Morrison - Child & Family Services

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Internships

As part of Morrison's commitment to training, we offer a Predoctoral internship program specializing in clinical child psychology. This is a full-year, full-time intensive training experience with a child/community focus.

APA accredited since 1963
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
(202) 336-5979
www.apa.org

Download the full Morrison Predoctoral Internship Description.

Internship Program Values
Internship Program Goals and Objectives
Program Model
Training Opportunities and Activities
Internship Staff
Intern Benefits
Prerequisites
Applicants who will be considered
Languages
Application Process Information

Internship Program Values
The internship training program has evolved and changed considerably since its inception in 1957. However, a commitment to training, scholarship, youth and family services, professional identity and cultural competency have remained constant:

Internship Program Goals and Objectives

The internship goals and objectives are as follows:

Assessment: to produce entry level psychologists who are proficient in initial assessments/diagnostic interviewing skills and know how to utilize psychological test results in their clinical work.
Treatment Intervention: to produce entry level psychologists who have the necessary knowledge and skills to develop appropriate, collaborative treatment plans and to provide effective psychotherapeutic interventions to diverse clients presenting with a range of significant psychological problems within an outpatient treatment setting.
Consultation/Supervision: to prepare graduates with the necessary knowledge and skills for entry level professional roles of consultants and supervisors.
Scholar-Practitioner: to produce graduates interested in and able to incorporate relevant research findings into their clinical practice.
Diversity: to produce graduates who demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity in working professionally with diverse individuals, groups and communities, and utilize that to provide effective interactions and interventions.
Ethical and Legal Practice: to produce graduates who demonstrate and apply knowledge of relevant ethical and legal guidelines, laws and codes as well as professional boundaries.
Self Awareness and Professionalism: to produce entry level psychologists who are open to new learning about themselves within the professional practice of psychology, who demonstrate effective and meaningful professional working relationships, who are aware of their emotional reactions and responses to stressors and who demonstrate increasing confidence and self reliance.

The overarching goal is to prepare Predoctoral candidates for the next step on their career path, whether the goal is licensure and professional practice or utilizing a clinical foundation to launch into research or academia. To meet the program goals and objectives, interns will be supported to gain and demonstrate relevant competencies prior to the completion of the internship year.

Program Model
Morrison's Internship program is based on the Scholar-practitioner model. We emphasize learning through direct clinical practice under supervision, within the context of formalized seminars, reviewing professional literature and consultation or conferences with knowledgeable professionals. The intent is the application of a scientific attitude, approach and knowledge base at the clinical level in ways that can best serve the needs of the particular client within the family and community.

Training Opportunities and Activities
An intern's time is divided among four main roles. These include:

Core placement in a community mental health outpatient setting serving children and families
Secondary placement one day per week in an elementary or middle school
Psychological evaluations
Supervision and training

Under the auspices of two, year long supervisors, interns will see a range of child, adolescent, and family clients for individual, family and group therapy. Many of these cases involve consultation and coordination with community systems. Interns will also spend one day per week treating mental health issues of clients within an elementary or middle school. Over the course of the internship, interns function in an increasingly independent manner. By the end of the internship, interns will function as regular staff with an active caseload, plus evaluation and consultation responsibilities. Of course, for interns the primary emphasis is on training.

Internship Staff

Joyce Ochsner, PhD (Kent State University, 1986)
Beth French, PsyD (George Fox, 2008)
Charles Harrison, PhD (Texas A&M, 1995)
Colleen Scott, PsyD (Pacific University, 2007)

Intern Benefits
The internship is a full-time, full-year employment. Interns receive a stipend, paid vacation, holidays and sick/personal leave. Benefits also include medical and dental coverage.

Interns are welcomed as highly valued members of the Morrison Child and Family Services staff. They have the right to pursue training free from discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, marital status, age, sexual orientation or physical handicap. The internship staff, as well as the agency as a whole, makes every effort to insure that interns receive the same trainings, services, benefits and fair treatment as on-going staff members.

Prerequisites
Applicants must be from clinical, counseling or school psychology programs. We are looking for bright, diverse and energetic applicants who are eager to learn.

Applicants who will be considered

Are from APA-approved programs
Have a solid clinical foundation in their graduate training
Have demonstrated experience and interest in child and family intervention and community psychology
Have completed their graduate work
Have at least 400 hours of clinical work with children, adolescents, and/or families
Have at least (3) child and/or adolescent comprehensive psychological evaluations

Languages
We strongly encourage bilingual applicants who are proficient in Spanish or Vietnamese to apply.

Application Process Information

Application Information
(follow AAPI Online Application Procedures)

Morrison Application Process

Important Date
Monday, August 22, 2011: Internship begins

Service Locations
Morrison Child & Family Services Outpatient Clinics in SE and NE Portland and Gresham.

Updated September 12, 2011.