Program Goals and Competencies

Goal 1: To increase interns’ expertise and experience in clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment to standard of Readiness for Entry Level Practice. Specifically, by the conclusion of internship, interns will demonstrate the ability to:

• effectively and independently utilize assessment procedures, including interview and other standardized assessment procedures in routine cases;
• independently monitor treatment efficacy using evidence-based methods;
• forge therapeutic relationships and independently deliver evidence-based treatments with fidelity in typical/uncomplicated cases;
• independently recognize and maintain appropriate ethical and legal standards in conducting diagnostic, assessment, and therapeutic activities, relying on supervision for more complex and atypical situations.

Goal 2: To produce interns who are ready to attain Readiness for Entry Level Practice in conducting clinically relevant research. Specifically, by the conclusion of internship, interns will demonstrate the following competencies:

• formulate research questions, conduct critical reviews of the scientific and/or clinical literature, select and apply appropriate research methods and statistical analyses, critically interpret findings, integrate findings with relevant literature, and adhere to APA ethical standards in the conduct of research;
• analyze relevant data and produce an original research paper (involving either secondary analysis of existing data or original data collection) in a format and style suitable for submission to an appropriate professional journal;
• orally disseminate research findings, specifically as reflected by making an effective oral research presentation (of either the research conducted during internship or a practice “job talk”) during the internship’s Research Seminar.

Goal 3: To increase interns’ clinical communication, interpersonal and professionalism skills, and interdisciplinary consultation to facilitate multi-disciplinary relationships with patients as well as other health professionals. Specifically, by the end of internship interns will demonstrate the ability to independently:

• make an effective and informative scholarly presentation of a clinical case (including a summary of relevant literature and assessment and intervention utilization) within the internship’s clinical case conference;
• effectively communicate and collaborate skills with psychologists and other health professionals within their training sites, relying on supervisory consultation in complex or atypical situations;
• demonstrate professional attitudes, values, and behavior consistent with the traditions of the profession, including (but not limited to) self-reflection to determine the need for additional or supplementary training, cultural humility, and integrity.  

Goal 4: To increase interns' ability to independently conduct all professional activities with sensitivity to human diversity, including the ability to deliver high quality services to an increasingly diverse population. Specifically, interns will, at a Readiness for Entry Level practice:

• demonstrate competence (e.g., establish rapport, maintain therapeutic relationships, effectively deliver services, conduct ethically responsible research) with typically underserved groups (which may include historically under resourced and exploited communities, racial/ethnic minority populations, older adults, veterans, and trauma exposed patients, among others) whose identities and values may differ from their own.