APA Accredited Psychology Doctoral Internship Program
The Citrus Health Network Psychology Doctoral Internship Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA) and is a member of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC).
Presently, Citrus is accepting six doctoral psychology interns each year. All internship slots are full-time and fully funded. The internship year begins on July 1st and all interns are expected to start on that date.
Assessment experiences in a large community mental health center
Treatment and evaluation in both primary care, behavioral health outpatient, and residential settings
Outpatient psychotherapy
Services provided to children, adolescents, adults, and families
A multi-ethnic, largely Hispanic patient population
A rich program of didactic seminars
Mission & Model
CHN Mission: Citrus Health Network is in the business of helping people.
Internship Training Model: Science informed by the literature.
Training Aims and Philosophy
Citrus Health Network, Inc. has defined its training philosophy to reflect a “practitioner informed by the literature” orientation. By virtue of this orientation, we seek to train interns in a variety of entry-level clinical skills, augmented by regular seminars in related subject areas, scientific colloquia, and reviews and discussions of relevant current and past literature.
Our basic training aims are as follows:
Develop the intern’s ability to integrate clinical theory and practice in the application of knowledge, assessment, and clinical skills in the practice of psychology.
To be aware of and respond to issues of cultural diversity.
To foster the intern’s sense of professionalism
Each of these training aims have several specific areas of competencies all with corresponding outcomes, prescribed activities, assessment criteria, and element requirements.
Citrus Health Network is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation for both a Doctoral Internship Program and a Postdoctoral Residency Program. In addition, the Internship training program is a member of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) and observes all rules for intern selection as established by that organization. To apply, please register through www.appic.org.
For more information on the Citrus Health Network Psychology Doctoral Internship Program, click on the links below
and please contact the Office of Education and Training at psychologyprogram@citrushealth.com.
Overview of Psychology Doctoral Internship Activities
Primary Care Psychology
The primary care psychology rotation includes experience with pediatrics, adults, and women’s health. It focuses on applying psychological knowledge and principles to common physical and mental health problems. The interns participate on a multidisciplinary team providing comprehensive care, patient evaluation and treatment, determining factors affecting health, and developing tailored therapies for individuals struggling with biopsychosocial stressors. In addition, interns work towards managing illness, psychological symptomatology, and improving overall quality of life.
Further, the intern will have the opportunity to lead Wellness Groups in Citrus Health Network's Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit. These groups are offered on an ongoing basis with topics focusing on stress management and lifestyle modifications.
Site Supervisors:
Yunelis Vera, Psy.D.
Desiree Kitchens, Psy.D
Rotation Experience:
6 Months
Individual Therapy
Diagnostic Interviews
Screenings/Risk Assessments
Inpatient – Wellness Groups - Children & Adolescents
Setting/Patient Population:
Primary Care
Children/Adolescents and Adults
Outpatient
Outpatient Psychotherapy
The outpatient psychotherapy rotation offers psychotherapy, based primarily on a brief or short-term, psychoeducational and/or a maintenance approach. Interns make use of problem-focused, defense building and supportive psychotherapeutic strategies which may include the participation of family members when necessary and appropriate. Besides individual and family therapy, the outpatient psychotherapy rotation also offers a specific psycho-educational approach through group therapy for those patients who can benefit from more ongoing, long-term support and education in specifically identified areas.
In addition, interns will be provided the opportunity to rotate through our AES department for a day. Interns will conduct diagnostic interview assessments in a psychiatric emergency room to assess each client’s level of acuity or psychiatric status and to ensure the correct and appropriate disposition for client’s immediate and long-term needs. Additionally, they will be completing brief crisis interventions geared at reducing acute levels of psychological distress as well as assisting clients to regain a more adaptive level of functioning.
Site Supervisors:
Madelyn Cabrera, Psy.D.
Stephanie Freiria-Montalvo, Psy.D.
Rotation Experience:
6 Months
Individual Therapy/Family Therapy
Group Therapy
Diagnostic Interviews
Crisis Interventions
Setting/Patient Population:
Outpatient Psychotherapy
Assessment and Emergency Services Department
Children/Adolescents, Adults, and Families
*Activities may change at the Training Director’s discretion.
Psychological Testing Service
The goal of an intern’s experience in the psychological testing service is to develop the administration and interpretation skills necessary to conduct psychological and psychoeducational evaluations to formulate an appropriate diagnosis and make treatment recommendations. Interns will develop refined administration skills and increasing proficiency in interpretation of cognitive, academic, behavioral, developmental, and personality assessments.
Clinical Supervisor:
Dianne Rosen, Ph.D., ABPP
Psychological Testing Service:
12 months
Psychological Evaluations
Psycho-educational Evaluations
Setting/Patient Population:
Outpatient
Children, Adolescents, and some Young Adults
CRISIS STABILIZATION UNITS – INPATIENT
Crisis Stabilization Units (CCSU)
The Psychology Doctoral Internship program rotation offered at the Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit (CCSU) at Citrus Health Network, Inc. (CHN) includes clinical training in the areas of individual psychotherapy and group therapy in acute settings and psychopharmacology. The CCSU is a locked facility which houses a child and adolescent program to treat children in need of immediate intervention including but not limited to suicidality, aggressive acting out, and psychosis. The CCSU is a treatment facility for child Baker Act orders in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. It also serves adolescents in need of substance abuse assessment and treatment as a Juvenile Addictions Receiving Facility (JARF) as identified by the Courts. As a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team, the Psychology Doctoral Intern participates in the care of each patient via morning rounds, group and individual therapy, family meetings, conceptualizing and discussing cases, and creating an individualized treatment plan as well for each patient.
CRISIS STABILIZATION UNITS – INPATIENT
Adult Crisis Stabilization Unit (ACSU)
The Psychology Doctoral Internship program rotation offered at the ACSU at CHN provides considerable clinical training in acute settings in the areas of individual psychotherapy, group therapy, and psychopharmacology. The ACSU is a 26-bed, locked facility which houses female and male adults who manifest a diverse range of psychopathology in an acute/crisis state. The ACSU is one of the adult treatment facilities for Baker Act orders in Miami-Dade County. As a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team, the Psychology Doctoral Intern will collaborate with patients to create an individualized treatment plan, provide individual, group, and facilitate family therapy. In addition, the Intern will participate in case staffing, morning rounds, and have the opportunity to enhance their case conceptualization skills.
Clinical Supervisor:
Jaleishly Nogueras, Ph.D
Psychological Testing Service:
1 day weekly for 6 months during Primary Care Psychology Rotation
Individual Therapy/Family Therapy
Group Therapy
Crisis Intervention
Multidisciplinary Rounds
Setting/Patient Population:
Inpatient Child Crisis Stabilization
Juvenile Addictions Receiving Facility (JARF)
Children/Adolescents
Clinical Supervisor:
Lisette Pena, Psy.D
Psychological Testing Service:
1 day weekly for 6 months during Outpatient Psychotherapy Rotation
Individual Therapy/Family Therapy
Group Therapy
Crisis Intervention
Multidisciplinary Rounds
Setting/Patient Population:
Inpatient Adult Crisis Stabilization
Adults
Adult Diagnostic & Psychotherapy Seminar
In addition to the learning that occurs through supervised practice, interns at Citrus Health Network also benefit from an extensive array of structured seminar experiences. The internship program provides opportunities for didactic exposure to scientific literature and the discussion thereof, through several seminars.
Diagnostic Seminar
Child Diagnostic & Psychotherapy Seminar
Primary Care Seminar
Psychological Testing Seminar
Mentoring Seminar
Multidisciplinary Grand Rounds: Primary Care and Behavioral Health Topics
Quality Improvement (QI) Rounds
For more detailed information on Internship activities, please refer to the Handbook.
Admission Process and Criteria for Doctoral Internship Program
Applicants representing cultural and individual diversity including but not limited to age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, language, national origin, race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status are encouraged to apply.
Availability of Internship positions for the upcoming year will be made available through the APPIC website.
Candidates interested in the Doctoral Internship must submit all of the following documents electronically to the Training Coordinator through the APPIC website to be considered for interviews no later than November 15th.
Completed APPI Application includes:
Cover Letter
Director of Clinical Training Statement of Readiness
Official Graduate Transcripts
3 Letters of Recommendation from Professional or Academic Sources
Curriculum Vitae
Verification of APA Accredited Graduate Program
Copy of Master’s Degree or letter of equivalency
Incomplete packages will not be eligible for consideration for Interviews.
Practicum and academic requirements most appropriate for consideration:
Psycho-educational testing experience with children and adolescents
Experience working in a medical setting with adult and pediatric patients presenting with co-morbid medical and behavioral health conditions
Outpatient psychotherapy experience, including individual, group, and family therapies with child, adolescent, and adult populations
Inpatient Psychiatric Experience with Child, Adolescent, and Adult Populations
Experience with trauma patients, specifically trauma focused cognitive-behavioral therapy
Working with diverse populations (includes age, cultural, sexual orientation, religion, disabilities) in a multi-disciplinary setting
Diagnostic interviewing
Spanish speakers preferred but not required
Selected candidates will be offered a remote interview during the month of January.
Completion Requirements
A certificate of completion for Internship in Clinical Psychology will be issued after successful completion of training.
Training requirements include and are not limited to the following according to accreditation standards and expectations.
In-Vivo Evaluations, four times yearly
Competency-based evaluations, mid-year and end of year
Assigned testing batteries
Regular Attendance and participation in scheduled seminars and educational activites
Timely finalization of all clinical documentation
Timely submission of supervision logs
| Date Program Tables are updated: | August 31, 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Program Disclosures | ||
| 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? 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? | Yes | |
| If yes, provide website link (or content from brochure) where this specific information is presented: | N/A | |
| Internship Program Admissions | ||
| 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: | ||
Applicants representing cultural and individual diversity including but not limited to age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, language, national origin, race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status are encouraged to apply. NOTE: Applicants must provide proof of their authorization to work in the United States that is valid throughout the length of the internship.
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| Training Goals | ||
| 1) To develop the intern’s ability to integrate clinical theory and practice in the application of knowledge, assessment, and clinical skills in the practice of psychology. 2) To be aware of and respond to issues of cultural diversity. 3) To foster the intern’s sense of professionalism. Each of these training aims has several specific areas of competencies all with corresponding outcomes, prescribed activities, assessment criteria, and element requirements. | ||
| Does the program require that applicants have received a minimum number of hours of the following at the time of application? | If Yes, indicate how many: | |
| Total Direct Contact Intervention Hours | No | Amount: N/A |
| Total Direct Contact Assessment Hours | No | Amount: N/A |
| Describe any other required minimum criteria used to screen applicants: | N/A | |
| Financial and Other Benefit Support for Upcoming Training Year* | ||
| Annual Stipend/Salary for Full-time Interns | $48,000 | |
| Annual Stipend/Salary for Half-time Interns | N/A | |
| Program provides access to medical insurance for intern? | Yes | |
| If access to medical insurance is provided: | ||
| 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) | 120 | |
| Hours of Annual Paid Sick Leave | N/A | |
| 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): | 80 Hours of Paid Time Off (includes vacation and sick leave); 40 Hours of Education Leave; 6 paid holidays a year; Limited Life Insurance and Dental Insurance provided at no additional cost. Vision plans available at a small cost to trainee. Citrus Health Network is a qualified site for the National Loan Repayment Program (more info at https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loan-repayment/index.html). | |
| *Note. Programs are not required by the Commission on Accreditation to provide all benefits listed in this table | ||
| Initial Post-Internship Positions (Provide an Aggregated Tally for the Preceding 3 Cohorts) 2021-2024 | ||
| Total # of interns who were in the 3 cohorts | 17 | |
| Total # of interns who did not seek employment because they returned to their doctoral program/are completing doctoral degree | 1 | |
| PD | EP | Setting |
| 0 | 0 | Academic teaching |
| 7 | 0 | Community mental health center |
| 0 | 0 | Consortium |
| 0 | 0 | University Counseling Center |
| 3 | 0 | Hospital/Medical Center |
| 2 | 0 | Veterans Affairs Health Care System |
| 0 | 0 | Psychiatric facility |
| 0 | 0 | Correctional facility |
| 0 | 0 | Health maintenance organization |
| 0 | 0 | School district/system |
| 2 | 0 | Independent practice setting |
| 2 | 0 | Other |
For more information on the Citrus Health Network Psychology Doctoral Internship Program, please contact the Office of Education and Training at psychologyprogram@citrushealth.com.
For concerns or questions specific to the program's accreditation, please contact the Commission on Accreditation at:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org / Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation