Application Procedures
Applications are invited from graduate students in doctoral programs in counseling or clinical psychology. Advanced Masters students are also considered. Applicants must have prior experience in psychotherapy and diagnostics, and have completed at least one therapy practicum. Successful applicants will also have strong interest and/or experience in psychoeducational outreach presentations.
Note About Extern's Internship Application
For many externs, the process of internship application begins soon after they arrive at CAPS for externship in September. CAPS training staff considers that mentoring externs on applying for internship is an inevitable and important part of the supervisory relationship in addition to clinical supervision. However, dual relationships can emerge if the extern is applying for internship at CAPS, and the supervisor is also on the selection committee for internship. To prevent this ethical complication, CAPS discourages externs who are currently training with us from applying for next year’s internship at CAPS. The externship year is a crucial period during which practicum students acquire important training experiences to prepare for their internship year. Applying for the following year’s internship at the same site can appreciably interfere with an extern’s learning process at that site. We encourage externs who train at CAPS to pursue another year of externship elsewhere before applying for internship with us. Former CAPS externs who have followed the externship year at CAPS with a practicum elsewhere are qualified and highly encouraged to apply for internship at CAPS.
Note About the Use of Recorded Materials at Externs' Academic Programs
We require externs to routinely record their sessions for supervision at CAPS. However, we do not allow the use of recorded sessions, audio or video, digital or otherwise, for trainees’ academic purposes outside of CAPS such as seminars, classes, presentations, or comprehensive exams at their academic programs. Externs who wish to use clinical materials for academic purposes are limited to transcribing sessions with all identifying information altered. In the age of Internet communication, we want to minimize the risk of confidentiality breach through digital means. Extern applicants should be fully apprised of this policy when they consider the practicum at CAPS.
Application Materials
- A cover letter explaining your interest in a practicum at a university counseling center setting and areas of professional and personal development you would like to focus on for the year. Please elaborate on your training goals for the year. Your cover letter should specifically address your training goals for the year.Very Important: CAPS has two separate practicum programs. To ensure you are considered for the correct program, please do the following: 1) state clearly in your cover letter that you are applying to the Advanced Therapy Practicum and 2) make sure you put the name of the practicum in which you are interested in the address on the envelope (see directions below).
- Your curriculum vita.
- Two letters of recommendation (at least one from a current or recent clinical supervisor).
Deadline for Applications
Deadline for applications for the 2013 -2014 Academic Year will be Friday, February 8, 2013. CAPS must receive your application by 5:00 p.m. of that day for it to be considered.
Applications are reviewed by the Selection Committee. Applicants with the highest degree of fit with our externship will be invited for on-site interviews between February 27 and March 11, 2013. We observe the practicum timeline set by the Association of Chicagoland Externship and Practicum Training (ACEPT) with a modified protocol for candidates’ accepting of our offers; we will discuss details with candidates at on-site interviews. Formal offers for 3 positions will be made on Monday, March 18, 2013.
Where to Send Applications
Send application materials via US Mail (or FedEx, UPS, or another carrier). No electronic applications will be accepted.
Send application materials to:
Cindy McKinzie, Psy.D.
Coordinator of the Advanced Externship Program
Attention: For Advanced Therapy Practicum
Northwestern University CAPS
633 Emerson Street
Evanston, IL 60208-4000