Masters-Level Internship Program
TAMU Counseling & Psychological Services offers a year-long internship training experience in individual counseling and group counseling. The masters-level internship training program at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) is provided for graduate students who are pursuing master’s degrees in counseling. To participate in an internship at CAPS, trainees must be currently enrolled in a CACREP-accredited program. The internship is a 22 hour per week commitment. The requirements of those 22 hours are outlined in the menus below. Supervision is provided by senior staff who have been licensed for at least two years (can have a supervisor with 3+ years experience if program requires). All sessions are video recorded for review by supervisors. Interns may also have opportunities to participate in additional university counseling center activities including conferences, outreach, and development of psychoeducation materials.
Exclusive commitment: Students will not be admitted if they are concurrently participating in another practicum/internship that is similar to the one at CAPS.
Training Philosophy
The CAPS training model places a strong emphasis on developing the personal attributes required of the professional counselor. As a result, those admitted for masters-level internship are expected to demonstrate a willingness to engage in appropriate self-examination and reflection. Further, in keeping with our internship training philosophy, the foundation of our approach to training is a practitioner model. The emphasis is upon learning through the practical application of evidence-based practice in psychology. Professional skills training will vary in complexity from basic engagement skills to more complex multi-level interventions depending on the individual intern. The training model is based on growth and adaptation through progressive increases in challenge and demand throughout the semester(s).
Weekly Hour Expectations
| Duties | Hours |
| Individual Client Contact | 10 |
| Group Therapy/Supervision | 2 |
| Individual Supervision | 2 |
| Supervision Preparation | 2 |
| Seminar | 2 |
| Group Case Supervision | 2 |
| Administrative Time | 2 |
*Students are expected to be at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) 22 hours each week. This means that if a client does not show for an appointment, you are still expected to be at CAPS. That time may be used to watch tape, read, complete case notes or for other professional development activities. It is expected that all your time be accounted for in our scheduling system and that you are onsite in accordance with that schedule.
Requirements
Each masters-level intern is required to give a formal case presentation at the conclusion of each semester. Presenting a client case provides an opportunity for interns to articulate to the CAPS staff their theoretical orientation and to demonstrate their case conceptualization skills. This type of experience should also help prepare the intern to discuss his or her therapeutic style and will likely be useful preparation for job interviews.
At the end of the semester, supervisors will provide written feedback to masters-level interns regarding their performance throughout the semester and they will recommend a grade for the practicum to the appropriate academic program. Supervisors and supervisees are encouraged to discuss progress throughout the semester but in particular at an informal evaluation meeting at mid-semester. In addition, interns will evaluate their individual supervisors and the internship program as a whole.
This weekly seminar is designed to be a combination of didactic and experiential activities to further skill and case conceptualization development in the art and science of psychotherapy. In conjunction with topics/activities the training committee brings to these seminars, this is a time for interns to identify specific areas of training and development in therapy that they wish to address.
Masters-level interns are expected to spend at least two hours per week preparing for supervision. It is expected that the intern use part of this time to review an entire taped session of their work with a client. Other activities during this time may include completing case notes, reviewing training tapes, or readings. Use of this additional time is determined between the intern and their supervisor.
Quality supervision is seen as the cornerstone of our training program and is highly valued by the entire staff. For the masters-level internship, senior staff will serve as the primary supervisors for interns. Supervisor assignments are based on a combination of what the intern is wanting from supervision and goodness of fit with the supervisor. Primary supervisors meet weekly with the training committee for supervision of supervision and to consult with each other regarding training issues and work on enhancing the supervisory process. Additionally, interns may expect to receive “live supervision” on occasion.
During this time, masters-level interns and doctoral practicum counselors will meet as a group with two senior staff facilitators. Masters-level interns will have the opportunity to bring in tapes of their work and receive feedback from the group about their work with a particular client. This time is specifically designed to address case conceptualization skills and identify specific interventions that interns may utilize with their clients.
CAPS Professional Expectations
Masters-level interns will be expected to attend all scheduled meetings, including orientation, meetings with supervisors, group case supervision and practicum seminar. Students who do not meet all program requirements will not receive required evaluations for the internship experience or may have their performance evaluation affected.
Appropriate attire at the Counseling & Psychological Services is business casual. Students will be expected to maintain this standard while conducting official business at CAPS.
There are occasions when former clients of Counseling & Psychological Services are interested in an internship at CAPS. If there are any concerns about how being a former client impacts opportunities as a trainee at CAPS, please refer to Guidelines Regarding Multiple Relationships document.
While the work culture at CAPS is supportive and collegial, adherence to the above requirements will allow each masters-level intern to have a productive experience as part of our staff. The practicum coordinator, Dr. Danielle Broxon, and training director, Dr. Jason Hindman, will maintain ongoing communication with your Masters program as it relates to your progress at this site.