Intern Training Program
Training Program Components | Requirements | How to Apply
| Professional Staff
| Clinical Supervisors | The University
Our counseling center provides the following services to the university
community: personal counseling to individuals and couples, crisis intervention;
psychological assessment, group counseling; workshops and in-service presentations;
and consultation with individuals, departments, and organizations within
the campus community.
Our mission is to meet the psychological needs of a varied and ever-changing
population. SSU students range in age from 17 to over 65, including both
traditional-aged freshmen and older adults returning to college in order
to make life and career changes. Clients vary in ethnicity, country of
origin, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, and life experience.
The issues that clients present are quite diverse. We see many students
with mild to moderate depression and anxiety who are concerned about their
relationships, sexuality, academic progress, career goals, and inability
to manage stress. In addition, a large number of our clients are already
on psychotropic medication and have more severe problems including panic
attacks, chronic pain, eating disorders, substance abuse, impulse control
disorders, suicidal ideation, and difficulties managing their day-to-day
lives.
Since 1976, we have included interns and other trainees as an important
part of our team, and we strive to create a challenging and supportive
environment for learning. Each year we select 4 trainees from Masters
and Doctoral programs in universities throughout the Bay Area. We are
listed in the California Psychology Internship Council Directory (CAPIC)
and follow their guidelines for selection, supervision, and training.
Our training program is designed to enable students to build a strong
foundation of assessment, intervention, and case management skills that
they can use in future agency and private practice settings which often
require the ability to be effective using a brief therapy approach. Our
trainees also have the opportunity to develop skills in providing workshops,
community outreach, and group facilitation.
Trainees who are not registered SSU students may obtain a free parking
permit and a library card.
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COMPONENTS OF THE TRAINING
PROGRAM
Didactic Training
Weekly seminar involving lecture and discussion related to the
clinical issues which are commonly encountered when assessing and intervening
with individuals and couples. Particular emphasis is placed on training
in working effectively within a brief therapy format (1-8 sessions). An
integrative approach to working briefly is presented which includes interpersonal
psychodynamic, existential, cognitive behavioral, and solution-focused
perspectives.
Didactic training also involves discussion of topics which require special
attention from the counselor including suicide assessment, abuse reporting,
domestic violence, sexual assault, confidentiality, and other important
legal and ethical issues. Trainees also participate in weekly case conference.
Psychological Assessment
Those Ph.D. trainees who have previous academic training in psychological
assessment will be offered the opportunity to conduct 2-4 psychological
assessments. Those individuals will receive individual consultation and supervision time
when conducting assessments.
Direct Client Contact
All trainees are expected to spend 50% of their total hours in direct
contact with clients which can occur in either scheduled counseling hours,
a group format, or during a drop-in hour. Individuals and couples are
seen in a brief therapy format with a few exceptions to
allow our trainees an experience with counseling over a longer period.
Supervision
All trainees receive group supervision and 2 hours of individual
supervision weekly. Supervision is always provided by a licensed psychologist
or a licensed marriage and family therapist.
Groups and Workshops
Our center offers groups and workshops on a variety of themes which have
included eating issues and body image concerns, coping with depression
and anxiety, gay/lesbian issues, stress management, and men's/women's
issues. We also do class presentations, in-service workshops, and consultation
with campus departments and organizations. Trainees are expected to participate
in one group or outreach activity each semester.
Staff Meeting/Case Conference
A weekly meeting is held with the entire staff to discuss current issues,
staffing needs, office procedures, and other general items. A portion of this meeting involves case presentations and discussions.
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REQUIREMENTS
Trainees are expected to be present in the Center 16-22 hours
per week, each week that school is in session from late August through
late May. Each trainee is expected to spend 50% of their required weekly
hours providing direct service with one of those hours being for drop-in.
Staff meetings and training sessions are mandatory and will occur on two
separate days of the week . All trainees are expected to know and act
in accordance with the APA/AAMFT ethical standards and relevant California
law.
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HOW TO APPLY
As a member of the California Psychology Internship
Council (CAPIC), we follow a specific timeline, as follows.
Deadlines
- First Monday in March: Applications due
- March: Conduct interviews
- First Monday in April: Notify applicants of decision
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Application Materials
Please send us the following:
- A letter telling us about your experience and why you would like
to work in SSU's Counseling and Psychological Services.
- A resume of educational and work experience.
- Current letters of recommendation from three people, two of whom
have supervised and/or observed your work with people.
- Copies of transcripts of graduate coursework. Students from CAPIC-Member
schools applying for an internship-level placement should include the
CAPIC uniform internship application.
Applications should be mailed to:
Internship Training Coordinator
Counseling and Psychological Services
Stevenson Hall 1088
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA 94928-3609
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THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF
Our staff brings a wide range of life experiences and a diversity of theoretical
orientations to their work in the Center. Each counselor utilizes an approach
unique to his or her own style, philosophy, and interests. Members of
our staff have been influenced by a variety of theoretical approaches
including interpersonal psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, narrative/deconstructionist,
humanistic-existential, and family systems . Staff members have backgrounds
working in community mental health agencies, medical and psychiatric facilities,
Peace Corps training, university teaching, consultation, research and
testing, and private practice. In addition to professional counseling
services, the staff serves the university community through consultation,
training, academic classes, conflict resolution, and campus-wide committees.
We adhere to AAMFT and APA Ethical Standards, and are an agency member
of CAPIC.
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CLINICAL SUPERVISORS
- Lisa Wyatt, Ph.D.
Director, Licensed Psychologist
- Katie Hatch, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
- Michael Pinkston, Ph.D.
Training Coordinator, Licensed Psychologist
THE UNIVERSITY
Sonoma State University is located one hour north of San Francisco, in
the heart of Sonoma County. The campus is just ten minutes from downtown
Santa Rosa with shopping, cultural activities, and entertainment nearby.
The magnificent Pacific Coast, pastoral wine country, Russian River, and
redwood forests are all within a short drive.
For more information, contact: Michael Pinkston, Ph.D., pinkston@sonoma.edu
or (707)664-2214
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