Our rural practitioner model of training emphasizes an experiential method of learning, of which clinical assessment, treatment, and crisis management are critical process components. Accordingly, we endeavor to provide a balanced set of learning experiences with both inpatient and outpatient populations, including active involvement with crisis management and Emergency Room triage/evaluation services to facilitate outpatient treatment referral and/or inpatient hospitalization. Interns provide clinical services in one inpatient setting and usually multiple outpatient settings throughout the training year, on a rotating basis. Inpatient work involves exposure to primarily acute/severe (some chronic) psychiatric patients, while the outpatient services involve a variety of assessment and evaluation/treatment programs.

Interns are typically provided opportunities to work with children, adolescents, and adults in several treatment or assessment modalities across settings. Opportunities are available to work with children in a school-based therapy program, as well as to gain experience in working with sexual abuse trauma survivors, elderly inpatients having both dementia and superimposed psychiatric disorders, substance abusers, and the chronically mentally ill. Interns are expected to work 40 hours/week and incorporate evening/weekend coverage into their overall schedules.

Initially, interns work under close supervision with frequent opportunities to directly observe psychologists performing clinical functions. As interns progress, they are expected to assume an increasingly independent role in working with clients and making recommendations to treatment teams. Specialty interests of interns are considered while being matched with supervisors, with hopes of finding congruent interests and goals. The primary focus of training, however, is the refinement of generalist skills.

Responsibilities may vary at each clinic or facility, but all sites agree to provide a balanced set of assessment and therapeutic activities. As all placements are contingent upon the availability of doctoral-level supervision, rotation availability may change periodically if staffing at any agency does not permit access to supervision by a fully licensed psychologist. A non-exhaustive description of services available at each agency is highlighted below, although all sites are commonly united in serving the mental health needs of our twenty-one county catchment area in Eastern Kentucky. Each community mental health facility works closely with the psychiatric hospital, serving as a primary portal of entry for patients requiring inpatient hospitalization. The hospital, in turn, works with community mental health centers to facilitate reentry back to the community.

As all interns become credentialed to practice psychology in Kentucky at the Master’s level (“Licensed Psychological Associate”) prior to their start date, interns are able to participate in the gamut of clinical work available to psychologists functioning within our rural community mental health network. Additionally, this may provide the opportunity to prepare for the national licensure exam (EPPP) at some point during the training year, assisting the intern with career development beyond their pre-doctoral experience. The licensure requirement necessitates that interns possess a master’s degree in the field of psychology from a regionally accredited university prior to their start date. The program assists interns in completing the application process with the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology, and provides financial support for paying application and testing fees (with the exception of EPPP study materials).

Interns must also submit to a background security check and urine drug screening, acknowledge U.S. citizenship or provide a valid work visa, and be willing to work on some evenings and weekends. During the interview process, staff members will provide more detailed information regarding employment and licensing procedures, which will assist potential interns in knowing the necessary requirements for employment as a psychology intern. We have found that interns generally complete the licensing application process smoothly and expedite the completion of other components by addressing them early, particularly during the summer months prior to their start date.

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