Program Competencies

Internship Aim and Competencies

The aim of our doctoral internship is to prepare interns in clinical or counseling psychology to become entry-level psychologists through participation in a year-long counseling center training program.

Over the course of the internship year, interns are expected to develop the following nine core competencies:

1. Clinical intervention
   Build skills in individual and group counseling, crisis intervention and the use of evidence-based approaches. This also includes the ability to use supervision and other available resources to strengthen clinical competence.
2. Provision of supervision
   Develop competence in providing clinical supervision to others.
3. Consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills
   Gain experience in delivering consultation services to members of the University community and in working collaboratively with other professionals in health service psychology.
4. Individual and cultural diversity
   Strengthen sensitivity, knowledge and clinical skills for practicing effectively within a multicultural framework. This includes examining how personal and cultural history, attitudes and biases may influence professional practice.
5. Ethics and law
   Acquire a working knowledge of, and sensitivity to, the ethical and legal principles that guide the practice of psychology, and apply these principles in clinical work, research, consultations and professional relationships.
6. Assessment
   Develop competence in conducting evidence-based assessments that complement clinical work in a university counseling center. The BGSU Counseling Center provides opportunities for interns to gain competency in ADHD and learning disorder (LD) assessments.
7. Research
   Demonstrate the ability to independently evaluate and share research or other scholarly activities that inform professional practice.
8. Communication and interpersonal skills
   Use effective interpersonal skills and clear written and oral communication to build strong professional relationships with a variety of individuals encountered in the role of a psychologist.
9. Professional identity, values and attitudes
   Cultivate an identity as a psychologist who engages in reflective practice, ongoing learning and work that reflects the values and attitudes of the profession.