Training Experiences

Three primary training goals form a unifying basis for the program. Graduates will

Training Requirements at-a-Glance

  1. Complete two, 6-month major and minor rotations. (The intern schedule is described at further length in the intern handbook.) Interns are to receive two hours of individual supervision per week (one hour for each rotation).
  2. Complete a minimum of 625 (30%) hours of direct client care mostly compromising of individual therapy, group therapy, and evaluations.
  3. Complete and "pass" 10 psychological evaluation reports covering multiple testing domains (i.e., intellectual/cognitive, personality, neuropsychological, malingering, functional behavior assessment, sex offender, and risk assessment).
  4. Present four case presentations throughout the training year, one per quarter. Two case presentations should pertain to an individual therapy case and two should pertain to a testing case.
  5. Attend weekly, two-hour didactic seminars. Seminars occur every Friday from 1:00pm-3:00pm in the Administration Building Conference Room. Interns are to complete evaluations of the seminar (anonymously) and return to the Training Director at MS 320. 2011-2012 Seminar Schedule.
  6. Attend weekly, one and one-half hour research meetings. Research meetings occur every Friday from 3:00pm-4:30pm in the Administration Building Conference Room.
  7. Attend monthly, one and one-half hour meeting of the Cultural Competence Council. The Council meets every third Wednesday from 1:30pm-3:00pm in the Administration Building Conference Room.

For additional information regarding internship training requirements, please see the Internship Handbook provided as link on this website.

Training Rotations

With these broad goals as a framework, the training director and other faculty assist interns to formulate individualized training plans and select from the range of training experiences listed below. Interns and faculty collaborate to decide such issues as the duration and percentage of time that will be spent in various training experiences. Our internship utilizes a flexible approach to training, allowing interns to craft a training plan that best fits their needs.

Assessment - Minor rotation

The Psychological Assessment component of internship training is an opportunity to explore different aspects of psychological assessment. By the end of the internship year, the intern is expected to demonstrate competence in a variety of assessment techniques and report writing. Through a combination of didactics, direct supervision and clinical experience, the intern will explore different aspects of assessment in a diverse environment. The methods we are employing are intended to develop the ability to write independent reports that are ready for placement in the medical record.

The assessment rotation is a required, six-month rotation for all interns. Interns will receive approximately one day per week during that time in which to complete 10 psychological assessments during a six month period.  These assessments will cover a variety of domains, including the following:

In order to ensure competency in a number of areas, interns are expected to cover at least 4 of these 6 domains across the 10 assessment reports.  Additionally, 2 of the assessments should involve testing in more than one domain in order to address more complex and integrative client needs.

At the outset of the rotation, a supervisor will be appointed by the Intern Training Committee to oversee client selection and recruitment for these assessments and to review the intern’s assessment reports.  Referrals will likely be made from a variety of hospital programs and units in order to provide a diverse training experience.  They will have the opportunity to conduct testing with individuals with a variety of psychological disorders including psychotic disorders, personality disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Didactic Training & Research Seminars

The internship provides a full calendar of didactic experiences that occur two hours each week. Presentations are offered by members of the Internship Training Committee as well as special guests from the Department of Mental Health and the community. Seminar topics include advanced issues in assessment, treatment, cultural competence, diversity, and ethics as well as professional issues. Seminars are specifically designed to complement the experiential training that occurs on various rotations. Particular emphasis is placed on empirically supported approaches to psychological practice. Other didactic or workshop experiences are available to interns throughout the year, including invited speakers presenting to FSH professional staff and Grand Rounds at the University of Missouri.

Cultural Competence Council

Fulton State Hospital’s workforce is comprised of a diverse population not dominated by one gender, race, or even culture. Our hospital and its leadership embrace this diversity and strive to create a safe workplace environment attractive to staff of all backgrounds. The leadership wants everyone to work together in a climate of respect and appreciation for the uniqueness that every individual brings. This includes employees, visitors, and especially the individuals we serve. Interns are strongly encouraged to participate in FSH’s Cultural Competence Council. The Council meets once per month and is involved in a variety of activities and projects throughout the campus. The Council is charged with implementing this philosophy and supporting the belief that all people must be valued because of their humanity, unique abilities, perspectives, and skills. The mission statement of the Cultural Competency Council reads as follows: This council is to make available continuous education for staff and patients related to Cultural, Ethnic and Spiritual needs, relevant to the facility’s Mission, Vision and Values statement. The responsibilities of the Cultural Competency Council include: