CAPS has been an APA Accredited internship site since 1974*. Simply put, we are passionate about training. We welcome applications from candidates looking to gain clinical and professional skills with a diverse, university student population. You’ll find an overview of our program on this site, as well as a link to our handbook. You’re encouraged to reach out with further questions the Director of Internship Training (marquitta.bowman@siu.edu).
*Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:
The primary goal of the doctoral internship in health service psychology is to provide generalist training to interns in preparation for practice in an applied setting with a diverse clientele. Our training is guided by the Practitioner-Scholar model. As a supplement to their clinical responsibilities, interns can expect to spend 20% of their time at CAPS engaged in supervision and training to further their development.
Advantages of Training at CAPS:
Working alongside an enthusiastic and committed training staff with a wide breadth of expertise!
A $35,000 annual salary combined with a very low cost of living makes for less financial stress!
10 Vacation Days and 10 Professional Development Days per year, in addition to university breaks and holidays!
The opportunity to participate in a concentration area to hone a specialty. Areas include: Eating Disorders, DBT, Alcohol, and Other Drug Counseling, Couples Therapy, and Interdisciplinary Healthcare (IHC)! Click here to learn more information!
A private office in the intern hallway to decorate as you like!
We have a new CAPS position that will work directly with our Athletics office so if you’re interested in sports psychology or working with student athletes, there are opportunities to do so!
Areas of Concentration
AREAS OF CONCENTRATION
In addition to your training as a generalist, CAPS offers interns the opportunity to choose an area of concentration. The areas of concentration allow interns to gain specialized knowledge, skill, and experience to meet their own needs and interests.
Sport Psychology Concentration
The Sport Psychology Concentration will provide interns the opportunity to work with student athletes providing individual therapy in a clinical setting, provide outreach and programming focused on topics related to mental resiliency, performance, motivation, and injury recovery. Interns will focus on relevant literature that supports the well-being of student athletes in order to use best practices for group facilitation and clinical therapy. Interns will attend weekly Performance meetings in conjunction with the opportunity to attend the Athletics Consultation Team and Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) meetings. Interns that are interested and selected to be a part of the Sport Psychology Concentration will also work alongside the SIUC Athletics Liaison.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Program
The DBT Concentration provides interns with:
The opportunity to work with clients who would benefit from the DBT program. Typically, these clients present with trauma, impulse control disorders, and personality disorder characteristics.
The chance to co-facilitate a weekly DBT skills group.
Supervision and clinical readings to deepen your knowledge of DBT.
Weekly DBT Consultation Team Meeting with other members of the DBT Treatment Team.
Click here to learn more about DBT and other areas of concentration.
Eating Disorder Outpatient Program (EDOP)
The EDOP concentration provides interns with:
The opportunity to work with clients who present with disordered eating and/or meet the criteria for an eating disorder.
The chance to facilitate a didactic group for individuals with food/body image concerns.
Weekly meetings with the EDOP team. These meetings alternate between meeting as a multi-disciplinary team alongside medical staff (physician, nurse, and dietician), and meeting as a consultation team to discuss articles cases.
Click here to learn more about EDOP and other areas of concentration.
Relationship/Couples Therapy
The Relationship/Couples Therapy concentration provides interns with:
The opportunity to provide couples therapy or therapy with individual clients for whom relationship issues are a focus.
The opportunity provides couples therapy with a licensed staff member. (Ideal for interns who are interested in couples therapy, but lack direct experience).
Weekly readings and supervision to broaden your understanding of relationship issues.
Click here to learn more about Relationship/Couples Therapy and other areas of concentration.
Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD)
The AOD concentration provides interns with:
The opportunity to provide therapy to individuals who meet the criteria for a substance use disorder or who are at risk for developing substance use disorders.
Instruction and supervision related to evaluation, motivational interviewing, and work with mandated AOD clients.
Weekly consultation meeting with other members of the AOD team.
Click here to learn more about AOD and other areas of concentration.
Interdisciplinary Health Care (IHC)
The IHC concentration provides interns with:
The opportunity to gain experience in health service psychology in an integrated health setting.
The chance to coordinate mental health treatment with multi-disciplinary providers to guide treatment decisions and improve outcomes.
Supervision related to the ways in which psychological science and practice intersect with other healthcare disciplines
Experience applying your knowledge via an educational presentation to Student Health Services staff.
Click here to learn more about IHC and other areas of concentration.
If you have a niche not represented above, the training staff is also open to considering additional areas of concentration on a case-by-case basis.
Life in Carbondale
LIFE CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS
A welcoming and diverse college town of 26,000 residents
A slower pace of life free from traffic jams and hectic commutes
An outdoor enthusiast’s paradise situated in close proximity to recreation areas, lakes, and hiking in the Shawnee National Forest
A destination for craft breweries and an extensive wine trail featuring award-winning wines
Easy access to larger cities (2 hours by car from St. Louis, 3.5 hours from Nashville; railway access to Chicago)
SIU at a Glance
SIU AT A GLANCE
Founded in 1869
Ranked among the top 5% of all U.S. universities for research
14,554 students; 14:1 student to faculty ratio.
Diverse student body (2% Asian, 13.5% Black/African American, 8.5% Latino, 64.2% White, and 8.1% International Students)
Average undergraduate age is 23.5 years
200+ Majors, Minors and Specializations
Working at Student Health Services
WORKING AT STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES
Student Health Services (SHS) is a state-of-the-art ambulatory health care facility. SHS stands committed to providing affirming care to students of all backgrounds and identities and emphasizes a commitment to LGBTQ Health as demonstrated by their recognized status as an LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader.
Interdisciplinary care is a central value of SHS. As a CAPS Intern, you will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with an array of health care providers. CAPS Interns have the opportunity to collaborate with staff and providers from the following departments:
Interested in applying to CAPS? We’re glad to hear it! Read on for more information regarding our eligibility and application requirements.
Eligibility Requirements:
Candidates must have passed their qualifying examinations for a doctorate in Counseling or Clinical Psychology by January of 2021 and must have completed their coursework by the beginning of the internship.
Candidates must also have completed a minimum of 450 hours of supervised direct service practicum experience and 200 hours of indirect practicum experience.
Only applicants from programs accredited by the American Psychological Association will be considered.
After matching with an intern, hiring is contingent upon a completed background check.
Application Instructions
Please submit the following online:
a completed application form available from APPIC
a completed current vita; official transcripts of their graduate work
three letters of recommendation from supervisors or faculty who can evaluate the candidate’s academic and applied performance.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) maintains two files for each intern. At a minimum, CAPS retains files for 10 years following the completion of the internship in accord with federal, state, and institutional policies regarding record keeping and privacy.
The training file is digitally stored on a network shared folder maintained by the Intern Training Director. The training file includes materials such as:
AAPI applications and offer letters
Dates of training
Work samples
Certificates of completion
Evaluation forms
Letters to intern’s academic program
Intern complaints and/or grievances
Due process documentation
The Personnel file is kept by Human Resources and includes materials such as:
Employment Paperwork (including notice of appointment, background check, PRF information, W-4, Electronic Deposit Authorization form, Statement Concerning Your Employment in a Job Not Covered by Social Security, SURS Annuity Status, Post-Offer Optional Invitation to Identify: Veteran and Disability Status)
Confidentiality Agreement
Acknowledgment of Mandated Reporter Status-Adult Abuse and Domestic Violence
DCFS Mandated Reporter Status Form
OSHA and HIPAA training forms
Copy of AAPIC application
Copies of annual training – Ethics, Sexual Harassment, and VAWA
Applications are due by November 20, 2025.
The Counseling and Psychological Services primary mission is to provide therapeutic, training, consultative, and outreach services to the University community. We sponsor the Eating Disorders Outpatient Program (EDOP) in coordination with the Wellness and Health Promotion Services and Student Health Services.
As of January 2006, The Counseling and Psychological Services is located in the Student Health Center which adjoins the Student Recreation Center. The Student Health Center was newly constructed in 2005 and is occupied by Counseling and Psychological Services, a Medical Clinic, Psychiatry, a Pharmacy, and Wellness and Health Promotion Services. The Counseling and Psychological Services includes two group rooms, training suites for practicum students, and secured, networked computers for electronic scheduling and clinical record keeping.
Each intern has their own fully equipped office, including a computer with Internet access and a digital video camera.
