What qualities are you looking for in intern applicants?
Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in working with children and families and/or community mental health. Applicants should have some familiarity and exposure to individual and play therapy with children, basic knowledge of family therapy or parent effectiveness training techniques, and strong background/interest in psychological testing and assessment. Experience in administration and scoring of the Rorschach and other projectives (Exner method preferred) is valued. Excellent writing, organizational, and interpersonal skills are essential abilities. We value diversity and individual uniqueness. We look for applicants who share these values and have interpersonal skills and accepting attitudes that enable them to work with a wide variety of diverse people and disciplines. Other important qualities include the ability to be self-reflective, a desire to approach one's clinical work in a thoughtful way, and a love for learning. We prefer that applicants have their dissertation near completion, if not already completed, by the start of the internship year.
How is intern creativity valued?
We think this is an important personal asset and welcome individual originality and imagination. Each year we have had one or more interns develop or propose something unique. In the 2003-2004 year one intern with a background in animal assisted therapy and animal handling proposed to use her service dog in conducting individual therapy. Another intern suggested a study using palm pilots as a delivery method for parent education and intervention with difficult childhood behaviors. In previous years we have had interns explore other clinical interventions such as a mother daughter's group, education with teenage fathers, and a girls journaling group to name just a few. Creativity and curiosity is an important part of the clinical enterprise that can lead to new developments or approaches and we encourage this with our staff and trainees. All ideas or proposals are submitted and reviewed by the clinical oversight committee.
What if I should become pregnant or contract a serious illness that requires considerable time off?
The intern would resume their training year when they are medically cleared to return and complete the time necessary to obtain the required training hours.
What is the possibility for employment with FSGC after completion of the internship year?
We cannot guarantee that positions will be available, but interns are encouraged to apply for positions. At this writing many of our former interns have been hired as staff clinicians after their intern year. The biggest dilemma facing interns wanting to remain at FSGC is that they typically start looking for jobs in March or April. The agency, however, cannot hold a position open until the intern graduates so it means that the intern has to take a chance that there will be an opening in June or July and that they will be selected from a competitive applicant pool.
How have previous interns fared when it comes to employment after completion of the internship year?
All of our interns have been employed at the doctoral level either at the completion or shortly after completion of the intern year. Positions have included academic/teaching, community mental health, state hospitals, private non-profit/for profit outpatient agencies, and school or school based settings.
Would I be an acceptable candidate for an FSGC internship even though my future career plans are in academia or research?
Yes, we believe that the clinical experience received during the internship year adds an important dimension that serves to inform and enliven one's teaching or research career. The applicant's clinical experience, skills/abilities, and professional interests are more important features in the application review process.
My graduate program is in school psychology. Would this be acceptable for your internship site?
We do not distinguish between programs, but instead look at clinical experience, interests, skills and abilities. Additionally, the applicant's educational background must allow for licensure at the Masters level in Kansas.
How many applications do you receive in a year?
We average 30-50 each year.
Are phone interviews possible?
We strongly encourage an on-site interview. We think it is important for you to see us and make the best informed decision about your internship year. However, we know that there can be any number of scheduling or financial difficulties that make this complicated and are willing to offer phone interviews in those circumstances.
How many applicants do you interview?
We typically offer interviews to about 60% of our applicant pool.
If I am not offered and interview may I call and get an understanding as to why I did not qualify?
Yes, we are happy to provide feedback. Contact us any time with further questions. It should be noted that the vast majority of our applicants are exceptional in many ways and that the only differences often tend to be the amount of experience with children or psychological testing over other well qualified applicants.
Thomas S. Bartlett, Psy.D.
Director of Training and Education
327 SW Frazier
Topeka, Ks 66606
(785) 232-5005
