The Training Program

Overview

The University of Tennessee Counseling Center has been a training site in counseling and clinical psychology since the early 1960's, and the predoctoral internship program has been accredited by the American Psychological Association since 1980. Each year, four predoctoral interns are selected from APA accredited graduate programs in counseling and clinical psychology through the National Matching Service.

Philosophy of Training

The predoctoral internship year is the culmination of a formal education process through which trainees learn to apply the breadth of psychological knowledge to their professional roles. The basis of the training program is a Developmental Apprenticeship model that has as its overarching goal the professional growth of the psychology intern.

An apprenticeship is a developmental model of movement into a field. It implies a formal contractual relationship between an individual and a trainee in which both entities have certain responsibilities and rights. The apprentice serves under the direction and training of a qualified individual(s) who is responsible for the training, inculcation of values, and the quality of work produced by the apprentice. As this model is applied, interns are provided with the necessary training, teaching, supervision, modeling and mentoring to meet their professional and personal goals.

The focus of training is on the developmental process as interns are provided with the knowledge, skills and experience needed for doctoral level positions in psychology. This is accomplished by assessing the developmental level of interns, then progressing from appropriate structured supervision, co-therapy, co-presentations, etc., to greater autonomy through the course of the year. Interns are asked to reflect on their previous experiences and consider their own level of skill and professional development in a variety of settings, including case conferences, supervision and training seminars. Interns are encouraged to take an active role in designing their training, to set goals, to build on the skills they bring, and to acquire intermediate to advanced skills that are essential in the profession. During the initial weeks of the internship year, interns begin developing an Emphasis Agreement, an individualized agreement between the intern and the Center delineating a structured plan to gain experience and skill in particular areas. This plan may be revised anytime during the year.

Interns receive extensive training and supervision while participating in a broad range of activities that occur in university counseling centers. The Center offers training opportunities that help interns further develop their clinical skills, awareness of ethical principles, and professional identity in order to prepare them to function as generalists in applied settings. In an effort to reach these goals, interns are trained and supervised in providing clinical services, supervision, consultation, and outreach, as well as teaching and working within a larger organizational system. While the majority of training occurs in the context of supervision and service delivery, interns also participate in seminars, lectures, and case conferences to complement their training and prepare them for entry-level positions.

The training staff believes that personal development and maturity are cornerstones of professional competence and identity. So along with professional growth, personal growth also is encouraged. In a system that provides both support and challenge, interns are encouraged and supported in the process of becoming mature practitioners.

Goals

Goal #1: Clinical Competence
To produce new professional who are competent in various treatment modalities, including individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, intake and crisis intervention.

Goal #2: Providing Clinical Supervision
To produce new professional who have the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to function as competent clinical supervisors to trainees in psychology.
 
Goal #3:  Outreach and Consultation
To produce new professionals who are competent in providing outreach, consultation and liaison services.

Goal #4: Multicultural Competence
To produce new professional who will have knowledge, skill and clinical competence in working with diverse populations

Goal #5: Ethical and Legal Issues
To produce new professional who demonstrate knowledge and ability to adhere to legal and ethical guidelines and professional standards for clinical practice.

Goal # 6: Issues in the Profession of Psychology
To support the intern in developing an awareness of professional/personal issues that fosters a maturing professional identity as a psychologist.