PhD/PsyD Supervising unaccredited internships?

[PsyD2266]

I'm an early career psychologist who's recently been licensed in Texas and am working in private practice. I've been contacted by several doctoral students looking for supervision for internships. I came from an APA-accredited program and completed an APA-accredited internship, so I've found this very confusing. There's a process. You don't just cold-call about getting internship supervision, at least as far as I knew.

My understanding is that these students are going through the match but assuming they won't match because they're programs aren't APA accredited or are APA accredited but online schools and have poor reputations (I think?). So they're trying to pre-arrange an internship of their own making if they don't match, and calling me to see if I would be willing to supervise them. One also wanted to work at the practice I'm at, but one was solely seeking supervision for work they would do at another site.

Now, I would love to supervise, but I'm very hesitant to take on one of these "interns." This just doesn't seem like something that is legitimate to me, because I've never heard of just creating your own internship as a thing. My school required our internships to be minimally APPIC accredited, but even that was somewhat discouraged, with APA accreditation being the goal.

So my questions, for both students of such schools and any supervisors out there:
Is this something you've done as a student/can you explain this process to me and what is required of a non-accredited internship supervisor?
Are there more risks to taking on such "interns" as a supervisor than say, a practicum student? I.E. to my reputation, professional liability, etc.
And is this a legitimate experience to be supervising? I'm worried by taking on such a student I would be contributing to the degree-mill type programs that provide a degree that they can't get licensed with.

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[singasongofjoy]

Why in the world would you want to supervise someone who is doing work at another site? That a student would accept that kind of setup for internship makes me skeptical of their judgment already. ALSo that would be a ton of work- what would you do, have them videotape all their sessions? And then hike them across town to you? And get consent from the clients and the organization ... I mean another site would be getting basically free labor (from the intern) and you would be doing free labor (of the supervision / ensuring quality of services) for the other organization. I think that is bonkers. Why wouldn’t the student just intern directly with you then? ANd in some states your supervisors have to have been licensed x number of years for it to count towards licensure, just as an FYI (you didn't state how long you had been licensed). I wouldn’t do what those students are asking even if someone paid me to do it TBH. If I am going to supervise someone they need to be working directly with me / my clients.

 

[LadyHalcyon]

I'm an early career psychologist who's recently been licensed in Texas and am working in private practice. I've been contacted by several doctoral students looking for supervision for internships. I came from an APA-accredited program and completed an APA-accredited internship, so I've found this very confusing. There's a process. You don't just cold-call about getting internship supervision, at least as far as I knew.

My understanding is that these students are going through the match but assuming they won't match because they're programs aren't APA accredited or are APA accredited but online schools and have poor reputations (I think?). So they're trying to pre-arrange an internship of their own making if they don't match, and calling me to see if I would be willing to supervise them. One also wanted to work at the practice I'm at, but one was solely seeking supervision for work they would do at another site.

Now, I would love to supervise, but I'm very hesitant to take on one of these "interns." This just doesn't seem like something that is legitimate to me, because I've never heard of just creating your own internship as a thing. My school required our internships to be minimally APPIC accredited, but even that was somewhat discouraged, with APA accreditation being the goal.

So my questions, for both students of such schools and any supervisors out there:
Is this something you've done as a student/can you explain this process to me and what is required of a non-accredited internship supervisor?
Are there more risks to taking on such "interns" as a supervisor than say, a practicum student? I.E. to my reputation, professional liability, etc.
And is this a legitimate experience to be supervising? I'm worried by taking on such a student I would be contributing to the degree-mill type programs that provide a degree that they can't get licensed with.

I know of people who have completed unaccredited internships. It varies depending on state but basically the burden of proof is on them to show it meets certain requirements. If it doesn't, it is likely they will not be able to be licensed.

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[Therapist4Chnge]

To clarify....APPIC is a membership that requires some basic things, but it is far from an actual accreditation.

As for the setup....run from it. Being off-site is a problem. Being responsible (as in "your license is on the line") for them in a brand new yet to be developed year long internship is a problem.

 

[Justanothergrad]

I cant seem to think of a way that this would be worth your time/risk.

 

[erg923]

First, I have no idea how you could be a primary supervisor for someone working somewhere else? It doesn't make any sense on the face of it, and obviously creates multiple legal and ethical liabilities.

This would be a disservice to both you and the student/intern because if serves no benefit for you, and would be financially exploitative to the intern.

 

[deleted343839]

My understanding is that these students are going through the match but assuming they won't match because they're programs aren't APA accredited or are APA accredited but online schools and have poor reputations (I think?). So they're trying to pre-arrange an internship of their own making if they don't match, and calling me to see if I would be willing to supervise them. One also wanted to work at the practice I'm at, but one was solely seeking supervision for work they would do at another site.

HARD PASS. Why would you take that on when there is zero quality control over the process and no incentive at all for you to participate in their training? Someone has collected money from these students and is now passing the logistical, educational, and professional responsibilities on to you. What a straight-up scam. My advice is to type up a form letter that politely but clearly explains how this borders on fraud, and send it out to each and every one of these poor folks who cold calls you for an "internship" placement.

There are better and less exploitative ways to contribute to training and education, if that is your desire. Reach out to the DCT at your nearest APA-accredited training site, for starters.

 

[sikedpsyched]

It is possible for students to seek internships independently and "set up" their own internship as long as it meets certain guidelines, though this might vary depending on the program. I am in a school psychology program and as long as the internship meets the "non-accredited internship CDSPP requirements," then this this should fulfill the internship requirement needed for the doctoral degree. An APA accredited internship is preferred, but the case you are describing would serve the purpose of completing the internship requirement for receiving the doctoral degree.

 

[WisNeuro]

Some of it is reputation that you have to worry about. We have a "neuropsychologist" in town who supervises Fielding students. He is widely seen as a joke in the community here. He also didn't do himself any favors for working as a reviewer for one of the most hated insurance companies in the area reviewing neuropsych claims, with bizarre reasoning for rejections of prior auths. I guess you have to make money somehow when people stop referring patients to you over time.

 

[deleted343839]

It is possible for students to seek internships independently and "set up" their own internship as long as it meets certain guidelines, though this might vary depending on the program. I am in a school psychology program and as long as the internship meets the "non-accredited internship CDSPP requirements," then this this should fulfill the internship requirement needed for the doctoral degree. An APA accredited internship is preferred, but the case you are describing would serve the purpose of completing the internship requirement for receiving the doctoral degree.

You're looking at this from the student's point of view. What incentive does a licensed professional have to take on the responsibility and liability that comes with supervising a random student from a (very likely) poor quality program?

 

[Ollie123]

Agree 100% with all the above. Someone coming from a questionable program is the sort of person for whom I would want significant additional oversight. Exactly the last person I would want to "supervise from a distance" and place my license at risk while they work at another site - at least as a primary supervisor. Now if you are a secondary supervisor/mentor who would not be signing off on notes? Not something I would be comfortable with, but maybe slightly more acceptable. We had some of these on internship where you'd have a secondary supervisor from a different rotation who essentially functioned as an additional consultant.

This sounds like a mess. Don't get pulled into the sketchiness.

 

[BuckeyeLove]

A colleague of mine at my hospital legit just got the same email from someone looking for "internship" experience. He didn't respond. What a mess.

 

[WisNeuro]

In the age of accredited internships being as close to equal to number of applicants as it's ever been, this would be a huge red flag for me, and fraught with more liability than could be conceivably worth it.

 

[PsyD2266]

Thank you for all the quick replies! This basically just confirmed what I was already thinking, but the idea was so foreign to me that the confirmation was needed and helpful. I was definitely very hesitant to even consider taking on any of these students who have contacted me, but wasn't sure if this was a thing that's commonly done and I'd just been unaware of it. Glad to know that this does not seem to be the case.

I do know some states require a period of licensure before you are allowed to provide supervision, but TX does not seem to have such a restriction.

 

[sikedpsyched]

You're looking at this from the student's point of view. What incentive does a licensed professional have to take on the responsibility and liability that comes with supervising a random student from a (very likely) poor quality program?

Yes, I am providing the student perspective. I was only addressing the issue of whether students can pursue an internship that was not APA accredited/APPIC member as an option, and what the expectations could look like for setting an internship up independently.

 

[erg923]

Some of it is reputation that you have to worry about. We have a "neuropsychologist" in town who supervises Fielding students. He is widely seen as a joke in the community here. He also didn't do himself any favors for working as a reviewer for one of the most hated insurance companies in the area reviewing neuropsych claims, with bizarre reasoning for rejections of prior auths. I guess you have to make money somehow when people stop referring patients to you over time.

What a Physician/Psychologist Peer Reviewer writes is mostly/often edited to fit within an official "correspondence letter" from the company (which has to adhere to certain reading level requirements) to the member/patient, and isn't necessarily reflective of what they actually wrote as their clinical rationale. The explanation shouldn't be too foreign to the provider, but inevitably, some things are misunderstood and mistranslated within the formal correspondence letters to the members/patients.

 

[psych.meout]

It is possible for students to seek internships independently and "set up" their own internship as long as it meets certain guidelines, though this might vary depending on the program. I am in a school psychology program and as long as the internship meets the "non-accredited internship CDSPP requirements," then this this should fulfill the internship requirement needed for the doctoral degree. An APA accredited internship is preferred, but the case you are describing would serve the purpose of completing the internship requirement for receiving the doctoral degree.

Yes, I am providing the student perspective. I was only addressing the issue of whether students can pursue an internship that was not APA accredited/APPIC member as an option, and what the expectations could look like for setting an internship up independently.

It's still a terrible idea. Internship is not just about checking a box required to receive your doctorate.

 

[Buzzwordsoldier]

You're looking at this from the student's point of view. What incentive does a licensed professional have to take on the responsibility and liability that comes with supervising a random student from a (very likely) poor quality program?

Have yet to read entire thread, but the OP did ask for student feedback, and was clear (sorta?) that the concern regarding program quality was a hunch. The comment above provided one reason why the OP might want to do a bit more digging around and make a more informed decision.

 

[psych.meout]

Have yet to read entire thread, but the OP did ask for student feedback, and was clear (sorta?) that the concern regarding program quality was a hunch. The comment above provided one reason why the OP might want to do a bit more digging around and make a more informed decision.

You should read the rest of the thread.

 

[deleted343839]

Have yet to read entire thread, but the OP did ask for student feedback, and was clear (sorta?) that the concern regarding program quality was a hunch. The comment above provided one reason why the OP might want to do a bit more digging around and make a more informed decision.

It seemed to me that the OP's central question was not so much "can I?" but "should I?" No further "digging" necessary here.

 

[AbnormalPsych]

Just, wow. Hard nope.

 

[WisNeuro]

What a Physician/Psychologist Peer Reviewer writes is mostly/often edited to fit within an official "correspondence letter" from the company (which has to adhere to certain reading level requirements) to the member/patient, and isn't necessarily reflective of what they actually wrote as their clinical rationale. The explanation shouldn't be too foreign to the provider, but inevitably, some things are misunderstood and mistranslated within the formal correspondence letters to the members/patients.

Not talking about what he wrote, talking about how he justified it in person to me when I demanded to speak to the reviewer. Additionally, he is listed as being board certified, yet he is not board certified by either ABPP or ABN. For that one I lodged a formal complaint.

 

[BuckeyeLove]

Additionally, he is listed as being board certified, yet he is not board certified by either ABPP or ABN. For that one I lodged a formal complaint.

How do these people think they can justifiably get away with this? I've seen this a few times with some forensic folks, whereby they claim they are boarded, and it turns out to be one of the ones you send a check to and they send you a certificate.

 

[WisNeuro]

How do these people think they can justifiably get away with this? I've seen this a few times with some forensic folks, whereby they claim they are boarded, and it turns out to be one of the ones you send a check to and they send you a certificate.

Well, I guess when you went to a school where you just sent them a check and they sent you a diploma, it just seems like the rest of your certificates should operate the same way.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

It's still a terrible idea. Internship is not just about checking a box required to receive your doctorate.

To be fair, pre-doctoral internships can work differently in school psychology than in clinical/counseling, depending on the end goal of the trainee.

To the OP, what I would've said has been mirrored by pretty much everything above. It'd be a hard pass for me. From the perspective of a trainee, not having formalized procedures and structure in place (e.g., for addressing concerns or grievances) can be particularly problematic when considering the power differential; this also usually ends up being helpful for supervisors.