Training competent, generalist, entry- level heath service psychologists who are prepared to work in a variety of professional settings is the primary intent of the St. Louis Psychology Internship Consortium. Our program is designed to train interns to meet the broad range of demands placed on psychologists by facilitating the development of core professional competencies. Our intention is that upon the completion of their internship year, our intern graduates will have acquired entry-level professional skills and will be well-qualified, highly desirable candidates for appointments in a variety of clinical settings and postdoctoral training programs.
Consistent with a Scientist-Practitioner model of training, the program aims to develop health service psychologists who utilize the scientific method and are able to integrate scientific research in the professional practice of psychology in the context of client characteristics, culture, and preferences. Scientific skills that inform clinical practice include a hypothesis testing approach to clinical practice, application of specific research to practice, use of empirically supported assessment and treatment approaches, and the systematic collection and analysis of information in clinical investigation. We encourage interns to examine the efficacy of their work with their clients and to consult the research literature for guidance regarding not only which treatment approaches are best suited to particular problems, but to inform their understanding of multiple systems (e.g., family systems, organizational, cultural). While formal research opportunities are not available during the internship training year, the primary emphasis is providing clinical supervision that is informed by current research and producing psychologists whose generalized and specialized clinical practice incorporates current research findings and is conducted with a scientific temper.
The Aims of the Internship Program are as follows:
Aim 1: To produce entry-level professionals who are able to provide quality assessment and treatment services to clients from diverse backgrounds.
Aim 2: To produce entry-level professionals who engage in effective, intentional collaborations with individuals or groups to address a problem, seek knowledge or promote effectiveness in professional activities and are able to provide entry-level clinical supervision.
Aim 3: To produce entry level professionals who adhere to the highest levels of ethical and professional behavior in all aspects of their work.
Aim 4: To produce entry-level professionals who are able to critically evaluate research and scholarly works, provide professional presentations, and who are able to competently integrate scientific research into the professional practice of psychology.
Consistent with the Aims of our program and with the APA Standards of Accreditation, interns are expected to demonstrate competence in:
- Research
- Ethical and legal standards
- Individual and cultural diversity
- Professional values, attitudes, and behaviors
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Assessment
- Intervention
- Supervision
- Consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills
