Predoctoral Internship Program
Group Therapy Training
Perhaps most unique about our training program is the intensive training in group psychotherapy. With the use of a one-way mirror, students consent to having their group therapy observed along with “live” interventions that are phoned into the session from the supervising team members. USC is proud to be the first program to offer such an opportunity and our staff have presented and helped train others. We have found the Live Group Approach to be particularly effective because the observing interns benefit from watching the group dynamics unfold before them and the facilitating interns benefit from receiving real-time suggestions designed to enhance and refine their group skills. Interns routinely rate this experience as one of the high points of their training.
Supervision Training
Interns supervise a practicum student for the full academic year. They receive on-going training and supervision via the weekly Supervision of Supervision Meeting. These team meetings allow interns to discuss the challenges they face in their supervisory role. This activity also supports the professional identity development of the intern, recognizing their own growth and learning through being in the trusted position to train others.
Outreach and Consultation Training
Our Outreach and Consultation training involves much more than facilitating workshops. First, interns will have a Liaison Project for which they serve in a liaison role to a department of their choice. This year-long relationship allows interns to engage in consultation, non-clinical supervision of Peer Mentor programs, and program development. Second, interns will develop a Social Advocacy, or public health, project. This social project is intended to address the mental health disparities, barriers to treatment, and/or special needs that exist in society and at USC. Last, interns receive ongoing training in outreach development with ample opportunities to provide psycho-educational workshops to the USC community.
Human Diversity Training
The appreciation of human diversity is a core value of our Center and of USC’s commitment to its diverse community. Our student body is extremely diverse and boasts the largest international student population. Developing multicultural competencies is critical and the program is intended to foster a sophisticated, nuanced understanding of multiculturalism, multiple identities, and cultural complexities. To achieve this goal, we offer diversity seminars coupled with in-depth diversity case discussions, and case presentations with an emphasis on diversity. However, the above is not possible without the staff’s dedication to the openness, courtesy, and respect necessary to create a space to engage in the process of self-awareness and learning. Interns and staff alike are expected to contribute to a work environment of cooperation, understanding, co-existence with difference, and commitment to lifelong learning to understanding our own and others’ worldviews.