Predoctoral Child and Adolescent Psychology Internship
For nearly a century, Starr Commonwealth has been at the forefront in developing positive environments in which all young people can thrive. Grounded in the Circle of Courage® resilience model, Starr provides a full range of residential, community-based and school programs serving children and youth who are experiencing emotional and behavioral challenges. Starr’s treatment approach is strength-based, family-involved, ecological, developmental and trauma-informed. The organization’s research, publication and professional development activities operate through the Starr Global Training Network, which includes Reclaiming Youth International, The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children™ (TLC) and Glasswing racial healing and facilitator training. Starr clinical professionals produce leading-edge publications on topics such as strength-based assessment, milieu treatment, positive peer culture, deep brain learning, trauma-informed care and therapeutic alliances with troubled youth and their families. Practice-based evidence is disseminated through the journal Reclaiming Children and Youth, now in its 21st year of publication. Further information is available at www.starr.org and www.reclaiming.com.
In the fall of 2012, Starr inaugurated its Predoctoral Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology Internship program, now in the application process with APPIC. Interns provide clinical services in this organized training program on Starr’s 350-acre Albion, Michigan campus to residents of Montcalm School - Starr’s family referral, therapeutic boarding school - and residents in the public residential program. Interns will gain experience and be supervised in individual, group, and family therapy. They will also provide psychological assessments for Montcalm students and the broader population of Starr, including youth from its court-referred programs, school-based evaluations and trauma assessment center.
The internship experience is not limited to office-based settings, as interns will spend time in direct contact with youth in the residential milieu and school, collaborating with colleagues on an interdisciplinary team. Those with an interest in research and publication may spend a portion of their time with journal editorial staff or Starr’s research department.
Interns will serve youth and their families across a range of clinical challenges. Youth currently placed at Starr have diagnoses including autism spectrum disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, trauma-related disorders such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, mood disorders such as Major Depression and Pediatric Bipolar Disorder, substance abuse disorders, and disruptive disorders, including Conduct and Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Interns will benefit from Starr’s vast array of training seminars in areas of resilience, relationship trauma, assessment, cultural competence, crisis intervention, developmental psychopathology, neuroscience, evidence-based practices and professional conduct. This experience integrates science, practice, values and self-reflection to best meet the needs of children and families. Supervision is provided by three licensed psychologists who bring an accumulated 75 years of experience in the profession.
Note to applicants: Starr Commonwealth is currently in the process of applying for APPIC membership, but there is no guarantee that this program will ultimately attain APPIC membership.
Two funded full-time intern slots to begin in August/September 2012 will be offered. The stipend is $25,000. Fringe benefits are offered to interns and are similar to those provided to regular, full-time employees, including:
- Ten (10) all purpose paid leave days
- Ten (10) holidays consistent with current agreement with employees
- Health insurance with same options available to employees
- Professional liability insurance
- Life insurance
Intern applicants may request brochure and application information by:
Download the Clinical Training Manual here.