The University of Akron

Counseling, Testing and Career Center

Pre-doctoral Psychology Internship

Accredited by the American Psychological Association

THE SETTING

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

The University of Akron (UA) was originally established as Buchtel College by the Ohio Universalist Convention in 1870.  The University of Akron became a state university in 1967 and enjoys local, regional, national and international responsibilities and influence.  UA has the third-largest principal campus enrollment in Ohio and is one of the 50 largest universities in the country. 

The University of Akron enrolls over 22,600 students who come from 41 states and 68 other countries to study in one of 10 degree-granting colleges and professional schools.  Thirty eight percent of the students are over the age of 25, approximately 15% are students of color, and about 3% are international students.

Located in Northeastern Ohio, the 218-acre urban campus has 82 buildings and has recently undergone a major renovation.  This new $300 million landscape for learning includes new buildings, improved campus access, and the creation of inviting, park-like open spaces.  The Counseling, Testing and Career Center recently moved to a new building, Simmons Hall, which houses many of the Student Affairs offices.  UA is located in the medium sized city of Akron, and is 35 miles south of Cleveland.   The area offers diverse communities, thriving arts and cultural opportunities, and major sporting events.  Both cities have extensive metro park systems and in between them is the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. 

The University of Akron has been approved by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since 1914, and was recently re-accredited at the highest level as a comprehensive doctoral degree-granting institution.
 

COUNSELING, TESTING AND CAREER CENTER

Description

The Counseling, Testing and Career Center is a full-service, university counseling agency and is part of the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. It is staffed by six psychologists, three interns, and six to eight practicum students.  CTCC is located in 306 Simmons Hall.  CTCC is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services and is a member of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers, the Association of Counseling Center Training Agencies, the Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors and the Association of Coordinators of College Counseling Center Clinical Services. The Center's pre-doctoral internship program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association.

The Center provides a wide range of psychological counseling, therapy, career counseling, testing, outreach and consulting services to the University community. The Center is operated by The University of Akron primarily for use by University students. Its programs and services are designed to meet the needs of the diverse student population. The Center adheres to legal, professional and ethical standards of the Ohio Psychology Law and Rules of the Board, the American Psychological Association's Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2002), and the Accreditation Guidelines of the International Association of Counseling Services. While maintaining high standards, the Center is progressive and innovative in approach, constantly evaluating and modifying services to meet the changing needs of the University community.
 

Statement of Mission

The mission of the Counseling, Testing and Career Center is to utilize the knowledge of the sciences of human behavior to provide a broad spectrum of programs and services for the University community. The Center's orientation is multicultural, educational, developmental and preventive rather than medical or remedial; however, quality remedial counseling and crisis intervention are provided. The Center seeks through its educational and group programs, consulting function, training, research, and outreach activities to create a more positive interaction between the student and his/her physical, social and educational environment.

The Counseling, Testing, and Career Center is a department within the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.  Staffed by psychologists, it is not identified with a particular academic department, but enjoys a collaborative relationship with the APA-accredited Collaborative Program in Counseling Psychology.  Students enjoy a neutral environment when seeking assistance with a variety of problems which may interfere with effective functioning in and out of the classroom.  There are many opportunities for productive interaction between the Center and all components of the University community. Strong efforts are made to convey to students the attitudes of acceptance, understanding, concern for her/his well-being and willingness to help with a problem whether it concerns study skills, selection of a major, interpersonal relations, discrimination/harassment, anxiety, loneliness, suicidal feelings, depression or other problems.

With its emphasis on helping students plan and achieve maximum benefit from their educational, social, vocational, and other University experiences, the mission of the Counseling, Testing and Career Center is directly related to the mission and goals of The University of Akron, and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. 
 

THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

A STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY/EDUCATIONAL MODEL
 

The staff of the Counseling, Testing and Career Center is deeply committed, professionally and ethically, to the field of psychology. An essential outgrowth of this professional identification is a strong commitment to meet our responsibilities in the preparation of skilled psychologists who are multiculturally competent. We advocate a Practitioner-Scholar model of training. The program recognizes the interacting influence of the practice and the science of psychology. We believe that the education of skilled psychologists is accomplished through providing applied experiences and training which integrates the science of psychology and human behavior. Interns are expected to think critically, and utilize current research in their provision of mental health services. The training of interns occurs within an environment which recognizes the unique developmental needs of each intern.

We believe that an agency like ours, which provides a wide range of psychological services to a diverse clientele, is an ideal setting for the practical training of psychologists. To benefit most from this experience, the trainee must have completed the academic requirements of the doctoral degree, excluding the dissertation. He/she must possess adequate skills of the profession of psychology and be prepared to integrate the theoretical and applied aspects of the science and art of the profession. Accordingly, we treat these future psychologists as colleagues. This collegial atmosphere is an essential trademark of the Center's philosophy of training. The entire professional and support staff endeavors to make the interns feel as if they are professional members of the staff.

The Staff of the Counseling, Testing and Career Center is dedicated to training beyond the professional commitment to turn out competent psychologists. We are motivated further by a desire for excellence, both in the nature of our training and in the future professional behaviors of our trainees. In the quest for excellence we have identified 15 areas of professional proficiency which we expect our interns to demonstrate. These areas are:

Counseling and psychotherapy
Psychological assessment
Identification of psychopathology
Intake interviews
Career counseling
Alternative therapy modalities
Educational counseling
Crisis intervention
Consultation
Referral
Ethical and professional behavior
Program development and presentation skills
Research
Administration
Supervision

We further expect the interns to identify and develop other areas of proficiency based on their own interests. We expect the interns to work at some level with all members of the professional staff to expose them to a wide variety of professional specialties, competencies, and styles. Throughout the course of training, our goal is to provide a complete professional experience while being sensitive to each intern's special needs. In order to do this, a maximum of 50 to 60 percent of the intern's time is spent in direct service delivery and case management activities, with much of the remaining time representing some form of supervision or training activity.

A major element of the Center's training philosophy is the belief in the essential goodness of human diversity. Therefore, the training program is designed to increase the intern's appreciation of diversity, broadly defined, including gender, race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, SES, religion, age, and physical and mental abilities. In addition, the Center’s training philosophy is imbued with a commitment to understanding the impact of the sociopolitical context on the mental health and well-being of the individuals and communities it serves. The Center's client population is reflective of the university community's diverse make-up and allows for interns to integrate multicultural issues in their professional work. Interns have the option of focusing on specific areas of difference in order to meet their individual needs. To summarize, the purposes of the training program at the Counseling, Testing and Career Center are:

1. To provide an individualized experience that will prepare the intern for the role of psychologist.
2. To integrate academic and theoretical knowledge of psychology with the practical application of the science and art of the profession.
3. To involve the intern in the wide range of professional activities of a university counseling center in order to guarantee a well-rounded training experience.
4. To maximize the professional and ethical excellence of our interns as future psychologists.
5. To increase the intern's appreciation of human differences and his/her multicultural competency.
 
Statement on Trainee Self-Disclosure

CTCC chooses to adhere to Standard 7.04 of the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2002) by identifying our expectations of trainees with respect to self-disclosure of personal information during training.  We do not require trainees to self-disclose specific personal information as a matter of course.  However, our training model is one that values both personal and professional development.  We believe that becoming a competent and ethical psychologist often involves exploration of those experiences that have shaped one’s worldview.  In both individual and group supervision, CTCC staff seek to create a safe environment for trainees to willingly engage in the process of self-examination in the service of their training and in the service of their clients.  This process may involve trainee self-disclosure of personal information as it relates to the trainee’s clinical work and/or professional development.  Thus, trainees at the CTCC can expect to engage in some degree of self-exploration in the context of safe supervisory relationships as a means of furthering their professional development.  As noted in the Ethical Principles, we may require self-disclosure of personal information if “the information is necessary to evaluate or obtain assistance for students whose personal problems could reasonably be judged to be preventing them from performing their training- or professionally related activities in a competent manner or posing a threat to the students or others (APA, 2002).” 

American Psychological Association (2002). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct.  American Psychologist, 57, 1060-1073.

 

THE ELEMENTS OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM

SERVICE ACTIVITIES

The major service activities of the Counseling, Testing and Career Center and a brief description of each follow:

Personal-emotional counseling addresses issues such as anxiety, depression, adjustment to college, and self-esteem; harmful involvement with alcohol and drugs; interpersonal relationships (family of origin, dating partners, and roommates); identity development and/or societal oppression; and personality development.

Career counseling involves helping individuals integrate themselves in a complex, developmental process. This integration might include psychological and/or vocational assessment, addressing diversity issues, gathering career information, and/or decision-making. Career counseling is done in groups and individually and may also utilize standardized testing and/or computerized guidance and information programs.

Educational counseling focuses on educational goals, motivation, attitudes, abilities, learning disabilities and the development of effective study habits and skills.

Group educational programs are offered in numerous areas, including stress management, study skills, career development, race relations, communication skills, sexuality, and eating disorders.

Outreach and consultation are activities which provide psychoeducational services to the campus community. Programs on topics such as test anxiety, cultural diversity, conflict resolution, career planning, date rape, and sexual orientation are presented to a variety of campus agencies and student groups. Consultation is also done with individuals, groups, and offices on campus to meet the unique needs of each consultee.

Testing services include a wide variety of assessment including standardized, national testing (e.g., ACT, GRE; PRAXIS); career assessment (e.g., SII, 16PF, MBTI), learning disability assessment (e.g., WAIS-III, WCJ-III), and personality assessment (e.g., MMPI-2, PAI).

Interns are expected to participate in all of the areas of service activity.
 

TRAINING ACTIVITIES

The training activities are designed to unfold in a systematic and developmental fashion. The style of supervision becomes less structured as the intern's experience at the Center increases. The topics of intern training are organized to provide instruction in essential clinical skills first. Likewise, Intern Orientation is presented in the summer prior to the academic year, exposing the intern to office and training procedures, other offices and departments on campus, and various referral sources both inside and outside of the university community. The interns should feel their competence, knowledge and confidence increase as the year unfolds. The categories of training activities are detailed below.

Intern Orientation

A structured orientation to the internship begins the first week of the internship and lasts approximately two weeks. Additional orientation programs are scheduled throughout July and August. Intern orientation covers administrative details, overviews of all service and training activities, overviews of the optional specializations, and visits to common referral sources.  Introductory training is also provided on services interns will be expected to provide early in their internship (e.g., intake, crisis intervention, learning disability assessment.)  Intern orientation is led by the Training Director with the participation of all of the professional staff.

Individual Supervision

A minimum of two hours per week are spent in one-to-one contact with a psychologist. Assignments of supervisors are made by the Training Director with the input of the entire professional staff and the individual interns. Every effort is made to match personal and professional interests, styles, and needs to maximize the effectiveness of the supervisory dyad. The direct supervision focuses on individual case management, case conceptualization and the professional growth of the intern. Supervision includes audio-tape critiques.  Video-taping is available, as well.  Supervisory assignments are made in July and January. Interns will typically have a different supervisor each six-month period.

Intern Training

Weekly 1-3 hour didactic/experiential sessions are part of the training experience for interns at the Counseling, Testing and Career Center.  The meetings provide training in the fifteen competencies required of the interns. These meetings include orientation and instruction in the specific procedures and services of the Center. Meetings with the interns are also designed to cover special topics as determined by the needs and interests of each intern class.  The meetings also include a research, topical and case presentation by each intern.  Meetings are scheduled to reflect the developmental growth of interns throughout the year.   The expertise of the entire staff is utilized as well as outside guest lecturers. Evaluation by the interns is required, and this information is used in program planning for the following year.  Interns will also accompany staff to Psychiatry Grand Rounds at Akron General Medical Center and Summa Health Systems approximately six to eight times per year for interdisciplinary intern training in mental health.

Supervision of Supervision

A one to two hour meeting of interns and the Assistant Training Director, or other professional staff member is scheduled weekly to provide instruction, critique and direction in the supervision of advanced practicum students from The University of Akron’s doctoral program in counseling psychology. Theoretical models and specific techniques of supervision will be presented. These sessions may also include role-playing and audio- and videotape critique of the interns supervising advanced practicum students. Evaluation by the interns is required, and this information is used in planning for the following year.

Group Supervision

A one hour meeting between the interns and the Training Director, or another professional staff member, will occur weekly.  Group supervision will focus on the service activities of the interns, as well as their professional growth and adjustment.

Research Group

Meetings will be held with a professional staff member and the interns to encourage and support their research efforts, especially their dissertations.  Interns may choose to collaborate with the research group on research projects.  Past projects have resulted in presentations at conferences and publication. 

Recent conference presentations have included:

Geelhoed, R. J., Phillips, J. C., Fischer, A. R. Shpungin, E., & Gong, Y. (2006).  Authorship decision making: An empirical investigation.  Poster presented at the 114^th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, New Orleans, LA.

Phillips, J. C., & Choi, J. (2006). Beyond the tenure track: Careers for counseling psychologists in colleges and universities.  Roundtable discussion facilitated at the 2006 Great Lakes Conference, West Lafayette, IN.

Phillips, J. C., Campbell, D., Esty, D., & Beri, R. (2005). Applying for internship: An insider’s guide.  Roundtable discussion facilitated at the 2005 Great Lakes Conference, Bloomington, IN.

Beri, R., Esty, D., Campbell, D., & Phillips, J. C. (2005). Trends in counseling center clients’ distress levels.  Poster presented at the 2005 Great Lakes Conference, Bloomington, IN.

Additional Supervision and Specializations

Each intern is able to spend additional time in contact with a professional staff member to diversify his/her experience.  Staff members can share a particular expertise, help to create a specialization, or supervise specific activities (e.g. staff member may supervise an intern co-leader of group therapy or a couple for ½ hour per week during the time the service is being provided).  Interns are encouraged to schedule additional supervision experiences during slower service times and must have the prior approval of the Training Director.  Interns may specialize in one area of their choosing pending availability of senior staff to supervise the specialization.  In the past, interns have specialized in Cultural Diversity, Eating Disorders, Learning Disability Assessment, Supervision and Training, Research, and Administration.  Activities that comprise specializations are varied, with the flexibility to accommodate both intern interests and CTCC needs. Examples of specialization activities for the Cultural Diversity are listed below.

Cultural Diversity Specialization

The purposes of the cultural diversity specialization are:

1. to make the intern knowledgeable and appreciative of cultural diversity,
2. to provide individual counseling and therapy experience with persons of diversity,
3. to do consultation with organizations and individuals regarding aspects of diversity,
4. to provide outreach programs concerning diversity,
5. to develop the intern's skills in providing training related to multicultural issues.

This specialization provides involvement with culturally diverse individuals and groups, beyond the involvement which is expected of all interns. This specialization may include interaction with the Office of Multicultural Development, Pan African Studies, the Office of International Programs, the Academic Achievement Programs, the Office of Accessibility, the Department of Women's Studies and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Union.

An orientation program about the Cultural Diversity specialization will be provided for the interns, led by the staff member designated to coordinate the specialization. The coordinator and the intern will plan the specifics of the specialization.  The Coordinator will provide feedback to the Training Director summarizing and evaluating the intern's experience.
 

Staff Development Programs

Periodically throughout the year, didactic and/or experiential presentations are provided for the professional staff and the interns. These programs are coordinated by a Staff Psychologist. The contents of these programs are determined with staff and intern input and generally address current topics and issues in the field of psychology, as well as innovative ideas and techniques. For example, past program content has included Ethical Decision Making, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, as well as updates on new versions of psychological tests and measures (e.g., WAIS-III, WCJ-III, EDI-III).
 

Clinical Meetings

Interns also participate in a biweekly clinical meeting with all senior staff psychologists.  Cases are presented and discussed by all participants.  Clinical issues, policies, and procedures are also addressed.
 

Individual Learning Opportunities

The intern is encouraged to pursue relevant professional experiences within her/his assignment at the Counseling, Testing and Career Center. These experiences might include visits to other agencies, presentations to the staff, the pursuit of individual research, participation in the training of practicum students, and/or participation in local, state and national professional organizations and activities. Part of the Center's travel budget is set aside each year for use by the interns. These pursuits are subject to approval by the individual supervisor, the Training Director and the Director. 

EVALUATION
 

Evaluation of the performance of the intern is an ongoing process. Formal evaluation sessions are scheduled in December and June. While primarily the responsibility of the individual supervisor, all of the Center's staff participates in the evaluation of each intern. Interns actively participate in their evaluation, and may appeal their evaluations or portions of them.

An Intern Planning Sheet may be used each semester to aid the intern in completion of the competencies.  Evaluation is based on the fifteen proficiencies identified previously, utilizing the following guidelines for proficiency:

1. Basic competency in counseling and psychotherapy is evidenced by the ability to establish a helping relationship with diverse clients, regardless of the time or the philosophical model of the treatment. Interns are expected to be able to provide multiculturally competent counseling to clients with a wide range of problems, and are expected to engage in developmental and preventive counseling as well as remedial counseling. Attention is paid to the process and the outcome of the counseling, and the intern is expected to recognize and practice within his/her limitations.

2. Basic competency in psychological assessment is evidenced by the ability to administer, score, and interpret a variety of tests and inventories (e.g., the Strong Interest Inventory, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-II, the PAI,
the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III, the Woodcock-Johnson III) in a multicultural context.

3. Basic competency in the identification of psychopathology is evidenced by the ability to accurately identify pathology within the framework of the DSM-IV, including culturally relevant information.

4. Basic competency in intake interviews is evidenced by the ability to connect with diverse clients, identify and clarify the presenting concern, obtain the necessary history, assess the severity and determine a treatment strategy.

5. Basic competency in career counseling is evidenced by the ability to identify and dispel career planning myths, place career issues in a multicultural context, integrate personal issues as warranted, initiate and incorporate client self-information with selected career information, and help to encourage an appropriate decision-making approach.

6. Basic competency in alternative therapy modalities is evidenced by the ability of the intern to identify the need for and utilize additional therapeutic treatments such as group therapy and relationship counseling.

7. Basic competency in educational counseling is evidenced by an understanding of the academic advising process, an ability to teach study skills, an ability to work with learning disability concerns, and an ability to refer to the appropriate academic service or department on campus.

8. Basic competency in crisis intervention is evidenced by the ability to identify the crisis, to establish consultation with one's supervisor or a senior staff psychologist, to affectively support the client, to do lethality assessments, to build support and structure in the client’s life, and to resolve the crisis.

9. Basic competency in consultation is evidenced by the ability to establish a consultative relationship with, and to provide appropriate assistance to, diverse individuals, groups or campus units in defining and solving a work-related problem, or providing outreach programs to meet their needs.

10. Basic competency in referral is evidenced by a thorough knowledge of local referral agencies and the ability to contact and arrange appropriate referrals to diverse groups of clients.

11. Basic competency in ethical and professional behavior is evidenced by a thorough knowledge of the APA code of ethics and other relevant ethical statements and the ability to utilize this knowledge in ethical decision-making, the ability to control personal stress and emotions, and the ability to interact in professional and interpersonally competent ways with colleagues. 

12. Basic competency in program development and presentation skills is evidenced by planning and presenting new programs to diverse groups on campus or in the community.

13. Basic competency in research is evidenced by participation in at least one research project, which may include the intern's dissertation, and presentation of this project to CTCC staff.

14.  Basic competency in administration is evidenced by participation in weekly staff meetings and biweekly clinical meetings, committee assignments and involvement in Center policy discussions, as well as by managing one’s work related obligations in an effective manner.

15.  Basic competency in supervision is evidenced by successful participation in clinical supervision with a doctoral student in a counseling psychology advanced practicum, identifying the student’s strengths and growth edges in a developmental, multicultural, and interpersonal context, and contributing to his/her professional growth.
 

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

SAMPLE WORK WEEK

A sample work week, which will vary by time and by intern, is provided below.  Using some vacation time to engage in professional activities such as dissertation work, attendance at professional conferences, and interviewing for professional positions allows interns to complete a 2000 hour internship.  In order to protect the training program budget, the interns are required to use all their vacation days prior to the termination of the internship. The interns are asked to schedule vacation days so as not to conflict with scheduled training activities. 

Training Activities

1-2       hours Intern Training or Staff Development
1-2       hours Supervision of Supervision (mid July – mid May)
0-1       hour Research Support Group
1          hour Group Supervision
2          hours Individual Supervision
0-1       hours Additional Supervision

5-8       hours Training hours - Subtotal
 

Professional Activities

14        hours Individual Counseling and Therapy/Psych Assessment/Crisis
2          hours Intake (3 clients)
0-2       hours Supervision of Practicum Student (late August – early May)
1.5       hours Staff Meeting
0-1       hour Consultation
0-2       hours Alternative Therapy Modalities (Couples or Group + Supervision)
0-2       hours Outreach/Programming
2-5       hours Case Management
2          hours Administration
0-2       hours Research (more time is available in the summers and over breaks)

30-32 hours Professional Activities in any given week- Subtotal

40 hours Total Weekly hours

MINIMAL EXIT REQUIREMENTS
 

In order to provide a common core experience for all interns, to evidence competency in the fifteen required skill areas and to allow as much flexibility for individualization of the internship experience as possible, the Counseling, Testing and Career Center articulates minimum experiences in each of the competency areas. Interns will experience considerably more than the minimum in most skill areas. The Internship Planning Sheet allows the intern, with the approval of his/her supervisor, to specify the balance of activities he/she plans to pursue each semester while still meeting the minimum requirements in all areas.  The minimal exit requirements are: 
 

Attainment of the minimal exit requirements shall be determined by a combination of intern input, Training Director input, supervisors' input and verification by the Intern Activities Summary.

SUPERVISORY ASSIGNMENTS
 

Interns will typically have two primary supervisors during the year. The first supervisory match is made at the beginning of the internship. During the first month of the internship, each intern is scheduled to meet with the senior staff to discuss theoretical orientation, professional interests, supervisory style and developmental needs. The Training Director and the senior staff will recommend supervisory matches with the input of the intern while balancing CTCC needs. Initial supervisory assignments are in effect through December 31.

At the end of Fall semester the interns are asked to rank order their top three choices for supervisor. These confidential rankings are given to the Training Director who attempts to maximize the number of "first choice" selections. Interns are encouraged to request a different supervisor. Assignments made at this time are in effect until the end of the internship. The final assignments for both semesters are based on interns' preferences, perceived training needs and availability of senior staff.
 

COMMITTEES

The Training Committee

The Training Committee is composed of six members: the Training Director, the Assistant Training Director, a full-time staff member and three interns. The full-time staff member is appointed by the Director in consultation with the Training Director. The Training Director is the Chairperson of the Training Committee.

The purpose of the Training Committee is to contribute to the Counseling, Testing and Career Center's training program. To this end, the Training Committee is assigned the following functions:

1. To aid in the coordination of the training program.

2. To recommend policy provisions of the training program.

3. To offer programming suggestions for the training activities.

4. To monitor the training program.

5. To participate in the ongoing planning of the training program.

6. To participate in the evaluation of the training program.

7. To suggest changes in the training program.
 

The Training Progress Committee

The Training Progress Committee is made up of the entire professional staff. It meets quarterly to evaluate the overall progress of the center trainees. The meetings at mid-terms are informal evaluations and those at the end of Fall and Spring semesters are formal, written evaluations.

Intern Selection Committee

The Intern Selection Committee is established each fall to coordinate the process of intern selection for the following year. The Committee is comprised of the Training Director, the Assistant Training Director, the interns, and others of the staff who have shown an interest, appointed by the Training Director.

COMPLETION OF THE INTERNSHIP
 

Successful completion of the internship is defined by the fulfillment of three basic expectations.  First, intern must show successful integration of professional standards into one's professional behaviors, and the acquisition of the 15 competency skills delineated in the training manual.  If both of an intern's supervisors and the Training Director agree that these two expectations have been met, and that there is no serious interpersonal deficit which prevents the intern from performing in a reliable, professional manner, then the intern shall be given a certificate signifying the satisfactory completion of the internship. Interns requesting accommodations for a disability must present written documentation to the Training Director who will then consult the Director and with appropriate university personnel regarding accommodations to be provided. A formal process has been established in order to protect the intern from capricious and arbitrary negative evaluations. The details of that process are as follows.

The Evaluation Process

Interns receive ongoing feedback and evaluation by the nature of the supervisory process. At the end of each six-month period (December and June), a formal evaluation is completed by the supervisor and by the Training Progress Committee (of the intern's professional competencies), and by the intern (of the supervisor). These evaluations are discussed by supervisor and intern, are signed by both and copies are given to the Training Director. Potential concerns and growth areas are discussed. The Training Progress Committee also does informal evaluations of the interns at midterm of each semester. The Supervisor communicates these evaluations to the intern. Dissatisfaction with any evaluation, formal or informal, on the part of the intern may be brought to the attention of the Training Director. The Training Director will meet with the supervisor and the intern and will make a decision resolving, if possible, the dissatisfaction. If the intern does not feel the issue has been resolved, he/she may proceed to the grievance process (see section below).

Difficulties in Completing the Internship

Difficulties will be communicated informally between the supervisor and/or Training Director and the intern as they arise.  Remediation strategies will be suggested.

When the supervisor feels that professional standards have not been integrated, professional competencies have not been demonstrated, and or emotional stability is not evident, and the informal remediation strategies have not resolved the situation, he/she will indicate this in writing.  The written indication can be on the intern's evaluation forms and/or a separate document, any or all of which are presented to the Training Director.  If the Training Director determines that the concern is legitimate, he/she will inform the intern and the intern's departmental training director in writing.  The Training Director will meet with all involved parties.  The Training Director, after appropriate investigation and consultation (the intern, the departmental training director, the supervisor, and the senior staff) will make a decision which may take the following four forms:

1. To dismiss the concern.

2. To present the intern with specific behavioral conditions for the continuation of internship.

3. To suspend the intern temporarily from some or all of his/her activities until specified steps are taken.

4. To terminate the internship.

The Training Director's decision, including any specific step and conditions, will be communicated to the intern and his/her departmental training director in writing.  If the Training Director is involved in the difficulty, the Director will appoint a Training Director designee.  The intern then has one week (7 days) to appeal the decision to the Training Grievance Committee.

Intern's Dissatisfaction with a Staff Member

If the intern has concerns and/or accusations about the behavior of any staff member, she/she should first notify his/her supervisor.  If the concern cannot be resolved at this level, the intern and the supervisor should inform the Training Director, who, after appropriate investigation and consultation, will make a decision resolving the problem.  If the situation is not rectified to the intern's satisfaction, he/she may take the matter to the Training Grievance Committee.  In the case of legal or harassment concerns, the intern is entitled to pursue University of Akron reporting procedures available through Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Office and/or reporting procedures of the State of Ohio Board of Psychology.

The Grievance Process

The Director will appoint a replacement for the Training Director to sit on the Grievance Committee.  The Training Progress Committee plus this replacement for the Training Director will constitute the Grievance Committee.  The most senior staff member of the Training Committee will serve as chair of the Grievance Committee.  Only uninvolved parties may sit on this committee.  The Director will appoint appropriate replacements for involved persons.  In the case that the Director is involved, the Senior Associate Director will make the necessary appointments.  The Grievance Committee will investigate the concern and communicate with all involved parties prior to reaching a decision.  They will then render a decision in the form of a recommendation to the Director, who will then make the final decision.  If the intern continues to be dissatisfied with the resolution, he or she may then file a grievance with the Contract Professional Grievance Committee.  The following article is used as a reference in such situations:
 

Lamb, D. H., Presser, N. R., Pfost, K. S., Baum, M. C., Jackson, V. R., and Jarvis, P. A. (1987). Confronting professional impairment during the internship: Identification, due process, and remediation, Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 18, 597-603.

TRAINING STAFF AND INTERNS
 

The staff of the CTCC represents a diversity of professional experience, expertise, and interests. Listed below is a brief description of each member of the staff.

Past Psychology Interns

TRAINING FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

The Counseling, Testing and Career Center facilities in Simmons Hall 306 include seven offices designated for training purposes. Each intern is assigned her/his own office. Each office is equipped with a telephone, furnishings, and audio cassette tape recorders and with a personal computer which is networked to the mainframe and a laser printer. A large group room and a conference room are available for intern meetings, staff development, and group counseling. Video equipment is available for the taping and playback of counseling sessions.
 

STIPENDS AND BENEFITS
 

The stipend for the internship is $19,653. The interns are classified as contract professionals and, as such, are entitled to a full benefits package including medical and dental coverage, sick leave, life insurance, tuition remission for dependents, retirement credit, and 22 days of vacation.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURES
 

Applicants to the Internship Program are asked to submit:

1. The APPIC Application for Psychology Internship, including the verification of readiness form.

2. A formal cover letter, including a description of your short and long term goals, how The University of Akron’s internship will assist you in meeting those goals, and any additional information about your specific interest in this site.

3. The University of Akron standard employment application form.

4. A current vita.

5. Three letters of recommendation, (no more than four) with at least two coming from persons familiar with your clinical performance.

6. Official transcripts of all of your graduate work.

7. The deadline for the submission of an application is November 14, 2006.

8. Our program code is 150111.

9. Please note that per Ohio Law Sections 2909.32-2909.34, as employees of the State of Ohio and as a condition of beginning employment, on the first day of internship, interns will have to certify that they have not provided “material assistance” to a terrorist organization (as listed on the US State Department’s Terrorist Exclusion List) by completing the Declaration Regarding Material Assistance/Nonassistance to a Terrorist Organization.  Please see http://www.homelandsecurity.ohio.gov/general_info.asp for more information.

Candidates needing application materials can obtain them from our website at www.uakron.edu/counseling.