The Connections Internship Consortium Program is Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association.
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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 Email: apaaccred@apa.org
Intern Experience
CIC is committed to providing a high quality, broad-based clinical training experience to our Interns. The CIC program assures that clinical and professional development occurs through experiential learning, as well as the provision of clinical services combined with scholarly inquiry. The CIC training approach is generalist in nature and prepares Interns to function within a multidisciplinary setting. There is a strong emphasis on evidence-based training and practice, and Interns are exposed to best-practices through a variety of training, supervisory, and structured learning opportunities. Interns are provided the opportunity to develop skills in the provision of individual, family, and group therapy, as well as crisis management services, to children and adolescents ranging in age from 6 - 22 who present with a wide variety of emotional and behavioral issues. In addition, there is a focus on providing training and skill development in the areas of multicultural competence in clinical work, professional consultation and supervision, and adherence to codes of professional conduct and ethics.
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The CIC Training Program provides a planned, programmed sequence of training experiences with the primary focus being on assuring breadth and quality of training.
The Doctoral Internship program utilizes the practitioner-scholar model of training. Rather than the production of original research, the model of training emphasizes the development of professional competencies that are based on current research, scholarship, and practice. Interns have access to a professional library of books, journals, and videos and are urged to critically evaluate current theory, research and practice when approaching their clinical tasks.
Training
In addition to individual and group supervision opportunities, CIC Interns participate in weekly Structured Learning Activities covering a broad range of topics. These Structured Learning Activities are provided by professionals from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds, and take place both within the CIC Intern cohort, as well as within the school-specific clinical teams.
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Participation in 4.5-5 hours/week of Structured Learning Activities, including, Case Conference Seminar, Intern Seminar, Family Therapy Seminar and Consultations, and Psychiatric Consultation.
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Intern Seminar (4 hours/week) focused on review of various clinical cases and issues related to the field of professional psychology, including ethics, legal issues, diversity factors, differential diagnosis, theoretical orientation, research, and supervision methods.
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Case Conference Seminar (1.5 hours/week) focused on case formulation, formal case presentations, and integration of understanding of clinical diagnosis and family dynamics. Each Intern will present a case in Case Conference Seminar two to three times per year. This seminar is facilitated by licensed clinical psychologists with a strong focus on didactic training in evidence-supported clinical interventions and modalities.
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Family Therapy Seminar (1.5 hours/month) with a Marriage and Family Therapist.
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All Staff Developmental Training (1.5 hours/week) covering relevant educational, therapeutic and milieu topics.
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Ongoing consultation with multi-disciplinary staff, including an Art Therapist, Music Therapist, Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists.
Sequence of Training
The Internship training year is designed sequentially such that Interns build competence and become more independent under supervision as the year progresses. The Intern training sequence occurs in four phases:
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The first phase is the didactic phase, which involves a one-week, detailed series of presentations regarding the policies and procedures of the Connections Internship Consortium and the clinical training department.
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The second phase of training is site orientation, which allows Interns to become familiar with their work setting and school staff from various disciplines.
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During the third phase of training, Interns receive their own cases and work with their supervisors regarding the disposition of the cases.
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The fourth phase involves increasingly independent, supervised work on the part of the intern. The Intern may be expected to serve as a leader in clinical staffings and team meetings, develop special treatment programs for their students, complete crisis assessments, and develop more in-depth conceptualizations of emotional and social functioning of students on their caseload.
Supervision
Throughout the training year, Interns are provided with a multitude of individual and supervision opportunities, with a variety of multidisciplinary professions.
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Individual supervision (2 hours/week) with two licensed clinical psychologists. Live supervision will be used, including review of audio/video taped sessions, in vivo observation, co-therapy and other modalities.
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Clinical Team Group Supervision (1 hour/week) with two licensed clinical psychologists.
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Intern Seminar Group Supervision (at least 1 hour/week) which focuses on various topics including professional development, psychological assessment, diversity factors, etc.
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Assessment Supervision/Group Supervision (on going basis) focused on review of current assessment topics, as well as assessments being completed by the Interns
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Bi-weekly case consultation with a CIC Board Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist on issues related to psychopharmacology.
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Bi-weekly case consultation with a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
SUPERVISION
OUR PROGRAMS