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Supervision
is provided by psychology faculty as well as faculty from other
disciplines. While supervision is regularly scheduled, the internship’s
goals stress the fostering of a
sense of the intern’s professional independence over time and
experience. Supervision will be close at first, less close as you
progress in training. Psychology interns are viewed as residents by the
medical center, and junior colleagues by faculty. They are involved in
constant daily clinical give and take. Interns often spend long blocks of
time with faculty members as they engage in professional activities. It
is through these interactions that the majority of mutual assessments of
ability take place. However interns will be required to demonstrate a
certain level of competence in a variety of specific areas of clinical
psychology. While individual differences in theoretical orientation are
expected, we feel well-trained clinical psychologists must have a core of
traditional clinical and research skills at their disposal. |
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Exposure to diversity in race, culture, lifestyle, socioeconomic
status, physical status, etc. is an important training objective here.
West Virginia is largely White and European, although Charleston
has a significant population of African American, Middle Eastern and
Asian/Pacific Basin residents. Perhaps
best represented in terms of diversity are the rural Appalachian poor,
who are concentrated in areas an hour south of Charleston.
Over the years, our interns and residents have come from various
racial, cultural, and lifestyle backgrounds.
All of the rotation facilities are completely accessible, so
applicants with physical challenges will have no environmental barriers
to their training. Diversity
is discussed in clinical presentations and supervision, through
didactics, and in Diversity Dialogue, which involves evening meetings at
the homes of faculty. |
