Training Program: Accreditation
The Internship training program at the Counseling Center is accredited by the American Psychological Association. The Counseling Center is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services (IACS). The APA Committee on Accreditation may be reached at:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC
20002-4242
Phone: 202-336-5979
Components and Sequencing of Training
Intern training in the applied areas is sequenced in an apprenticeship type model, and throughout the year the complexity and difficulty of responsibilities gradually increase. The internship year provides training in a comprehensive developmental manner, that is, comprehensive by including all of the functions of a university psychologist and developmental in that the tasks are sequenced in level of difficulty and degree of independence.
The components of training include: supervision (individual and group); weekly seminars, which include Intern Seminar and a Diversity Seminar; informal consultation with training director and faculty. Interns work closely with faculty through co-therapy arrangements (individual, couples, and group), and co-presentations of workshops.
In terms of the sequencing of training, in the fall semester interns initially apprentice with senior staff in doing client intake sessions. Following 2-3 weeks of this training, interns are ready to do intakes independently. In addition, fall activities usually include interns doing group co-therapy with faculty, and co-presenting outreach workshops with faculty or other interns. Supervision of interns takes into account developmental stages of professional identity development and confidence levels. The intern consultation activities are also developmentally sequenced. Emergency walk-in duty and supervision of practicum trainees are scheduled in the spring term. Dissertation research is strongly supported here and interns are encouraged to spend up to 4 hours per week on the same. There is also support for job search and other professional development activities.