The Ohio Psychology Internship Program

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 (80 hours) 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, post-doc/job interviews or other professional development activities. 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.

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 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. Documentation, including the rating form completed by a supervisor, regarding this presentation (outline of content, to whom it was presented, and any handouts used) must be turned in to the Training Director by June 30th.

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.

     In the first quarter, thoroughly review Ohio Rules and Laws Governing Psychology and Ethical Principles of Psychologists. Copies of these materials will be provided on the internship drive or can be provided by the Training Director.

     Engage in ongoing dialogue with supervisor(s) regarding legal ethical considerations in services being provided. Interns are obligated to bring ethical dilemmas to a supervisor's attention in a timely manner.

(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 testing 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 site and the client. A list of possible instruments is included in the internship handbook. 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. Testing material available is based on the services provided and referral questions answered at the site.

(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. 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.

Interns will attend a didactic on providing supervision in the first quarter. During the second and third quarter, all interns are required to engage in role plays, acting as the supervisor based on vignettes provided. This experience will be processed in individual and group supervision and allow the opportunity for continued discussions to hone in on these skills. If there is a determined need or request for additional role play opportunities, these can occur during the fourth quarter.

(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.

     Interns will gain experience consulting regularly with other relevant professionals and/or referral sources to solicit information as to the client’s functioning in activities and to offer recommendations pertaining to each team member’s therapeutic role in the treatment process.

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.

Admission to the Ohio Psychology Internship  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 listed on the APPIC directory 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 informational session hosted by the Training Director, if offered an interview.
4. Participate in an individual interview 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.

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.