graduation.
Qualifications and Application Procedures
Admission to the Ohio Psychology Internship Program is open to qualified individuals. In our effort to create a learning environment that builds on the unique characteristics of trainees and welcomes diversity, applicants of all minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants are expected to have appropriate preparation from a clinical or counseling psychology program. To be considered for admission, a prospective intern should fulfill the following requirements:
1. Submit a completed APPIC application for the Psychology Internship by the deadline date of the second Friday in November.
2. Submit official transcripts demonstrating evidence of completing a master’s level program, plus all required course work in clinical or counseling psychology for a doctoral program at an accredited university.
3. Attend an two-hour informational session, if offered an interview.
4. Participate in an interview, per site, to evaluate the applicant’s suitability for training.
5. Provide three letters of recommendation: preferably from clinical supervisors and other professionals familiar with the intern’s character and clinical level of expertise.
Ombudsperson

In keeping with the desire of the Ohio Psychology Internship Program to provide appropriate channels for the resolution of grievances and to promote advocacy, the role of the ombudsman has been developed. The ombudsman's role assists the interns in resolving concerns with the Internship Program.