Psychology Predoctoral Internship Program : Application Process

Successful intern applicants to the Dartmouth Psychology Internship Program have completed at least 1,500 hours of practicum experience and are enrolled in an APA-approved doctoral program in psychology. Once received, application materials are reviewed by a committee of core members of the program. We generally interview about four candidates for each internship position. During the full-day interview, applicants meet with core members of the program as well as staff members from the site where the applicant has an interest in working.

Ethical Responsibilities

The rights of interns are protected by Dartmouth College, Dartmouth Medical School, and the Department of Psychiatry policies regarding affirmative action, codes of professional conduct, and clear expectations regarding the right of freedom from sexual harassment. Moreover, the Dartmouth Psychology Internship Program abides by the APA's Ethics Code in terms of interactions with trainees. Interns are viewed as colleagues in training and are encouraged to inform the Training Director if any deviation from the above standards is experienced. Interns are told how to file a complaint if a problematic situation arises which cannot be resolved informally. Interns are encouraged to inform the program if they are in need of specific accommodations. If interns encounter medical or person problems during their internship year, the program makes reasonable efforts to respond with appropriate adjustments and accommodations.

The Dartmouth Psychology Internship Program recognizes the importance of cultural diversity and individual differences in interacting with its interns. Tolerance and understanding for different lifestyles, values, backgrounds, and abilities are demonstrated as staff interact with interns during their training year.

Dartmouth College's Equal Opportunity policy states,

Dartmouth College is committed to the principle of equal opportunity for all its students, faculty, employees, and applicants for admission and employment. For that reason, Dartmouth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran in its programs, organizations, and conditions of employment and admission. Sexual harassment is deemed by Dartmouth to be a form of sex discrimination and constitutes a violation of the institution's equal opportunity policy. Additionally, students with documented learning disabilities have the same legal entitlements as students with physical disabilities and are entitled to reasonable accommodations as appropriate.

In keeping with the spirit of this policy, the Dartmouth Medical School's Department of Psychiatry encourages minority applications for trainee, staff, and faculty positions.

The Dartmouth Psychology Internship Program values self-reflection in professional training. We view awareness of the self as an integral part of being a competent mental health professional. We believe that it is important for a therapist to understand his/her own contributions to the therapeutic process and treatment outcomes. Supervisors may encourage trainees to be aware of and to evaluate their own practice style, personal characteristics, and individual reactions to cases and events in treatment. While supervisors vary in the level of self-disclosure they encourage in supervision, some level of self-awareness and self-disclosure is part of the supervisory process. Applicants and interns are encouraged to discuss this issue with prospective supervisors. As stated in the APA Ethics Code 2002, an intern may be required to disclose personal information if it becomes necessary to evaluate or obtain assistance for an intern whose personal problems are preventing him/her from performing training or professionally related activities in a competent manner or who is posing a threat to students or others. The faculty recognizes the potential benefits of personal psychotherapy for all psychology trainees. We consider the decision to seek psychotherapy a personal one. However, in some circumstances, we may suggest or encourage interns to seek personal psychotherapy.

Application

The training program observes the guidelines established by the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers and set forth in the APPIC MATCH POLICIES: 2009 - 2010. This internship site agrees to abide by the APPIC policy that no person at this training facility will solicit, accept, or use any ranking-related information from any intern applicant.

The Dartmouth Internship Program participates in the APPIC Matching Program for Psychology Internship Positions. Applicants must obtain an Applicant Agreement Package from National Matching Services Inc. (NMS) and register for the Match in order to be eligible to match to our program. You can request an applicant Agreement package from NMS through the Matching Program website or by contacting NMS at either of the addresses, phone numbers or fax numbers below:

National Matching Services Inc.
20 Holly Street, Suite 301
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M4S 3B1
Telephone: 416-977-3431
Fax: 416-977-5020
Email: psychint@namatch.com

National Matching Services Inc.
P.O. Box 1208
Lewiston, NY 14092-8208
Telephone: 716-282-4013
Fax: 716-282-0611

We accept applications that are submitted electronically via the APPIC "AAPI Online" service. Our application deadline is November 15, 2009, and your application must be complete and electronically submitted to us by that date. A complete application for our internship program includes the following materials:

In addition, applicants will need to submit a completed Interview Preference Form as "supplementary materials."