Doctoral Internship in Health Service Psychology
Training Program Aims and Philosophy
CAPS doctoral internship in Health Service Psychology aims to provide extensive clinical training opportunities to psychologist-in-training with an interest in college mental health. The program focuses on the application of clinical theory and research requiring interns to learn ethical, legal, and professional standards of psychology. This is accomplished by giving interns the opportunity to promote proficiency in the nine profession-wide competencies identified by the American Psychological Association. Two interns are accepted into the program each training year.
CAPS follows a practitioner-scholar training model with attention to the developmental stage of the intern. Staff acknowledge that interns enter the program at various levels of skill and experience. The program is designed to assist trainees in becoming more skilled and autonomous in professional functioning through the use of supervision, teaching, and mentoring. Comprehensive supervision is the foundation to CAPS doctoral internship program and includes individual, group, and peer supervision as well as consultation, professional mentorship, and didactic experiences. Every aspect of the internship encourages interns to engage in critical analysis of the impact of individual differences and the importance of exhibiting sensitivity and cultural humility.
In order to accomplish our aims, CAPS provides experiential and didactic training that focuses on the profession-wide competencies as outlined by The American Psychological Association. CAPS doctoral internship is an intentionally structured set of activities including seminars, instruction in evidenced-based treatments, ethics, cultural humility, professional mentorship, and clinician self-care. The primary modality of training is the through the provision of direct clinical services under careful, video-supported supervision by licensed psychologists.
CAPS doctoral internship in Health Service Psychology aims to provide extensive clinical training opportunities to psychologist-in-training with an interest in college mental health. The program focuses on the application of clinical theory and research requiring interns to learn ethical, legal, and professional standards of psychology. This is accomplished by giving interns the opportunity to promote proficiency in the nine profession-wide competencies identified by the American Psychological Association. Two interns are accepted into the program each training year.
CAPS follows a practitioner-scholar training model with attention to the developmental stage of the intern. Staff acknowledge that interns enter the program at various levels of skill and experience. The program is designed to assist trainees in becoming more skilled and autonomous in professional functioning through the use of supervision, teaching, and mentoring. Comprehensive supervision is the foundation to CAPS doctoral internship program and includes individual, group, and peer supervision as well as consultation, professional mentorship, and didactic experiences. Every aspect of the internship encourages interns to engage in critical analysis of the impact of individual differences and the importance of exhibiting sensitivity and cultural humility.
In order to accomplish our aims, CAPS provides experiential and didactic training that focuses on the profession-wide competencies as outlined by The American Psychological Association. CAPS doctoral internship is an intentionally structured set of activities including seminars, instruction in evidenced-based treatments, ethics, cultural humility, professional mentorship, and clinician self-care. The primary modality of training is the through the provision of direct clinical services under careful, video-supported supervision by licensed psychologists.
Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) exists to be a center of excellence in the provision of multidisciplinary mental health services to the UGA student population. We strive to provide services that are student-centered, innovative, and based in the latest science and art of professional practice. We seek to infuse our work with a mixture of best-practices and creativity, balancing treatment with training and education of students, staff and faculty. We endeavor to keep pace with the changing needs of the student population while maintaining a working environment that models and parallels care and respect for each other and the students we serve. We celebrate diversity in all its forms both within the UGA community and amongst our staff.
Our dedication to excellence permeates the multitude of services we provide, ensuring that:
- students receive superlative care rendered in a nurturing and healthy atmosphere,
- our use of technology interfaces with the needs of our client population, and
- the integration of care across the continuum encompasses all aspects of health and wellbeing.
Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) is committed to promoting inclusion. We strive to provide respectful treatment to students of every background and recognize the impact of oppression and marginalization on mental health. We embrace the richness inherent to the intersections of one’s race, ethnicity, nationality, heritage, gender identity and expression, sexual/romantic orientation, ability, religion/spirituality, age, socioeconomic status, body shape/size, as well as other personal and social characteristics. These intersecting factors which comprise an individual’s identity are important in guiding and enhancing the services we provide to our students. We will continue to be a safe and affirming space on campus.
The CAPS doctoral internship is a full-time training experience. Interns engage in 18 hours of direct clinical service, which includes providing individual and group therapy, screenings, crisis management, outreach, and provision of supervision. Additionally, interns receive 8 to 10 hours of training and supervision. Didactic trainings are competency driven and cover topics such as Collaborative Care; Multidisciplinary Consultation; Treating Trauma with EMDR; Utilizing DBT Interventions; Body Diversity and Sizeism; and Working with Clients that Identify as Trans and Gender Non-Conforming. Interns receive two (2) hours of individual supervision and additional supervision in group and the provision of supervision. The remaining 12-14 hours consists of administrative tasks, including recordkeeping and meeting attendance.
Below is a weekly sample schedule for interns that provides guidance on the intern time distribution.
| Direct Service | 18 hours |
| Psychotherapy (individual, group, screening, on-call, outreach, specialization rotation) | 17-18 hours |
| Facilitate Peer Supervision (Fall semester only) | 1 hour |
| Supervision of Practicum Student (Spring semester only) | 1 hour |
| Supervision and Training | 8-10 hours |
| Individual Supervision | 2 hours |
| Group Supervision of Group | .5 hour |
| Supervision with TD | 1 hours |
| Supervision of Supervision | 1 hour |
| Training Seminars | 2-4 hours |
| Professional Development | 1 hour |
| Committee Assignment | 1 hour (optional) |
| Administrative Requirements | 10-12 hours |
| Staff Meeting/Treatment Team | 1 hour |
| Recordkeeping (case notes, service preparation) | 8-10 hours |
| Dissertation/Licensure Preparation Release | 2 hours |
Accreditation Status and Professional Affiliations
Counseling & Psychiatric Services is housed within the University Health Center which is an integrated health care facility accredited by The Joint Commission. CAPS is a member of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) and the Association of Counseling Center Training Agencies (ACCTA). The Psychology Internship is Accredited, On Contingency by the American Psychological Association (APA) and was first accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation (CoA) in June 2024.
“Accredited, on contingency” is granted if the program meets all standards except for the inclusion of all required outcome data on interns in the program and after program completion. To become fully accredited, the program must provide the required data by the time two cohorts have completed the program.
Internship Matching Program: Our site is registered to participate in the APPIC Internship Matching Program. To be considered for our site, applicants must register with the National Matching Services.
Our APPIC member number is 2534
Our APPIC Internship Matching Number Program Code is 253411
Counseling & Psychiatric Services is housed within the University Health Center which is an integrated health care facility accredited by The Joint Commission. CAPS is a member of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) and the Association of Counseling Center Training Agencies (ACCTA). The Psychology Internship is Accredited, On Contingency by the American Psychological Association (APA) and was first accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation (CoA) in June 2024.
“Accredited, on contingency” is granted if the program meets all standards except for the inclusion of all required outcome data on interns in the program and after program completion. To become fully accredited, the program must provide the required data by the time two cohorts have completed the program.
Internship Matching Program: Our site is registered to participate in the APPIC Internship Matching Program. To be considered for our site, applicants must register with the National Matching Services.
Our APPIC member number is 2534
Our APPIC Internship Matching Number Program Code is 253411
Application Process
As a provisional APPIC member, CAPS utilizes AAPI Online, a standardized psychology application and participates in the National Matching Process and Phase II if necessary. We will comply with APPIC polices related to the internship match process, specifically; “This internship site agrees to abide by the APPIC Policy that no person at this training facility will solicit, accept or use any ranking-related information from any intern applicant.” Our APPIC number is 2534.
Interested doctoral candidates should complete the uniform psychology application (AAPI Online) by accessing the AAPI at www.appic.org. Instructions are available at the AAPI Online website.
For information regarding the APPIC National Matching Process, visit: www.natmatch.com/psychint/
CAPS will begin review of applicants on December 1st, 2024. Interview opportunities will be extended by December 13, 2024. Interviews will be conducted by zoom in the third week of December, and the first week of January. Successful candidates will be notified on Match Day 2025. Anticipated start date: August 1, 2025.
As a condition of employment, all new employees of CAPS are required to successfully pass a background check, including a verification of authorization to work legally in the United States, per the University System of Georgia policies.
Successfully matched candidates must also apply for the Doctoral Intern-UHC positions on the UGA employment website http://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings; matched applicants will be informed of the related details after Match Day.
Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Human Resources (https://hr.uga.edu/). Please do not contact the department or search committee with such requests.
As a provisional APPIC member, CAPS utilizes AAPI Online, a standardized psychology application and participates in the National Matching Process and Phase II if necessary. We will comply with APPIC polices related to the internship match process, specifically; “This internship site agrees to abide by the APPIC Policy that no person at this training facility will solicit, accept or use any ranking-related information from any intern applicant.” Our APPIC number is 2534.
Interested doctoral candidates should complete the uniform psychology application (AAPI Online) by accessing the AAPI at www.appic.org. Instructions are available at the AAPI Online website.
For information regarding the APPIC National Matching Process, visit: www.natmatch.com/psychint/
CAPS will begin review of applicants on December 1st, 2024. Interview opportunities will be extended by December 13, 2024. Interviews will be conducted by zoom in the third week of December, and the first week of January. Successful candidates will be notified on Match Day 2025. Anticipated start date: August 1, 2025.
As a condition of employment, all new employees of CAPS are required to successfully pass a background check, including a verification of authorization to work legally in the United States, per the University System of Georgia policies.
Successfully matched candidates must also apply for the Doctoral Intern-UHC positions on the UGA employment website http://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings; matched applicants will be informed of the related details after Match Day.
Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Human Resources (https://hr.uga.edu/). Please do not contact the department or search committee with such requests.
EEO Statement
“The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.”
“The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.”
Eligibility
- Completion of all required coursework and practicum experiences in a counseling or clinical psychology doctoral program prior to the start of internship.
- Successful completion of comprehensive examinations and dissertation proposal prior to February 2024.
- Completion of at least 450 hours of documented direct, supervised clinical service prior to the application deadline.
- Ability and willingness to submit to and pass a criminal background check.
- Experience in a University Counseling Center.
- Background and/or interest in working in an interdisciplinary medical and behavioral health setting.
- Commitment to providing multiculturally-informed services with understanding of the impact of salient intersecting identities on a student’s experience accessing and navigating health care systems.
External Training Contracts
Some doctoral programs require their students to have additional training contracts and evaluations completed by their internship programs. Our internship program provides comprehensive evaluative feedback to interns. Copies of completed evaluations are provided to academic programs at the mid-point and end of the internship year. If you are enrolled in a program that requires additional training contracts and evaluations, the Academic Training Director is encouraged to contact the Senior Associate Director – Clinical Services & Training to discuss the possibility of an agreement regarding external training contracts prior to applying to CAPS internship program.
Some doctoral programs require their students to have additional training contracts and evaluations completed by their internship programs. Our internship program provides comprehensive evaluative feedback to interns. Copies of completed evaluations are provided to academic programs at the mid-point and end of the internship year. If you are enrolled in a program that requires additional training contracts and evaluations, the Academic Training Director is encouraged to contact the Senior Associate Director – Clinical Services & Training to discuss the possibility of an agreement regarding external training contracts prior to applying to CAPS internship program.
Program Salary and Benefits
The doctoral internship salary is $37,000 paid bi-weekly. Among other things, interns receive subsidized health (medical, dental, and vision) benefits. Details are discussed during UGA Employee Orientation and may also be obtained by contacting UGA Human Resources. Each intern has an office, phone, computer, printer, and audio/visual equipment. Interns have access to a departmental printer, copier, and scanner. The University observes 13 holidays [New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (2 days), and observes a 5 day Winter break. In addition to University holidays, interns accrue annual leave at a rate of 10 hours/month and sick leave at a rate of 8 hours/month.
The doctoral internship salary is $37,000 paid bi-weekly. Among other things, interns receive subsidized health (medical, dental, and vision) benefits. Details are discussed during UGA Employee Orientation and may also be obtained by contacting UGA Human Resources. Each intern has an office, phone, computer, printer, and audio/visual equipment. Interns have access to a departmental printer, copier, and scanner. The University observes 13 holidays [New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (2 days), and observes a 5 day Winter break. In addition to University holidays, interns accrue annual leave at a rate of 10 hours/month and sick leave at a rate of 8 hours/month.
Requirements for Successful Internship Completion
Formal performance evaluations occur at the end of January and the end of July of the training year. Primary supervisors assess the intern’s level of proficiency on the nine-profession wide competencies using the Intern Competency Assessment Form. Informal, mid-semester discussions, including all involved supervisors, occur in order to provide interns with information regarding clinical skill and professional development.
Formal performance evaluations occur at the end of January and the end of July of the training year. Primary supervisors assess the intern’s level of proficiency on the nine-profession wide competencies using the Intern Competency Assessment Form. Informal, mid-semester discussions, including all involved supervisors, occur in order to provide interns with information regarding clinical skill and professional development.
Benchmarks for Successful Completion of Internship Program
- Completion of 2,000 total training hours.
- Completion of 500 direct clinical hours.
- Completion of two formal case presentations to CAPS staff.
- Timely completion of all recordkeeping.
- Adherence to APA ethical guidelines and to the rules and regulations of the Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists and relevant laws in the State of Georgia.
- At the final performance evaluation (July), the intern must average a 3 or above across each competency cluster.
Supervision
The foundation of CAPS doctoral internship program is its extensive supervision practices. At the start of each semester of the internship year, each intern is assigned an individual supervisor and receives two (2) hours of individual supervision each week. Interns also participate in one hour of weekly supervision with the Senior Associate Director – Clinical Services & Training once per month. Interns assigned to group facilitation receive group supervision and interns providing supervision receive supervision of supervision. For more information on clinical supervisors, please view our meet the staff webpage.
The foundation of CAPS doctoral internship program is its extensive supervision practices. At the start of each semester of the internship year, each intern is assigned an individual supervisor and receives two (2) hours of individual supervision each week. Interns also participate in one hour of weekly supervision with the Senior Associate Director – Clinical Services & Training once per month. Interns assigned to group facilitation receive group supervision and interns providing supervision receive supervision of supervision. For more information on clinical supervisors, please view our meet the staff webpage.
Program Disclosures
| Does the program or institution require students, trainees, and/or staff (faculty) to comply with specific policies or practices related to the institution’s affiliation or purpose? Such policies or practices may include, but are not limited to, admissions, hiring, retention policies, and/or requirements for completion that express mission and values? | _____ Yes __X__ No |
| If yes, provide website link (or content from brochure) where this specific information is presented: | Not applicable |
Internship Program Admissions
| Briefly describe in narrative form important information to assist potential applicants in assessing their likely fit with your program. This description must be consistent with the program’s policies on intern selection and practicum and academic preparation requirements: | |||
| The UGA CAPS Doctoral Internship Program currently offers two full-time internship positions. Students interested in applying should submit an online application through the APPIC website (www.appic.org) using the APPIC Application for Psychology Internships (AAPI). A complete application consists of the following materials:
To be considered for the internship program, all application materials must be received by the date noted in the current APPIC directory listing. Applicants are required to have a master’s degree and to have passed their comprehensive exams by the ranking deadline for the National Match. |
|||
| Does the program require that applicants have received a minimum number of hours of the following at time of application? If Yes, indicate how many: | |||
| Total Direct Contact Intervention Hours | Yes | No | Amount: 450 |
| Total Direct Contact Assessment Hours | No | No | Amount: N/A |
| Describe any other required minimum criteria used to screen applicants: | UGA CAPS will base its selection process on the entire application package as listed above. Applicants who meet the following qualifications prior to beginning internship are considered preferred:
|
||
Financial and Other Benefit Support for Upcoming Training Year*
| Annual Stipend/Salary for Full-time Interns | $37,000 | |
| Annual Stipend/Salary for Half-time Interns | N/A | |
| Program provides access to medical insurance for intern? | Yes | No |
| If access to medical insurance is provided: | ||
| Trainee contribution to cost required? | Yes | No |
| Coverage of family member(s) available? | Yes | No |
| Coverage of legally married partner available? | Yes | No |
| Coverage of domestic partner available? | Yes | No |
| Hours of Annual Paid Personal Time Off (PTO and/or Vacation) | 120 | |
| Hours of Annual Paid Sick Leave | 80 | |
| In the event of medical conditions and/or family needs that require extended leave, does the program allow reasonable unpaid leave to interns/residents in excess of personal time off and sick leave? | Yes | No |
| Other Benefits (please describe): | Additional professional leave time | |
| *Note. Programs are not required by the Commission on Accreditation to provide all benefits listed in this table | ||
|---|---|---|
Initial Post-Internship Positions
| 2022-2023 | 2023-2024 | |||
| Total # of interns who were in the cohorts | 2 | 2 | ||
| Total # of interns who did not seek employment because they returned to their doctoral program/are completing doctoral degree | 1 | |||
| PD | EP | PD | EP | |
| Academic teaching | ||||
| Community mental health center | ||||
| Consortium | ||||
| University Counseling Center | 1 | |||
| Hospital/Medical Center | ||||
| Veterans Affairs Health Care System | ||||
| Psychiatric facility | ||||
| Correctional facility | ||||
| Health maintenance organization | ||||
| School district/system | ||||
| Independent practice setting | 1 | 1 | ||
| Other | ||||
| Note: “PD” = Post-doctoral residency position; “EP” = Employed Position. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|