clinical work at practicum sites

Before beginning their one-year pre-doctoral internship, students are required to complete at least seven semesters of practica. Practicum placements have included a variety of psychiatric hospitals, private psychological practices, community mental health facilities, neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitative services, and criminal justice settings. Additionally, the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program operates its own Psychological Services Center (PSC) where students work with a broad range of community clientele under the supervision of licensed psychologists.

All students are subject to criminal background checks before being assigned a practicum.

The PSC has a dual mission of providing general clinical services to the community and providing forensic services to the criminal justice system.

Thus far, clinical services have been provided to a broad range of clientele from a variety of demographic and ethnic backgrounds. Since its inception in 1999, the PSC has opened over 1,000 cases, over 70% of which have involved general clinical services. A broad range of both assessment and treatment services for adults, adolescents, families, and children are offered. This includes individual, couples, and family approaches. Group therapy for both adults and adolescents is offered through contracts with the Montgomery County Juvenile Probation Department. Clients treated have been diagnosed with psychopathology ranging from mild adjustment disorders to active psychoses.

Forensic assessments performed for the courts most commonly include evaluating various competencies, criminal responsibility, and risk assessment. Examinees include both adults and juveniles. Inexperienced students begin as observers, accompanying the faculty supervisor. As they gain more experience, they perform portions of the interviews and draft the final report; however, the licensed supervisor remains the primary evaluator. Students often use the assessments completed at the PSC for their mock trial exercise during their Forensic Assessment class.

Each student assigned to the PSC participates in the monthly supervision seminar in clinical supervision conducted by the Clinic Director. This includes completing assigned readings and participating in class discussions. They are then required to function as peer supervisors in semesters that follow. This is always done under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.

This site affords the opportunity to provide psychological and neuropsychological assessment and intervention for individuals with traumatic brain injuries and other complex mental illnesses in a post-acute neuropsychiatric hospital.  The population typically includes traumatized veterans. Students have the opportunity to participate with a multidisciplinary team.

These agencies serve incarcerated and probated juveniles in the Houston area. Student clinicians conduct a wide range of assessments and some therapy, and are able to participate in some forensic evaluations. Clients come from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Students provide initial assessments of newly arrived inmates for psychological problems and needs.  They also engage in crisis intervention and provide short term counseling as needed. They work closely with both medical and correctional staff to assure that mental health needs are met.

Dr. Ronald Massey has maintained a general clinical psychology practice in the Conroe area for over 20 years. As well as learning the ins and outs of private practice, students will see patients in psychotherapy. They will also have the opportunity to work in tandem with Dr. Massey in seeing children and families.

TIRR specializes in the assessment and rehabilitation of persons suffering from brain injuries or other neuropsychological disorders. Students have the opportunity to conduct neuropsychological assessments of both child and adult clients. They also hone their skills at integrating data and constructing assessment reports. Given that TIRR has training as a primary mission, students have an opportunity to work closely with peers from other programs, as well as interns and medical residents. They are also afforded access to the numerous didactic programs that are conducted at the Texas Medical Center.

ADAPT is a private counseling practice that provides general clinical services to children and families. It offers a specialty in juvenile sex offender treatment and includes registered sex offender treatment providers on the staff. Referrals frequently come from the courts or from the Texas Department of Regulatory Services. Practicum students co-lead groups, provide individual therapy, work with families, and assist with intake evaluations. They can also attend inter-agency meetings with treatment staff and specialized probation staff, and participate in didactic training seminars that present information on the assessment and treatment of both offenders and victims of sexual abuse.

Rusk State Hospital is a JCAHO accredited inpatient psychiatric hospital serving most of east Texas. Patients are both civil and court ordered; there is both chronic and acute care (length of stay ranging from a week to 30 years). Students may participate in both treatment and assessment.

Students at Walker County have the opportunity to provide both therapy and assessment services to adults who are currently on probation. They also give crisis intervention assistance to those who may require medical referral or hospitalization. In addition, they provide consultation to officers in the department, both in terms of individual clients and the overall streamlining and improvement of the operation.

During their final year in the program, students  complete a year-long internship in which they engage in full-time clinical work. Acceptance into a pre-doctoral internship is competitive, and applications are made a year in advance. In most cases, students relocate to another part of the country for their internships. For current statistics on internship, please click here. For a list of current internship sites, click here.