Intern

ABOUT US:

Turning Point Community Programs (TPCP) strives to prepare competent social workers, therapists, psychologists, and others who can both lead and serve the richly diverse region in the development and delivery of services that contribute to human well-being and social justice. Towards this end, TPCP offers a high-quality TPCP Internship Program (TIP) that serves the needs of over 100 interns and trainees (referred to as “interns” for the remainder of this document) per year from the 110 different universities from which we are affiliated. TPCP has placement opportunities in over 50 programs with sites in 10 California counties. What sets TPCP apart, is the richness of the diversity of experiences in environments where the tone is of hope, optimism and enthusiasm as each intern moves towards their learning goals in their professional development.

TPCP’s goal is to structure an internship program that is exemplary, well-organized and a comprehensive experience for students. Each site structures an internship experience to best meet the needs of the students via a tailored description of their program and the service recipients’ service provision.

Interns come to TPCP at different stages in their professional development from their university programs. In addition to social workers and therapists, TPCP also accepts Medical Students/Residents, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nutrition interns and interns with placement requirements from the fields of psychology, sociology and anthropology. We support interns at our Administrative Site in the Fiscal, Human Resources, IT, Communication, and Research Departments. The internship responsibilities at TPCP will uphold and continue the structured expectation and rich learning opportunities currently offered through their university programs.

Based on their level of experience, each intern receives structured, weekly clinical supervision supported by an examination of the theoretical and empirical literature which includes:

• Therapeutic and supervisory alliance based on effective practices in supervision

• Diversity competence through treatment models and effective interventions specific to various ethnic and cultural minority groups

• Ethical and legal responsibilities

• Intakes

• Diagnostic criteria and research/evidence grounded interventions for the major disorders based on the DSM 5

• Case Management responsibilities which may include development of bio-psycho-social-spiritual-cultural assessment, co-occuring disorder assessment, clien plans (plan development), ANSA (Adult Needs and Strengths) Assessment, CANS (The Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths) Assessment, level of care assessment, etc.

• Introduction to group process and dynamics through a co-facilitator role and observation participation moving towardsa facilitator role

• Therapy/counseling once intern has been assessed to be ready

• Training opportunities facilitated by TPCP in a wide variety of relevant practice theories/interventions such as CBT, DBT, ACT, MRT, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Practice, Strength-Based Practice, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Trauma-Focused CBT, Mindfulness, Suicide Prevention, Compassion Fatigue/Vicarious Trauma/Burnout. Documentation, Mandated Reporting, HIPAA, Harm Reduction, Boundaries, Countertransference, Cultural Competency/Humility, Grief and Loss, etc.

• TPCP was founded on the Psychosocial Recovery Model which is taught and demonstrated in our work with the members we are privileged to serve.

• Utilization review - internal and external to ensure all federal and state regulations are upheld to the highest standards

• Supporting members with specialized clinical needs

• Resource availability through the county of service provision such as SSI, Medi-Cal, homelessness, substance use and medical providers which is collected, researched and updated annually

Internships area form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent.