CMHC’s training site provides excellent opportunities for family and marriage therapists, social workers, as well as graduate students in the field of psychology, to learn about severe psychiatric disorders, complex trauma, and to learn skills of rapid stabilization through focused and evidence based treatment methods.
Interns participate in multidisciplinary treatment planning and milieu therapy. Interns are assigned to a particular program for the entire internship and learn about different methods of supervision, diverse styles of intervention and interact with clients. Interns are assigned based on their interests and the program directors preference. Our programs include Assessment and Referral Services, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Prevention, and out-patient services.
Orientation: The theoretical orientation of our facilities is towards crisis intervention and patient stabilization, drawing from cognitive behavioral, psycho-dynamic, and evidence based theories.
Supervision and Training: CMHC’s facilities are committed to providing interns with the necessary supervision to meet state licensing, APA and CAPIC requirements, as determined prior to the beginning of the internship. All clinical supervisors are fully licensed, and meet the necessary requirements to provide supervision to interns. We take great care to make sure interns have a gradual and supportive introduction into the challenging setting.
Interns begin with observation until they are deemed ready by the supervision.
Interns begin by observing, then shadowing, and later become immersed in the research and techniques of their particular clinical supervisor. This allows for differential models of learning and approaches reviewed by the IRB to authorize more research, publications and lectures on the study and development of complex trauma with a multicultural approach from our Clinical Director of Research.
Each intern has a strong relationship with their supervisor who meets them in individual and group supervision every week. Doctoral students have two clinical supervisors: one for research and one for clinical supervision to support their dissertation process.
Interns sign the confidentiality, policy/agency agreement and must have a physical/TB exam and background check. Our therapist are trained on DMH paperwork by therapist who have many years of experience and training from the Department of Mental Health and the State and have been successful at the clinical State Audit/reviews.
Our interns are encouraged to be involved with the community through the strong agency networking which provides field experiences with other partner agencies and graduate programs, as well as lectures, conferences, and trainings that are offered throughout the year.
Our agency is very committed to the community and the trainees/case managers participate in health fairs to increase awareness of mental health issues and network with other organizations.
The case load for each intern is approximately 10 clients, and after a 3 month probation period, the interns can access a students stipend for monetary support.
Interns are encouraged to develop their own activities creatively and engage with others through an activity that they enjoy, i.e. music, singing, painting, social play, theater and other activities that allow the therapist to have a special interaction with their clients facilitating not only social skills, but also community engagement.
Our emphasis is on human values, diversity, honoring team work, and prevention of violence on several levels. A big part of our giving to the community is through pro-bono services.
TESTIMONIES
- Elizabeth Chavez, Case Manager: “Interning at California Mental Health Connection has enabled me to grow and communicate more effectively with people. I have learned so much about myself and I am thankful to be working there with staff who care about their interns and their clients.”
- Edward Tapia, Case Manager: “During my time as a volunteer case manager at the California Mental Health Connection I learned about the struggles in the community regarding mental health. My favorite aspect about being a case manager was that we didn’t treat the clients differently from anyone else. We treated them with the same amount of respect and dignity as we would each other.
- Alycia Cisneros, Case Manager: “Interning at California Mental Health Connection gave me the experience I needed to be successful in my career. I was able to apply for advanced jobs in the psychological field with the tools I gained during my internship.”
- Nancy Tsaur, Case Manager: “Working with the team here at California Mental Health Connection opened my eyes to the mental health field. The experience here is truly hands-on and full of learning opportunities. The director, Elisa Jimenez, is an amazing woman whose priority is focused on helping others in her community. It really is like a family here…I love it!!!”