Psychology Externships and Social Work Internships
As a comprehensive community mental health agency, WJCS provides a wide range services to people of diverse backgrounds and ages (infants, children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly) who live or work in Westchester County. WJCS is committed to meeting the ever-changing needs of the Westchester community by updating its services and developing new programs.
The agency remains current with the latest developments in the field of mental health and is commits to evidence-based practices within its scope of practice. WJCS also plays a leadership role in sharing its knowledge with staff, students, professionals from other organizations and the community at large. The agency actively participates in the training of future psychologists with a well-established APA-approved Psychology Internship Program, which was re-accredited in 2005 by the American Psychological Association for seven years, the maximum period for which accreditation is granted. WJCS also offers social work internships for first and second year graduate students from schools of social work. The Educational Institute catalogue offers a complete description of professional development courses and programs.
WJCS is offering a PSYCHOLOGY EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM for the 2009-2010 academic year.
Second-, third-, and fourth-year doctoral candidates enrolled in clinical, school and counseling programs are encouraged to apply. The extern is placed for 2 or 3 days a week for a 9- or 10-month period, depending on individual doctoral program requirements.
Opportunities are available for externs to provide direct clinical services (psychotherapy and psychological assessment) within the WJCS Family Mental Health clinics and specialty programs (e.g., developmental disabilities, trauma, forensic) to clients of varying ages, as well as diverse cultural backgrounds, diagnoses, and clinical needs. Additionally, externs will be encouraged to participate in agency research and program consultation as such opportunities become available within the agency.
As part of their professional development, externs will participate in psychology staff meetings, multi-disciplinary clinic or program staff meetings, psychology staff didactics, and WJCS Educational Institute course offerings as their schedules permit.
Externs will be closely supervised by licensed psychologists and, as needed, supervisors with specialty training. During the externship placement, the student will also be assigned a psychology intern supervisor, whose supervision of the extern will be closely supervised by a licensed psychologist, as well as within a weekly training seminar on the supervisory process.
The 2009-2010 Psychology Externship training year starts in September 2009. Applications from prospective candidates will be accepted beginning January 15, 2009. It is recommended students apply as soon as possible after that date. Please send a cover letter, CV, 2 letters of recommendation, and letter of eligibility for externship from your doctoral program's Director to:
Marna Cohen, Ph.D., Coordinator
Psychology Externship Program
Westchester Jewish Community Services
141 N. Central Avenue
Hartsdale, N. Y. 10530
Phone: (914) 949-6761 ext 372 E-mail: mcohen@wjcs.com
FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS:
WJCS accepts first and second year graduate students from schools of social work for field work placements. The interns are supervised by experienced social workers and participate in training seminars provided by in-house staff and guest professionals. Placements can be made with clinic, community-based or administrative sites based on student interests and program needs.
FOR UNDERGRADUATES
Students enrolled in Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programs may apply for field work placements at WJCS. Students learn to provide case management services through the network of resources available in a community, participate in linking patients to resources and learn the functioning and interfacing of services and procedures within WJCS.
Contact: John Alterman, Director, Hartsdale Family Mental Health Clinic & Educational Institute
Phone: 914-949-7699 ext 374 Email: jalterman@wjcs.com
