The Internship Programs at Hamilton Health Sciences are accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association.
There are two internship programs at HHS, in Clinical Psychology (one position in the Child and Family track, one position in the Autism track) and in Clinical Neuropsychology (two positions). Separate brochures are available for the two programs. The Intern in the Clinical Psychology (Child and Family track) program is assigned to primary rotations with the Child and Youth Mental Health Service. This has both outpatient and inpatient child and adolescent mental health services. The Intern in the Clinical Psychology (Autism track) program is assigned to primary rotations with Autism Spectrum Disorders Service and works with the Hamilton Niagara Regional Autism Intervention Program. The Clinical Neuropsychology interns are assigned to primary rotations in the Acquired Brain Injury Program, the Integrated Stroke Unit, and in Adult Psychology. For all interns rotations outside of their core requirements are negotiated on an individual basis so that each intern can select experiences that meet their particular needs and goals.
The variety of assessment and treatment experiences available to interns is substantial. Interns are asked to participate on several other teams in addition to their primary rotations to ensure that they are exposed to a range of patient populations and intervention approaches. This flexibility is an attractive attribute of the clinical psychology internship programs at Hamilton Health Sciences. Interns have the opportunity to work with disciplines within psychology and to select rotations outside of their primary specialty. All of the rotations and educational opportunities are available to all interns, provided they have the necessary educational background and a qualified supervisor is available.
The clinical psychology internship programs provide a supervised opportunity for the integrated application of the theoretical, clinical, professional, and ethical knowledge and skills acquired during graduate training. Interns are expected to develop core competence in the assessment and treatment of patients with a range of medical, psychiatric, developmental, learning, neurological, behavioural, and emotional difficulties, and more highly developed and independent skills in evidence based treatment approaches. Supervision in the acquisition and refinement of assessment, formulation, and therapeutic skills is available in behavioural, psychodynamic, cognitive, family, group, neuropsychological, and rehabilitation principles and techniques. Interns have opportunities to develop these skills with both child and adult populations. They are exposed to the work of psychologists on multidisciplinary inpatient and outpatient teams and have the opportunity to develop skills collaborating with health care professionals from other disciplines, schools, and community agencies. During their program they are expected to see clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. The development of, or participation in, ongoing applied research projects is also expected. Numerous opportunities for continuing professional education are available.
Funding for the internship positions is currently under review. Vacation pay and sick time are paid in lieu of and are equivalent to that of any starting full time staff member. Interns are provided with dedicated office space and technology and current professional assessment materials and equipment. There is a one time visiting student fee of ~$320 required on registration in the program.
 to download CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY brochure |
| to download CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGY brochure |
Contact: Dr. Larry Tuff, Director of Training
Hamilton Health Sciences
Chedoke Hospital, Evel 3
Box 2000, Station A - Hamilton ON L8N 3Z5
905-521-2100 - ext. 77228 tufflar@hhsc.ca