The Department of Human Services, Psychological Services Division, has provided psychology internship training since 1981. The internship program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and is a member of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC). Additionally, training has been provided for graduate psychology practicum students since the mid-1970's.

Training in psychology is administered by the Director of Psychology Training who is also the Director of the Psychological Services Division. The Psychology Internship Training Committee, consisting of the Training Director, the Division Director, the Program Directors, and staff Clinical Psychologists, meets regularly to review student progress and assist in the continued development of the program. A total of five doctoral level psychologists licensed in the State of Florida provide the supervisory base for student training in psychology.

The psychology staff adhere to the American Psychological Association's Ethical Principles of Psychologists, and Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing; keep up-to-date with policy statements relevant to standards for professional services as issued by the Association; and conform to relevant statutes established by federal, state, and local governments.

All psychology interns are assigned in the Psychological Services Division to a full-time, 2000 hour (one year) placement in a comprehensive day treatment program according to their background, knowledge, area of needed training, and supervisor/supervisee match. This Division has an overall family treatment and interdisciplinary focus, and services are principally offered in four day treatment programs to families, children, adolescents, and young adults. The programs provide conjoint psychological and psycho-educational services and serve clients ages 5 to 22, who are classified as being Severely Emotionally Disturbed (SED). SED classification is a special education nosological term which underpins delivery of specialized treatment services for a variety of disorders, which typically include: schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, psychotic depression, pervasive developmental disorders, and ADHD, etc. The majority of the clients referred to the programs have had serious difficulties in home, school, and community settings, often being directly referred from specialized SED programs or hospitals.

The psychology staff works in partnership with social workers, special education teachers, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, art therapists, speech pathologists, and other professionals in addressing the needs of clients. The interns receive advanced training designed to address a range of mental health problems. Intern selection occurs as psychology students complete their academic requirements and obtain greater clarity regarding career objectives. Interns are chosen whose objectives involve direct client services and, preferably, treatment related research and/or program evaluation. Responsibility is assumed by the psychologists within the Psychological Services Division for the daily clinical and administrative supervision of the interns in their work and professional development.

Intern training takes place via a Mentor-Practitioner training model and is designed to produce competent professionals in psychological assessment, intervention, and consultation with children and/or adolescents and their families. Therapeutically, emphasis is mainly eclectic, applying family systems, behavioral, existential, nondirective, and cognitive and other principles of psychology. Multi-faceted aspects of the program allow for training in individual, group, couple, and family therapies; psychological and psychoeducational assessment; consultation; and case management.

For more information, please contact Ana M. Faraci, Ph.D. at  laj@miamidade.gov.