Doctoral Psychology Internship, Counseling Services

Context/Setting

Manhattan, Kansas, is a great place to live and study! In fact, The Princeton Review ranked Kansas State University in 13 different categories in the 2017 edition of "The Best 381 Colleges." Among our rankings are No. 2 for students love these colleges, No. 3 for best quality of life, No. 4 for best athletic facilities, No. 5 for great town-gown relations, No. 6 for happiest students, No. 7 for students pack the stadiums, No. 15 for best run colleges and No. 18 for best college dorms. Please take a moment to browse the information about our community.

Office Culture

The staff at K-State Counseling Services aims to be:

• Supportive. When possible, we keep our doors open, so that interns, practicum students, and other training staff may stop in to consult whenever they need to. Humor is also valued among the staff, and you’ll often hear laughter coming from the break room at lunchtime.
• Interactive. Each month we have a themed potluck. We bring food to share and celebrate the staff birthdays that occurred during that month. We periodically plan outings together as a way to spend time together and build relationships among our staff and their families outside of the office. This has included lunchtime bowling at the bowling alley in the student union, going to movies, ice cream socials, and picnics. Please visit our Pictures page to see some of these events.
• Hardworking. We enjoy each other’s company and we also work hard serving our students, K-State’s campus, and the Manhattan community in a variety of ways.
• More than just counseling. In addition to providing prevention services and psychotherapy services, we also aim to be oriented toward social justice. For example, we created a food shelf as a resource for our students who are experiencing food insecurity.
• Full. As an “Ag” school, we have delicious treats available to us. For example, Call Hall’s Dairy Bar sells K-State ice cream, cheese, milk and other products. The Bakery Science Club has a weekly bake sale during the semester; these treats often make appearances in our break room! The students in the Animal Sciences and Industry department sell cuts of meat at the Dairy Bar and at their weekly meat sale.

Training Program

Our doctoral psychology internship has been continuously accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) since 1987. The next accreditation site visit will be held in 2019. Questions related to the program’s accreditation status should be directed to APA’s Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
202-336-5979

TDD/TTY 202-336-6123

www.apa.org/ed/accreditation
apaaccred@apa.org

K-State match number: 130511.

This internship site agrees to abide by the APPIC policy that no person at this training facility will solicit, accept, or use any ranking-related information from any intern applicant.

Goals and Competencies

The K-State Counseling Services internship is committed to providing training that will produce nationally competitive interns upon graduation. To accomplish this, the program requires interns to complete 2000 hours during the 12 month contract year with 25% of that time being direct contact hours (500 hours). This will require interns to work approximately 42 hours/week on average while classes are in session, because we also provide generous vacation, holidays and sick leave time throughout the year. Meeting these hours can be accomplished by providing services through evening and weekend outreach opportunities. Additionally, in our attempt to make sure graduates of our internship can confidently apply for licensure in any state, all our primary supervisors are fully licensed, and we have additional training opportunities provided by the rest of our exceptional interprofessional staff.

Our training program is also aware of the newest APA Standards of Accreditation and the relabeling of "Professional Psychology" to "Health Service Psychology" to better define our particular niche in the field. This puts the focus on how our work improves the health of our clients – and at K-State – our student body. Because our center as a whole is committed to continued training for all staff in the most recent standards and guidelines applicable to all areas of our functioning as a counseling center, the training interns receive will also reflect these current trends.

To that end, the following goals and competencies are stressed in our training program:

Duration, Salary, and Benefits

The upcoming training year will begin on Monday, August 1, 2016, and end on Monday, July 31, 2017. It requires involvement in a variety of activities which include the provision of direct services, administrative activities, and training experiences throughout the year. Our regular office hours during the academic semesters are Monday - Friday 8 a.m - 5 p.m. During school breaks, including summer, our hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Interns are required to complete 2000 hours during the internship including 500 hours of direct clinical contact.

This 12-month position provides an approximate salary of $25,650 with 22 days leave time and 11 days sick leave. Individual medical insurance which includes dental coverage is available on the university group plan at a minimal cost to the intern (approximately $30 - $35 per pay period depending on the plan selected). When available some unrestricted fees have been used to support intern professional development activities and travel. Also, attempts are made to include interns with other staff's travel plans whenever pooling of resources is possible.

Liability Insurance

It is expected that each intern will secure professional liability insurance prior to the start of internship. Professional liability insurance is available at a nominal fee to student members of APA. Information about student liability insurance can be obtained by contacting the APA Insurance Trust at (800) 477-1200.

To enhance their identities as psychologists, we also encourage our interns to either maintain their current memberships, or become a student members of APA. Information about student membership can be obtained from:

APA Membership Department
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
(800) 374-2721(US and Canada Toll Free)
(202) 336-5580 (in DC)
(202) 336-5568 (FAX)
Email: membership@apa.org

Didn't find the information you were looking for? Check our FAQs .

Staff

Supervisors

• Melissa King, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist
• Dorinda Lambert, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist / Director
• Cliff Rone, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist
• Laurie Wesely, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist & Associate Director / Clinical Services

Additional Training Staff

• Wendy Barnes, TITLE HERE, Outreach Seminar
• Carol Marden, TITLE HERE, PnC/computer security training and office procedures
• Jay Middleton , TITLE HERE, Career Seminar

Additional Clinical Staff

• Kendal Kershner , TITLE HERE
• Kodee Walls , TITLE HERE
• Melissa Miller, TITLE HERE

SUPERVISORS' COUNSELING STYLE, SUPERVISION STYLE, AND INTERESTS

Melissa King, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist

I started at K-State August 2015 and have been in the Midwest most of my life. I was born and raised in Des Moines, IA and completed my B.S. in Psychology with a concentration in Women's Studies at Drake University. I then moved to Southern Illinois where I completed my M.A. and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and earned a graduate certificate in Women's Studies. I completed my pre-doctoral internship at the University of Utah Counseling Center and then moved to Duluth, MN where I was an instructor in the Psychology department at the University of Minnesota Duluth and worked in a group private practice providing individual and couples therapy to older adolescents and adults.

My theoretical orientation incorporates feminist and multicultural perspectives with interpersonal process. I also incorporate principles from DBT, EFT, and ACT to address the concerns of my clients in a way that is individualized to their particular needs and worldviews.

As a supervisor, I take a developmental approach, meeting supervisees where they're at and incorporate attention to how aspects of power, privilege, and oppression influence our supervision relationship and my supervisee's relationships with clients. I prioritize creating a trusting space in which we can reflectively process and explore the dynamics at play in the therapeutic and supervisory relationships. I think watching tape is useful in supervisee reflection and growth, so we do this regularly. I find supervision to be both challenging and rewarding, and my hope is to co-create a similar dynamic with and for my supervisee.

Outside of work I am quite active. I enjoy cooking, reading, working out, and spending time with friends and family. I love to be outside, particularly around water or in the mountains and love camping and campfires.

I approach clients with a sense of solid, clear safety and have been told by some that they knew they could trust me by my direct and friendly manner. In the 26 years since I finished my doctoral degree I have integrated my INTJ personality style with the blend of cognitive/behavioral, feminist, family systems, dynamic, and a variety of other perspectives. I love to assist clients in their exploration of possibilities as they strive to develop their own structure and efficacy in their lives. For me the excitement comes in helping a person reach that deepest core of self in order to honor and nurture that inevitable seed of change and growth. I believe it is also important, at times, to help clients question the fit of their sociocultural context with an eye towards the expansion of their options. Conceptually, I embrace the dialectic of change, the ever-present conflict (and I use that term in a positive sense) inherent in growth and often use the term "striving for balance" as the dynamic goal of all my work. Within a holistic, systems/community view of humans, I emphasize inclusiveness: for example, rights AND responsibilities, self AND others, strengths AND weaknesses, growth AND loss.

I bring to supervision a value for personal honesty, mutual respect, a drive to learn and grow, a willingness to deal with conflicts as they arise, and a commitment to walking that unknown path with the person. Within a discussion/interpersonal format in supervision sessions, I try to focus on the interaction of the client's presentation and the therapist's perspective throughout the process of therapy, working with a supervisee at whatever level she/he is at with an eye towards further development. I attend to the broad context as well as important details of the supervisee's work and the client's needs. I provide support for exploring the patterns presented (by the client, the intern, the supervisory dyad itself) in order to consider what interventions are needed to achieve the change desired. Besides attending to personal growth in therapy skills, I pay particular attention to helping supervisees develop a sense of themselves as a Professional Psychologist.

I am committed to being effective in a variety of roles available to me as a psychologist. Besides working to help individuals develop better coping skills, I am also interested in prevention both on individual as well as on community levels. In my work with the K-State Campaign for Nonviolence and the SafeZone program I hope to help build a safer and more equitable community culture as a complement to my clinical work. Besides my campus activities, I am a member of the Psychology Advisory Committee to the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board and maintain my memberships in the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Kansas Psychological Association (KPA). Prior to my becoming the Director at the K-State Counseling Services in summer 2010, I was the Clinical Director (1988-2010) and the Training Director (1985-1988) so I have extensive knowledge of the varied operations of this agency. Overall, I believe strongly in community (local, regional, national, and global) and so I work on local issues involving social justice and keep aware of national/international political scenes.

As a widow, I value my circle of friends as great supports and a source of great laughter and conversation. I come from an Italian-American background, having been born and raised in a northern Illinois suburb of Chicago by parents who were born of Italian immigrants settled in Buffalo, NY. My late parents taught me, my 3 sisters, and one brother through their warmth, generosity, and great love of Italian (and all) food... though I could never reach their expertise in cooking! I enjoy movies, theater, art museums, and I travel as much as I can (all over the USA; Carriacou, West Indies; and Venice, Italy are my favorites). When I get a chance, I read mystery novels (Elizabeth George, Patricia Cornwell, Sue Grafton, Tony Hillerman). Finally, I am a "computer nerd Wannabe" and am continuing to learn ways that we may use the Internet more effectively for reaching students.

Cliff Rone, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist

I moved to Manhattan and began working at K-State in August of 2014. Though I was born and raised in a suburb of Portland, OR my educational career has taken me all over the country. I completed my BS in psychology at Texas Christian University, my MS and PhD in clinical psychology at Idaho State University, my pre-doctoral internship at University of Houston's Counseling and Psychological Services, and my post-doctoral fellowship at University of Georgia's Counseling and Psychiatric Services.

My educational background focused on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and I have been trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Since these initial training experiences I have emphasized learning to integrate much more affective work into my counseling, primarily from an Interpersonal Process approach. I love working with college students who have underrepresented racial, cultural, and national identities, as well as non-traditional students, first generation college students, and students who struggle with anxiety or problematic interpersonal patterns.

I approach supervision from a developmental perspective. My main goal is to create a supervisory relationship based on trust and honesty that allows for promoting the supervisee's growth through collaborative discussion, reflection, and exploration. I like to watch a lot of tape because I believe the best way to learn about oneself as a clinician is to watch her/his own work. I believe both the supervisor and supervisee should feel challenged, but at a reasonable and growth-promoting pace.

Personally, my number one priority is my family and friends. My favorite pastimes include spending time outdoors, taking on new challenges (e.g., fixing up an old house), and watching college football. On weekends I try to spend some time surrounded by nature and wildlife, and my favorite vacations are spent camping at National Parks with loved ones.

Laurie Wesely, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Associate Director/Clinical Services

My career has been devoted to working at university counseling centers and, as a psychologist, I cannot imagine a better job. I enjoy the variety of tasks that I perform, from counseling to supervising interns to presenting. I also find it fulfilling to work with college students. Students face the challenges of achieving academically, choosing a career, and transitioning into the world of work. Additionally, they may face individual challenges that range from adjusting to college, struggles with relationships, mood difficulties, eating and body image concerns, and recovering from traumatic experiences.

Counseling is a unique relationship where clients allow me the privilege of joining with them for part of their journey. It is my goal to create a secure enough space where clients and I can collaborate to move from their initial “thin” description of what is bringing them to counseling to a “thick” understanding. This deeper, richer understanding takes into account the larger context which results in a non-pathologizing viewpoint. Thus, my theoretical underpinnings stem from humanistic and feminist viewpoints. Intertwined with this is the knowledge I have gained from working in the area of trauma and being trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). This has taught me that everyone has the innate drive to heal, but that there is a time and place for everything. Listening to clients, maintaining my curiosity, empowering clients to tap into their innate knowledge of what they need, having compassion for them, and incorporating my knowledge and instincts all combine in counseling to help clients reach their goals.

Supervising doctoral interns parallels my work with clients as I strive to provide a supportive, compassionate environment that also challenges interns to grow. I take a developmental perspective and focus on strengths while encouraging interns to achieve their goals. My internship year was one of tremendous change and was very enjoyable and challenging. My goal is to provide a similar experience for interns as they transition from students into professionals. It is a delight to be part of this process.

Professionally and personally I am always growing and learning. K-State is a great place in which to learn and work with the strong school spirit both on and off campus and the supportive, collaborative environment within Counseling Services. In terms of personal interests, I enjoy spending time with my partner, children, and dogs. I also enjoy watching our chickens (yes, you read that right!), reading, and knitting.

Jay Middleton, M.A., ABD
[TITLE]
Career Seminar

Hi, my name is Jay! Thanks for taking the time to read this! I’m a Pisces, and I enjoy travel, long walks….wait…what? This isn’t my online dating profile? You mean this is my profile for KSU Counseling Services? Shoot, sorry, let me start over.

I started at K-State Counseling Services as a pre-doctoral intern for 2015-2016 academic year. After completing my internship I began working as a senior staff member in August 2016. I was born and spent the majority of my youth in the suburbs of Kansas City, KS. I completed my bachelor’s degrees in communication and psychology from the University of Kansas. Yes, I am a Jayhawker, but I swear I am a good person anyway. J I earned my Master’s degree in counseling psychology from Louisiana Tech University (La Tech). I am also completing my PhD through La Tech, and I have completed all the requirements for my PhD except for my dissertation, which I expect to defend in the coming weeks.

My theoretical orientation reflects who I am as a person. In my heart of hearts I am a humanist and believe in supporting client’s becoming the best version of themselves that they can be. I also incorporate elements of ACT, CBT, EFT, and interpersonal therapy. Throughout all of my work, be it clinical or supervision, I place a great deal of importance on diversity and social justice. I consider myself a generalist and can assist people on any number of struggles. However, I am particularly skilled at working with issues of career, trauma, suicidality, and mood. #humblebrag

As a supervisor, I take a developmental approach. This means I meet supervisees where they are at in their professional development. I provide a supportive and safe environment for supervisees to growth as mental health professional. In regards to internship, I oversee the career seminar and Career and Life Planning course that the interns teach.

I come from an English, Scotch-Irish, Welsh, and Dutch background. In my free time (ha!) I am avid reader and enjoy a variety of subjects and genres. In particular, I enjoy fantasy, science fiction, and philosophy. I also enjoy graphic novels a great deal. I proudly wear the label of nerd/weirdo. I enjoy music, movie, arts, and travel. One of my favorite cities to visit is New Orleans, LA. Spending time with my family and friends is very important to me. I am also an avid KU basketball and KC Chiefs fan.

Kendal Kershner, [ACADEMIC DEGREE(S)]
[TITLE]

I am happy to be returning to Kansas State and back to the Midwest after living in both South Carolina and Arizona to pursue my education. I originally grew up in Western Kansas before attending KSU to receive my B.S. in Psychology. I then left to attend Clemson University where I received an M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Afterwards I moved to Phoenix, AZ in 2010 to receive my M.A. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Arizona School of Professional Psychology. I returned to Clemson University to complete my pre-doctoral internship where I worked with students dealing with a variety of issues.

Although I'm trained to implement a variety of theoretical techniques, I typically work from a psychodynamic perspective, and helping others develop insight and self-awareness. I strive to help people get to the bottom of their emotional difficulties, and help them learn how they can better manage their distress and improve their overall life functioning. I am trained as a generalist and work with a variety of issues, but am particularly interested in relational problems, identity development, depression, anxiety, and personality disorders.

I'm happy to be back in the Kansas, and enjoy being closer to family and friends. In my spare time I try to stay active, and enjoy hiking, bike riding, and playing sports. When not active I love watching sports, and bleed both purple and orange for KSU and Clemson. I also enjoy spending time with my amazing wife who I have been happily married to since October 2014.

Kodee L. Walls, Ph.D.
Temporary Licensed Psychologist, Stress Management Program Coordinator

Ball State University, 2016
Pronouns in Use: she/her/hers/herself

Center Activities: I provide individual and group psychotherapy to undergraduate and graduate students, couples therapy, and outreach across campus. As the Stress Management Program Coordinator, I manage and oversee the implementation of the stress management program, which works to provide prevention and wellness services to Kansas State University's students. I conduct needs assessments in order to develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive stress management and reduction services. I also plan and implement primary prevention training and educational activities related to wellbeing, stress management, resiliency, and programming related to other dimensions of wellness.

Theoretical Style: My work integrates client-centered, interpersonal process, and cognitive-behavioral theories and interventions within a multicultural framework. My clinical work and supervision are grounded in forming a trusting and accepting relationship that honors students' intersecting social identities. I view therapy as an opportunity for students to learn and practice skills, acknowledge and accept painful feelings and lived experiences, and make discoveries about themselves that can help improve how they feel, increase their effectiveness in relationships with others, and move toward their academic goals.

Professional Interests: I have a primary focus on treatment of anxiety and family of origin concerns related to attachment. In terms of a specific population, I am interested in LGBTQ issues and have presented nationally on this topic. I also have expertise in areas related to couples therapy, men's issues, relationship difficulties, and group therapy.

Supervision Model: First and foremost, it is my belief that in order to be an effective therapist and supervisor, one must be authentic. With that in mind, I work from a developmental perspective which encourages supervisees to increase their awareness and understanding of use of self in the therapeutic relationship. I collaborate with the supervisee on professional growth and identity to facilitate their development of becoming a competent and appropriate professional. I also work from a multicultural perspective, attempting to honor and incorporate social identities (of client, therapist, and me) into how we formulate diagnoses, treatment plans, and our conversations about the work.

Personal Interests: Transplanted from Indiana, I love the sunshine, trails, and hills of Manhattan. I enjoy cozy home activities like watching TV/Netflix, cooking and eating, being owned by my cats. I am also a huge sports fan and will watch almost any competitive event.

Past Interns

[I'm thinking this page would be better on its own, rather than a tab. Unless we can find a way to make it shorter.]

2011-2012

• Argosy University-Twin Cities; Post-Doc
• Iowa State University; Post-Doc
• Oklahoma State University; Post-Doc
• Pacific University; Post-Doc
  
  

2010-2011

• Purdue University; Completing Dissertation
• Regent University; University Counseling Center
• University of Oklahoma; Assessment Center -- Post-Doc
• Wright State University; Continued Job Search
  
  

2009-2010

• Bowling Green State University; Community College Instructor
• Seattle Pacific University; Community Mental Health -- Post-Doc
• University of Missouri-Kansas City; University Counseling Center Post-Doc
• University of St. Thomas; University Counseling Center
  
  

2008-2009

• Bowling Green State University; Assistant Professor
• Indiana State University; Community College --Counselor/Instructor
• Purdue University; Community Mental Health Center
• University of Southern Mississippi; University Counseling Center
  
  

2007-2008

• University of Mississippi; University Counseling Center -- Post-Doc
• University of Missouri-Kansas City; University Counseling Center -- Post-Doc
• University Nebraska Lincoln; Community Mental Health/Adjunct Faculty
• Wright Institute; HMO -- Post-Doc
  
  

2006-2007

• Bowling Green University; University Counseling Center -- Post-Doc
• University of Buffalo; University Counseling Center -- Post-Doc
• University of Missouri--Kansas City; Private Intensive Outpatient Clinic -- Post-Doc
• Wright State University; University Counseling Center -- Post-Doc
  
  

2005-2006

• Oklahoma State University; University Counseling Center
• University of Georgia; University Counseling Center -- Post-Doc
• University of Missouri--Kansas City; University Counseling Center -- Post-Doc
• University of Oklahoma; Geriatric Inpatient
  
  

2004-2005

• American University; University Counseling Center -- Post-Doc
• Florida State University; Instructor
• Oklahoma State University; --
• St. Thomas University; Continued in school
  
  

2003-2004

• Emory University; University Counseling Center
• Ohio State Univ.; University Counseling Center
• University of Kansas; Assistant Professor
  
  

2002-2003

• Argosy Hawaii; Continued in School
• Florida State University; University Counseling Center
• University of Kansas; Assistant Professor
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; University Counseling Center
  
  

2001-2002

• University of Akron; Assistant Professor
• University of Kansas; University Counseling Center
• University of Nebraska; Community Mental Health Center
• University of West Virginia; --
  
  

2000-2001

• University of Kansas, University Counseling Center
• University of Kansas, University Counseling Center
• University of Manitoba; University Counseling Center
• University of South Florida; University Counseling Center
  
  

1999-2000

• Texas Tech University; Assistant Professor
• University of Iowa; Theological Fellow
• University of Nebraska; University Counseling Center
• University of North Texas; Assistant Professor
  
  

1998-1999

• Antioch New England; Retired to Southwest
• Oklahoma State University; University Counseling Center
• University of Delaware; Assistant Professor
• University of Kansas; Community Mental Health Center

The Internship Program first began in 1981 and became APA-accredited in 1987. If interested in information about interns prior to 1998, please contact the Internship Training Director.

Application Procedure

Our Minimum Requirements

• Completion of a minimum of 800 hours of supervised practicum experiences in counseling and psychotherapy including 500 hours direct contact with clients prior to the internship.
• Enrollment in an APA-Accredited Counseling or Clinical Psychology doctoral program.
• At least one practicum or work experience which primarily involved working with college students.
• Comprehensive exams completed prior to application deadline.

Our Preferences

• An approved dissertation proposal prior to the start of the internship.

The Application Process

• Applications must be completed through APPIC website. We will not accept any paper materials.
• Required materials include:
  • Completed AAPI application
  • Current Vitae
  • Cover letter: Your cover letter must explain why you believe you would be a good fit with the internship program at Kansas State University Counseling Services. Be specific about your goals for internship and how our program in particular will help you meet these goals. It should be at least 300 words.
  • Three letters of reference: Letters should be submitted with at least two from professionals who have supervised your clinical work. References should reflect your most recent work if possible.
  • Transcripts
• Address cover letter to:

Amy Jo (A.J.) Williams, Ph.D., LP, Training Director
Counseling Services
232 English/Counseling Services Building
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506-6503

• Program Code and Accreditation:
  • APPIC Matching Program Code Number:
  • Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association

For additional information contact Amy Jo (A.J.) Williams, Training Director.

Application Deadline

Nov. 14, 2016

The Selection Process

Each application is initially screened by the Selection Committee to ensure that the minimum criteria are met. Applicants who will not be considered further will be notified by mid-December.

Each applicant's file will be evaluated and rated by at least two Selection Committee members. Selected applicants will receive a telephone interview.

All formal interviews are by phone; we have decided to not conduct on-site interviews for social justice reasons. Travel, car rentals, and accommodations can be quite expensive, and we acknowledge that this may disproportionately affect some students relative to others. The formal telephone interviews are usually conducted with at least two clinical staff members interviewing the candidate and include interview questions and a clinical vignette.

The satisfactory completion of a background check is a condition of employment. Background checks will be initiated after Match Day.

Optional Open House

We will host an open house for intern applicants in early January. Attendance at the open house is not required to be ranked.