Training
Training Program
The training of emerging mental health professionals is highly valued by the Counseling Services staff, and a great deal of time, energy, and enthusiasm is invested in that endeavor. Residents/Interns will receive rigorous training that is tempered by abundant personal support, camaraderie, and fun! Counseling Services offers one Psychology Postdoctoral Residency position and five - six Master’s Level Internship/Practicum positions for students currently enrolled in a graduate program for Clinical or Counseling Psychology, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, or Social Work.
Counseling Services serves the Keene State College community, an undergraduate and graduate population of around 3,500 enrolled students each year. While primarily providing counseling services to students, we also consult with college faculty and staff, and work closely with our Health Services colleagues (who are also part of The Wellness Center) to meet a full range of emotional, social, and physical health needs of students. Our clients present with a diverse range of developmental and mental health issues, and while the office stays busy, Residents/Interns are provided a great deal of autonomy and responsibility within a team-oriented, hardworking, fun, exciting, and extraordinarily supportive training site.
Counseling Services’ mission at Keene State College is to support the emotional well-being of students by providing the highest quality clinical services. Additionally, Counseling Services designs and implements appropriate mental health policies and procedures for the college community. We place emphasis on creating an atmosphere that is welcoming and comfortable for all individuals, regardless of race, gender, ethnic background, age, sexual orientation, religion, citizenship, or disability. We embrace diversity and strive to foster and promote awareness, empathy, and cultural competence within a multicultural environment.
If you are interested in potentially joining our professional family for a year, or for more information about either training opportunity, please feel welcome to contact the Training Director at your convenience:
Joe Yazvac, Ph.D.
(He/Him/His)
Staff Psychologist & Training Director
The Wellness Center - Counseling Services
Keene State College
229 Main Street, MS 2803
Keene, NH 03435-2803
(603) 358-2867
(603) 358-2985 (fax)
jyazvac@keene.edu
Masters Level Internship Program
The Wellness Center will begin receiving applications for the 2022 - 2023 academic year in December, 2021.
The primary focus of the Masters internship program at the KSC Wellness Center – Counseling Services is to train and increase the professional confidence of, ethical, multiculturally-competent, and environmentally-minded graduate students enrolled in a mental health field training program. Interns are expected to improve or acquire the skills and knowledge that will help them succeed as emerging mental health professionals within a college counseling setting or other facility providing counseling services. The Counseling Services staff believes that interns should develop excellence in the provision of counseling and outreach services, which will involve their recognizing and adhering to research-based best practices. In their training, practical “real-life” experience is emphasized, which occurs under the monitoring of close, tailored supervision, which our staff views as an essential element for effectiveness and professional development.
Interns play a vital role in service provision at Counseling Services and are valued as key service providers. A very strong emphasis is placed on facilitating their professional identity development, and this is accomplished through varied and intense supervision, as well as concerted efforts by all staff members to nurture the interns’ developing initiative, autonomy, and self-confidence in making clinical and professional decisions. Our staff believes that a key component of professional development is personal growth, and we attend to this by encouraging introspection, self-reflection, and appropriate risk-taking within supervision and other collegial activities.
Qualifications
Counseling Services typically attempts to fill 5 - 6 internship/practicum positions. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a Masters or Doctoral level program in Clinical or Counseling Psychology, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, or Social Work, and have completed some academic coursework prior to internship, including counseling skills/techniques and psychopathology. Clinical experience is preferred, though not required, and applicants must be highly motivated and eager to learn. An interest or experience with multi-cultural and diversity issues is essential. We are looking for self-starters who can work independently yet enjoy the interaction and cohesion of a staff that works hard as a team and relies on one another.
Expectations
Interns are expected to participate in staff meetings and case consultations, provide individual counseling (with a possibility of group counseling), and participate in outreach programming. Interns carry 12-17 weekly clinical hours, and total internship hours equal 22-25 per week, depending on home program needs. Specific daily schedules are determined in consultation with the Internship Training Director and other interns. All interns are required to be scheduled for Tuesday mornings on a weekly basis to attend required training activities.
It is the intern’s responsibility to accrue and track the needed direct service hours in collaboration with their supervisor and the Training Director. Scheduled hours occur between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Outreach programs sometimes occur after hours, and interns are expected to be “first responders” in all programmatic areas.
The Internship begins on August 16th, 2021 and ends on May 13th, 2022. A mandatory, full-time, two-week (Aug 16th - Aug 27th) orientation is provided at the beginning of the internship to help interns adjust to The Wellness Center by getting to know the staff and becoming familiar with relevant systems and procedures. Interns will be off during the Winter Break, December 20th, 2021 through January 7th, 2022.
All interns are required to carry professional liability insurance.
Supervision and Training
Interns receive 1 hour per week of individual supervision with a senior staff member who is a Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (determined by home program requirements), 1 hour per week of case consultation (with all staff), and 1 hour per week of group supervision focused on case conceptualization and treatment planning (principles and practices of tele-health will also be addressed if interns are providing online tele-health services to clients). One intern maybe selected (primary consideration given to volunteering) to receive one hour per week of individual supervision during the spring semester around a single client from our Postdoctoral Resident (who will in turn be supervised by a senior staff psychologist). Interns also participate in weekly staff meetings, weekly program design meetings, and in weekly didactic training seminars that cover a variety of professional topics. Senior staff members are always available for consultation on an as-needed or crisis basis.
Evaluations
Interns are evaluated according to Counseling Services criteria and in accordance with their program requirements. Formal evaluations occur at mid-semester points and at the ends of semesters, however, evaluation is always an on-going, collaborative process throughout the internship. Criteria for professional development objectives are established collaboratively between the intern and the supervisor at the beginning of the internship training period and at the end of each evaluation.
Application Procedures
Candidate applications should be emailed or delivered to the Training Director and should include:
- A cover letter.
- A vita/resume.
- Contact information for three references (or three letters of recommendation) with at least one from a current faculty member.
- A graduate transcript (unofficial is acceptable); candidates may take a screenshot of their academic record and attach it to an email.
Application review will occur on a rolling basis beginning in December, 2020. Candidates are strongly recommended to have submitted completed applications by 8:00 am on Thursday, January 21st, 2021 for full consideration as that will be the day initial offers for interview are extended. If interview opportunities remain available after that, applications will continue to be received until 5:00 pm on Wednesday, January 27th. Interviews will be scheduled for February 3rd and/or 4th, 2021. Notification of practicum/internship offers will occur by February 8th, 2021. If all positions are not filled by that time, then additional applications will be accepted and interviews offered on a rolling basis.
All offers of internship positions are contingent on receipt of a satisfactory background check. KSC reserves the right to consider the findings relative to a particular position of hire, though the University System Policy has set a standard that no one should be employed in the University System of New Hampshire (of which KSC is a member) who has been convicted of a felony or violent misdemeanor in the last five (5) years. The Background Review will be conducted only as a post-internship offer review.
Psychology Postdoctoral Residency Program
The Wellness Center will begin receiving applications for the 2021 - 2022 Postdoctoral Residency in Psychology position on February 1st, 2021.
The Postdoctoral Residency is designed to offer advanced training and supervision in clinical/counseling psychology for gaining final experience with all the elements of college counseling. Completion of the Program will prepare the Resident for the role of early career staff psychologist within a college counseling center or other psychological services setting. We seek to foster our Postdoctoral Resident’s ability to practice independently and to achieve the competencies that are consistent with practice at an advanced level of functioning and that meet the requirements for licensure in the State of New Hampshire.
This residency will further refine the skills already established during doctoral internship by helping to increase the depth and breadth of the Resident’s experience conducting individual and group therapy, navigating emerging crisis situations, and providing supervision/consultation. Particular emphasis will be given to attending to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as developing and delivering college community interventions addressing student mental health/well-being. While advanced training will be offered in all these core clinical areas, the Resident will have the opportunity to select one of two tracks for additional emphasis to their Postdoctoral Residency:
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Emphasis. This track will focus on development and provision of relevant services, programs, and initiatives concerning social justice, mental health, and wellness for historically underrepresented and/or disenfranchised populations on campus, including members of the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, as well as first-generation Americans, and any other students who identify as ethnic or racial minorities or as belonging to historically marginalized populations. This track will offer an opportunity for close collaboration with diversity partners on campus, such as the Office of Multicultural Student Support, to assess campus/student needs and provide clinical, community, and programmatic support for Wellness Center and other campus initiatives around diversity, equity, and inclusion. This track will also allow the Resident to assist with training and educating interns/practicum students for multiculturally competent service delivery, including developing and delivering didactic seminars regarding diversity, multiculturalism, marginalization, and the inclusion of these elements within clinical work.
Prevention and Wellness Promotion Emphasis. This track will focus on developing and delivering creative outreach and programming initiatives that cover a broad range of mental health, social, and wellness concerns. The Resident will work closely with The Wellness Center Coordinator for Programming and Outreach to collaborate with other campus partners, assess current and specific campus/student needs, and develop/implement effective prevention and wellness initiatives. Creativity and “thinking outside the box,” while staying grounded in current research and standards of practice, will be emphasized. One component of the experience may also include assessing, modifying, and delivering education, prevention, and clinical initiatives pertaining to students challenges around alcohol and other drugs (AOD). Depending on previous experience and familiarity with outreach and program development, the Resident may also have the opportunity to assist with training interns and coordinating their outreach and programming projects.
Residents play a vital role in service provision at Counseling Services; they are valued not only as key service providers, but also as the bearers of our profession as it moves forward. As such, a very strong emphasis is placed on facilitating their professional identity development. This is accomplished through varied and intense supervision, as well as concerted efforts by all staff members to nurture the interns’ developing initiative, autonomy, and self-confidence in making clinical and professional decisions.
Our staff believes that a key component of professional development is personal growth, and we attend to this by encouraging introspection, self-reflection, and appropriate risk-taking within supervision and other collegial activities. Further, we do our best to socialize Residents to the roles and expectations of a professional staff member. Once Residents have completed the Postdoctoral Residency Program, we expect them to be able to competently and confidently assume early career psychologist positions at college counseling centers or other psychological service organizations.
Expectations
The selected applicant who accepts the position will hold the title of “Psychological Resident” and be referred to as a Resident. Residents are expected to provide the highest level of clinical care in their work relative to their level of experience/training. The quality of care shall continue to elevate and reflect increasing experience throughout the academic year. The Resident is expected to participate in staff meetings and case consultations, provide individual, couples, and group counseling, conduct initial evaluations and psychological testing, deliver crisis services, consultations, and workshops, and participate in outreach and programming services.
The Resident will accrue at least 2000 total onsite hours during the course of the year. Scheduled hours mostly occur between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, though some events and programs occur after traditional business hours. The Resident may also be required to join the Senior Staff in responding to any campus crises that might occur during evenings and/or weekends. The Resident is required to be available for the entire Residency period beginning early/mid-August, 2021 and ending late July, 2022 (modest flexibility with start/end dates may be possible). During the Summer term, clinical caseloads are smaller, and the Resident will devote increased time to Counseling Services programming/outreach delivery and development, research, and projects.
Supervision/Evaluation
The Postdoctoral Residency begins with a thorough, though gradual, multi-week orientation, to help the Resident adjust to The Wellness Center by getting to know the staff, as well as relevant systems, policies, and procedures. The Resident will gradually assume responsibilities and autonomy similar to that of a Senior Staff Psychologist. The Resident will conduct initial, baseline self-evaluations that contribute to training/supervision goals and plans for the year (developed in collaboration with supervisors), and then participate in three follow-up reviews throughout the course of the contract year. The Resident will be assigned two individual supervisors, each of whom will supervise half of the Resident’s clinical cases, so that the Resident is exposed to a variety of supervisory styles and theoretical perspectives. The Resident will meet with them individually for supervision on a weekly basis to review clinical work and discuss the collaboratively determined developmental goals for Residency. Satisfactory completion of the year-long (i.e., 2000 hours) Postdoctoral Residency at The Wellness Center meets the requirements for licensure in the State of New Hampshire.
Compensation
The 2021/2022 Postdoctoral Residency is a full-time, minimum 50-week position, that begins early/mid-August, 2021 and ends late July, 2022. The Postdoctoral Residency carries a salary of $37,000 and is complemented by a generous benefits package including medical and dental insurance and receipt of campus holidays, accrued vacation days, and sick leave.
Qualifications
Applicants are required to meet the following prerequisites to be considered for our Psychology Postdoctoral Residency program:
- Applicants must have successfully completed a doctoral internship in psychology prior to the start date of this residency.
- Candidate’s dissertation must be successfully defended by August 2, 2021. After the interview and prior to final position offer, candidate must provide a statement from their dissertation chair indicating status and anticipated date of defense/program completion.
College/university counseling experience is preferred, though not mandatory. Applicants should be highly motivated and eager to learn. We seek individuals who can work independently yet enjoy the interaction and cohesion of a staff that values each of its members and relies on one another. Applicants should also possess interests, aptitudes, and/or experience that are consistent with requirements of Counseling Services’ mission, goals, and Residency Program. Interest/experience with multi-cultural and diversity issues is essential. Applicants will be considered based on their previous academic and clinical experience and how well their clinical, supervisory, and career objectives match with those of the clinical staff and needs of The Wellness Center.
Application Procedures
Review of applications will begin February 1st, 2021 and continue until the position is filled or otherwise closed at the College’s discretion.
Applications may be emailed to the Training Director and must include:
- Cover letter addressing applicant’s expectations and needs for postdoctoral experience, and applicant’s considerations of fit for the program at Keene State College. The applicant must indicate in the cover letter the area of interest track to which they are applying, and include their relevant experience/interest, as well as their expectations/goals for the position.
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume.
- Contact information for three professional references who can attest to the candidate’s professional skills as a psychologist. One reference must be a supervisor from the candidate’s current doctoral internship site.
Send application to:
Joe Yazvac, Ph.D.
(He/Him/His)
Staff Psychologist & Training Director
The Wellness Center - Counseling Services
Keene State College
229 Main Street, MS 2803
Keene, NH 03435-2803
(603) 358-2867
(603) 358-2985 (fax)
jyazvac@keene.edu
Finalists will be contacted to arrange an interview. Information obtained through the written application materials and interviews with staff and a current resident will be used to determine the final selections. In addition, all offers of employment are contingent upon a receipt of a satisfactory background check. Applicants should be aware that background checks may uncover records that applicants assume have been sealed or expunged, which can impact employment eligibility. If you are concerned about the impact of this condition of employment, please notify the Training Director if any issues arise so that we may help to address or resolve any concerns in a timely manner.
We are committed to ensuring diversity in our training, which is reflected in our candidate selection. Consideration is given to applicants who identify themselves as members of historically underrepresented groups on the basis of racial or ethnic status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, and experience, such as military service. The program also values applicants who have knowledge of the ways in which different social and cultural identities can impact assessment, treatment, and outreach. These factors may be indicated on applications.
EEO Statement
The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or marital status. Application by members of all underrepresented groups is encouraged. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the U.S.
Institution Information
Keene State College is located in the scenic Monadnock region of Southwest New Hampshire, and is an affiliate of the University System of New Hampshire. We are located approximately 2 hours from Boston or Hartford CT, and 4 hours from New York City. The region contains many opportunities to enjoy outdoor recreation, cultural events, and a strong sense of community. To learn more about Keene State College, the University System of New Hampshire, and the Keene community, please visit: https://www.keene.edu, https://www.usnh.edu/ or https://www.ci.keene.nh.us.