Doctoral Internship

Please see introduction to all programs for program specific competencies required for the completion of the program.

For 2023/2024, we will have 12 interns across multiple different positions.

For students applying to any position in the Kaiser Oakland Psychology Internship, please note the following:

We will only offer interviews for people who indicate an interest in a specific track

We will not use an expressed interest in multiple tracks in any ranking decisions

Make sure that in the APPI you mark all positions you are interested in working in

Ensure that your cover letter clearly and specifically lays out why you are interested in a specific training experience AND your background that makes you a good fit for the position

We are using a virtual interview process format for the 2023/2024 training year.  In person interviews will not be offered and are not available nor are visits to the program site.  A virtual opportunity to meet current interns will be offered at least 24 hours before rankings are due.

All interns, regardless of placement are required to complete approximately 30 ADD/HD (or other formal testing approximating the same amount of testing time) assessments during the training year.

Candidates applying to multiple tracks need to clearly identify how their background or interest makes them a good candidate. We aim to interview 8-12 candidates for each placement.

Location: Oakland, CA

NOTICE: Due to unexpected changes this position will not be offered in the 2023-24 training year 

This intern serves in our adult eating disorders program. Our patients are from diverse backgrounds and have a variety of eating disorders, including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, Binge Eating Disorder, and Feeding and Eating Disorder Other Specified. The primary goals of treatment are nutrition restoration, symptom reduction, and new skill acquisition. We emphasize understanding of and building resilience to forms of oppression that contribute to eating disorders, such as weight stigma.

Our team consists of mental health providers as well as a physician and a dietician who work together to provide comprehensive treatment for Kaiser Permanente members needing eating disorder treatment.

A mental health clinician in this role provides the following services:
• Provide individual psychotherapy using a Health At Every Size® informed approach for patients with a variety of eating disorders
• Co-facilitate groups that may include DBT, meal group, body image group, binge eating disorder group, and anti-diet group
• Work closely and collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of providers
• May supervise a practicum student

An ideal candidate for this position has a passion for working with eating disorders, is rooted in social justice frameworks, and enjoys working on a team.
Interns do one half day per week in the ADHD clinic working with patients with ADHD.
ADHD assessment in this position involves a structured clinical interview and rating scales; interns who do more than a half day on this rotation also do in-office follow ups with tests like the CPT. This is a high volume program with an intensive focus on differential diagnosis, but very few opportunities for formal testing or traditional psychological assessment are available. Students interested in more formal testing experience may not find this aspect of the position sufficient for their professional development goals.

For students applying to any position in the Kaiser Oakland Psychology Internship, please do the following:
* We will only offer interviews for people who indicate an interest in a specific track
* We will not use an expressed interest in multiple tracks in any ranking decisions
* Make sure that in the APPI you mark all positions you are interested in working in
* Ensure that your cover letter clearly and specifically lays out why you are interested in a specific training experience AND your background that makes you a good fit for the position
* We are using a virtual interview process format for the 2023/2024 training year
*The program is in a large medical center and requires all interns to meet vaccine requirements and well as being able to work on site at any time at the sole discretion of the program and leadership.

The 3 interns in this placement serve 3 shifts per week in child and adolescent clinic (with exposure to the pediatric units in the tertiary medical care hospital), 3 shifts per week in the adult crisis service (with exposure to the adult units in the tertiary medical care hospital), and 3 shifts per week in the ADHD testing services for adult patients in the clinic.

All interns in the track are required to successfully complete all three rotations. Interns are not allowed to spend additional time in any rotation or extend any rotation based on interest. Successful applicants should have interest and abilities to see both children and adults. Limited exposure to patients in the emergency department may be provided. Please note that interns in this placement are required to work with medically compromised and physically ill patients and must always work on site.

ADHD assessment in this position involves a structured clinical interview and rating scales; interns who do more than a half day on this rotation also do in-office follow ups with tests like the CPT. This is a high volume program with an intensive focus on differential diagnosis, but very few opportunities for formal testing or traditional psychological assessment are available. Students interested in more formal testing experience may not find this aspect of the position sufficient for their professional development goals.
Successful interns will need to be able to work in fast paced environments with a focus on immediate interventions and not long-term work with patients.

For students applying to any position in the Kaiser Oakland Psychology Internship, please do the following:
* We will only offer interviews for people who indicate an interest in a specific track
* We will not use an expressed interest in multiple tracks in any ranking decisions
* Make sure that in the APPI you mark all positions you are interested in working in
* Ensure that your cover letter clearly and specifically lays out why you are interested in a specific training experience AND your background that makes you a good fit for the position
* We are using a virtual interview process format for the 2023/2024 training year
*The program is in a large medical center and requires all interns to meet vaccine requirements and well as being able to work on site at any time at the sole discretion of the program and leadership.

Two interns serve in the adult services team providing generalist clinical care to diverse patient population with regard to diagnosis, symptom severity, and racial and cultural identities. Supervisors are experienced generalists with additional expertise in trauma, anxiety, and/or OCD. Interns who thrive in this role enjoy working in a fast-paced environment.

Individual therapy caseloads grow gradually at the beginning of the year expand continuously throughout the year as new patients are seen every week. Group facilitation opportunities are available based on the intern’s interest and schedule. In addition to psychotherapy, interns in this rotation conduct adult ADHD testing one half day per week, primarily using clinical interviews. Due to the time demands of providing psychotherapy and adult ADHD testing, additional or alternative assessment opportunities are not available. Interns in this rotation work only with adults.

ADHD assessment in this position involves a structured clinical interview and rating scales; interns who do more than a half day on this rotation also do in-office follow ups with tests like the CPT. This is a high volume program with an intensive focus on differential diagnosis, but very few opportunities for formal testing or traditional psychological assessment are available. Students interested in more formal testing experience may not find this aspect of the position sufficient for their professional development goals.
Successful interns will need to be able to work in fast paced environments with a focus on immediate interventions and not long-term work with patients.

For students applying to any position in the Kaiser Oakland Psychology Internship, please do the following:
* We will only offer interviews for people who indicate an interest in a specific track
* We will not use an expressed interest in multiple tracks in any ranking decisions
* Make sure that in the APPI you mark all positions you are interested in working in
* Ensure that your cover letter clearly and specifically lays out why you are interested in a specific training experience AND your background that makes you a good fit for the position
* We are using a virtual interview process format for the 2023/2024 training year
*The program is in a large medical center and requires all interns to meet vaccine requirements and well as being able to work on site at any time at the sole discretion of the program and leadership.

1 position will be offered

The intern who serves in this positions will be assigned to the Richmond Psychiatry Child Team and will be working with a general youth service caseload. Interns in this position will conduct multiple groups over the course of the training year, provide brief individual and family therapy, and will conduct ADHD assessments throughout the year.

The intern in this position will need to be comfortable working with both young children and adolescents and feel comfortable working with parents. Depending on experience, skills, and interest, limited opportunities may be available at the discretion of the program and leadership for exposure to specialty programs such as Intensive Outpatient, Crisis Stabilization, Gender Care, ASD, or emergency department evaluations with the Crisis Response Team.

ADHD testing in this position uses a clinical interview format as well as collection and review of rating forms. In some cases administration of computerized testing is utilized. Opportunities for other testing and assessment experience may be provided at the discretion of the program and leadership based on availability and the skills of each intern in these positions.

For students applying to any position in the Kaiser Oakland Psychology Internship, please do the following:
* We will only offer interviews for people who indicate an interest in a specific track
* We will not use an expressed interest in multiple tracks in any ranking decisions
* Make sure that in the APPI you mark all positions you are interested in working in
* Ensure that your cover letter clearly and specifically lays out why you are interested in a specific training experience AND your background that makes you a good fit for the position
* We are using a virtual interview process format for the 2023/2024 training year
*The program is in a large medical center and requires all interns to meet vaccine requirements and well as being able to work on site at any time at the sole discretion of the program and leadership.

The intern in this position will be assigned to the Oakland Psychiatry Child Team and will be working with a general youth service caseload.  Interns in this position will conduct multiple groups over the course of the training year, provide brief individual and family therapy, and will participate in the ADHD assessment program throughout the year.  The intern in this position will need to be comfortable working with both young children and adolescents and feel comfortable working with parents from multicultural and diverse economic backgrounds.  Depending on experience, skills, and interest, limited opportunities may be available at the discretion of the program and leadership for exposure to specialty programs such as Intensive Outpatient, Crisis Stabilization, Gender Care, ASD, OCD or emergency department evaluations with the Crisis Response Team.

ADHD testing in this position uses a clinical interview format as well as collection and review of rating forms.  In some cases administration of computerized testing is utilized.  Opportunities for other testing and assessment experience may be provided at the discretion of the program and leadership based on availability and the skills of each intern in these positions.

For students applying to any position in the Kaiser Oakland Psychology Internship, please do the following:
* We will only offer interviews for people who indicate an interest in a specific track
* We will not use an expressed interest in multiple tracks in any ranking decisions
* Make sure that in the APPI you mark all positions you are interested in working in
* Ensure that your cover letter clearly and specifically lays out why you are interested in a specific training experience AND your background that makes you a good fit for the position

* We are using a virtual interview process format for the 2023/2024 training year

*The program is in a large medical center and requires all interns to meet vaccine requirements and well as being able to work on site at any time at the sole discretion of the program and leadership.

The pediatric behavioral medicine intern works closely with primary care pediatricians to help connect children, adolescents, and families to mental health services that are an appropriate fit for their needs. This intern conducts exam-room consultations and intake evaluations with youth and families with a variety of clinical concerns, including mood and anxiety disorders, OCD, tics, ASD, ADHD, trauma, eating disorders, elimination disorders, and behavioral problems.

Additionally, the pediatric BMS intern helps support individuals and families coping with a range of medical conditions. This intern has the opportunity to provide short-term treatment that primarily involves behavioral and cognitive-behavioral interventions. The intern also has the opportunity to co-facilitate various psychotherapy groups, such as parenting support groups. Additionally, this intern is involved in pediatric neuropsychology, ADHD, and ASD testing rotations two afternoons of the week.

For students applying to any position in the Kaiser Oakland Psychology Internship, please do the following:
* We will only offer interviews for people who indicate an interest in a specific track
* We will not use an expressed interest in multiple tracks in any ranking decisions
* Make sure that in the APPI you mark all positions you are interested in working in
* Ensure that your cover letter clearly and specifically lays out why you are interested in a specific training experience AND your background that makes you a good fit for the position
* We are using a virtual interview process format for the 2023/2024 training year
*The program is in a large medical center and requires all interns to meet vaccine requirements and well as being able to work on site at any time at the sole discretion of the program and leadership.

One intern will be placed with the “The Multi-Specialty Transitions (MST) Department” at Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center which is a regional hub for gender-affirming medical care in Northern CA. The clinic’s mental health model is rooted in self-determination and informed consent, and providers on this team support patients holistically as they pursue gender affirming medical care. The mental health service in the clinic also closely collaborate with medical providers to offer a range of services that support patients’ emotional and psychological well-being. These services are affirmative, sex-positive, respectful and culturally sensitive.

The clinic team consists of mental health providers as well as clinicians from surgery, internal medicine, gynecology, social work, and nursing, who work together to provide comprehensive healthcare for Kaiser Permanente members needing gender-affirming health care services.
A mental health clinician in this role has the opportunity to provide the following services:
• Conduct informing sessions for gender affirming medical care including hormones and surgeries
• Provide ongoing support for patients as they prepare for and recover from gender affirming surgeries
• Facilitate support groups
• Short term psychotherapy
• Present mental health and wellness material at surgical education classes
• Provide support for youth and families navigating decisions related to medical and social transition
• Coordinate care across an interdisciplinary team of providers
• Develop patient education material and resources

An ideal candidate for this position has a working knowledge of transgender and non-binary identities, is rooted in social justice frameworks, and understands the historical gatekeeping role that mental health providers have played in trans health and are willing to interrogate their own subjectivities in clinical encounters with patients.
Interns do one half day per week in the ADHD clinic working with patients with ADHD.
ADHD assessment in this position involves a structured clinical interview and rating scales; interns who do more than a half day on this rotation also do in-office follow ups with tests like the CPT. This is a high volume program with an intensive focus on differential diagnosis, but very few opportunities for formal testing or traditional psychological assessment are available. Students interested in more formal testing experience may not find this aspect of the position sufficient for their professional development goals.

For students applying to any position in the Kaiser Oakland Psychology Internship, please do the following:
* We will only offer interviews for people who indicate an interest in a specific track
* We will not use an expressed interest in multiple tracks in any ranking decisions
* Make sure that in the APPI you mark all positions you are interested in working in
* Ensure that your cover letter clearly and specifically lays out why you are interested in a specific training experience AND your background that makes you a good fit for the position
* We are using a virtual interview process format for the 2023/2024 training year
*The program is in a large medical center and requires all interns to meet vaccine requirements and well as being able to work on site at any time at the sole discretion of the program and leadership.

The intern in this position will be placed in the behavioral medicine service, located within Kaiser’s primary care facilities. Prior behavioral medicine experience is preferred, but not required. The position is primarily spent in face-to-face patient care. Appointments are 30 minutes every 2-3 weeks, offering 6 sessions at a time (with flexibility based on need of the patient), in line with the behavioral consultation model of mental health.

Intern will gain breath of experience in assessing and treating many different mild to moderate psychological presentations, including but not limited to psychological stress from a medical condition, chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety disorders, specific phobia, depression, and grief, among other presentations.

The intern’s case load can be adjusted based on their clinical interests. There is opportunity to run group therapy including ACT for chronic illnesses and CBT for Health Anxiety. Supervisor modalities are primarily 3rd wave therapies, such as CBT, mindfulness-based CBT, behavioral therapy, and ACT. Intern will learn rapid assessment for a large breadth of lower acuity psychological disorders while providing behavioral and cognitive interventions. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary care and consultation with the behavioral medicine team.

Interns do one half day per week in the ADHD clinic working with patients with ADHD.
ADHD assessment in this position involves a structured clinical interview and rating scales; interns who do more than a half day on this rotation also do in-office follow ups with tests like the CPT. This is a high volume program with an intensive focus on differential diagnosis, but very few opportunities for formal testing or traditional psychological assessment are available. Students interested in more formal testing experience may not find this aspect of the position sufficient for their professional development goals.

For students applying to any position in the Kaiser Oakland Psychology Internship, please do the following:
* We will only offer interviews for people who indicate an interest in a specific track
* We will not use an expressed interest in multiple tracks in any ranking decisions
* Make sure that in the APPI you mark all positions you are interested in working in
* Ensure that your cover letter clearly and specifically lays out why you are interested in a specific training experience AND your background that makes you a good fit for the position
* We are using a virtual interview process format for the 2023/2024 training year
*The program is in a large medical center and requires all interns to meet vaccine requirements and well as being able to work on site at any time at the sole discretion of the program and leadership.

The intern in this position will be assigned to the Oakland Adult Services, where they will provide individual therapy treatment through the Focused Treatment Track (FTT) and will be cofacilitating multiple groups over the course of the training year. Interns in this position will be required to manage a full caseload seeing new patients every week, utilizing weekly individual and group sessions as the primary treatment interventions.

Applicants should have experience using short-term, behaviorally-focused interventions, as patients in FTT are seen for a maximum of 6 sessions. Additionally, applicants should have experience with groups as they will be co-facilitating eight to ten hours of group therapy per week. Cases are not carried for long term and persons who desire psychodynamic training or long-term therapy will not find this position rewarding work. Candidates with experience in working in busy settings such as medical offices in health psychology, crisis services, or other settings where there are tight limitations on the number of sessions will be the most successful.

Candidates with experience working in busy settings such as medical offices in health psychology, crisis services, or other settings where there are tight limitations on the number of sessions will be the most successful.

ADHD assessment in this position involves a structured clinical interview and rating scales; interns who do more than a half day on this rotation also do in-office follow ups with tests like the CPT. This is a high volume program with an intensive focus on differential diagnosis, but very few opportunities for formal testing or traditional psychological assessment are available. Students interested in more formal testing experience may not find this aspect of the position sufficient for their professional development goals.

For students applying to any position in the Kaiser Oakland Psychology Internship, please do the following:
* We will only offer interviews for people who indicate an interest in a specific track
* We will not use an expressed interest in multiple tracks in any ranking decisions
* Make sure that in the APPI you mark all positions you are interested in working in
* Ensure that your cover letter clearly and specifically lays out why you are interested in a specific training experience AND your background that makes you a good match for the position
* We are using a virtual interview format for the 2023/2024 training year
*The program is in a large medical center and requires all interns to meet vaccine requirements and be able to work on site at any time at the sole discretion of the program and leadership.

This intern will be placed on our DBT team as well as the adult service’s Focused Treatment track. As part of the DBT group the intern will be actively involved in phone coaching, DBT meetings, and will carry a longer-term caseload of patients requiring group and individual treatment. The intern in this position will be assigned to the Oakland Adult Services, where they will provide individual therapy treatment through the Focused Treatment Track (FTT) and will be cofacilitating multiple groups over the course of the training year. Interns in this position will be required to manage a full caseload of brief interventions and using group treatment as a primary modality for interventions. Applicants should have experience using short term, behaviorally focused interventions, as patients in FTT are seen for a maximum of 6 sessions.

Candidates with experience in working in busy settings such as medical offices in health psychology, crisis services, or other settings where there are tight limitations on the number of sessions will be the most successful.

ADHD assessment in this position involves a structured clinical interview and rating scales; interns who do more than a half day on this rotation also do in-office follow ups with tests like the CPT. This is a high volume program with an intensive focus on differential diagnosis, but very few opportunities for formal testing or traditional psychological assessment are available. Students interested in more formal testing experience may not find this aspect of the position sufficient for their professional development goals.

For students applying to any position in the Kaiser Oakland Psychology Internship, please do the following:
* We will only offer interviews for people who indicate an interest in a specific track
* We will not use an expressed interest in multiple tracks in any ranking decisions
* Make sure that in the APPI you mark all positions you are interested in working in
* Ensure that your cover letter clearly and specifically lays out why you are interested in a specific training experience AND your background that makes you a good fit for the position
* We are using a virtual interview process format for the 2023/2024 training year
*The program is in a large medical center and requires all interns to meet vaccine requirements and well as being able to work on site at any time at the sole discretion of the program and leadership.