Internships

Doctoral Psychology

Overview

Program Code Number: 660

From the Director of Training

Thank you for your interest in Hazelden Mental Health Center's Doctoral Psychology Internship Program. This program offers a unique opportunity to work with mental health issues as they interface with chemical use issues. This program provides a broad range of clinical services along with didactic training, supervision and the opportunity to be involved in research. Hazelden Mental Health Center's Doctoral Psychology Internship Program is an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited internship* and received a seven-year accreditation in 2005. The administrative structure of the program is within Hazelden Recovery Services, which serves youth/young adult and adult populations. Our training opportunities comprise a rich array of experiences by drawing on the interdisciplinary team, which is an integral part of the Hazelden treatment process. There currently are five internship opportunities available: one with youth/young adults and three with adults.

Overview

The Hazelden Foundation is a private, nonprofit corporation whose mission is to help build recovery in the lives of individuals, families and communities affected by alcoholism, drug dependency and related diseases. Hazelden, founded in 1949, has its origins in Center City, MN, about 45 miles north of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Hazelden was established originally as a not-for-profit corporation to assist in the rehabilitation of alcoholic men. It soon broadened its mission to include other mood altering substances and to serve other populations such as women, youth, older adults and minorities. Educational programs were also created for families and friends of the individual struggling with alcohol and drug dependency, further expanding the holistic vision that has guided Hazelden's growth. Hazelden has continued to grow as a leader in providing quality care for individuals struggling with alcohol and drug dependency and related issues.

Hazelden's treatment approach is based on the Minnesota Model (also known as the Disease Model or Twelve Step Facilitation Model). This model is best described as an interdisciplinary approach based on the therapeutic principles of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and incorporating common and well-accepted psychological approaches. This model of treatment has been researched and described in peer reviewed literature.

Psychological services have been part of the Hazelden interdisciplinary team almost since its beginning. The primary role of psychology in the 1960's, 70's, and 80's was to identify individual differences through clinical interviews and psychological testing.

Screening measures for cognitive functioning and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory were introduced as a standard assessment practice for all new admissions. The psychologists utilized psychological assessment data for the purpose of team consultation in an effort to individualize treatment approaches based on personality characteristics and intellectual functioning. Psychological assessment, testing and treatment recommendations remain an integral part of the role of psychology at Hazelden today. With the increasing recognition of co-occurring disorders, however, mental health services have expanded to meet the complexity of issues experienced by alcohol and other drug dependent individuals. The psychologist's role has expanded to include pre-entry mental health screening, intake assessment, comprehensive diagnosis, specialized assessment for recurrent mental health conditions, and concurrent individual and group therapy as well as planning for continuing care.

Hazelden Mental Health Centers provide a comprehensive network of services for residential programs, non-residential campus services and community outpatient services for individual and family members impacted by alcohol and other drug dependency and related diseases. The central coordinating office is located in Center City, MN with satellite offices at Hazelden in Plymouth and St. Paul, MN. Services offered include, but are not limited to, mental health intake screening, diagnostic evaluations, individual and group psychotherapy, couples and family counseling, continuing care planning and information and referral resources.

Educational opportunities

Education has been a cornerstone of Hazelden since its inception, beginning with patient education and expanding to the development of seminars and training opportunities for professionals. Hazelden has provided education through the Certification in Addiction Counseling Program since 1965. Individuals were trained in treatment skill development related to addiction. Credentialing was added so that individuals completing that program were certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors. In 1999 the state of Minnesota granted Hazelden approval for a free standing Master's Program in Addiction Counseling. A formal psychology practicum was started in 1992 and a formal doctoral level internship program was started in 1996. Hazelden Mental Health Centers Internship Program was accredited in 2002 by the APA.  We also provide postdoctoral fellowship positions.

Training philosophy

The Doctoral Internship Program is an extension of the students academic learning that provides an avenue for the integration of knowledge and skill resulting in clinical competency. The program is a seamless process of incremental learning involving key psychological processes that converge with major practice domains of substance chemical use, individual variability and mental health conditions and complications. The processes are defined as assessment, intervention, consultation and professional conduct.

The training philosophy is flexible, based on emerging scientific knowledge and clinical innovation. An emphasis is placed on core values involving the dignity and respect of the individual and the value of treating the person in their entirety. Training promotes mature, ethical and responsible conduct that supports the credibility of professional practice while focusing on the refinement of competence.

As learners, interns are expected to progress in their capacity to integrate prior learning with current practice, add new sources of knowledge and expand research-based clinical skills.

The training model is actualized through clinical supervision, didactic and continuing education trainings, literature review, individual and group clinical experience and team meetings. Interns experience and gain competency in psychological processes involving pre-entry screening, psychological assessment, testing, diagnosis, treatment planning, consultation, individual psychotherapy, group therapy, psycho-education and continuing care.

Hazelden is a national leader and the largest nonprofit provider of comprehensive residential and outpatient services for individuals and families impacted by alcohol and drug dependency. As a national leader and international provider, Hazelden programs are accredited by the Joint Commission.

Internship completion requirements

Completion of 2080 hours, competency achieved in the areas of assessment and diagnosis of co-occurring disorders, individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, consultation, teaching, assessment and diagnosis of alcohol and other drug dependency and supervision.

*APA Commission on Accreditation, 750 First St. N.E., Washington, DC 20002-4242, (202) 336-5979