Training Programs

Overview:

University of Michigan-Dearborn Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) has been a practicum training site for doctoral and masters level trainees in clinical psychology for more than 15 years. CAPS serves a very diverse student population in terms of presenting concerns and intersecting identities. Trainees gain experience in both solution-focused brief therapy and longer-term individual therapy, intake assessments, group psychotherapy, psychological testing, crisis intervention, outreach, and consultation/liaison. Each year we accept four to six graduate trainees from various graduate programs in clinical psychology and social work. Recent training cohorts have included students from Michigan School of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, and University of Detroit-Mercy. More
information on our training program can be found in the following sections. Please contact Dr. Charles Starkman, CAPS’ assistant director and training coordinator, at [email protected] with any additional questions.

Training Program Model:

The training program offered by CAPS is rooted in a practitioner-scholar model within a developmental framework. Our training approach values the integration of scientific/scholarly knowledge and critical thinking into clinical practice and clinical/ethical decision making. We recognize that trainees enter CAPS at different points in their graduate degree and therefore their experiences will be individually tailored to meet their unique needs and training goals. Woven throughout the training program is an appreciation for the diversity of all people. A multicultural lens and issues of social justice are central to CAPS’ mission, service delivery, and our training program. Trainees are encouraged, but not required, to explore personal experiences that could impact clinical work in a safe and collegial fashion.

Direct Clinical Service Experiences:

• Masters students will complete one intake a week and doctoral students complete two intakes a week
•  Masters trainees typically carry a caseload of 6 to 8 individual clients minimum based on a 16-20 hour a week placement
• Doctoral students carry an average caseload of 10 to 12 individual clients minimum based on a 20 hour per week placement
• Trainees are provided the opportunity to co-lead one of CAPS’ groups
• Masters and doctoral trainees have the opportunity to conduct ADHD/LD assessments, as well as personality testing, to assist in diagnostic clarification
• Trainees will organize at least 2 campus-wide outreach events over the course of their placement
• Trainees will have the opportunity to learn and conduct emergency crisis consultations
• Trainees will have the opportunity to liaison with at least one department and/or student organization 

Individual Supervision: 1 hour/week.

For trainees in clinical psychology programs, a licensed doctoral-level psychologist will provide supervision. Masters social work trainees will receive supervision from a licensed social worker. CAPS maintains an “open door policy” and supervisors and senior staff are available for additional consultation and supervision as needed throughout the day, either in person or remotely.

Didactic Training: 1 hour/week

Trainees will attend and participate in weekly training seminars provided by senior staff members or expert guests. Examples of training seminar topics include: risk assessment and working with suicidal clients, internship preparation for doctoral trainees, group therapy, ACT/DBT skills, LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy, working with trauma survivors, and a six-week social justice seminar series led by our director, Dr. Sara Byczek. 

Group Supervision: 1.5 hours/week

Two senior staff members, typically a licensed psychologist and a licensed social worker, facilitate group supervision. Group supervision provides trainees with the opportunity to receive feedback on their cases and integrate different perspectives into their clinical work.
 

Application Materials & Procedure:

● Cover Letter (providing statement of interest and training goals)
o Please denote the training track (masters or doctoral) to which you are
applying in your letter.
● Transcript (unofficial is sufficient)
● Curriculum Vitae
● Letters of Recommendation (1 letter for masters students and 2 letters for
doctoral students)
o The letters should be sent directly from the endorser

Please send all application materials to Dr. Charles Starkman at [email protected].

Applications for the 2025-2026 training year are due by Friday, January 31st, 2025