Program Aim

The aim of the South Dakota Psychology Internship Consortium is to produce and retain psychologist candidates to deliver culturally competent public mental health care for the diverse population of adults, adolescents, and children residing in rural and underserved communities.

APA-Profession Wide Competencies and Learning Elements

It is expected that by the conclusion of the internship year, interns will have achieved competence in the following APA’s Profession Wide Competencies and associated Learning Elements.

1. Profession-wide Competency: Research
   Learning Elements associated with this competency include:
   • Demonstrate the substantially independent ability to critically evaluate scholarly activities (e.g., case conference, presentation, publications).
   • Disseminate research or other scholarly activities (e.g., case conference, presentation, publications) at the local (including the host institution), regional, or national level.
2. Profession-wide Competency: Ethical and Legal Standards
   Learning Elements associated with this competency include:
   • Be knowledgeable of, demonstrate and act in accordance with each of the following:
     1. The current version of the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct;
     2. Relevant laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing health service psychology at the organizational, local, state, regional, and federal levels; and
     3. Relevant professional standards and guidelines.
   • Recognize ethical dilemmas as they arise, and apply ethical decision-making processes in order to resolve the dilemmas.
   • Conduct self in an ethical manner in all professional activities.
   • Consult actively with supervisor to act upon ethical and legal aspects of practice.
3. Profession-wide Competency: Individual and Cultural Diversity
   Learning Elements associated with this competency include:
   • Demonstrate an understanding of how their own personal/cultural history, attitudes, and biases may affect how they understand and interact with people different from themselves
   • Demonstrate knowledge of the current theoretical and empirical knowledge base as it relates to addressing diversity in all professional activities including research, training, supervision/consultation, and service.
   • Demonstrate the ability to integrate awareness and knowledge of individual and cultural differences in the conduct of professional roles (e.g., research, services, and other professional activities). This includes the ability to apply a framework for working effectively with areas of individual and cultural diversity not previously encountered over the course of their careers. Also included is the ability to work effectively with individuals whose group membership, demographic characteristics, or worldviews create conflict with their own.
   • Demonstrate the ability to independently apply their knowledge and approach in working effectively with the range of diverse individuals and groups encountered during internship.
   • Initiate supervision regularly about diversity issues and integrate feedback into practice.
4. Profession-wide Competency: Professional Values, Attitudes, and Behaviors
   Learning Elements associated with this competency include:
   • Behave in ways that reflect the values and attitudes of psychology, including cultural humility, integrity, deportment, professional identity, accountability, lifelong learning, and concern for the welfare of others
   • Engage in self-reflection regarding one’s personal and professional functioning; engage in activities to maintain and improve performance, well-being, and professional effectiveness.
   • Actively seek and demonstrate openness and responsiveness to feedback and supervision.
   • Respond professionally in increasingly complex situations with a greater degree of independence as they progress across levels of training.
5. Profession-wide Competency: Communication and Interpersonal Skills
   Learning Elements associated with this competency include:
   • Develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals, including colleagues, communities, organizations, supervisors, supervisees, and those receiving professional services.
   • Demonstrate a thorough grasp of professional language and concepts; produce, comprehend, and engage in communications that are informative and well-integrated.
   • Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and the ability to manage difficult communication well.
6. Profession-wide Competency: Assessment 
   Learning Elements associated with this competency include:
   • Demonstrate current knowledge of diagnostic classification systems, functional and dysfunctional behaviors, including consideration of client strengths and psychopathology.
   • Demonstrate understanding of human behavior within its context (e.g., family, social, societal and cultural).
   • Demonstrate the ability to apply the knowledge of functional and dysfunctional behaviors including context to the assessment and/or diagnostic process.
   • Select and apply assessment methods that draw from the empirical literature and that reflect the science of measurement and psychometrics; collect relevant data using multiple sources and methods appropriate to the identified goals and questions of the assessment as well as relevant diversity characteristics of the service recipient.
   • Interpret assessment results, following current research and professional standards and guidelines, to inform case conceptualization, classification, and recommendations, while guarding against decision-making biases, distinguishing the aspects of assessment that are subjective from those that are objective.
   • Communicate findings and implications of the assessment in an accurate and effective manner sensitive to a range of audiences.
7. Profession-wide Competency: Intervention
   Learning Elements associated with this competency include:
   • Establish and maintain effective relationships with the recipients of psychological services.
   • Develop evidence-based intervention plans specific to the service delivery goals.
   • Implement interventions informed by the current scientific literature, assessment findings, diversity characteristics, and contextual variables.
   • Demonstrate the ability to apply the relevant research literature to clinical decision making.
   • Modify and adapt evidence-based approaches effectively when a clear evidence-base is lacking.
   • Evaluate intervention effectiveness, and adapt intervention goals and methods consistent with ongoing evaluation.
8. Profession-wide Competency: Supervision
   Learning Elements associated with this competency include:
   • Apply supervision knowledge in direct or simulated practice with psychology trainees, or other health professionals. Examples of direct or simulated practice examples of supervision include, but are not limited to, role-played supervision with others, and peer supervision with other trainees.
   • Apply the supervisory skills of observing, evaluating and giving guidance and feedback in direct or simulated practice.
9. Profession-wide Competency: Consultation and Interprofessional/Interdisciplinary Skills
   Learning Elements associated with this competency include:
   • Demonstrate knowledge and respect for the roles and perspectives of other professions.
   • Apply this knowledge of consultation models and practice in direct or simulated consultation with individuals and their families, other health care professionals, interprofessional groups, or systems related to health and behavior.