Advancing Interns’ Research Competence Using Low-Burden, High-Benefit Strategies
1 CE Hour.
APA’s Profession Wide Competency (PWC) in Research can be a particularly challenging one for most internship sites to identify strategies for training interns. This is due to the emphasis on the development of clinical skills during the internship year and the lack of research opportunities at most clinical sites. The session begins with a structured review of the core research-related skills interns are expected to demonstrate by the completion of internship, including the ability to critically evaluate empirical literature, apply research findings to clinical practice, and disseminate research or other scholarly information. Emphasis is placed on why these competencies remain essential even in clinically intensive training environments and how they support evidence-based practice, program evaluation, and professional development. The presenter will then discuss both traditional and innovative strategies for integrating research training into internship didactics, direct service activities, supervision, and additional projects with minimal burden on faculty and agency resources.
The training is designed specifically for postdoctoral psychologists involved in supervision, training, or program development, offering advanced-level guidance on translating accreditation standards into feasible, high-impact training practices that strengthen intern competency while simultaneously benefiting the agency.
Description
1 CE Hour.
APA’s Profession Wide Competency (PWC) in Research can be a particularly challenging one for most internship sites to identify strategies for training interns. This is due to the emphasis on the development of clinical skills during the internship year and the lack of research opportunities at most clinical sites. The session begins with a structured review of the core research-related skills interns are expected to demonstrate by the completion of internship, including the ability to critically evaluate empirical literature, apply research findings to clinical practice, and disseminate research or other scholarly information. Emphasis is placed on why these competencies remain essential even in clinically intensive training environments and how they support evidence-based practice, program evaluation, and professional development. The presenter will then discuss both traditional and innovative strategies for integrating research training into internship didactics, direct service activities, supervision, and additional projects with minimal burden on faculty and agency resources.
The training is designed specifically for postdoctoral psychologists involved in supervision, training, or program development, offering advanced-level guidance on translating accreditation standards into feasible, high-impact training practices that strengthen intern competency while simultaneously benefiting the agency.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Describe the skills interns should have upon completion of the internship within the PWC area of Research and why these are important.
- Identify intern activities that strengthen their competence in the area of Research.
- Implement new strategies for training interns in the area of Research that are beneficial to the site.
Presented by Dr. Christine Love Sterk
Dr. Love Sterk is a staff consultant with Clover Educational Consulting Group. Prior to joining Clover in 2021, Chrissie was the Training Director at the Wake Forest University Counseling Center, developing a brand-new psychology internship program there and earning APA accreditation in record time. With Clover, she helps new and established programs with the extensive accreditation self-study process, including assisting programs with identifying training activities that allow their trainees to become proficient in the Profession Wide Competencies.
