Doctoral psychology internship at Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan

A Member of the University of Denver Internship Consortium

APPIC Number: 1176

The doctoral psychology internship at the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan (CMHHIFL) has been in existence since 1964 and has been accredited by APA (American Psychological Association - www.apa.org) since 1966. As of the 2019-20 internship year, CMHHIFL has become affiliated with the APA-accredited program at the University of Denver Internship Consortium. The Consortium is a "partially affiliated" program that gives preference to doctoral students from the University of Denver's Graduate School of Professional Psychology. However, applications from other doctoral programs are actively encouraged and given full consideration. In recent years, the Consortium has regularly matched with students from various universities other than the University of Denver.

Fort Logan has a long history of training exceptional professionals in psychology. Over the years, we have trained interns who have gone on to assume leadership positions in public sector psychology. A few of our local outstanding graduates include Dennis Kleinsasser, former Director of Clinical Services at the Colorado Department of Corrections, Mike Ketchen, former Director of Psychology at CMHI at Pueblo, Richard Onizuka, former Clinical Director of Asian-Pacific Development Center, and Harriet Hall, President and CEO and former Executive Director of Jefferson County Mental Health Center. On a national level, former interns include Patrick DeLeon, former Executive Aide to Sen. Inouye (Hawaii) and editor of the journal Professional Psychology and Jeff Barth, Former President of National Academy of Neuropsychology and Chair of Department of Psychology at VA.

Several interns who have graduated from our program have gone on to become part of our staff, including our current Assistant Director of Internship Training. A number of recent intern graduates have gone go on to very successful careers at the Mental Health Center of Denver, U.S. Navy, and the West Point Military Academy, to name just a few.

The Training Program

Training Philosophy, Aims and Core Values

Our internship is based on the three pillars of professional psychology: Science, Ethics, and Diversity.

The aim of the Health Service Psychology Internship Program at CMHHIFL is to provide high-quality, experiential clinical opportunities, effective supervision, advanced training, and professional modeling which will further each intern's development. Our training program is organized around the nine core competencies for psychologists identified by APA.

We value the local clinical scientist model, which recognizes the contributions of science as well as the realities of daily clinical practice. We believe in the value of evidence-based practices and require that interns become familiar with the literature supporting interventions for clients with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI). We continually strive to offer research-informed care and we encourage interns to engage in research and evaluation projects to expand knowledge in the field.

Our training program provides strong generalist skills and seeks to train practitioners who have additional expertise in working in the public sector with clients who experience SPMI. Graduates of our program are particularly well prepared to work in psychiatric hospitals, state psychiatric facilities, community mental health centers, and Veteran's Administration hospitals.

The psychologists at CMHHIFL adhere to a developmental model of supervision and learning and design our program to provide incremental responsibilities in which the intern in encouraged to move towards increasingly independent practice. We strive to create a logical, sequential training program that enables each intern to achieve success. While our program is based on experiential learning, training is first and foremost. We constantly evaluate our program to ensure the right balance of service and training opportunities.

CMHHIFL is proud of its long history of APA accreditation. As one of the oldest accredited programs in Colorado, we strictly adhere to the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and the Code of Conduct. Additionally, through our affiliation with the University of Denver Internship Consortium, our admission and selection process follows the standards of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC).

CMHHIFL's Department of Psychology and Internship Program is deeply committed to providing culturally competent care to our service recipients. We seek to display cultural humility and value and respect multiculturalism and diversity of all kinds including race, religion, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, socio-economic background, and national origin. Our program emphasizes these principles throughout our training and supervision and our interns participate in the diversity seminar series at the University of Denver. Additionally, we are committed to recruiting a vibrant and diverse workforce and intern class.

The psychology staff at CMHHIFL is committed to providing a courteous, engaging, and supportive learning environment and treating each intern with dignity and respect. We strive to create a collegial training program that optimizes the interns' experience. We have no tolerance for harassment or discrimination of any kind and we strictly adhere to State of Colorado employment policies and procedures as well as the APA‚Äôs Code of Ethics when violations or misconduct occurs. Additionally, the University of Denver Internship Consortium provides procedures for addressing grievances and due process outlined in the Intern Handbook:https://www.du.edu/gspp/media/documents/internship_consortium_handbook2020_2021.pdf

CMHHIFL is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Additionally, the Consortium is accredited by the APA. As such, our treatment services and internship training program are committed to continuous quality improvement. Our psychologists are open to your feedback and suggestions on how to improve our training program and the internship experience. Our entire psychology staff meets monthly to review intern performance and the quality of our training program. Interns are also invited and encouraged to meet with any of our psychology staff at any time if they have questions, concerns, or suggestions for improving our program.

Training Opportunities

Overview

The internship at CMHHIFL provides interns with the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of clinical activities with a diverse population of individuals admitted to our hospital. Most clients treated at CMHHIFL have a significant history of mental health issues and have been diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness. Many have also experienced significant trauma and may also struggle with comorbid substance abuse. Clients come from throughout Colorado and represent all racial, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic groups. CMHHIFL treats individuals from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds, the LGBTQ+ population, international clients, and those who don't speak English fluently and may require an interpreter.

Interns at CMHHIFL have the opportunity to be valued members of interdisciplinary treatment teams and will engage in a variety of activities. For most professional interventions, interns will first observe their supervisor, then participate with their supervisor as an observer, and finally, as comfort level and confidence increases, intervene independently with supervision. An intern will never be asked to perform an activity independently unless his/her supervisor has first observed and feels confident that he/she has the skills to do so. If an intern is ever asked to engage in something beyond his/her capabilities, this should be discussed with the direct supervisor or the Assistant Training Director.

While training and experiential activities may vary somewhat between rotations, all of the activities below will likely be available at some point during your training year:

• Individual Therapy: Interns carry a small caseload of clients admitted to one of the treatment teams. Interns will have the opportunity to develop ongoing therapeutic relationships with clients and employ a variety of evidence-based interventions that have been shown to be effective in treating SPMI.
• Group Therapy: Interns may conduct several therapy groups per week on treatment teams, either alone or with a supervisor or other trainee. Such groups may be more therapy-oriented or psychoeducational, based on research-informed protocols that have demonstrated evidence of effectiveness.
• Psychological Testing: Interns will have the opportunity to conduct integrated psychological assessment batteries throughout the year. They will also have the opportunity to consult with our neuropsychologist and observe and potentially administer neuropsychological assessments as appropriate.
• Civil Commitment Process and Certification: Interns will observe and participate in the assessment of individuals hospitalized as a result of the civil commitment process. This will involve evaluation of clients, thorough chart review and team consultation, drafting of court documents submitted to various jurisdictions throughout Colorado, and review of legal paperwork with clients. This process, along with the opportunity to observe psychologists' or psychiatrists' testimonies in court proceedings, will allow interns to gain insight into ethical and legal issues that affect our mental health system in Colorado.
• Exposure to Forensic Evaluation: Interns who select a major or minor rotation in Forensic Psychology-Evaluation will have the opportunity to participate and observe activities in our Forensic Services Division, which is responsible for providing evaluation and treatment to a forensic population. This may include evaluation of competence to stand trial, evaluation of one's mental condition or sanity, competency restoration treatment (inpatient and outpatient), and care of the Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) population. *Please note, this rotation is not guaranteed and depends upon the availability of FSDV with any given training year.
• Competency Restoration Treatment: Interns who select a major rotation in Forensic Psychology-Treatment will have the opportunity to participate and observe in treatment activities on the restoration units, specifically individual assessment, restoration, and groups. *Please note, these units are new to Fort Logan and will be dependent upon both units being open and staffed.
• Participation in Clinical Administration Activities: CMHHIFL has a variety of clinical management committees such as Cultural Competency Committee, Quality Council, Seclusion and Restraint Review, Elopement Committee, etc. Interns with the time and interest to gain experience in clinical administrative activities may request to be invited to participate in such meetings.
• Interdisciplinary Relationships: One of the great strengths of our program is the opportunity for interns to participate and contribute to interdisciplinary teams. As noted above, our treatment teams include professionals from nearly every healthcare discipline. Our interdisciplinary treatment planning process involves a wide range of professionals and allows for great learning opportunities. Interns will play an active role in the formal treatment planning process.
• Supervision: In addition to receiving four hours of supervision per week (two hours of group and two hours of individual), interns will learn throughout the year to become competent supervisors in their own right. Through a model of tiered supervision, each intern will be paired with a psychology practicum student (extern) at some point during the year and gradually work into the role of primary supervisor with the help of his/her direct supervisor.
• Research: As noted, our treatment program is based on science and evidence-based treatments. Interns are encouraged to develop their own research or evaluation project if interested. The Hospital Management Group (HMG) serves as the IRB for the hospital. Interns bring their proposals first to their supervisor and then the HMG.
  • Two recent projects involving interns include:
    • "Effectiveness of Strong Minds Intervention for Clients with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness"
    • "Bridging the Diagnostic Divide: Is it trauma or psychosis?"

The Facility

Our Facility

The Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan (CMHHIFL) is a State run inpatient acute care psychiatric facility that values being a training hospital. Training programs within Fort Logan include psychology, psychiatry, registered nurses, recreation therapists, social work, occupational therapists and music therapists.

CMHHIFL is located in Denver, Colorado at an elevation of 5,280 feet above sea level between the plains to the East and the Rocky Mountains to the West. Denver is a cosmopolitan city with many educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities. Year- round outdoor sports and recreation in the mountains are as close as an hour drive. Some staff even elect to live in the mountains (“foothills”) and commute into the city. Most of our interns have lived within Denver proper, where a wide variety of housing options are available, some within walking or cycling distance to the hospital. If you match with Fort Logan, we are more than happy to assist you in determining the best fit for your housing and location needs.

In 2022, CMHHIFL expanded the clinical services offered on campus to now include 138-adult beds, treating both civil and forensic populations. We now have six (6) adult treatment units, including four (4) civil units and two (2) competency restoration units.

Training Faculty

Our Training Faculty

Ashley Gunterman, Psy.D.  |  Chief Clinical Officer
2015, University of Denver, Graduate School of Professional Psychology
Clinical Psychology, with a specialization in Assessment

I am a licensed psychologist in the State of Colorado and am the Chief Clinical Officer at CMHHIFL. As the Chief, I am responsible for the oversight and management of the psychology, social work, and therapeutic activities departments. Together we design, implement, and provide individual and group treatment through a variety of specialized clinical degrees including as psychologists, neuropsychologists, social workers, addiction specialists, occupational therapists, recreation therapists, and creative arts therapists. Prior to joining CMHHIFL, I served as the Director of Jail Based Evaluation and Restoration Department in our Forensic Services Division and have a strong passion for serving those with SPMI in our civil and forensic systems. I received my doctorate from the University of Denver and have focused my training and clinical practice in the field of forensic psychology. I received specialized training at Saint Elizabeths Hospital in Washington D.C. and then began practicing as a forensic psychologist. My areas of specialization include competency evaluation, competency restoration, program development and violence risk assessment in high-security forensic settings.

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Diana Luckman, Ph.D. | Assistant Director of Internship Training
2014 University of Northern Colorado, Counseling Psychology, Greeley, CO

I serve as both the Assistant Director of Internship Training, as well as the licensed psychologist on Adult Team 3. Generally, I take a humanistic (existential) approach to case conceptualization and treatment, while also integrating techniques from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I am also trained in a variety of trauma treatments and always try to view clients from a trauma-informed lens. I completed my Master's degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Colorado at Denver in 2010 and then completed my Doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology at the University of Northern Colorado in 2014. I completed my predoctoral internship here at Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan (CMHHIFL) and then received my postdoctoral experience treating clients with chronic eating disorders. My duties on Team 3 include, but are not limited to: resolving mental health holds and completing re-certifications, conducting psychological assessments, participating in interdisciplinary treatment planning meetings, developing behavioral plans, and conducting group and individual psychotherapy. I also lead a second hospital-wide DBT group (that follows Dr. Gutjahr's). As a psychology intern on a Team 3 rotation, one would work alongside me, sharing team-based psychology duties as a means of obtaining a well-rounded experience. My approach to supervision is definitely collaborative. I take a developmental perspective, meeting the supervisee where (s)he is, while emphasizing strengths and the development of autonomy. In my personal life outside of the Fort, I enjoy yoga, hiking, traveling, seeing live music, dining at delicious restaurants, and spending time with my family, friends, and cats.

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Angela R. Gutjahr, Psy.D.
2007 Spalding University, Louisville, KY

I am the team-based psychologist for Team 3. One of my primary duties includes completing evaluations for certifications for involuntary mental health treatment. As a member of the interdisciplinary team, I provide group and individual therapy, participate in treatment planning sessions, and develop special or alternative treatment programs. I moved to Colorado from Indiana in 2012 where I worked for 24 years for a large community mental health center, in various roles as I progressed through my formal education in psychology. My training was heavily influenced by existential, interpersonal and cognitive behavior approaches to understanding human behavior and mental illness. I have a special interest in working with individuals who struggle with chronic suicidality and self-harm behavior. I have received training in DBT and used it extensively for more than 12 years while working in community mental health. I have a passion for helping individuals with severe and persistent mental illness recover to the best of their abilities. In my free time I enjoy gardening, bird watching, baking and reading. I am married with two adolescent boys.

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Lindsey Bupp, Ph.D., Neuropsychologist
2018 Wichita State University, Clinical Community Psychology, Wichita, KS

I am a licensed psychologist and serve as the neuropsychologist for the hospital. My primary duties include completing neuropsychological assessments, providing individual and group therapy as well as cognitive rehabilitation to patients, attending interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, developing behavioral/ incentive plans, and supervising interns and externs. I tend to work through rehabilitation and positive psychology lenses and integrate techniques from evidence-based modalities such as ACT, CBT, and DBT. I earned my master’s degree from Villanova University and my doctoral degree in Clinical Community Psychology at Wichita State University. I completed my predoctoral internship at VA Illiana Healthcare System and my postdoctoral residency and fellowship in neuropsychology and rehabilitation psychology at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, both of which abide by Houston Conference guidelines for training in neuropsychology. Throughout my education and career, I have worked in a variety of settings (e.g., community mental health, inpatient psychiatric facility, academic medical center, physical medicine and rehabilitation, prison/corrections, and Veteran’s Affairs Hospital) with a focus on underserved communities. My areas of specialization include neuropsychological evaluation and consultation, rehabilitation psychology, neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury and other neurological conditions.

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Jessica Maura, Ph.D.  |  Team psychologist
University of Miami, 2019

I am a licensed clinical psychologist and the team psychologist on Adult Team 2. My primary duties include resolving mental health holds and managing involuntary commitments, conducting group and individual therapy, conducting and/or supervising comprehensive psychodiagnostic assessments, supervising interns/externs, and participating in treatment planning meetings as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team. My area of specialty is psychosis and I largely operate from a cognitive-behavioral framework. I earned my doctoral degree in Adult Clinical Psychology from the University of Miami. I completed my predoctoral internship at the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan and my postdoctoral fellowship in Psychosis Treatment and Recovery at the University of Washington School of Medicine. As a researcher, my work has focused primarily on the impact that culture and other psychosocial factors have on the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, as well as examining the efficacy of culturally adapted interventions for schizophrenia. Areas of clinical interest also include implementation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for psychosis (CBTp) in inpatient and outpatient settings, complex differential diagnostic assessment and trauma treatment. In my free time I enjoy hiking with my golden retriever Forrest, stand-up comedy and traveling.

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Alessandra Solberg, Psy.D. | Team Psychologist

William James College, 2021

I serve as a team psychologist at CMHHIFL. I am a licensed clinical psychologist with a specialty in forensics. I help with coverage throughout the hospital and have been involved in the programming for the forensic units. I work through a humanistic lens and am Jungian at heart. I earned my Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University in 2016, and completed my doctoral degree at William James College in 2021. I then completed my predoctoral internship here at CMHHIFL and underwent a formal forensic postdoctoral fellowship through Court Services of the Forensic Services Division within Colorado’s Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health. My areas of specialization include competency evaluations, sanity and mental condition evaluations, violence risk assessment and expert testimony. I am passionate about systemic issues and legislative action, working with underserved communities and individuals with severe and pervasive mental illness, and the processes underlying psychosis.

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Brandon Hollingsworth, Ph.D.

Palo Alto University, Clinical Psychology, 2016

I am the supervising psychologist over the forensic unit(s) at CMHHIFL. Our patients have been opined incompetent to proceed regarding their legal cases and of need of inpatient restoration services. The forensic team is committed to providing individualized treatment to our patients in an effort to alleviate their psychiatric symptoms in addition to providing restoration treatment. The team operates in a fast-paced environment in which the primary goal is to discharge patients to an appropriate placement (i.e., jail, outpatient). I began my career working as a mental health clinician and steadily progressed to becoming a licensed psychologist. My general philosophy of clinical care largely incorporates Engel’s biopsychosocial model. I have spent time working in both state systems in addition to private practice post-licensure. Areas of specialization include evaluations for competency to stand trial, sanity, violence risk and police employment/fitness.

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Vera Bublitz, Psychologist I

University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Denver,
CO, 2021

I am a licensed clinical psychologist, and the team psychologist on Adult Team 5. I completed my predoctoral internship at CMHHIFL and my postdoctoral fellowship at EDCare in their partial hospitalization program for eating disorders. I am very excited to have returned to CMHHIFL as a psychologist. I am passionate about working with individuals who have experienced trauma and I have sought additional training opportunities such as EMDR to be able to support these individuals. Additionally, I have a passion for working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, as well as working with underserved populations. I use a compassionate, strengths-based, and integrative approach to therapy, often drawing from DBT and CBT. In my free time, I love to hike, camp, fly fish, and play with my pup.

Training Program Logistics and Rotations

Training Program Logistics

As a Joint Commission accredited facility, all interns are expected to complete an extensive and rigorous New Employee Orientation (NEO). Interns will learn about a wide range of topics including CPR, seclusion and restraint policies and techniques, trauma-informed care, recovery oriented treatment, crisis prevention and verbal de-escalation techniques. By the time NEO is completed, interns should feel more comfortable working on the teams.

During and following NEO, interns will spend additional time with the Assistant Training Director, as well as the rest of the psychology staff, to learn more about training opportunities, rotations, expectations from each supervisor, and their styles/theoretical orientations. The internship at CMHHIFL has historically been designed around three, four-month rotations. However, the plan is flexible. Interns are encouraged to think about professional goals and career plans when selecting preferred rotations. If interested, the Assistant Training Director can help you get in touch with recent graduates to ask more specific questions about their training experiences as well.

Once interns have learned about the rotations and completed NEO, they will meet as a group with the Assistant Training Director to coordinate rotation selections. In the past, this has worked out to be a cooperative, supportive effort, where interns have generally been able to obtain their preferred rotations/training goals. Rotation selections are not written in stone. Supervisors are willing to work with interns to modify rotation plans in the event of institutional or personal training plan changes, or if substantive changes in the staff or treatment teams occur. In any particular training year, certain rotations may not always be available. Although we strive to assign interns to their primary selection, this cannot always be guaranteed.

Rotation Descriptions

Team Rotation

Each intern will start on a team rotation. They are expected to complete at least one team rotation, but may have two or three if desired. One of the main goals for interns on a team rotation is to learn to perform the roles of the Team Psychologist. A primary task for team psychologists is resolving 72-hour mental health holds, initiating or maintaining clients' certifications, signing clients into the hospital voluntarily, or determining that the client does not require inpatient treatment. This role is unique to CMHHIFL, as typically psychiatrists are responsible for certifications. Because of psychologists' role in the certification process, interns gain exposure to the legal aspects of mental health treatment and gain proficiency in assessing clients on grounds for certification, writing court statements, and understanding CRS 27-65 standards. Additionally, interns will have the opportunity to attend certification hearings with the team psychologist and observe their testimony. In some cases, the team psychologist may ask the intern to assist them in preparing notes for court.

On a team rotation, interns are expected to carry an individual caseload of (approximately) 2-3 clients and facilitate a minimum of one group per week. Interns may facilitate a group of their choosing, or may be asked to help fill a group based on the team and clients needs at that time. Interns also have the opportunity to engage in intake evaluations, psychological assessment batteries, and potentially collaborate with the rehabilitation psychologist/neuropsychologist on other testing/activities as well. The number of assessments required on a team rotation varies depending on the team and availability. However, the general expectation is for interns to complete at least 1-2 assessments per rotation, with a total of at least 4 for the training year.

Interns and psychologists may be responsible for creating behavioral interventions through support plans and formal behavioral plans, which are individualized programs that utilize evidence-based and are geared toward positive reinforcement and shaping replacement behaviors. These programs are often requested by the treatment team when a client is struggling with maintaining safe and appropriate behaviors on the unit. Interns and psychologists consult with the team about specific aspects of the plan, and then review the plan with the client when it is completed. Psychologists are responsible for assessing the plans effectiveness and whether or not to extend, modify, or discontinue the plan.

All teams offer clinical services with a strong recovery-oriented, trauma-informed focus. All teams have experienced interdisciplinary staff. On each team, the team psychologist serves on the management group and provides clinical leadership. All teams offer consistent clinical programs, groups, and treatment planning meetings. Interns on team rotations attend weekly treatment plan review (TPR) meetings as part of the interdisciplinary care team. Interns are given the opportunity to contribute to clients' individual treatment plans and are encouraged to provide client updates and treatment ideas in the meetings. When placed on a team rotation, interns are expected to attend Morning Reports (every day at 8 a.m.) and team meetings. In many cases, interns have the opportunity to join other team members in family meetings, intakes, and consultations with outside agencies.

Neuropsychology Department

This service serves all clients and teams at CMHHIFL. Typical referrals involve requests for diagnostic consultation, treatment recommendations, and recommendation for placement and aftercare services. Many clients have cognitive impairment, history of traumatic brain injury, and history of substance use. Flexible yet comprehensive neuropsychological batteries are administered. All evaluations are completed on the individual inpatient units. The Neuropsychology service also provides consultation to treatment teams, family members, and community agencies. Additionally, the Neuropsychology service facilitates group intervention on each treatment team. Interns may have opportunities to participate in neuropsychological assessment and groups as needs arise. Please note that the training is not designed to meet American Psychological Association Division 40 and Houston Conference guidelines for training in clinical neuropsychology.

Other Rotation Options & Opportunities

Competency Restoration Treatment
CMHHIFL recently opened one of its two forensic units. Providers on these teams deliver individualized treatment services to a forensic population of individuals who have been found Incompetent to Proceed (ITP) by the courts and ordered to inpatient competency restoration. The team operates in a fast-paced environment and utilizes up-to-date research driven interventions regarding restoration and stabilization. Training opportunities for doctoral interns and externs may include observing and contributing to a forensic multidisciplinary treatment team; participating in treatment planning; shadowing and completing competency screening assessments; co-facilitating competency and/or treatment groups; providing individual competency restoration; and report writing. There may also be the opportunity to observe expert witness testimony when available. Completion of this rotation does not constitute sufficient training for independent practice in forensic psychology. This rotation provides exposure to forensic psychology and should be considered introductory training in preparation for continued postdoctoral training and supervision in forensic and other clinical settings. Interns will be expected to demonstrate forensic-specific interviewing skills, solid understanding of specific diagnostic issues, the production of a clearly written report following the accepted outline, and a greater understanding of best practices in this area. Interns will also gain knowledge of relevant case law, including the Colorado Revised Statutes, as well as the Colorado court system. *Please note, these units are new to Fort Logan and will be dependent upon both units being open and staffed.

Forensic Evaluation
Minor Rotation: This rotation focuses on competency evaluations and treatment designed to restore an individual's competency so that they might stand trial for accused offenses. An intern will spend (approximately) eight hours per week on a minor rotation as an introduction to the role of a psychologist in a forensic setting. Interns will be assigned readings in forensic psychology, including Colorado statutes and articles from experts in the field. Training will include observing competency evaluations and the opportunity to attend and observe competency hearings with a forensic psychologist. Interns on this rotation will have the opportunity to gain experience in restoration of competency treatment and meet with individuals for competency training. In addition, interns may have the opportunity to tour the jail-based restoration program and observe competency groups, attend rounds, and plan of care reviews. The rotation may include opportunities for minor research projects.*Please note, this rotation is not guaranteed and depends upon the availability of FSDV with any given training year.

Administration/Leadership
Participation in Clinical Administration Activities: CMHHIFL has a variety of clinical management committees such as Cultural Competency Committee, Quality Council, Seclusion and Restraint Review, Elopement Committee, etc. Interns with the time and interest to gain experience in clinical administrative activities may request to be invited to participate in such meetings. *Please note, this rotation is offered as available based upon the Chief Clinical Officer and Director of Psychology’s ability.

Independent Development
There may also be opportunities to develop a rotation that is individualized to an intern's specific training interest. In the past, we have had interns create full-time or part-time rotations in Research and Administration. These rotations require some independence and are typically developed as the final rotation after an intern has completed a team rotation. Interns on the specialty rotations will still have a team home-base and will attend morning reports and treatment plan reviews on those teams. Interns are welcome to propose ideas for rotations and efforts will be made to accommodate these interests, though they can't be guaranteed.

Didactic Training Series 

​​​​​​Didactic Training Series

Interns at CMHHIFL participate in the Friday didactic training series offered by the University of Denver Internship Consortium. These sessions are held weekly on the campus of the University of Denver, a 20 minute drive from CMHHIFL.

The Consortium seminar series covers topics on Diversity, Assessment, and Research. Further details can be found on the Consortium website:https://psychology.du.edu/training/internship-consortium

In addition to seminars offered by the Consortium, the staff and faculty of CMHHIFL offer an extensive, two-week New Employee Orientation (NEO) program, ongoing educational opportunities, and periodic seminars related to the specific population served here.

Sample Work Schedule

Below is a hypothetical schedule to give you an idea of how an intern may spend his or her time. This isn't an actual schedule or template.

	MON	TUES	WED	THUR	FRI
8 am	Morning Report	Morning Report	Morning Report	Morning Report	DU Seminar
9 am	Professional Issues Group Supervision	Certification review	Individual Supervision	Clinical Consultation/Sup of Sup	DU Seminar
10 am	Individual Therapy	Certification write up	Individual Therapy	Report Writing	DU Seminar
11 am	Individual Supervision	Complete Certification	Family Meeting	Report Writing	DU Seminar
12 pm	Lunch		Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
1 pm	Group Therapy	Treatment Plan Meeting	Team Consultation	Treatment Plan Meeting	DU Seminar
2 pm	Individual Therapy	Treatment Plan Meeting	Group Therapy	Treatment Plan Meeting	DU Seminar
3 pm	Individual Supervision	Psych Testing	Family Meeting	Supervision with Extern	Research time
4 pm	Charting	Charting	Charting	Individual Supervision	Research time

Admissions and Applications

Intern Recruitment and Selection Criteria

The University of Denver Internship Consortium and CMHHIFL only accept applications from individuals enrolled in Clinical or Counseling Psychology doctoral programs that are accredited by the American Psychological Association. Our internship strictly adheres to the admission processes outlined by the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) and all applicants must apply through the APPI online application system. https://portal.appicas.org/

Complete information about the Consortium application and admission process can be found here: https://psychology.du.edu/training/internship-consortium

 

Apply to Consortium

THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION CONSIDERATION IS:

NOVEMBER 4, 2020

We especially encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds.

In order to apply, please download the following:

Internship Training Handbook (2020-21)

Please also utilize the Resources link on the left side of your screen.

Complete applications require the following documents:

Completion of the APPIC Application for Psychology Internship (AAPI)

A copy of one de-identified psychological assessment report

Three (3) letters of recommendation

Application Ratings

All applications received are reviewed by a team of psychologists. Each reviewer rates an application on a 1-5 scale, with 5 being the highest rating. The categories rated are:

• Clinical experience
• Assessment experience
• Assessment summary
• Academic, research, and professional activities
• Diversity
• Goals and objectives
• Professional characteristics

Interview Ratings

From the pool of applicants, CMHHIFL typically invites up to 25 candidates for in-person interviews. In-person interviews are preferred, though we recognize the financial burden of traveling to Denver for out-of-area candidates and we can arrange Skype interviews as needed.

Whether in person or via Skype, candidates generally have two separate interviews with different members of the psychology staff and are rated on a 5-point scale on the following dimensions:

• General preparation for the interview
• Interpersonal skills
• Clinical knowledge and experience
• Fit

Following the interview process, the entire psychology staff ranks the candidates for the APPIC match.

Required Prior Experience

CMHHIFL internship has three rigid application requirements. Applicants must come from APA-accredited doctoral programs, have completed a minimum of three years of full-time doctoral training in Clinical or Counseling Psychology, and obtain a letter of approval from the director of training at their graduate school to certify that they have met their institution's criteria for internship readiness.

As noted above, CMHHIFL does have a strong preference for candidates who have demonstrated interest and/or experience in working with clients who have been diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI).

Applicants with at least 400 hours of therapy experience and 100 hours of assessment experience are preferred. Candidates without this experience may still be considered in the applicant pool but may receive lower rankings in the final process.

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING APPLICANT EXCLUSIONS: CMHHIFL is a state-operated facility requires a national criminal background check and drug screening. All candidates who match will still need to clear both processes before beginning internship. According to State policy, any individual convicted of a criminal offense involving violence, domestic violence, sexual behavior, child abuse, third degree assault, or assault on a client by a psychotherapist will be excluded from employment. Further, any individual who screens positive for marijuana, THC, cocaine, amphetamines, PCP, and/or opiates without a valid prescription will be excluded from employment. Additionally, CMHHIFL has a mandatory flu vaccine policy. Interns who match with us are required to have a flu vaccine. The only exception is for individuals who have a verified medical exemption or a religious exemption that is reviewed by the CDHS Center for Equal Opportunity and Risk Management. PLEASE NOTE: Although recreational marijuana is legal in Colorado, it is still illegal under federal law. As such, applicants who test positive for marijuana, with or without a prescription, will be ineligible for employment and won\'t be able to begin the internship.

Internship Admissions, Support and Initial Placement Data

(Program Tables Updated: 07/10/2018)

Briefly describe in narrative form important information to assist potential applicants in assessing their likely fit with your program. This description must be consistent with the program's policies on intern selection and practicum and academic preparation requirements:

The Internship In Health Service Psychology at The Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan (CMHHIFL) follows a local clinical scientist model in a collegial training atmosphere. Interns work on interdisciplinary teams and gain experience in assessing and treating individuals with serious and persistent mental illness in a recovery-oriented environment which emphasizes trauma-informed and evidence-based care. Experiential training includes individual and group therapy with hospitalized clients, psychological assessment, legal certifications, and active participation in multidisciplinary treatment planning. Training activities include weekly didactic seminars, group and individual supervision, and extensive observation and role modeling by the supervising psychologist. The aim of the internship at CMHHIFL is to provide experiential opportunities working with individuals with serious and persistent mental illness in the public sector along with high quality supervision and advanced training to further interns' development in the nine competencies of professional psychology. Interns may select among three, four-month rotations, including Team-Based Psychology, NeuroRehab Service, and the Trauma-Informed Care Team. Interns receive a minimum of two hours of individual supervision from their primary rotation supervisor in addition to two hours of group supervision from other psychologists on the training staff. The extensive seminar series includes a wide variety of topics designed specifically for our interns. The internship at CMHHIFL actively seeks to attract and support applicants who represent our diverse client population including individuals from a variety of ethnic, socioeconomic, religious, sexual orientation, and other backgrounds. Our clients come from throughout Colorado and represent underserved communities. Our program embraces diversity and strives to instill the values of cultural competency in all our training activities.

Does the program require that applicants have received a minimum number of hours of the following at time of application? If Yes, indicate how many:
Total Direct Contact Intervention Hours	No	Y	Amount: N/A
Total Direct Contact Assessment Hours	No	Y	Amount: N/A

Describe any other required minimum criteria used to screen applicants:

Must be enrolled in an APA-accredited program.

Financial and Other Benefit Support for Upcoming Training Year*

For more information specific to the University of Denver Consortium, please visit their webpage:https://psychology.du.edu/training/internship-consortium

Initial Post-Internship Positions

(Provide an Aggregated Tally for the Preceding 3 Cohorts)

	2014-2017
Total # of interns who were in the 3 cohorts	9
Total # of interns who did not seek employment because they returned to their doctoral program/are completing doctoral degree	0
	PD	EP
Community mental health center	0	0
Federally qualified health center	0	0
Independent primary care facility/clinic	0	0
University counseling center	0	0
Veterans Affairs medical center	1	0
Military health center	0	0
Academic health center	0	0
Other medical center or hospital	0	0
Psychiatric hospital	1	1
Academic university/department	0	0
Community college or other teaching setting	0	0
Independent research institution	0	0
Correctional facility	0	0
School district/system	0	0
Independent practice setting	0	3
Not currently employed	0	0
Changed to another field	0	0
Other	1	2
Unknown	0	0

Note: "PD" = Post-doctoral residency position, "EP" = Employed Position. Each individual represented in this table should be counted only one time. For former trainees working in more than one setting, select the setting that represents their primary position. "Other" category includes a not-for-profit agency and geriatric treatment program

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Program

What are the strengths of your program?

Our strength lies in the ability of the intern to work in an inpatient setting with a diverse, interdisciplinary team that emphasizes recovery and trauma-informed care. Additionally, interns get close supervision and work side-by-side with highly experienced psychologists who know the clients well. Interns can observe their supervisor's work, while supervisors will also provide direct observations and feedback of interns' work.

What are the weaknesses of your program?

While many of the clients we serve are able to benefit from therapy, many may not present as "high functioning" clients with high levels of insight. Thus, many treatment interventions may need to be drastically tailored to meet clients where they are and may look quite different than the therapy one is used to. CMHHIFL is also "the state, not state of the art." As such, our facility often lacks funds to improve treatment and implement interventions in the way in which we would like.

How much testing does an intern do at Fort Logan?

Interns are expected to complete four integrated psychological assessments throughout the course of the internship. The nature and complexity of such batteries can vary significantly. Such batteries may be supervised by any team psychologist or the neuro-rehab psychologist as appropriate.

How many therapy clients would I have?

Interns typically maintain (approximately) 2-3 individual therapy clients and conduct at least 1-2 groups, either alone or in co-therapy with a supervisor or other trainee. Interns interested in more individual therapy or group experience can negotiate this with his or her supervisor when developing a Rotation Training Plan.

How are rotation assignments determined?

During the first week of internship, interns meet with all primary supervisors and learn about each team and rotation. Then, the interns meet as a group with the Assistant Director of Training to choose first rotations. Typically, interns will have the opportunity to be assigned their preferences, though the order may vary. In some rare circumstances, interns may get a second choice if multiple interns want the same rotation at the same time.

What are you looking for in an intern applicant?

We consider all of the material you submit: past experience, grades, references, work samples, etc. We think it is important to select an intern whose interests and career goals are consistent with the mission of CMHHIFL and the training experiences we have to offer. of the "match" between the applicant's desires, future goals, and what we have to offer.

I am not from Colorado. What kind of housing is available near Fort Logan?

There is a wide variety of housing available in the city, the suburbs, and the mountain areas. Ask our current interns for more details when you interview, and let us know if you need help securing housing.

What kinds of jobs do people get after they complete a Fort Logan internship?

Our intern graduates typically seek and find work in public sector mental health including hospitals, mental health centers, corrections, or other agencies. Some of our interns go on to do formal postdoctoral fellowships. Quite a few of our graduates have also gone onto private practice settings.

What is the job market in Colorado like?

Many of our past interns who have wanted to stay in Colorado have been able to find jobs here, although they may not have found their ideal job immediately. Since this is a desirable area for young professionals, there is a good deal of competition for desired jobs. Formal postdoctoral residencies are limited in Colorado.

Contact

For more information about the Pre-doctoral Psychology Internship, please contact:

Diana Luckman, Ph.D., Assistant Director of Internship Training
E diana.luckman@state.co.us | P 303.866.7751