Mid Coast Psychology Internship Consortium (M.C.P.I.C.)

Internship Program at California Men’s Colony (CMC):
3 Full Time Funded Positions Available

The internship program at California Men’s Colony focuses on providing an experience designed to help interns hone their clinical and diagnostic skills, as well as develop a professional identity. The underlying philosophy of the training program is that clinical practice within a correctional setting involves the same core clinical skills and knowledge base as professional practice in general. Interns will have the opportunity to refine their assessment, treatment, and consulting skills while gaining clinical experience designed to leave them qualified to work in any number of employment settings, while at the same time emphasizing the specialty area of correctional psychology. Inmates receiving mental health services are treated in an outpatient setting and include both acute and chronic mental illness. Exposure to this population includes dealing with substance abuse issues, medication and treatment compliance issues, problems associated with Activities of Daily Living, and assessing suicide and violence. A major goal of the program is to help interns gain the ability to integrate multiple sets of data into a case conceptualization or formulation. Intern will also have the opportunity to gain training and experience in differential diagnosis, chronic mental illness, working with patients from various cultures and ethnic backgrounds, psychopathy, and malingering of psychopathology. In addition, they will learn about mental illness associated with criminal behaviors, and the subsequent legal and ethical issues that ensue.

Major Rotations : The internship year is divided into three, 4-month rotations: Treatment; Crisis Assessment and Intervention; and, Psychological Testing. Rotation schedules will be decided at the beginning of the internship year by the Training Director based on the intern’s past experience and current needs.

Mini-rotations: Mini-rotations may be included and will be developed according to an intern’s individualized learning plan with their primary supervisor. Examples of placements include the Developmental Disabilities program, learning and preparing a variety of forensic evaluations and specialized reports and brief mental health screenings.

Didactic Training: Didactic trainings are held every Friday at one of the MCPIC facilities and last approximately 2 ½ hours. Additionally, one Friday training is usually held in Fresno and is all-day event. These monthly trainings are generally geared as CE’s for mental health professional who pay to attend. However, due to special arrangement with the Fresno Campus of Alliant International University, our interns attend for free. Please note these trainings are not optional; they are required as part of the internship year. As such, this training time is counted as part of you hours for internship.

Special Requirements of Applicant: Must have prior training and/or courses in Assessment/Psychological Testing. Must have some clinical interviewing experience. It is preferable, but not necessary, for the applicant to have had some exposure to forensic/correctional psychology. The qualified applicant should be open to understanding this unique population and also must have a good sense of self with the ability to maintain appropriate boundaries in therapeutic and supervisory situations.

Unacceptable Factors: Any history of felony arrests or relatives currently incarcerated at the California Men’s Colony. Any problems with ethical or disciplinary review boards.

California Men’s Colony (CMC) houses approximately 7,000 minimum and medium security inmates. The institution has two physically separate facilities, designated as East and West Facilities. The West Facility house minimum (Level I and II) security inmates in dormitory settings. The West Facility also contains a Level I camp program for fire suppression, conservation and other community service work. The East Facility house medium (Level II) security inmates in the general population, as well as those with medical, psychiatric and behavioral concerns. The East Facility is divided into four quadrangles, two of which are designated for approximately 1500 inmates in various stages of the psychiatric treatment process, ranging from intake evaluation to 24-hour monitoring. The facility also has a fully licensed hospital, which provides a full range of medical services for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

CMC is located in San Luis Obispo on the central coast of California. San Luis Obispo is approximately 200 miles south of San Francisco and 100 miles north of Santa Barbara. The area is also home to a large state university and offers a variety of cultural and environment activities.

Unacceptable Factors: Any history of felony arrests or relatives currently incarcerated at California Men’s Colony. Any problems with ethical or disciplinary review boards.

Stipend: The stipend for the internship program is approx. $36,000. Health insurance, vacation, and sick time are also provided.

Monterey County Children's Behavioral Health

Monterey County Children’s Behavioral Health internship sites are located in Monterey County , a large, diverse rural area comprised of some of the nation’s richest agricultural land and agricultural communities, redwood, pine, and oak forests, historic Monterey Bay , the scenic village of Carmel , and the magnificent Big Sur Coast . Interns will have a valuable training experience, exposure to a broad range of settings, modalities, and clinical populations.

Monterey County Children’s Behavioral Health offers 3 internship positions in a variety of settings, each intern will have rotations at 2 sites.

The Avanza Program (Transition Age Youth) is completely voluntary and youth guided. Staff provides individual, family and group therapy, along with intensive case management for youth aged 16-25. The Psychology Intern will help the Avanza team provide these services as well as conduct career testing and assessments in order to help the youth obtain employment. Youth are taken out for social outings which may require some evening or Saturday hours from time to time.

The F.A.S.T. (Family Assessment Support and Treatment) Assessment Team provides comprehensive family mental health assessments and treatment to children and families involved in dependency proceedings where the court has deemed it necessary to remove the child(ren) from the home due to abuse and/or neglect issues. The team typically uses attachment theory and systems perspectives in helping understand and conceptualize the family’s challenges, strengths, and services needed. Interns typically have a caseload of 3 therapy clients (including families) along with their ongoing assessment cases. Detailed reports that include clinical impressions and treatment recommendations are provided to the Department of Social and Employment Services (DSES) and the Juvenile Dependency Court . This process is rapid and requires solid clinical assessment skills, good writing skills, time management, and the ability to multitask. This rotation has previously been referred to as the DSS/DSES and/or Dependency team.

The 26.5 team is school based in that all referrals are from the special education departments in the school districts. The children must have a learning disability or emotional disturbance to qualify for special education, therefore, we not only work with the emotional component; we are also involved with the IEP team to help the child better cope with having a learning disability. This team can see children from 4-18 years of age, and with a variety of diagnosis ranging from depression, anxiety, thought disturbances, as well as associated behavioral difficulties. The children are seen on an outpatient basis in the clinic or on the school site. Family work is often necessary and can be a rewarding part of the process. Along with carrying a case load of 3-5 clients, the intern will be involved in doing the initial evaluations which include a complete history, mental health status, and diagnosis of the child. Some testing is required, and the intern might be asked to complete 2 full testing batteries during the school year.

The MCSTART (Monterey County Screening Team for Assessment, Referral, and Treatment) program conducts multidisciplinary, in-depth developmental assessments of at risk children that may have been exposed to prenatal drug and/or alcohol use, were born prematurely, or have genetic or other congenital disorders. Interns will use an extensive array of tests in order to understand a child’s strengths and deficits and will make recommendations based upon the findings. Our new assessment cases are children birth to 5 years of age, but we do annual assessments on the children served by the program up to age 18. Interventions are family based and often involve dyadic work with the primary caregiver. Interns typically carry a treatment caseload as well as conduct assessments.

Rotation:
Each intern will have two, ½ time rotations (served simultaneously) for the length of the internship year.

Marni R. Sandoval, Psy.D., Site Training Director
Family Systems and Attachment Theory
Sid Smith, Ph.D., Deputy Director Monterey County Children's Services
Cognitive Behavioral and Applied Behavioral Analysis
Lynn Deutsch, Ph.D.
Psychodynamic
Rebecca Hart, Ph.D.
Ecological Model
Brian Lippincott, Ph.D.
Jungian, Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Lesley Wilson, Ph.D.
Ecosystemic Model

North Kern State Prison

The population at North Kern State Prison (NKSP) consists of male inmates with serious/chronic mental illness, chronic substance abuse, medication and treatment compliance issues, cognitive and developmental disabilities, and problems associated with Activities of Daily Living. Interns will gain clinical and assessment experience with acute and chronically mentally ill inmates in an outpatient setting. Interns will also have the opportunity to gain training and experience with differential diagnosis, crisis intervention, psychopathy, malingering of psychopathology, and working with patients from various cultures and ethnic backgrounds. In addition, they will learn about mental illness associated with criminal behavior, and the subsequent legal and ethical issues that ensue. The internship year is divided into three rotations: Diagnostic; Therapeutic (mild to severe psychopathology); and Psychological Testing/Assessment. In addition, elective rotations will be available in areas such as inpatient, administrative segregation, and developmentally delay. Interns provide direct services during all three rotations with emphases as indicated. Direct services include short and long term individual therapy, group therapy, case management, completion of intakes on new arrivals, crisis intervention, assessing suicide and violence risk, psychological testing, and participation in weekly interdisciplinary Treatment Teams.

Special Requirements in Background or Training: Must have prior training an/or courses in Assessment/Psychological Testing and clinical interviewing. It is preferable, but not necessary, for the applicant to have had some exposure to forensic/correctional psychology. The qualified applicant should be open to understanding this unique population and have a good sense of self with the ability to maintain appropriate boundaries in therapeutic and supervisory situations.

Unacceptable Factors: A history of felony arrests or relatives currently incarcerated in California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation system. Past or current problems with ethical or disciplinary review boards.

1. Gain experience and knowledge in assessing and treating persons with multiple and/or major diagnoses (including both Axis I & II).

2. Establish and/or enhance a wide range of therapeutic modalities and techniques.

3. Gain proficiency in psychological testing and assessment, and report writing.

4. Ability to integrate multiple sets of data into a case conceptualization or formulation.

5. Gain experience working with persons from various cultures and ethnic backgrounds.

Institution Mission Summary: NKSP houses approximately 5,000 inmates who range from minimum to maximum security. The facility operates mainly as a reception center whose purpose is to process incoming inmates within a 60 to 90 day period after processing legal, medical and psychological, developmental, etc. issues and assigning them a classification score. The facility also houses medium (Level III) security inmates in the general population, who also have medical, psychological and behavioral concerns.

Mental Health staff at NKSP currently consists of approximately 20 licensed psychologists, 6 unlicensed psychologists, 10 psychiatrists, and 4 social workers, 6 psychiatric technicians, and 2 recreation therapists. The facility also has a licensed hospital which provides a wide range of medical and psychological services for inmates in the Department of Corrections.

NKSP is located in Delano, California approximately 180 miles north of Los Angeles, 35 miles north of Bakersfield and 90 miles south of Fresno.

SPECIAL NOTE: All offers of internship are contingent upon successfully completing the State of California Employment Examination, health screening, and security clearance.

Stipend: Approximately $30,000 per year, plus Health/Dental/Vision insurance, vacation/sick time

Salinas Valley State Prison

Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) is located in Monterey County just north of the city of Soledad, California on highway 101. SVSP houses approximately 4,500 maximum and medium security inmates. The institution has five physically separate facilities designated A through E yard. The A yard facility houses maximum security sensitive needs inmates. The B yard facility houses medium security sensitive needs inmates. The C yard facility houses maximum security general population inmates. The D yard facility houses maximum security Administration Segregation (AdSeg) and Enhanced Outpatient (EOP) inmates. The D yard facility also contains a Transitional Placement Unit (TPU). SVSP also has a fully licensed hospital called a Correctional Treatment Center (CTC) that provides a full range of psychiatric and medical services for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). The E yard facility houses minimum security inmates that do not have identified mental health issues. Mental health clinicians are not assigned to the E yard facility.

SVSP’s clinical psychology predoctoral internship training program focuses on preparing interns for a successful career in the field and offers a wide variety of training opportunities to assist the intern in developing a professional identity. Interns are expected upon arrival, to demonstrate knowledge consistent with their current level of training and experience in areas of clinical skills, diagnosis, and psychological assessment. Interns will gain experience in working with the chronically mentally ill, substance abuse issues, diagnosis, psychological assessment, assessing suicide risk, personality disorders, malingering of psychopathology, criminal behavior, psychopathy, and conducting intakes and formulating treatment plans. The inmate population includes individuals convicted of crimes such as rape, child molestation, and murder.

Rotations:

The intern year is divided into three distinct four month rotations. The intern will be assigned a primary supervisor for the duration of the year. The assigned delegated supervisor will change as the intern progresses through the various program rotations. This will allow the intern ample opportunity to work with and learn from various psychologists on staff. Each of the rotations is designed to build on the skills and competencies from the prior rotation with the final goal of the program being for the intern to be able to function at the post-doctoral level with supervision in the last rotation and to gain the confidence and skill to do so competently.

The first rotation is the Correctional Clinical Case Management Program (CCCMS). This program is based on an outpatient case management model. Interns will also be assigned approximately six long term therapy patients during this rotation which they will carry for the remainder of the internship. It is expected that this number of long term therapy patients will gradually decrease during the year as the inmates parole and/or transfer to another prison. Interns will also complete a minimum of six full battery psychological assessments for the year and two per rotation, due bimonthly. Interns will be required to perform a case presentation and conceptualization on each of their full battery assessments. In this rotation, interns will also conduct a minimum of two therapy groups.

The second rotation is the Enhanced Outpatient Program (EOP). This program is a day treatment milieu offering ten hours of therapy per week per inmate. In this rotation the intern will work with a population of chronically mentally ill inmates in weekly therapy and conduct a minimum of four therapy groups weekly.

The third rotation will vary based on the areas in which the intern needs additional training and the intern’s interests. The third rotation may include assignment in any of the previous areas, Administration Segregation (AdSeg), or the Correctional Treatment Center (CTC). The rotation may also be split between any two locations.

Special Requirements of Applicant:

The successful applicants must have prior training and experience in all standard psychological assessment instruments, including projective instruments. They must be familiar with a wide variety of theoretical approaches. They must have clinical experience in assessment and diagnosis. It is preferable that the applicant have prior forensic experience, and is able to demonstrate common sense and appropriate professional boundaries in working with this population. The successful applicant must be able to pass a standard state employment physical, criminal background check, and national practitioner databank check. They must also be willing to sign and abide by the digestive laws for CDCR.

SVSP is a site member of the Mid-Coast Psychology Internship Consortium (MCPIC). The MCPIC is a member of the Golden State Psychology Internship Association (GSPIA). The consortium provides weekly didactic trainings that cover a wide variety of topics. The didactic trainings are scheduled on Fridays, are mandatory, and require travel to all sites in the consortium, as well as the headquarters of GSPIA in Fresno.

Stipend : The stipend for the internship program is approx. 36,000. Health insurance, vacation, and sick time are also provided.

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