James M. Stedman

Knowledge competence in clinical and counseling training and readiness for internship

The concept of competence has become the driving force in the education and training of professional psychologists. In fact, competence has evolved into increasingly sophisticated forms, now perhaps best represented by the cube model, which integrates foundational, functional, and developmental variables into ideas about professional training. This article considers one component of professional training, scientific knowledge, and argues that knowledge competence, measured by the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, should occur before a student is certified as internship ready.

Use of a peer model in language training in an echolalic child

Abstract A 10-yr-old girl, carrying the diagnostic label of childhood autism, was trained to speak at a normal voice volume and acquired a labeling vocabulary, via an imitation learning paradigm which utilized a peer model. Results indicate that the modeling paradigm facilitated both volume training and label acquisition.

The current status of psychological assessment training in graduate and professional schools

Test-based psychological assessment is threatened by the policies of managed care organizations; however, research has demonstrated that test-based psychological assessment is quite valuable and economically justified when conducted by well-trained psychologists. This surfaces the question of the current status of graduate training in test-based psychological assessment. Results of this study indicate that clinical and counseling students currently receive almost equivalent training in test-based assessment. However, in a larger context, results indicate a lack of sound preparation in test-based assessment training for a large proportion of clinical and counseling students. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the field and, more specifically, for graduate and internship training.

Preinternship preparation in psychological testing and psychotherapy: What internship directors say they expect.

What levels of preinternship training in testing and psychotherapy do internship directors expect students to have as they enter internship? This study addressed the question by surveying internship directors of all members of the Association of Postdoctoral and Internship Centers and asking them to specify the numbers of testing and psychotherapy experiences they believe an intern candidate should have prior to entering the internship. The results demonstrate similarities and differences in director expectations and have implications for preinternship students, graduate programs, and internships themselves.

Factors associated with dropping out of child and family treatment

Abstract This study investigated factors related to attendance and continuation in family-oriented treatment at a child guidance clinic. As expected, attendance and continuation were related with chronicity of the presenting problem, nature of the referral source, initial clinical perceptions of the family and predictions about termination, and family attendance in evaluation and treatment sessions. Attendance and continuation in treatment, however, were not related with family socioeconomic status and other demographic factors. The implications of these findings for treatment planning are discussed.

The structure of internship training: Current patterns and implications for the future of clinical and counseling psychologists

Understanding the structure of internship training is important for at least 2 reasons. First, the field needs an accurate and comprehensive picture of what internships are currently teaching clinical and counseling psychologists. Second, the field needs to understand this structure in order to reflect on how well these training patterns are preparing new clinical and counseling psychologists for the realities of professional practice in todays market. This article presents a comprehensive description of the current training structure and considers the relationship between that structure and projected workforce needs and opportunities for clinical providers.

An extension of the Kimmel treatment method for enuresis to an adolescent: A case report

Abstract Operant treatment methods, previously described by Kimmel and Kimmel, were successfully applied to an adolescent enuretic. Based on theoretical and practical grounds, this report delineates certain procedural modification.

Letters of Recommendation for the Predoctoral Internship in Medical Schools and Other Settings: Do They Enhance Decision Making in the Selection Process?

Since the 1970s, letters of recommendation to medical and other internship settings have surfaced as important variables in the internship selection process. However, several studies have challenged their value in the selection process, specifically by pointing out that these letters have an overly positive bias and fail to address applicant weaknesses. Our study, using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count text analysis method, developed a quantitative profile for a sample of letters of recommendation, determined whether letters differentiated among applicants with regard to positive/negative attributions, evaluated letters for positive and negative bias, and investigated potential gender bias of writers toward applicants. Results indicated that writers apply positive and negative attributions homogeneously across applicants, thus, rendering applicant differentiation on this basis impossible. Also, results demonstrated that letters of male and female writers were not biased toward male or female applicants. These findings, in combination with previous studies, question the utility of letters of recommendation as presently structured. Possible modifications are discussed.

Career pathways and current practice patterns of clinical and counseling psychologists: A follow‐up study of former interns

The present study examined career pathways and current work patterns for 110 graduates of an internship program. Results show that the group trained after 1980 went into private practice more rapidly than those trained prior to 1980. Both groups do extensive psychological testing. Implications are discussed.

Oriental defense exercises as reciprocal inhibitors of anxiety

Abstract In a case of claustrophobia and in another with fears of flying, Japanese defense activities of the Karate type proved to be effective counter-conditioners of anxiety. They were used in the former case in vivo and in the latter case both in imagination and in vivo .