The CAPS training program adheres to a Scholar-Practitioner model. Focusing on the clinical application of scientific findings, a broad array of supervised clinical, outreach and prevention experiences and formal and informal didactic settings promote the acquisition of practice skills and the development of critical thinking.
We regard our doctoral interns as professionals in training, and accordingly the training program is developmental in its focus. We believe that professional development and competency as a newly-practicing psychologist results from cumulative and developmental immersion in broad clinical experience rooted in empirical evidence and supported by skilled professionals serving as supervisors, teachers, and role models. Recognizing that interns begin their internship year at varying developmental levels, an assessment is made of their training needs at the start of the year and expectations are individually tailored. After a year of close supervision, we expect each intern to have developed an increased level of clinical competence and autonomy, heightened professional identity and ethical awareness, and an enhanced understanding of self in preparation for independent functioning as a clinical psychologist.
We train our interns to be generalists, with particular expertise in working with a college population. Over the course of the year, interns provide individual, couple and group psychotherapy, emergency assessment and response, crisis intervention, psychological assessment, and outreach/prevention and consultation to the university community. Interns are encouraged to develop specific expertise with special populations and these interests are taken into account when making assignments; however, such interests are considered as secondary to generalist training.
An appreciation of human diversity is a cornerstone of our training program. Honoring these values, the training program seeks to recruit a range of candidates, including those from diverse backgrounds and with diverse interests. Our highly diverse clinical staff trains interns in the competent provision of services to UCLA's pluralistic student body. The diversity of our staff and our clientele provides interns with an unusual opportunity to gain specific clinical experience and expertise with a broad spectrum of individually and culturally diverse clients across a full range of health and psychopathology. A variety of training experiences complement these clinical experiences, and lead to the acquisition and development of knowledge, awareness and skills related to multiculturally-competent case conceptualization and care.
Over the course of the year, interns are expected to refine their sensitivity and competence in service delivery to students of varied racial, cultural, religious, gender, sexual orientation, physical and age groups. Professional diversity is also valued, as our staff consists of psychologists, clinical social workers and psychiatrists, and trainees from psychology, social work, and psychiatry residency programs.
Intensive supervision is a distinguishing feature of CAPS internship training and encompasses a variety of theoretical frameworks. Interns are frequently asked to reflect on personal issues potentially affecting their professional functioning as therapists, trainers, consultants and colleagues. While we strive to respect interns' privacy rights, the disclosure of personal information pertinent to interns' professional roles in the context of their supervision is routine and expected.
Finally, our training program operates in a context of ongoing reciprocal evaluation and feedback. Such periodic evaluation ensures that interns, as well as supervisory staff, are progressing in their individual and professional development goals.
Staff and Setting
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is a multidisciplinary counseling center for the UCLA student community, offering individual, group and conjoint counseling and psychotherapy to students; prevention and outreach, consultation and education to students, staff and faculty; and training programs for graduates in the mental health professions. We are a multiethnic and multicultural staff of psychologists, clinical social workers and psychiatrists, all of whom have varied training and interests. Our staff is one of the most diverse in the nation.
Students present to UCLA-CAPS with a full range of concerns, from normal developmental issues to severe psychopathology. CAPS offers a variety of interventions to address these concerns. Last year we provided direct clinical services to nearly 7,000 UCLA students and outreach services to more than three times that number, providing an unusually rich opportunity to work in a variety of modalities with a large and diverse population.
APA Accreditation
The UCLA-CAPS doctoral internship in health service psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association. Inquiries regarding the accreditation of our internship training program may be directed to:
APA Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
750 First Street, NE • Washington, DC • 20002-4242
Phone: 202-336-5979
The Office of Accreditation’s web address may be accessed here: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation. You may also email the Accreditation Office at apaaccre@apa.org.
UCLA Nondiscrimination Policy
The University of California, in accordance with applicable Federal and state Laws and University Policies, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, medical condition (cancer related), ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran.
The University also prohibits sexual harassment. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access, and treatment in University programs and activities. For additional information about this policy please view the Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy Regarding Academic and Staff Employment.