The Patton State Hospital (PSH) Clinical Psychology Internship Program is one of the longest running accredited internship programs in the country.

The American Psychological Association (APA) has continuously accredited the program since 1964* and more than 150 interns have completed the program since that time. Former interns hold positions in public, private, and academic settings across the country.

The mission of the Internship Program at Patton is to foster the development of well-rounded competent entry level clinical psychologists who can function effectively in a wide variety of settings and who also have developed specialized skills in the areas of forensic psychology, treatment of the severely mentally ill, and working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Although all interns complete a core curriculum in clinical practice with individuals diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness, PSH offers training concentrations in clinical psychology, clinical neuropsychology, and forensic psychology (See our Internship Brochure for more details about Patton's concentration areas). Many of our interns go on to complete postdoctoral fellowships in forensic psychology, clinical neuropsychology, or advanced clinical practice and former interns have attained diplomate status through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) in the subfields of clinical psychology, forensic psychology, and clinical neuropsychology. The PSH Internship Program emphasizes incorporating the scientific underpinnings of psychology into practice and the delivery of culturally competent services. Throughout the internship year, emphasis is placed on enhancing:

• Ability to make sound and scientifically informed professional judgments.
• Ability to extend and expand basic assessment and intervention techniques to meet the needs of diverse settings and problems.
• Ability to work with clients/patients of diverse backgrounds in a competent manner.
• Ability to apply ethical and legal principles to practice.
• Effective interpersonal functioning and the ability to work in collaboration with other professionals.
• Awareness of personal strengths and limitations and the need for continued supervision, consultation, and education.

Currently, there are 52 psychologists on staff. All psychologists are either licensed in California or actively working toward licensure. A wide variety of theoretical orientations are represented among the staff/supervisor members, including cognitive/behavioral, strategic, humanistic, existential, feminist, sociocultural, psychodynamic, and psychosocial approaches to treatment. Each intern is supervised by several staff psychologists and is exposed to a variety of tasks and clinical orientations. The Psychology Department has an Internship Committee that meets monthly and is made up of the Training Director, Coordinating Supervisors, Seminar Leaders, and a representative from PSH's Neuropsychology Consultation Service. The amount of supervision each week varies depending on the intern's assessment and treatment caseload. Throughout the year, interns meet with their Coordinating Supervisor a minimum of one hour per week. Additionally, interns receive a minimum of two hours of individual supervision and three hours of group supervision per week.

Patton's internship program has access to a wealth of internal and external training resources including an excellent staff library, computers, voicemail, teleconferencing ability, assessment materials, assessment software, and dictation equipment. During lunch breaks and after hours, interns have access to Patton's on-site employee fitness center, which houses a number of cardiovascular (e.g., treadmills and stair climbers) and anaerobic (e.g., weight lifting) machines. One unique aspect of the internship is Patton's Mock Court proceeding. At the end of the training year, one of our psychologists, who is also an attorney, provides his expertise in a mock court proceeding intended to facilitate preparation for forensic testimony. Each intern participating in the Mock Court proceeding is videotaped and feedback is provided on his or her performance. There are many in-service and community training conferences/workshops scheduled throughout the year.

As noted below, the application deadline is November 15th in order to allow the Internship Director and Committee sufficient time to review applications for the selection process. Salary funding is through a civil service appointment for Clinical Psychology Intern. The annual salary for the 2007-2008 training year is $39,396. There are no unpaid positions. Interns have the same holidays as other state employees, plus accrued sick leave and two weeks of paid vacation time. The starting date is September 1. Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview after the application materials are reviewed. Because completion of a work sample is part of the application process, on-site interviews are required. Though internship offers are made in February through the APPIC match, actual employment in September is contingent on passing a physical examination (including a drug-screening) and a security clearance following fingerprinting.

*Committee on Accreditation American Psychological Association, 750 First Street N.E.Washington, DC 20002-4242 (202) 336-5979