practicum and internship placement handbook...practicum and internship placement handbook for the...
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_____________________________________________________________________________
DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
University of Toronto
Practicum and Internship
Placement Handbook
for the
M.A. & Ph.D. Degrees in
Clinical & Counselling Psychology
Judith A. Silver, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Director of Clinical Training
Revised – March 2017
____________________________________________________________________________
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Table of Contents
SECTION 1: OVERVIEW
1.1 MA Practicum (APD1203Y) 3
1.2 Ph.D. Practicum (APD3217Y) 3
1.3 Additional Doctoral Practicum (APD3271H) 4
1.4 Ph.D. Internship (APD3268Y) 5
1.5 Arranging Your Placement 6
1.6 Evaluation of Placements 8
SECTION 2: CP POLICIES GOVERNING STUDENTS IN PLACEMENTS
2.1 Time Expectations 9
2.2 Conflict Resolution and Due Process 9
2.3 Vulnerable Sector Screening 10
SECTION 3: OTHER INFORMATION RELATED TO CLINICAL TRAINING
3.1 Preparing to Apply for a Full-time Accredited Internship 11
3.2 Interview Questions for Students Applying for Internships 13
3.3 Criteria for Making A Proposal for A Non-CPA Accredited Internship 15
3.4 Liability Insurance & Workers Compensation 16
3.5 Relevant Links 17
3.6 APPIC Application – Summary of Practicum Experiences 18
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Section 1: OVERVIEW
1.1 M.A. PRACTICUM (APD1203Y)
All students completing an M.A. in Clinical & Counselling Psychology must complete a practicum
placement concurrent with the APD1203Y course, usually in the second year of their program. This
course provides students with basic skills in clinical assessment, counselling interventions, assessment of
risk, history taking, clinical formulation, and the relationship between assessment and intervention. The
course emphasizes the therapeutic relationship as well as the importance of ethical and legal issues in the
provision of therapy. The course involves extensive counselling simulation and supervision of practice in
the field. Because the focus of class time is on individual counselling, it is generally expected that
practicum students will be carrying at least two individual cases at any particular time. Other types of
counselling may be done in the remainder of the time depending upon the counselling centre's priorities,
the student's interests, etc. (e.g., family, couple, group, crisis). Students may involve themselves in other
related activities such as testing, assessment, intake interviews, consultations with other professionals,
report writing, case conferences, research, and so forth. It is also generally expected that, where possible,
students will have contact with clients reflecting a range of diversity (e.g., clients who derive from
various cultural, ethnic, racial or linguistic groups and/or who bring other types of minority issues, such
as gender identity or disability).
The APD1203Y course instructors may require audio and/or videotapes. Students must therefore arrange
both with their setting supervisor(s) and with their client(s) to make such tapes (with due regard to
confidentiality) in case they are required.
Students should be welcome to all relevant staff meetings, case conferences, special lectures and other
training opportunities available at the practicum site. Because our students are not yet fully trained
professionals, students should not normally be left alone in the setting while they are seeing clients.
Students in the M.A. degree are generally expected to complete a minimum of 500 hours (usually 2 - 2.5
days per week) in their placements from September to April, normally 150 hours of which are direct
client contact. Should students not have completed their hours by April, they may make arrangements
with their supervisor(s) to extend the practicum into the summer. However, all practicum hours and the
final evaluation must be completed by the end of August.
Students in this degree must be supervised either by a doctoral level psychologist or a psychological
associate registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. Supervisors should provide 1.5 hours
per week of one-on-one face-to-face clinical supervision. Other supervision should be provided on
particular cases through case conferencing, class supervision and consultation with peers and
professionals. It is expected that students will log all types of practicum activities. The relevant hours
from this log should be documented on the Student Practicum and Internship Evaluation Form which
is then submitted to the Course Instructor and the Director of Clinical Training.
At the present time, all M.A. CCP students are expected to complete their master’s practicum at the OISE
Psychology Clinic where they will receive training in both psychotherapy and psychological assessment.
Contact Dr. Judy Silver for further details.
1.2 PH.D. PRACTICUM (APD3217Y)
All students completing a Ph.D. in Clinical & Counselling Psychology are required to complete the
doctoral practicum course (APD3217Y), usually in the second year of their program. It is expected that all
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students will have previously completed a master’s level 500+ hour practicum under the supervision of a
psychologist or a psychological associate. Doctoral practicum students are required to be in attendance at
least two full days at their practicum settings (600 hours) from September to April. Normally, they should
have a minimum of at least 150 hours of direct client contact and should meet with their supervisors 1.5
hours per week for individual one-on-one face-to-face supervision. Practicum students are expected to get
experience with both individual clients and at least one other modality (couple, family, group). Should
students not have completed their hours by April, they may make arrangements with their supervisor(s) to
extend the practicum into the summer. However, all practicum hours and the final evaluation must be
completed by the end of August.
It is expected that students will involve themselves in such activities as psychotherapy, testing,
assessment, intake interviews, consultations with other professionals, report writing, case conferences,
and so forth. However, all students in APD3217 should carry at least 2 individual therapy cases as part of
their caseload. It is also generally expected that, where possible, students will have contact with clients
reflecting a range of diversity (e.g., clients who derive from various cultural, ethnic, social or linguistic
groups and/or who bring other types of minority issues, such a gender identity or disability). Because our
students are not yet fully trained professionals, students should not normally be left alone in the setting
while they are seeing clients.
Additional supervision may include consultation on specific cases with other psychologists, group/class
supervision and/or case conferences. Supervisors of the Ph.D. students must be doctoral level
psychologists registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario or their equivalent. It is expected
that students will log all types of practicum activities. The relevant hours from this log should be
documented on the Student Practicum and Internship Evaluation Form which is then submitted to the
Course Instructor and the Director of Clinical Training.
1.3 ADDITIONAL DOCTORAL PRACTICUM (APD3271H)
This continuous practicum course is an additional practicum course that is available to CCP students at
the PhD level. All CCP PhD students are required to complete a supervision practicum and should enroll
in APD 3271H to get this experience. The supervision practicum does not require the approval of
CCPPC, but does require consultation with the DCT to arrange your supervision placement. You will
need to advise the DCT about your intentions to be involved in supervision by the third Monday in
November. This experience can be completed as part of a practicum training experience in the OISE
Psychology Clinic assisting with the clinical supervision of master’s students or working with one of the
APD1203Y class instructors. Students must submit a completed CCP Supervision Experience Form to Dr.
Judy Silver upon completion of the supervision practicum.
Any practicum experiences in addition to the supervision experience must be reviewed and receive
approval by CCPPC through submission of the relevant form (available on-line at:
http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/aphd/Students/Forms_and_Resources/Student_Forms/index.html#CP
or from the DCT). Approval is required prior to applying to additional practicum placements and is based
on your dissertation progress and your practicum plan. This form should be completed in consultation
with your dissertation supervisor. Please complete and submit this form to Todd Will no later than the
third Monday in November.
You should register in APD3271H in September of the year that you are completing your supervision
practicum experience. The course exists entirely to support students’ development of their clinical skills.
Ph.D. students should be registered in this course any time that they are involved in a practicum
experience under the supervision of an appropriately trained psychologist, providing that the placement is
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unpaid. Students may register for this course only with the permission of the course instructor. The total
of clinical hours accrued in each practicum experience in this additional practicum course may be as little
as 100 hours and will not generally exceed 600 hours. Students will generally only complete one field
placement in addition to the supervision practicum as part of this course.
The APHD Colloquium Series is offered periodically throughout the academic year. It is expected that all
PhD students will attend a minimum of 6 colloquium presentations during their program. Attendance at
this series partially fulfills the course requirements for APD3271Y. The completed Colloquium
Attendance Form should be submitted to Dr. Judy Silver.
1.4 PH.D. INTERNSHIP (APD3268Y)
In addition to the practicum, all students completing a Ph.D. in Clinical & Counselling Psychology will
be required to complete the Ph.D. Internship course (APD3268Y, Section Code Cd of Y). This course
requires the completion of approximately 1600 hours of internship under the supervision of a registered
psychologist. Registration in the course is by permission of the instructor, usually Dr. Judith A. Silver,
once the placement has been arranged and approved.
The internship occurs at the end of the program, once all other course requirements have been met. The
dissertation should be either completed or well underway before the internship starts. Students may
defend their dissertation prior to the commencement of their internship placement or during the period of
their placement. It is important to note that the internship is a year of full-time clinical practice and
students often find it difficult to work on their dissertations while simultaneously working full-time in a
clinical setting. It is recommended that students complete and defend their dissertation prior to beginning
the internship.
The internship is usually accomplished on a full-time basis at a 12-month placement (1600 hours). The
internship may be served in a variety of settings and will normally involve training in psychopathology,
differential diagnosis and assessment, case conceptualization, treatment planning, a variety of
psychotherapeutic approaches, case management, and other related tasks. All CCP Ph.D. students will
generally have a formal diagnosis and assessment component as part of their internship hours. It is
expected that students will involve themselves in such activities as diagnosis and assessment, case
conceptualization, treatment planning, psychological interventions, consultations with other professionals,
report writing, case conferences, and other activities relevant to professional training. It is also generally
expected that, where possible, students will have contact with clients reflecting a range of diversity (e.g.,
clients who derive from various cultural, ethnic, social or linguistic groups and/or who bring other types
of minority issues, such a gender identity or disability). All Ph.D. students beginning the degree after
September 1, 2007 are required to complete internships at CPA or APA accredited training sites or
equivalent. Ph.D. students starting the degree before this date are strongly encouraged to complete
internships at CPA or APA accredited training sites or equivalent.
For students applying to CPA/APA accredited training sites through the APPIC Match, they should be
aware that the deadline for receipt by the training site of completed applications is generally November 1
of the previous year. Students should arrange an interview with Dr. Silver well in advance of this date
(usually by May 31). Students applying to APA or CPA accredited placements should plan to have
completed all required course work, comprehensive examinations, thesis proposal, ethical review, and
where possible, have started data collection by the time they apply to placements (usually the fourth
year of doctoral study). The fifth year of doctoral study is typically when the full-time CPA or APA
internship is completed.
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Students applying for internship should plan to have completed all required course work including
comprehensive examinations before they apply. In addition, the thesis proposal must be accepted and the
ethical review must be completed and approved by the UT office of Research Ethics. These are
mandatory requirements for submission of the internship application. The earliest due date for internship
applications is typically November 1st of each year. It is typical for the Office of Research Ethics to send
comments regarding the ethics protocol and require some revisions before granting ethical approval. In
addition, there is no meeting of the Research Ethics Board in August. As a result, it is recommended that
students who wish to apply for internship have their proposals approved and their ethics protocols
submitted to the REB using the following deadlines:
- Full review: March 1st
- Delegated review: April 1st
Dates for ethics submissions are available at http://www.uhnres.utoronto.ca/reb/.
Normally, students should have started data collection by the time they apply to internships, usually
before the fourth year of doctoral study. Data collection must be completed by the time the internship
starts. For additional guidance on the internship application process, including timelines for preparing
applications and guidance for completing the AAPI forms, please consult the Clinical and Counselling
Psychology Internship Manual, which is available through the Director of Clinical Training, Dr. Judy
Silver.
Ph.D. students completing a CPA/APA paid internship in their fourth year of study should be aware that
receiving payment for the internship could affect their University of Toronto funding package. Such
students have two options available to them:
1. Accept the money from both the UT funding package and the internship; however, student must
complete a graduate assistantship during this academic year.
2. Deduct the money for the paid internship from the total from the funding package; no graduate
assistantship is required.
Students in the CCP Ph.D. who wish to apply for the required 1600 hour internship (APD 3268Y) must
have successfully completed the following before applying to their internship:
All other required Ph.D. course work (except where courses were not available until after
application to APPIC (e.g., history of psychology))
Ph.D. comprehensive exam written & passed
Ph.D. thesis proposal approved by their departmental thesis committee (thesis supervisor must
provide written confirmation to Dr. Silver)
Ph.D. thesis ethical review accepted
Before starting the required internship:
Ph.D. thesis data collection has normally been completed
Some students may choose to complete all thesis requirements before beginning the internship. This is
highly recommended.
It is therefore expected that most Ph.D. students will complete the 1600 hour internship (APD 3268Y) in
the 5th year or later of their program. Ph.D. students accepted previous to the 2007/08 academic year are
strongly encouraged to follow this scheduling of their internship. Ph.D. students are strongly encouraged
to consult the DCT and to read the Internship Manual before applying to the APPIC Match. The
Internship Manual is available from the DCT.
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Students are expected to enter the APPIC Match process and apply for CPA or APA accredited
placements. Because there are only a few CPA accredited internships in the Greater Toronto Area,
students should expect to travel for their internships. The process of finding a CPA internship is a
demanding one. Students who wish to learn more about the process and want to get an application form
should visit the APPIC web site at http://www.appic.org and read our Internship Manual.
Our CCP degree is now a formal associate member of APPIC. Be aware that our CCP program is
considered to be a “Combined Program” & our APPIC number is 865. Program Type: CLIN-COUNS.
We are currently accredited by CPA in Counselling Psychology and are in the process of applying for
accreditation in Clinical Psychology as well.
Students should also consult the CCPPP Directory that lists CPA Internships at:
http://www.ccppp.ca/en/internship.html
Planning to apply for an accredited placement should begin a year and a half before the start of the
placement. During the spring/summer, students should create a list of internships that are of interest,
update their curriculum vitae, and send letters or emails to internship sites requesting information. In the
summer, students should register with the National Matching Service (NMS) and receive a password and
match identification number to place on applications. Students should also consult with the Director of
Clinical Training to arrange for a letter of support (AAPI2). A formal request for the AAPI2 should be
made to Dr. Silver AT LEAST 6 WEEKS prior to when you need to receive it. Deadlines for accredited
internship placements range from early November to early December. In mid-February, on a uniform
notification date, students and placements are matched together through the NMS. Once you are matched,
you are legally required to accept the internship site to which you matched.
In the event that a student from the CCP is starting the program after September 1, 2007 and is requesting
an internship in a placement that is not accredited by CPA or APA, the program requires that the student’s
placement substantively conform to CPA criteria for internships. These detailed criteria can be found on
the CPA website:
http://www.cpa.ca/accreditation/
An outline for this document is provided in Section 3.2. The Director of Clinical Training reviews all
internship proposals and consults with the CCP Program Planning Committee to decide whether the
internship plan can be accepted as proposed.
Students should be aware that some internship sites may require a first aid course, a criminal records
check, a vulnerable sector check, a mask fitting and/or a TB test before the placement can begin. Plan to
apply for these well in advance of beginning your internship. Students are responsible for making these
arrangements.
1.5 ARRANGING YOUR PLACEMENT
M.A. & Ph.D. PRACTICUM
Descriptions of potential M.A. and Ph.D. practicum settings can be found on the Practicum section of the
CCP Website:
http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/aphd/Students/Practica_and_Internships/Counselling_Psychology/Internship
_and_Practica_Sites/index.html
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In addition, it is often useful to speak to other students who have been in the placement. Finding a
practicum placement is similar to finding a job. Students must phone the placements directly, gather
information, arrange for interviews and wait to see if they are accepted.
Every effort will be made to help students find settings appropriate for and desirable to them. This may
not always be possible. We cannot guarantee that all students will find placements in any particular
academic year. All students must arrange their practica in consultation with Dr. Judith Silver, Director of
Clinical Training.
Hospitals and most clinical and counselling psychology practicum placements use a uniform application
deadline (usually February 1). These placements also use a common notification date (mid-March). The
actual dates may change somewhat from year to year. Contact the DCT for details.
Students should plan to attend the Practicum Fair scheduled annually in the fall where placement
representatives are invited to meet with CCP students. Students should plan to contact the DCT at least 4
weeks before they plan to start the application process. Together we will consult in order to arrange the
best match between students' needs and the availability of field placements. Students will be asked to
state their placement preferences, will be interviewed by the DCT, and will collaboratively decide with
the DCT on several settings at which to apply. The on-site placement supervisors offer (or do not offer)
positions to the students who have the option of accepting or rejecting the offer. All Toronto-area
psychology practicum sites have been asked to use a common application deadline and a common
notification date. You should make yourself available on the morning of notification day so that you can
respond promptly to any practicum offers. Be aware that accepting a placement offer is a serious
commitment.
Prior to the practicum notification date, it is good to have a mental ranking of your choices for
sites. It will aid in your decision making. On Notification Day:
1. Turn your computer on at 8:50 am. Offers should start to be sent at 9:00 am.
2. Do NOT leave your computer.
3. You have the right to wait to hear from your 1st choice before making any other decisions. It is alright
to email sites to ensure your application was received.
4. Immediately acknowledge receipt of your offers. This is true for all offers, no matter whether this is
your first choice or not.
5. Once you hear from your 1st choice, accept the offer immediately.
6. If you do not get your 1st choice, you have the right to wait to hear from your 2
nd choice before making
any other decisions, etc.
POTHOLE WARNING: If you do not hang around your computer and only log on at 3:00 pm to see if
you were offered your 1st choice, etc., then you are defeating the entire purpose of the procedure. This
holds everything up. Placements might withdraw the offer.
POTHOLE WARNING: You need to have set in your head what your 1st choice is. You should not
dawdle to hear from other sites. Accept your first choice immediately. If you do not get your first choice,
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but get your second choice, accept the offer immediately, etc. Failure to do so defeats the entire purpose
of the procedure.
POTHOLE WARNING: As soon as you accept an offer, notify other sites that you have accepted an offer
elsewhere. This allows the process to keep moving.
Students should also be aware that some placement sites may require a criminal records check, a
vulnerable sector check (see section 2.3 below), a mask fitting and/or a TB test before the placement can
begin. Plan to apply for these well in advance of beginning your practicum. Students are responsible for
making these arrangements.
Go to the following secure website to register the details of your placement:
https://supo-app.oise.utoronto.ca/cp/placement/
ESTABLISHING A PLACEMENT AGREEMENT
It is important that both supervisors and student interns understand the responsibilities and the rights
associated with their respective roles. If the supervisor is unfamiliar with the CCP degree, the student
intern should provide the supervisor with a copy of this CCP Practicum and Internship Placement
Handbook as well as the Student Practicum and Internship Evaluation Form. This will ensure that
expectations regarding supervision and client contact are established at the outset. In addition, the
University of Toronto requires that all field practicum sites have a signed student placement agreement
with U of T. Be sure to check with the DCT whether we have such an agreement in place; you will not be
covered by the U of T for liability insurance if such an agreement is not in place.
All CCP students should be familiar with the University of Toronto Standards of Professional Practice
Behaviour:
http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/Assets/Governing+Council+Digital+Assets/Policies/PDF/ppsep012008i.pdf
PLEASE NOTE: Once you have a placement arranged, you must provide Dr. Silver with the
details (deadline April 30). In order to register the details of your field placement, we have created a
special website. Please ensure that you have all the details about your placement before completing the
on-line placement form. Should the details of your placement change, you may edit the placement form.
Go to the following secure website to register the details:
https://supo-app.oise.utoronto.ca/cp/placement/
1.6 EVALUATION OF PLACEMENTS
A student's performance in her/his placement is evaluated by the on-site supervisor who is provided with
an evaluation form for this purpose (Student Practicum and Internship Evaluation). Students are
encouraged to use this form for the identification of their own strengths and weaknesses, for the setting of
appropriate goals, and for the contracting of duties and responsibilities with their supervisors. Evaluation
is on a pass/fail basis with the provision that the Clinical & Counselling Psychology Program Planning
Committee may require additional practicum or internship experience and/or course work where
unsatisfactory or barely satisfactory performances have been registered. Clinical performance will be
reviewed to ensure that standards are being met. (See Section 2.) MA and PhD students must receive a
passing evaluation by their field supervisor(s) in order to pass the associated practicum course.
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A student's performance is evaluated by the on-site supervisor in January and at the end of the placement.
Students are asked to keep a xerox copy of all evaluations of their clinical work in addition to submitting
the original to the Course Instructor and subsequently to the Director of Clinical Training. Students are
encouraged to keep a copy (with identifying information removed) of psychological assessments
completed as part of all practica. We will also be asking student interns to complete evaluations of their
placement settings.
Section 2: CP POLICIES GOVERNING STUDENTS IN PLACEMENTS
2.1 TIME EXPECTATIONS
M.A. practicum students are expected to spend at a minimum 500 hours in the field placement setting (2 –
2.5 days a week). Ph.D. practicum students are expected to spend at a minimum 600 hours in the field
placement setting (2 – 3 days a week). The practicum experience should include 1.5 hours of one-on-one
face-to-face supervision each week and approximately 25-40% of student time will be spent in direct
client contact.
Our goal for our Ph.D. internship placement is that the placement is either CPA or APA approved or that
it conforms as much as possible with CPA guidelines (see Section 3.2).
2.2 CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND DUE PROCESS
Sometimes conflicts arise between placement supervisors and students on placement. One type of conflict
might revolve around unforeseen differences in expectations, values, or assumptions between the
supervisor and the student. Usually, these conflicts can be resolved through discussion. More serious
conflicts may arise, however. The following procedures are in place to help both the supervisor and the
student. When conflicts or differences arise, the concerned individual should:
1. Discuss the problem directly with the person in question.
2. Discuss the problem with the placement practicum/internship director (if there is one).
3. If neither of the above two options is feasible and/or fruitful, arrange for a confidential interview
with the Director of Clinical Training (currently Dr. Judy Silver).
Our program recognizes the right of a student, after consultation with the Director of Clinical Training, to
terminate a placement should the student realize that it is very unsuited to his or her individual needs or
that the placement cannot adequately provide the training experience previously promised (e.g.,
insufficient client contact hours, inadequate supervision).
Similarly, the our program recognizes the right of the placement setting, after consultation with the
Director of Clinical Training, to terminate the practicum or internship of individual students if the student
intern's behaviour is unacceptable and client/patient care is being compromised. In such circumstances,
the supervisor will advise the Director of Clinical Training in writing of the reasons for this decision.
Should either a student intern or a placement supervisor request the termination of a placement, the
following procedures should be followed:
1. The Director of Clinical Training should be contacted.
2. The Director of Clinical Training may hold meeting(s) with the student, the supervisor, the placement
internship director, the practicum course instructor, and other appropriate persons, to clarify the
reasons for requesting withdrawal, the nature of the student's learning needs, and the setting's
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resources and ability to meet those needs. The Director of Clinical Training will document the
process and the outcome of any such meetings.
3. If the Director of Clinical Training is unable to help the two parties resolve their differences so that
the student can continue in the placement, a written request for withdrawal is to be made to the
Director of Clinical Training by the person initiating the request.
4. When circumstances warrant it, the Director of Clinical Training will assist the student in finding an
alternative placement in the same academic year. Should there be a question about the student's
competence or fitness to practice, the Director of Clinical Training will consult with the Clinical &
Counselling Psychology Program Planning Committee, the practicum course instructor (if
appropriate), and the student, to establish any necessary conditions to be met before the student can
renegotiate another placement. Students who need to withdraw from a practicum course should
consult the OISE Bulletin for final dates allowed for withdrawal from courses.
Our training model reflects the scientist-practitioner model, and provides students with a strong
grounding in core knowledge and skills while at the same time allowing them to explore individual
interests. The goals also reflect our commitment to the notions of development, diversity and ecology as
central to our program. By the time they complete our program, students have an advanced level of
knowledge and skills equivalent to an entry level practitioner in the areas of clinical and counselling
psychology with an emphasis on individual adults and groups. They also are well versed in ethical and
professional issues.
Although the passing grade for graduate courses at the University of Toronto is a B-, we choose a grade
of B+ as our criterion for satisfactory progress in all graded practicum courses.
2.3 VULNERABLE SECTOR SCREENING
Some placements require students to complete a Vulnerable Sector Screening with their local police. This
process can take 3 – 4 months to complete, so it is important to start early if this is needed for your
placement. If you are a Toronto resident (with a postal code starting with “M”) you can go to the OISE
Graduate Studies Office (4th floor) with 2 pieces of ID to get the form completed that starts the process.
See the following website for further info and details of ID requirements:
http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/ro/Police_Checks/index.html
Here is the relevant RCMP website:
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cr-cj/vulner/index-eng.htm
Section 3: OTHER INFORMATION RE CLINICAL TRAINING
3.1 Preparing to Apply for a Full-time Accredited Internship
All CCP Master’s and Doctoral students are advised to keep track of the following for their own files:
Keep
Copies of ALL evaluations of your practica/internships
Copies of reference letters from referees
Copies of assessment reports written (with identifying information removed)
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Record
Assessment hours spent doing:
Psycho-diagnostic and neuropsychological test administration
structured interviews (e.g., SCID)
Complete list of each assessment tool administered & number of times administered to actual
clients as well as for practice (e.g., in class)
Number of assessments conducted and diagnosis
Intervention hours with specifics such as
Total hours
Number of different clients directly seen
Age of clients
Diversity of clients (ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, particular disability)
Type of therapy (individual, career, group, couple, family, school, etc.)
Therapeutic model (CBT, Process Experiential, Rogerian, Psychodynamic, etc.)
Treatment settings
Details of setting – name of agency, name of clinic, address, phone number, e-mail
Type of setting
Names of supervisors
Supervision – separately tally:
One-on-one with psychologist
Group supervision with psychologist
One-on-one with other professionals (psychological associate, psychiatrist, etc.)
Peer supervision, both what you receive and what you give to others
Consultation
Teaching experience
Teaching assistantships
Guest lectures
Supervising other students
Supervision experience
Other training
Workshops attended
On-the-job training
Interventions or assessments done as part of dissertation
Volunteer activities
Hours spent in other placement-related activities
Writing reports
Reviewing cases
Case conferences, grand rounds, didactic training
Organizing seminars or workshops
Reference Letters
Ask someone who can give you a strong letter
Ensure that you have letters from at least 3 licensed psychologists who have supervised you
clinically
Ensure that your referees are from different settings if possible
Consider your thesis supervisor as one potential referee
Consider requesting that placement supervisors write a reference letter immediately after your
completion of a placement. Ask your supervisor to keep this letter on file.
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At Least One Year before Applying for a Full-time Internship
Review the APPIC website (www.appic.org) as well as list-serves such as “match-news” &
“intern-network”
Consider attending a workshop on internship applications and interviews or consult the APA
Graduate Student website (www.apa.org/apags/)
Check out the interview questions on www.psychzone.com
When Starting Applications to a Full-time Internship
Keep a file of all documentation regarding your applications
Allow at least one month to complete the application forms
Request a registration form for the matching process if applying to APA, CPA or APPIC
accredited placements
Request application packages from internship sites of interest
Be aware that you must go to the internship site you are accepted at if you ranked it in the
matching process
Before completing the forms, consider the following:
What experiences led you to be interested in this field? (Share only appropriate personal
information.)
What are your strengths as a psychologist in training? (Think strategically.)
Can you enunciate a systematic approach to case conceptualization that you use?
What theoretical and practical experience do you have with culturally diverse client groups?
What are your objectives vis-à-vis your thesis research?
How would the training site(s) to which you are applying meet your learning goals? (Read
their mission statement, other documentation; know their specialties.)
Before being interviewed, consider the following:
Why do you want to do your placement at this site?
Who do you want as your supervisor and why?
What can you offer? Why should they accept you?
What is your theoretical orientation?
How has research affected your practice?
Can you talk about ethical dilemmas you have encountered?
Can you outline your therapy and assessment experience?
Have you ever experienced conflict with a clinical supervisor? How did you deal with it?
Would you be ready to discuss a clinical case that they would provide?
Be aware that placements are looking students with a varied range of experiences
Be aware that some internship sites are looking for students with up to 1300 hours of clinical
experience (including practicum courses, assessment experience as part of assessment courses,
practicum placements, etc.)
3.2 INTERVIEW QUESTIONS WHEN APPLYING FOR INTERNSHIPS OR PRACTICA
These questions are typical of ones asked in interviews for competitive internship programs. However,
many apply to practicum interview situations as well. Students should rehearse their own answers to these
questions prior to going to an interview.
1. How did you decide on a career in psychology? (If you have changed careers, be prepared to explain
why.)
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2. What are you looking for in an internship? (i.e., why do you want to come here?)
3. What are your goals for your internship year?
4. What are your strengths and weaknesses as a clinical/tester/supervisee/diagnostician?
5. What do you plan to do when you have finished training? (Sometimes: What do you see yourself
doing five years from now?)
6. What is your theoretical orientation – therapy and assessment?
7. What assessment experience have you had?
8. What therapy experience have you had?
9. Which populations/ages have you worked with?
10. Case presentations: (Tell us about your most challenging case. Tell us about your involvement with a
case that taught you a great deal.)
• Be prepared to answer questions on intake and testing reports submitted with your application.
• Aside from the cases discussed in the intake and testing reports submitted with your application, you
two cases ready to present in a somewhat structured format
• Prepare cases that are relevant to the work you would be doing at the internship (e.g., child, family,
adult).
• Try to choose cases that will allow you to give answers comfortably to the following questions:
What would you have done differently in your work with this case?
What do you think went well in this case?
What diagnosis you give the patient (and why?)
11. At what stage are you on your dissertation, and what’s your topic? (Be prepared to discuss how you
came to be interested in your topic.)
12. What authors have you read and identified with?
13. What do you look for in a supervisor? (Be ready to describe past supervision experiences.)
14. Describe a disagreement you’ve had with a colleague and how you resolved it?
15. What do you think it would be like working in a … (fill in whatever is relevant to the site, such as
inpatient unit, emergency room). What is your worst fear about working on a locked inpatient ward?
16. Which of our electives/rotations appeals to you?
17. Scheduling issues, such as: Can you work evening hours?
18. What are your specific clinical interests?
19. In your eyes, what makes a good counselling psychologist?
20. Why should we take you?
21. Do you have any questions? (Always try to formulate at least one question that is specific to the site.)
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3.3 CRITERIA FOR MAKING A PROPOSAL FOR A NON-CPA ACCREDITED INTERNSHIP
In the event that a Ph.D. student from the Counselling Psychology (CP) program is starting the
program after September 1, 2007 and is requesting an internship in a placement that is not accredited by
CPA or APA because they were not matched through the APPIC Match process, the program requires
that the student’s placement substantively conform to CPA criteria for internships. These detailed criteria
can be found on the CPA website:
http://www.cpa.ca/accreditation/
However, if a CPA or APA internship has been applied for but the student has not been matched
in the APPIC Match process, the following criteria in bold type are the minimum required criteria for an
acceptable Non-CPA Accredited Internship. The criteria in regular type are preferred. The student and the
proposed internship supervisor should review and respond to the following summary of criteria and
provide a written individualized internship proposal to the CCP Director of Clinical Training, Dr. Judith
A. Silver. Once a draft has been vetted by the CCP Director of Clinical Training, the final proposal should
be dated and signed by the CCP Director of Clinical Training, the Director of Clinical Training for the
proposed internship site, and the student/intern. If the rotations for the internship are to be completed at
different agencies, a separate proposal should be submitted for each agency. This proposal will be used by
the program to help determine the suitability of the placement for the student’s internship.
Name of Student/Intern:
Name of Psychologist/Supervisor(s):
Name of Placement Setting/Organization:
Dates of Proposed Internship:
From: _____/_____/_____ To: _____/_____/_____
Number of days/week: ______ Number of hours to be completed: ______
The Letter of Agreement should be signed by both the internship representative and the student/intern
and should address each of the following:
1. Internship program receives adequate and stable resources for all aspects of operations,
including remuneration of interns at the national standard (CCPPP).
2. Internship program and host institution demonstrates a commitment to human dignity
and civil rights in all aspects of their operations.
3. Administrative commitment is demonstrated by the appointment of a senior clinical or
counselling psychologist as Director of Training. The training program is offered by an
organized and stable group of professional psychologists. The placement has a brochure or
website address that provides a clear description of the nature of the training program.
4. The internship is completed either on a full-time basis for one year (usually 1600 hours),
or on a part-time basis for 2 consecutive years (usually 800 hours each year).
5. For each intern, a training plan is developed based on an organized and coherent
sequence of experiences and activities (e.g., which rotations, client populations, types of
intervention, clinical skills taught, caseload expectations, etc.). The Counselling
Program at OISE/UT generally expects interns to spend at least 25% of their time (but
no more than 2/3 of their time) providing direct service to clients. We expect that all
interns will receive training in:
a. psychological assessment, intervention, consultation, and program
development/evaluation
b. empirically supported interventions
c. more than one therapeutic modality (e.g., individual, couple, family, group)
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6. A minimum of 4 hours per week of regularly scheduled supervision is provided by
experienced registered doctoral-level psychologist(s). (Of the 4 hours/week of
supervision, three hours must be individual but one hour can be group. In addition,
individual hours in a group format can be counted as individual for the time that is
spent on that individual student's specific cases.)
7. When possible, interns are offered training and experience in the provision of supervision.
8. Professional practice is informed by science and interns are given the opportunity, when
available, to be involved in research.
9. Evaluation of the intern is completed at least every 6 months during the internship.
Interns not meeting minimum standards will be advised in writing and a remediation
plan will be developed, implemented and documented. If the remediation plan is
deemed unsuccessful, the intern may be terminated from the program.
10. The program issues a certificate to all interns who successfully complete the internship
program.
11. The program actively demonstrates its understanding and respect for the variability in
human diversity (including culture, religion, heritage, nationality, language, sexual
orientation, physical and psychological characteristics, lifestyle, gender, socioeconomic
status).
12. Each year the internship program enrolls at least two interns in their training program.
13. Facilities and resources provided by the organization are adequate to meet the needs of the
internship program and its interns.
14. In this placement, internship level trainees should have a title such as “intern”,
“resident”, “fellow” or other designation of trainee status.
(Revised & Approved by Counselling Psychology Program Planning Committee, Sept. 21, 2011)
3.4 LIABILITY INSURANCE & WORKERS COMPENSATION
The University of Toronto provides to students on UNPAID field placements workers compensation
coverage, as well as liability insurance in the amount of up to $5,000,000. Placements requiring
documentation can contact the CCP Director of Clinical Training and documentation will be sent by
email.
For students completing PAID internships, it is generally expected that the placement site will provide
liability insurance and workers compensation (WCB) coverage since the student will be a paid employee.
For students on internships where they are receiving a stipend, consult the DCT. Students are also
encouraged to arrange for personal liability insurance – try contacting one of the following:
BMS Group and HPIA
1-855-318-6038
McFarlan Rowlands Insurance
380 York St., London, ON N6B 1P9
Fax: 679-9744 Ph# 519-640-1254
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3.5 RELEVANT LINKS
A Beginner’s Guide to Private Practice - Video Presentation
https://media.library.utoronto.ca/play.php?NpDqNLaXYldK&id=26382&access=public
A Beginner’s Guide to Private Practice - PowerPoint Presentation
https://media.library.utoronto.ca/play.php?dDZzCD4ibeMG&id=26386&access=public
For further information about practica or internships contact:
Judith A. Silver, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Director of Clinical Training, Clinical & Counselling Psychology
Director, OISE Psychology Clinic
Associate Professor, Teaching Stream
Department of Applied Psychology & Human Development
OISE, University of Toronto
252 Bloor St. W., Toronto M5S 1V6
Room 7-294
(416) 978-0623
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3.4 APPIC APPLICATION – Summary of Practicum Experiences
1. Intervention Experience
How much experience do you have with different types of psychological interventions?
NOTE: Remember that hours accrued while earning a master’s degree as part of a doctoral program
should be counted as doctoral practicum hours. Please be advised that you don't have to enter 0 for
hours. If you don’t have any relevant experience, please leave this section blank.
DOCTORAL TERMINAL MASTERS
Individual Therapy Total Hours
Face-to-Face
# of Different
Individuals
Total Hours
Face-to-Face
# of Different
Individuals
Older Adults (65+)
Adults (18 - 64)
Adolescents (13 - 17)
School-Age (6 - 12)
Pre-School Age (3 - 5)
Infants / Toddlers (0 - 2)
Career Counselling Total Hours
Face-to-Face
# of Different
Individuals
Total Hours
Face-to-Face
# of Different
Individuals
Adults
Adolescents (13 - 17)
Group Counselling Total Hours
Face-to-Face
# of Different
Groups
Total Hours
Face-to-Face
# of Different
Groups
Adults
Adolescents (13 - 17)
Children (12 and under)
Family Therapy Total Hours
Face-to-Face
# of Different
Families
Total Hours
Face-to-Face
# of Different
Families
Family Therapy
Couples Therapy Total Hours
Face-to-Face
# of Different
Couples
Total Hours
Face-to-Face
# of Different
Couples
Couples Therapy
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DOCTORAL TERMINAL MASTERS
School Counselling
Interventions
Total Hours
Face-to-Face
# of Different
Individuals
Total Hours
Face-to-Face
# of Different
Individuals
Consultation
Direct Intervention
Other
Please specify “Other”:
Other Psychological
Interventions
Total Hours
Face-to-Face
# of Different
Individuals
Total Hours
Face-to-Face
# of Different
Individuals
Sport Psychology /
Performance Enhancement
Medical / Health-Related
Interventions
Intake Interview /
Structured Interview
Substance Abuse
Interventions
Consultation
Other Interventions (e.g.,
milieu therapy, treatment
planning with the patient
present)
Please specify “Other Interventions”:
Other Psychological
Experience with Students
and/or Organizations
Total Hours Face-to-Face Total Hours Face-to-Face
Supervision of other students
performing intervention and
assessment activities
Program
Development/Outreach
Programming
Outcome Assessment of
programs or projects
Systems Intervention /
Organizational Consultation /
Performance Improvement
Other
Please specify “Other”:
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2. Psychological Assessment Experience
How much experience do you have with different types of psychological assessment?
NOTE: Remember that hours accrued while earning a master’s degree as part of a doctoral program should be
counted as doctoral practicum hours. Please be advised that you don't have to enter 0 for hours. If you don’t
have any relevant experience, please leave this section blank.
DOCTORAL TERMINAL MASTERS
Psychological Assessment Experience Total Hours Face-to-Face Total Hours Face-to-Face
Psychodiagnostic test administration (include
symptom assessment, projectives, personality,
objective measures, achievement, intelligence, and
career assessment), and providing feedback to
clients/patients.
Neuropsychological Assessment (include
intellectual assessment in this category only when it
was administered in the context of
neuropsychological assessment involving
evaluation of multiple cognitive, sensory and motor
functions).
Other
Please specify “Other”:
3. Adult Assessment Instruments
# Clinically
Administered/Scored
# Clinical Reports
Written with this
Measure
# Administered as Part of
a Research Project
Symptom Inventories
Beck Depression Inventory
Hamilton Depression Scale
Beck Anxiety Inventory
Adult Manifest Anxiety
Scaled
Other Measures
21
# Clinically
Administered/Scored
# Clinical Reports
Written with this
Measure
# Administered as Part of
a Research Project
Diagnostic Interview
Protocols
SADS
SCID
DIS
# Clinically
Administered/Scored
# Clinical Reports
Written with this
Measure
# Administered as Part of
a Research Project
General Cognitive
Assessment
Stanford-Binet 3
TONI-3
WAIS III and WAIS IV
# Clinically
Administered/Scored
# Clinical Reports
Written with this
Measure
# Administered as Part of
a Research Project
Visual-Motor Assessment
Bender Gestalt
Other Visual-Motor
Assessment Measures
# Clinically
Administered/Scored
# Clinical Reports
Written with this
Measure
# Administered as Part of
a Research Project
Commonly Used
Neuropsychological
Assessment Measures
Boston Diagnostic Aphasia
Exam
Brief Rating Scale of
Executive Function
Dementia Rating Scale - II
California Verbal learning
Test
Continuous Performance
Test
Delis Kaplan Executive
Function System
Finger Tapping
Grooved Pegboard
Rey-Osterrieth Complex
Figure
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# Clinically
Administered/Scored
# Clinical Reports
Written with this
Measure
# Administered as Part of
a Research Project
Commonly Used
Neuropsychological
Assessment Measures
Trailmaking Test A & B
Wechsler Memory Scale III
Wisconsin Card Sorting
Test
Other Measures
# Clinically
Administered/Scored
# Clinical Reports
Written with this
Measure
# Administered as Part of
a Research Project
Commonly Used
Measures of Academic
Functioning
Strong Interest Inventory
Wechsler Individual
Achievement Test (WIAT)
Wide Range Assessment of
Memory and Learning
Woodcock Johnson-III
(Achievement; Cognitive)
WRAT-4
Other Measures
# Clinically
Administered/Scored
# Clinical Reports
Written with this
Measure
# Administered as Part of
a Research Project
Behavioral/Personality
Inventories
Millon Clinical Multi-Axial
III (MCMI)
Minnesota Multiphasic
Personality Inventory
Myers-Briggs Type
Indicator
Personality Assessment
Inventory
Other Inventories
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# Clinically
Administered/Scored
# Clinical Reports
Written with this
Measure
# Administered as Part of
a Research Project
Measures of Malingering
Structured Interview of
Reported Symptoms (SIRS)
Miller Forensic Assessment
of Symptoms Test (M-
FAST)
Rey 15-Item Test
Test of Memory
Malingering (TOMM)
Other Measures
# Clinically
Administered/Scored
# Clinical Reports
Written with this
Measure
# Administered as Part of
a Research Project
Forensic/Risk Assessment
Psychopathy Checklist-
Revised (PCL-R); Static 99
Violence Risk Assessment
Guide (VRAG)
History-Clinical-Risk 20
(HCR-20)
Validity Indicator Profile
Other Measures
# Clinically
Administered/Scored
# Clinical Reports
Written with this
Measure
# Administered as Part of
a Research Project
Projective Assessment
Human Figure Drawing
Kinetic Family Drawing
Sentence Completion
Thematic Apperception
Test
Rorschach
Other Measures
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4. Integrated Reports
An integrated report includes a history, an interview, and at least two tests from one or more of the
following categories: personality assessments (objective, self-report, and/or projective), intellectual
assessment, cognitive assessment, and/or neuropsychological assessment. These are synthesized into a
comprehensive report providing an overall picture of the patient/client.
Integrated Reports
How many supervised integrated psychological reports have you written?
5. Supervision Received
DOCTORAL TOTAL
HOURS
TERMINAL MASTERS
TOTAL HOURS
Individual Group Individual Group
Supervised by a Licensed Psychologist:
Supervised by a Licensed Allied Mental Health
Professional:
Other Supervision (e.g., supervision provided by
an advanced graduate student who is supervised
by licensed psychologist). Please specify type of
license and mental health discipline of
supervisor(s) in comment box below:
Comments:
(if any)
TOTAL SUPERVISION HOURS
Total Hours individual Total Hours Group
Please indicate whether you have made audio or video recordings of your clinical work and reviewed
them with your supervisor, as well as whether you have ever been directly observed by a supervisor:
Audio Tape: YES NO
Video Tape/Digital recording: YES NO
Live/Direct observation by supervisor: YES NO
6. Additional Information About Practicum Experiences
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How many hours have you spent in each of the following treatment settings?
INTERVENTION ASSESSMENT
Doctoral
Terminal
Masters
Total
Hours
Doctoral
Terminal
Masters
Total
Hours
Child Guidance Clinic:
Community Mental
Health Center:
Department Clinic
(psychology clinic run by
a department or school):
Forensic / Justice setting
(e.g., jail, prison):
Medical Clinic / Hospital:
VA Medical Center:
Inpatient Psychiatric
Hospital:
Outpatient Psychiatric
Clinic / Hospital:
University Counseling
Center / Student Mental
Health Center:
Schools:
Other:
Please specify “Other”:
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Have you led or co-led any type of groups?
(Please describe the type of group, approximate duration and average number of clients at each group
session.)
Do you have experience with Managed Care Systems in a professional therapy / counselling /
assessment capacity? YES NO
What is your primary theoretical orientation?
(Choose up to 3 and please rank order)
Behavioural
Biological
Cognitive Behavioural
Eclectic
Humanistic/Existential
Integrative
Interpersonal
Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytical
Systems
Other
Please specify “Other”:
What is your practicum or program sanctioned work experience with diverse populations in a
professional therapy / counselling or an assessment capacity?
Please indicate the number of clients/patients seen for following each of the diverse populations.
RACE
Intervention Assessment
African-American / Black / African Origin:
Asian-American / Asian Origin / Pacific Islander:
Latino-a / Hispanic:
American Indian / Alaska Native / Aboriginal
Canadian:
European Origin / White:
Bi-racial / Multi-racial:
Other:
SEXUAL ORIENTATION (Please indicate only when known)
Intervention Assessment
Heterosexual:
Gay:
Lesbian:
Bisexual:
Other:
27
What is your practicum or program sanctioned work experience with diverse populations in a
professional therapy / counselling or an assessment capacity?
Please indicate the number of clients/patients seen for following each of the diverse populations.
DISABILITIES
Intervention Assessment
Physical / Orthopedic Disability:
Blind / Visually Impaired:
Deaf / Hard of Hearing:
Learning / Cognitive Disability:
Developmental Disability (Including Mental Retardation
and Autism):
Serious Mental Illness (e.g., primary psychotic disorders,
major mood disorders that significantly interfere with
adaptive functioning):
Other:
Please specify “Other”:
GENDER
Intervention Assessment
Male:
Female:
Transgender:
7. Support Activities
Please indicate the primary activities in which you participated that comprise your support hour
activities. If you think that your support hours include any activities that are unusual or unique to
your program you can highlight that as well.
Total Doctoral Support Hours: Total Terminal Master’s Support Hours:
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8. Practicum Hours Information
PRACTICUM HOURS INFORMATION
DOCTORAL HOURS TERMINAL MASTER
HOURS
Total Intervention Hours:
Total Assessment Hours:
Total Supervision Hours: