Internship Admissions, Support & Initial Placement Data

Date Program Tables are updated: 09/01/2023

Briefly describe in narrative form important information to assist potential applicants in assessing their likely fit with your program. This description must be consistent with the program's policies on intern selection and practicum and academic preparation requirements:

In this university counseling center setting, interns are trained as practitioners who take a scholarly and ethical approach to their work. Emphasis is upon learning through the practical application of evidence-based practices. Trainees develop proficiency in providing individual and group therapy as well as consultation and crisis interventions. Interns also cultivate skill and experience in providing clinical supervision. We aim to provide a customizable experience through various training rotations that allow interns to acquire specialized training in areas that are of particular interest to them. Interns who fit best on our team are those who are willing to engage in self-reflection and challenge themselves to engage with different approaches. We hold that individual difference is relevant in all interpersonal connections. Trainees will approach their work with preconceived, often unconscious, assumptions that are rooted in their unique background and values (Hays, D.G., & Chang, C.Y., 2003). In order to ensure that trainees are able to work with all students who may enter the therapy space, the program focuses on increasing trainee awareness of their own experiences. A use-of-self training philosophy threads its way through all of our internship activities. Our staff strives to cultivate a safe/supportive supervisory relationships where trainees can thoughtfully consider the filters through which they view relational processes. The assumption underlying a use-of-self training philosophy is that we bring characteristics to each interpersonal encounter that either facilitate or undermine therapeutic interactions. As supervisors, our goal is to empower trainees to become more attuned to these variables, recognizing that such insight may help the trainee to connect in deeper, more meaningful ways. Although a use-of-self training approach may illuminate ways in which the supervisor and the trainee are different, differences are explored openly.

Does the program require that applicants have received a minimum number of hours of the following at time of application? If Yes, indicate how many:

• Total Direct Contact Intervention Hours
  Hours Required: Yes
  Amount: 350
• Total Direct Contact Assessment Hours
  Hours Required: No
  Amount: N/A

Describe any other required minimum criteria used to screen applicants:

In our process of screening applicants to invite for interviews, we look for excellent academic performance, strong recommendations, and demonstrated university counseling center interest. More importantly, we prioritize essays that reflect self-awareness and insight into how applicants believe that they fit in our agency (How can we help you meet your goals?). Finally, we look for those applicants who are invested in developing skills in supporting students from a wide-range of backgrounds.

Question: Does the program or institution require students, trainees, and/or staff (faculty) to comply with specific policies or practices related to the institution’s affiliation or purpose?

Answer: No

Such policies or practices may include, but are not limited to, admissions, hiring, retention policies, and/or requirements for completion that express mission and values.

Annual Stipend/Salary for Full-time Interns: $45,000

Annual Stipend/Salary for Half-time Interns: N/A

Program provides access to medical insurance for intern? Yes

Trainee contribution to cost required? Yes

Coverage of family member(s) available? Yes

Coverage of legally married partner available? Yes

Coverage of domestic partner available? Yes

Hours of Annual Paid Personal Time Off (PTO and/or Vacation): 8 hrs/month (available for use after 6 months of employment)

Hours of Annual Paid Sick Leave: 8 hrs/month

In the event of medical conditions and/or family needs that require extended leave, does the program allow reasonable unpaid leave to interns/residents in excess of personal time off and sick leave? Yes

Other Benefits (please describe): University Holidays (12-15 days), paid attendance to the Texas Internship Conference, the Texas Supervision Symposium and our Social Justice Conference (5 days), and 5 days of professional or educational leave.

*Note. Programs are not required by the Commission on Accreditation to provide all benefits listed in this table.

(Provide an Aggregated Tally for the Preceding 3 Cohorts)

Note: "PD" = Post-doctoral residency position; "EP" = Employed Position. Each individual represented in this table should be counted only one time. For former trainees working in more than one setting, select the setting that represents their primary position.