8:40 a.m., Feb. 13, 2009----The University of Delaware's Center for Counseling and Student Development has received a seven-year accreditation for its predoctoral psychology internship program from the American Psychological Association (APA).

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Since its inception in 1946, the center has helped generations of students deal with a variety of problems, ranging from concerns about career or academic progress to personal concerns.

The Center for Counseling and Student Development predoctoral internship program, which has achieved full accreditation since 1986, received its most recent review from the APA's Commission on Accreditation.

In issuing its report, the commission noted that the center is the primary mental health services provider on campus, and that the internship complements the central mission of the University.

The report also noted that the program has continually received strong budgetary support from the University and cited staff supervision and mentoring of interns as the particular strengths of the predoctoral internship program.

Charles L. Beale, director of the Center for Counseling and Student Development, said the reaccreditation is a tribute to the entire counseling center staff of psychologists, psychiatrists, interns, postdoctoral fellows and secretarial staff.

“Of particular note is the very hard work, preparation and leadership for the APA site visit provided by Dr. Merris Hollingsworth, coordinator of the predoctoral internship,” Beale said. “The center's internship program was one of the earliest to receive accreditation, and this most recent reaccreditation is yet another affirmation of the high quality of the program and the commitment of the staff to provide a comprehensive training experience."

The final step in predoctoral training, the internship is a year-long, 2,000-hour experience involving supervised delivery of clinical services, and is required training for becoming a psychologist.

The program also is highly competitive, with only four interns chosen from this year's pool of 104 candidates. Applicants are enrolled in a doctoral program in counseling or clinical psychology and have completed all the formal course requirements, Beale said.

“Every January, after reviewing applications, we invite 21 individuals for a full day of interviews by the center's staff,” Beale said. “In February, four individuals are identified to be our next interns beginning August 16 and serving through July 31 of the following year.”

Required training activities include assessment interviews, counseling and psychotherapy, two-hour weekly rotation with the University psychiatrist, crisis intervention, career development, group counseling, supervision of other trainers and personality assessment.

Also included is supervision, personal and professional development, internship seminar, case conferences, consultation and outreach.

Beale said electives include research, teaching and working in the Student Services for Athletes Program. All training activities, Beale noted, are intended to provide the professional skills necessary for independent functioning as a psychologist in a university of college counseling center.

“The center has a very experienced and talented staff who are highly committed to the internship program and to the achievement of excellence in that experience,” Beale said. “The national reputation of the program is one of the reasons we receive so many applications from very qualified individuals."

Interns arrive with energy, enthusiasm and the most current knowledge in the field, something that keeps the Center for Counseling and Student Development staff invigorated and excited about their work, Beale said.

“The addition of four predoctoral interns allows the center to extend its services to the University community in a way we would otherwise not be able to do,” Beale said. “As a result of the program, we are able to attract staff psychologists who value training and providing counseling services to UD students.”

Article by Jerry Rhodes