The CSU Health Network invites internship applications from 2nd year graduate students in the Colorado State University Master of Social Work program, as well as from other accredited Social Work programs. Social Work students typically spend 20-25 hours per week at the CSU Health Network; in some cases interns may need to contract to work additional hours in order to meet the requirements of their home academic programs. All internships will begin August 1 and conclude at the end of either the spring or summer semester. Our training staff is composed of licensed clinical social workers, counselors, and psychologists, as well as post-masters and post-doctoral fellows. We’re enthusiastic about our training program and view the development of new professionals to be an important part of our mission.

Our program strives to develop entry-level clinicians who possess the knowledge and skills necessary to function as competent, culturally sensitive and ethical practitioners. Social Work Interns will train in either General Services or the DAY Program (co-occurring mental health and substance abuse.

The Colorado State University Health Network is an integrated mental health and medical service serving both undergraduate and graduate students within a large land-grant university. It is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) for the doctoral internship in Health Service Psychology and by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). The training of clinically-competent, ethical, self-aware, and culturally sensitive psychologists is central to our mission. Presenting issues range from the expected developmental concerns of college students to severe mental health diagnoses, including psychoses and personality disorders. The most common presenting concerns are stress & anxiety, mood disorders, relationship issues, eating disorders, sexual concerns, substance use, and identity development. CSU has a student population of over 33,000 students from every state and 110 foreign countries. Approximately 74% of our students are Coloradoans. Our U.S. student population identifies as 19% ethnic minority and 81% Caucasian.  

Clinicians in our counseling center serve the mental health needs of students in a variety of ways. General Services includes individual and couple psychotherapy, a vibrant group therapy program, and crisis intervention services. We work to foster strong collaborations between our medical staff and mental health professionals through our many collaborative interdisciplinary treatment teams and strong Behavioral Health program. Specialty programs including the DAY Program (treatment related to substance use/abuse & other addictions) and the iTEAM (intensive outpatient program providing integrated care to clients experiencing an acute mental health crisis) provide additional opportunities for students to receive specialized care. The CSUHN has a strong commitment to multiculturalism and has solid working relationships with the various Cultural and Resource Centers on campus.

The training of clinically-competent, ethical, self-aware, and culturally sensitive mental health professionals is central to our mission. We provide training to as many as thirty graduate students from diverse disciplines each year. All training is provided on site. The CSUHN does not use any distance education technologies for training or supervision. The seven training cohorts that comprise our training program are described below.

Our Doctoral Internship in Psychology has been accredited by the American Psychological Association since 1973 and was one of the first university counseling services to earn this recognition. Our Master’s Internship in Social Work and Counseling is offered to students from CSU and other regional institutions. Advanced Practicum placements are open to third, fourth, and fifth year psychology graduate students from CSU and nearby universities. The second year Psychology Practicum program is offered in conjunction with CSU’s doctoral program in Counseling Psychology and is only open to their students. Graduate Student Assistantships are typically awarded to CSU Counseling Psychology doctoral students with advanced standing or students with special expertise in substance abuse or outreach. Students from the University’s Student Affairs in Higher Education program also sometimes work with the Drugs, Alcohol and You (DAY) Programs. We also offer Post-Doctoral and Post-Masters Fellowships. These fellowships provide opportunities to continue to build skills as a generalist clinician while also developing skills working with one or more specialized areas (DAY, Primary Care Behavioral Health, or iTEAM).

Six core principles reflect our training philosophy and serve as a foundation for the model of training at the CSUHN. The following statements address our beliefs about the nature of training and our expectations for the treatment of others.

Broad-based training is essential for developing professionals.

We value the contributions of our own and other professional disciplines to the training program, recognizing that a diverse set of knowledge and skills are essential for effective practice.

Psychological theory and research are the foundation for competent practice. 

The training staff believes that psychological theory and scientific research provide a foundation for conceptualization and intervention. The practice of mental health professionals should be grounded in theories relevant to their discipline and the supporting scientific literature.

An optimal learning environment is supportive and challenging.

We believe that learning is facilitated by an environment in which challenge is balanced with support. We value an open environment in which ideas can be explored and it is safe to make mistakes. We encourage trainees to honestly assess their professional strengths and limitations so that we may collaboratively establish training goals.

A commitment to self-awareness and a willingness to monitor the impact of personal needs on professional behavior are expected of all members of the staff.

Effectiveness as a mental health professional is not simply the result of skills acquisition, but rather the successful synthesis of competence and personal maturity that results in self-regulated, ethical behavior. Self-knowledge, self-care, and the ability to balance one’s personal and professional lives are essential to being an effective role model and instrument of change.

Each trainee and staff member has the right to be treated with respect.

Respect, honest communication, cooperation in meeting goals, and the support of one’s colleagues are central to a productive work environment. Evidence of bias, stereotyped thinking, and prejudicial beliefs and attitudes will not go unchallenged, even when such behavior is rationalized as a being a function of ignorance, joking, or cultural differences.

Respect for human diversity is a fundamental component of all activities.

The CSU Health Network bases all its programs and services, including training, on a philosophy that affirms the dignity of all people. We expect staff and trainees to be committed to the social values of respect for diversity, inclusion and equity. Both trainers and trainees should demonstrate a willingness to examine their own assumptions, behaviors, and values so that they may work effectively (as clinicians, teachers, mentors, and advocates) with “cultural, individual, and role differences, including those based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status” (APA Ethics Code, 2002, Principle E).

Our training program is based on the values inherent in the Practitioner-Scholar model. As practitioners, we value the learning that comes through direct experience with others and thoughtful self-reflection. As scholars, we recognize the importance of theory, research and critical thinking. We believe that both practice and scholarship are essential in preparing new mental health professionals to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups in a rapidly-changing world. We value a lifelong commitment to the integration of self-reflective practice and scholarly examination.

We believe that becoming a competent psychologist, social worker or counselor is a developmental processrequiring graduated experiences and training. Consequently, the CSUHN offers training experiences from beginning practica through postdoctoral fellowships. The didactic instruction and supervised practice opportunities vary according to the level of training and the readiness of the individual student. As trainees gain experience, expectations for more advanced professional skills, greater self-awareness and autonomous functioning increase.

We place a high value on the integration of one’s personal and professional identities. We strive to tailor each student’s experience to their individual needs within the structured activities of our training program. Ongoing self-assessment of one’s strengths and limitations is encouraged. When coupled with the supervisory feedback of multiple staff members who are committed to training new professionals, there is great opportunity for personal and professional development.

Service Delivery Experiences

Masters Interns will generally contract to work 20-25 hours/week; these are minimum requirements and interns may need to work more hours in order to meet the requirements of specific home academic programs. Masters Interns are expected to be available to work for the period beginning August 1 and ending on the last day of finals in the Spring semester; they are not expected to be available during periods when Colorado State University is not in session, but students from other universities should be aware that they are expected to be here through finals week each semester, even if that differs from the academic schedule of their home program. Students who will not be able to work during these times should discuss this in their application, and should be aware that this could impact the selection process.

Service delivery experiences differ somewhat depending upon whether an intern is places within General Services (GS) or DAY. However, given that we are an integrated agency, GS interns are expected to provide support to the DAY team when needed and appropriate, and DAY interns are similarly expected to provide support in GS during periods of peak demand, if their schedules allow.

General Services Masters Interns:

Interns in the General Services track will have opportunities to work with clients presenting a broad range of problems, including mood disorders, anxiety, eating disorders, relationship difficulties, and family concerns. Students provide intake assessments, as well as individual and group therapy.

DAY Services Masters Interns:

DAY (Drugs, Alcohol, and You) Programs provide assessment and treatment for students who are both mandated to treatment (by the University, courts, or parents) and those voluntarily seeking treatment. Issues with substances can range from AOD (Alcohol and other drugs) as a poor coping skill to addiction and co-occurring disorders. Interns focus on building a wide range of counseling skills (with special attention paid to Motivational Interviewing) and provide counseling for many other mental health concerns (depression, anxiety, PTSD, relational problems, etc.). Interns typically begin counseling students referred for BASICS, a two session program for those with relatively minor violations of University policy. They also function as clinicians and case managers for the Back on TRAC program, a drug court modeled program designed for higher risk students. Interns typically build a caseload of voluntary students as well. Interns have the opportunity to hone group facilitation and presentation skills through leading psycho-educational workshops, case management groups or a relapse prevention group.

Training Activities

Supervision: A senior staff member who is a licensed clinical social worker, serves as the Field Supervisor. The Field Supervisor and Training Director are responsible for coordination of the placement and communicating with the School of Social Work. Other members of the training staff may also provide clinical supervision of the student’s work. The Field Supervisor will work with the student to identify her or his training needs and develop a contract that best fulfills the individual’s training goals, as well as those of the academic program and CSUHN. All Social Work interns receive weekly individual supervision.

Training Seminars: All Social Work Interns participate in the Masters Professional Issues Seminar, the Diversity Seminar, and the Outreach Seminar. Those SW Interns placed in General Services also attend the Group Seminar. Some SW Interns placed in DAY services choose to increase their time commitment in order to participate in the Group Therapy Seminar & service delivery. The seminars are described below:

• Masters Professional Issues Seminar: This seminar addresses issues of professional growth and development in order to facilitate entry into the field of mental health & Social Work. Presentations by staff members, community professionals, and interns cover a wide range of topics based on the intern group’s needs and special topics that are of interest to them. Time is also allotted for case consultation and feedback.
• Diversity Seminar: This seminar focuses on the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to function as a culturally competent psychologist. Although multicultural issues are naturally integrated into all training experiences during internship, this seminar provides an opportunity for interns to safely explore the impact of their own cultural history and experiences upon their work and to add to their multicultural knowledge base.
• Group Seminar: This seminar’s focus is on group therapy philosophy and procedures, co-leader relationships, ethics, and group process dynamics and interventions. The seminar provides an opportunity for case conference-type reflection and dialogue, for brainstorming alternative interventions, and for enhancing knowledge about group stages and processes and group therapy ethics.
• Outreach Seminar: The purpose of this seminar is to gain understanding of the role of outreach and prevention services and to develop the skills necessary to deliver effective programming. Special emphasis is placed on using nontraditional services to reach populations that often do not seek mental health services.

In-service Training: An in-service training with mental health and medical staff is scheduled each month throughout the academic year. Retreats with all CSUHN staff are held in January and August. National conferences and symposia are regularly sponsored at CSU in a wide variety of areas, such as diversity, suicide prevention, and Asperger’s Syndrome. All trainees are invited to attend these activities.

A sample weekly schedule is provided below. While the experiences described in this section generally remain constant, the specific number of hours devoted to each activity may vary.

Evaluation of Intern Performance:

All staff involved in training will give feedback designed to both support and challenge the student’s development. This will occur on an ongoing basis during the placement and in supervision meetings. More formal evaluations will be provided to the student and the Department of Social Work mid-semester and again at the end of each academic term. The primary field instructor will be responsible for the coordination of these evaluation meetings. (See “Planning and Evaluation for SW 688 Concentration Field Placement” in the SW 588/688 Field Education Manual or on UCC Common/Forms/MSW Interns.) Typically, both an internal evaluation form and the form required by the Department of Social work will be completed.

The areas covered on the internal written evaluations forms for GS MSW Interns are:

• Initial Assessment Skills
• Crisis Intervention Skills
• Clinical Skills
• Professional Standards & Behavior
• Use of Supervision
• (Other Job-specific Skills)

The areas covered on the internal written evaluations forms for DAY MSW Interns are:

• BASICS Assessment Skills
• Case Management Skills
• Back on Track Skills
• Professional Standards & Behavior
• Use of Supervision
• (Other Job-specific Skills)

Intern Feedback for Supervisors and Training Staff:

At the conclusion of each semester, interns will have an opportunity to complete formal evaluations of their clinical supervisors and group co-leaders. Evaluations of training seminars are completed at the end of the seminar. An anonymous Exit Survey is completed online by Interns at the end of the internship and a similar Post Internship Survey is sent to Interns about 18 months after completion. Interns are encouraged to provide on-going feedback to the Training Director and the rest of the training staff throughout the year.

Graduate students interested in applying for the 2018-2019 internship should submit the following materials in Word format to Becca.Romine@colostate.edu.

1. A letter of interest in the program
2. A professional resume
3. A completed “Information Form”
4. Names, phone numbers, and email addresses of two academic/professional references.

 Please note that students who have received ongoing counseling services from CSU Health Network (CSUHN) within the last two years are not eligible for this position. The eligibility of students who received counseling services from the CSUHN more than two years ago will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, to avoid potential dual role relationships. Please contact the CSUHN Training Director, Aki Hosoi (Aki.Hosoi@colostate.edu), if you have questions concerning your eligibility.

All application materials must be received before midnight Mountain Time on Sunday, February 25, 2018.

Interviews will be scheduled in March/early April 2018 with offers made before the end of the spring semester.

SPECIAL NOTE: Orientation for fall semester begins August 1 and runs through August 17. Interns must be available to attend approximately 20-25 hours/week of scheduled training during that time period. Trainings are scheduled at varying times throughout those three weeks, so interns will need to have the flexibility to attend trainings at varying days/times throughout the orientation period (a schedule of orientation trainings will be sent to selected interns in early-mid July). Interns will commit to a regular weekly schedule beginning August 20.

Colorado State University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final candidates being considered for work in our agency. Background checks may include, but are not limited to, criminal history, national sex offender search and motor vehicle history. All internship offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background check to be conducted immediately following the match announcement. For more complete information about the Colorado State policy, please see http://www.hrs.colostate.edu/pdfs/form-background-check-disclosure-authorization.pdf.

Colorado State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding affirmative action requirements.

2017/2018 Training Staff

Brea Banks, PhD
Licensed Psychologist
Illinois State University – 2015

Jenny Brandsma, LPC 
Licensed Professional Counselor
University of Denver – 2007

Helen Bowden, PhD 
Licensed Psychologist
University of Florida – 2005

Ellen Cooney, EdD 
Licensed Psychologist
Harvard University – 1978

Ainara Echanove, PhD
Licensed Psychologist
Pacific University – 2014

Michele Faris, PsyD 
Licensed Psychologist
University of Northern Colorado – 1988

Lisa Heifner, MS, LPC 
Licensed Professional Counselor
Montana State University – 2003

Aki Hosoi, PhD
Associate Director/Training Director
Licensed Psychologist
Colorado State University – 2010

Jen Laxague, MEd, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Boston University – 2014

Christopher Leck, LCSW 
Assistant Director, DAY Programs
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Colorado State University – 2006

Susan MacQuiddy, PhD 
Director, General Services
Licensed Psychologist
Colorado State University – 1985

Pam McCracken, LCSW 
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
University of Kansas – 1993

Lisa Miller, PhD 
Director, Specialty Programs
Colorado State University – 2009

Stephanie Mora DeRosby, MA, LPC, LAC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Addictions Counselor
University of Northern Colorado – 2001

Jeff Nepute, PhD
Licensed Psychologist
Colorado State University — 2014

Stephen Okiyama, PhD
Licensed Psychologist
Fuller Graduate School of Psychology – 1989

Adam Sargent, PhD
Assistant Director, Group Program
Licensed Psychologist
Colorado State University — 2015

Jimmy Stewart, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
University of New Orleans -1999

Cindy Swindell, PhD 
Licensed Psychologist
University of Texas at Austin – 1988

Reid Trotter, PhD
Associate Director/Clinical Director
Licensed Psychologist
University of Missouri – 2011

Jim Weber, LCSW 
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Colorado State University – 1995

Renee Wieszcholek, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
University of Minnesota — 2013

Situated in Fort Collins, the 833-acre main campus of Colorado State University is virtually a city within itself, with a student population of over 27,000. Included among its nearly 100 buildings are administrative offices and facilities, classroom buildings, laboratories, residence halls, library, student activity and recreational facilities, bookstore, and performing arts venues.

Colorado State University is one of our nation’s leading research universities with world-class research in infectious disease, atmospheric science, clean energy technologies, and environmental science. It was founded in 1870 as the Colorado Agricultural College, six years before the Colorado Territory became a state. Last year, CSU awarded degrees to 5,800 graduates, and this year, it attracted more than $300 million in research funding. Colorado State is a land-grant institution and a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University-Extensive.

Colorado State University is a “university of choice” for Colorado residents – 30% of all of Colorado’s science, math, engineering and technology majors pursue degrees at CSU. In addition to its excellent programs in those areas, CSU offers among the very best professional programs in the United States in veterinary medicine, occupational therapy, journalism, agriculture and construction management. Colorado State faculty are researching and tackling critical global issues, such as the reemergence of tuberculosis, air pollution in Asian cities, severe weather forecasting, nutrition and wellness, and bioterrorism. CSU’s faculty provides an enriched student learning experience by offering laboratory and field experiences from a major research university. This approach – combining the intellectual experience of the classroom with the practical experience of the field and laboratory – is based on the land-grant philosophy.

Colorado State’s Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement office hosts some of the strongest community-service programs in the country, allowing more than 6,000 students to participate in the university’s proud tradition of public outreach. CSU faculty played a significant role in the founding of the Peace Corps, and CSU remains one of the primary sources of Peace Corps volunteers today.

Colorado State is ranked in the top tier of universities in U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of “America’s Best Colleges and Universities,” while Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine named CSU one of the top public universities in the United States in terms of educational quality and affordability.

For more information on Colorado State University, please visit http://www.colostate.edu.

Fort Collins is a city that has garnered an array of honors:

• One of the Top 10 Best College Towns: Small-Sized Cities Category, USA Today – September 2010
• One of the top six ‘Smarter Cities’ for Energy: Natural Resources Defense Council, (population 100,000-249,999) – August 2010
• 6th Best Place to Live in the Nation: Money Magazine – July 2010
• One of the Most Underrated Cities in the West: Life.com – June 2010
• One of the Greatest Places to Live in the West: American Cowboy magazine – April 2010
• Ranked 4th Best Places for Business and Careers: Forbes – April 2010
• One of a Dozen Distinctive Destinations: National Trust for Historic Preservation – February 2010
• Ranked 3rd ‘Smarter City’ for sustainability: Natural Resources Defense Council – July 2009
• One of America’s 20 Most Economically Vibrant College Towns: TheAtlanticCities.com – September 2011
• Ranked First, Safest Drivers in America: Allstate Insurance Company – 2011
• Ranked 3rd on the Best Bicycle Cities list: League of American Bicyclists and TheStreet.com – August 2011
• One of the top 15 Best Places for triathletes to live and train: Triathlete Magazine – August 2011
• Ranked 1st Best Place to Live and Work for Young Professionals (pop. 100,000-200,000): Next Generation Consulting – March 2009

Fort Collins has more than 300 days of sunshine per year (rivaling Miami or San Diego), so Colorado State University students can sample the city life and a variety of recreational opportunities throughout the year. Fort Collins, a city with approximately 141,000 residents, is located 65 miles north of Denver and 45 miles south of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Transportation between Fort Collins and Denver International Airport is provided by both bus and limousine service.

At the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Fort Collins is within a one-hour drive of such major recreational areas as Estes Park, Red Feather Lakes, Horsetooth Reservoir, and several national parks, including the 790,000 acre Roosevelt National Forest and Rocky Mountain National Park. A wide variety of recreational activities is fostered not only by the presence of such areas but also by the climate in the Fort Collins region. Located at an elevation of 5,000 feet, Fort Collins has a clear, dry atmosphere and generally pleasant temperatures throughout the year. The summer temperature ranges from an average high of 82 to an average low of 52 degrees; the winter temperature ranges from an average high of 41 to an average low of 13 degrees.

Indicative of the cultural life of Fort Collins is the museum, public library, Lincoln Center, and Civic Symphony. An active University calendar — guest speakers, art exhibits, theater, cinema, concerts — adds to community life. This broad spectrum of cultural and outdoor recreational facilities, the excellent climate, and the mountain surroundings contributes to the ideal university setting of Fort Collins.

For more information on Fort Collins, please visit http://www.fcgov.com/visitor/.