Universal Psychology Postdoctoral Directory

Elements of quality clinically focused postdoctoral training

The Emory University Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides comprehensive mental health and preventive services for a student population which is culturally and clinically diverse. Interns gain experience in brief and longer-term individual, couples and group psychotherapy, outreach, intake assessments, consultation, biofeedback and stress management, and crisis intervention. Emory CAPS is a multidisciplinary setting, with staff and trainees representing Counseling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Clinical Social Work; there are also consultative relationships with university psychiatrists. A variety of theoretical orientations and intervention models are represented among the senior staff. The Center's model of training emphasizes three components: intern development over the course of the internship year, mentoring relationships with senior professionals, and the importance of combining practice with science (practitioner/scholar model). A balance of challenge and support is seen as central to intern personal and professional growth and development. Interns receive intensive, supportive individual and group supervision on their therapy, supervision, crisis intervention and consultation experiences. While the internship is designed to provide each intern with a balanced general foundation of knowledge and experience, there is enough flexibility to permit each individual to explore and develop particular areas of interest. Emory CAPS clientele is diverse in terms of age (from late teens to 60's), race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual/affectional orientation, disability status, and SES. Typical presenting problems range from relationship or adjustment/developmental concerns, to depression, major mental illness, trauma/PTSD, and eating disorders. Along with their treatment and supervision experiences, interns participate in a number of didactic and experiential training seminars over the course of the internship year