Curriculum | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Child and Adolescent Psychology Doctoral Internship Program

Curriculum

The internship program is structured to be a full-time, 12-month experiential training experience. Each internship year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30 the following year. Interns work five days per week between the hours of 8am and 5pm, including the possibility of one late evening per week. Hours worked per week generally range from 40-45. There is no "on-call" coverage. The internship program has an emphasis on clinical child and pediatric psychology and focuses on evidence-based assessment and intervention services. Doctoral interns work with a range of clinical presentations, as well as largely underserved patients and families. Clinical services and training activities are conducted in-person, following safety guidelines, and via virtual/telehealth platforms.

Both brief and longer-term outpatient and day treatment interventions, in group and individual formats, are available. Measurement-based care is emphasized, and interns will gain skills in assessment in several settings. Interns work collaboratively with a team of providers (e.g., medical residents/fellows, nurses, pediatricians, social workers, licensed professional counselors, psychiatrists, etc.), and are actively involved in clinical teaching and supervision. Upon successful completion of the internship program, trainees are expected to have met all doctoral internship requirements (1,750 hours) needed for licensure (as outlined in Texas statutes).



 

Interns receive at least four hours of supervision per week (10% of time) from licensed psychologists (in the state of Texas) who carry professional practice responsibility for the cases being supervised. At least two of those hours are regularly scheduled individual supervision. The other two hours of supervision are obtained in a variety of formats, including additional individual supervision, group supervision, and tiered supervision (e.g., with postdoctoral fellow and licensed psychologist). Supervisors will review documents, review video/audio taped sessions, and engage in live observation. Further, interns have access to consultation and supervision during times they are providing clinical services. 

Supervisors are responsible for reviewing with the interns the relevant scientific and empirical bases for the professional services delivered by the interns. Supervisors participate actively in the program's planning, implementation, and evaluation and serve as professional role models to the interns consistent with the program's training aims and expected competencies.

Core Supervisors:

  • John Cooley, Ph.D.
  • Tarrah Mitchell, Ph.D., ABPP
  • Natalie Scanlon, Ph.D.
  • David Trotter, Ph.D.
  • Laurel Wolfe, Psy.D.

Informal evaluations are conducted throughout the year. Formal evaluations are conducted at 6 and 12 months of the internship. Evaluations are based on core competencies and serve to identify strengths and growth areas. Supervisors rate the intern’s knowledge base and professional practice on structured rating forms. Evaluations are shared with the interns by the Training Director so that goals can be defined and refinements can occur; remediation steps and corrective actions are outlined when needed. Both parties sign the evaluation following review. Additionally, there will be regular opportunities for interns to evaluate supervisors.

Interns will receive and review a document outlining the rights and responsibilities of the program and the interns related to due process and grievance procedures.
Due Process Procedure
Grievance Procedure