Psychology Internship & Fellowship

Welcome from the Director
 Wendi Cross, Ph.D.

Hello everyone!  On behalf of the entire Psychology Training Program I want to extend a warm, 'smizing' welcome to this year's 'all remote' recruitment for internship and fellowship programs in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center.  Due to the pandemic, we will conduct Zoom interview days that will include an orientation to the program, interviews with faculty, and time with current trainees to ask questions and learn about their experience. We have also created video 'tours' hosted by current trainees for each track of the internship (Adult and Child and Adolescent) and for the fellowship program. We hope that together with the website, these videos will help you decide if our program offers what you are looking for in advanced training.  And, if so, that you will submit an application.  We look forward to hearing from you.

                    Photo: Fall 2019 Psychology Training Welcome Picnic
                        - interns, postdocs, faculty, family, and friends!

We are delighted you found our website and may consider joining us in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center. We offer an APA accredited* Doctoral Internship with two tracks (Adult, and Child/Adolescent), and an APA accredited** Postdoctoral Fellowship with two tracks (Integrated Care Family, and Child/Adolescent).

Our Psychology training programs prepare outstanding clinical psychologists for careers in patient care, teaching, scientific research, and administration. We strive to build competency in diagnosing and treating psychological distress, with diverse populations, in a variety of clinical and community settings. We encourage all of our trainees to develop supervision, research and administration acumen, and provide many unique opportunities for such growth.

The core values that guide our programs reflect our dedication to academic excellence, community connection, and collegiality. 

Core Values of the Clinical Psychology Training Programs:

• Provide culturally sensitive, person-centered care to individuals and families experiencing psychological distress or mental disorders across the lifespan
• Embrace an interdisciplinary approach to psychological services, education, and research, while also developing each trainee’s professional identity as a psychologist
• Integrate science and practice in a manner that promotes effective psychological assessment and intervention approaches in the populations we serve
• Foster community and university partnerships that are mutually responsive and beneficial
• Cultivate a supportive, collaborative work environment that fosters free expression of ideas and promotes optimal professional development

Multicultural Training and Commitment to Diversity

The Department of Psychiatry's Psychology Training Program is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion as core values in our program.  We define diversity broadly and endeavor to understand how ethnic and racial identities, religious beliefs, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, disability, physical differences, and veteran status may impact experiences in healthcare and the larger societal context. Faculty and trainees are committed to developing and maintaining awareness of their cultural lenses, perceptions and perspectives of colleagues, trainees and patients. We strive to examine our blind spots and dismantle our biases. This commitment is guided by Psychology's professional standards and ethics and informed by evolving personal and professional awareness and actions.

Our Training program is committed to providing quality care to underserved populations. Trainees have the opportunity to work with diverse adults, children and families through a variety of clinical rotations. In addition, seminars support and extend trainee cultural competence including: Multicultural Experiential Learning Seminar, Professional Development Seminar sessions where community groups and patients discuss their experiences with mental health, summer Grand Rounds series focused on Diversity, Welcome to Rochester's Social Justice and Structural Racism orientation along with our "Active Listening Podcast" focused on Anti-racism activities, and the University's annual Diversity Conference.  We are grateful for the Department's Advisory Council of Consumers (DPACC) who ensure that the "voice" of patients and families are part of efforts to improve our patients' experience and care. Faculty, staff and trainees are expected to develop and demonstrate cultural sensitivity and humility in interactions with patients, colleagues and peers.  Trainees have numerous opportunities to integrate knowledge with practice through cases, seminars, grand rounds, peer discussion, team meetings and clinical supervision.

The Psychology Training Program has a Diversity Workgroup focused on recruitment and retention of diverse trainees and faculty. This Workgroup meets quarterly with trainee representation.

The Department also has a highly valued and active Office of Diversity, Inclusion, Culture, and Equity (DICE), which informs our training program as well as our other missions. The DICE website states, "Diversity and inclusion are core values of the Department of Psychiatry. With over 1500 faculty and staff members, we work to effectively and efficiently communicate and disseminate educational activities and training that contribute to the provision of culturally sensitive care and support a respectful, diverse and inclusive department environment.  We also facilitate and help to assure that institutional initiatives related to diversity, inclusion and equity, are communicated and adhered to. We work collaboratively with a broad representation of department members through our DICE Board, a large team consisting of nominated representatives from the Department's five divisions.  The DICE Board meets monthly to discuss and create opportunities for enhancing diversity and inclusion across our four mission areas (Clinical Care, Education, Research, & Community). Dr. Telva Olivares, is the Associate Chair of Diversity Inclusion and Integration; she leads an active, diverse group of representatives from across the department.

In addition, several efforts reflect the enterprise's commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.  For example, the University of Rochester Medical Center has an Office for Inclusion and Culture Development. Its vision is, "Diversity and Inclusion are core values at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). Our vision is to cultivate a diverse and inclusive environment that guides and transforms our approaches to healthcare, education, research and community partnerships."  The Medical Center has an Anti-Racism Plan which can be found on this website. In addition, gender and transgender affirming health care and workforce development are a major focus in our institution.  The Susan B. Anthony Center works to bring awareness to, and advocate for, social justice and equality.  Strong Memorial Hospital has been recognized as an LGBTQ Health Equity Leader and URMC CTSI is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion because a diverse research workforce furthers the translational research mission and empowers organizations to ask and answer the broadest, most innovative research questions.  The goal is for all employees to feel included, equal-valued and supported.

The focus on diversity inclusion and equity permeates all levels of the training program, our department and the institution.

Alumni Reflections on their Training with Us

Contact Us

We invite you to explore this website and learn more specific details about your program of interest. If you have any questions, please feel free contact the psychology training coordinator, Linda Brown, at Linda_Brown@urmc.rochester.edu or 585-275-3563. We would love to hear from you.

* The Doctoral Internship Program has been accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) since 1971, and was reaccredited in April 2016. The next site visit is scheduled for 2022.

**The Postdoctoral Fellowship Program has been accredited since 2003, and was reaccredited in October 2014. The next site visit is scheduled for 2021.

American Psychological Association
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation,
750 First Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
Phone: (202) 336-5979