What better way to learn about our program than to hear the stories of our interns themselves?
“Additional benefits that I have enjoyed are the opportunity for ongoing training, involvement in weekly therapist meetings, involvement in crisis team meetings, and working with another school psychology intern.”
Township District 211 – Academy Track
Interning for District 211- Academy has awarded me many unique and rewarding experiences. Academy South is a therapeutic high school which serves a diverse group of students with internalizing and externalizing symptoms. I provide individual therapy to my caseload of students, as well as co-lead group counseling sessions with my supervisor each day. I have also gained experience and knowledge in crisis response and risk assessment, as my supervisor is an expert in this area. Additional responsibilities include conducting re-evaluations and attending/leading IEP meetings for students on my caseload, as well as students that have been outplaced to private therapeutic schools. As part of these evaluations, I have gained experience with a number of new assessment measures and have the opportunity to conduct evaluations for students to become eligible for PUNS funding through the state of Illinois. I am thankful for the high quality supervision and training I am being given through my site and through ISPIC, and feel prepared for my career ahead. If you have any questions about D211-Academy track, please feel free to contact me, Riley Laffoon, at laffoonriley7@gmail.com.
Southeastern Illinois System of Care/Egyptian WOVSED
As an intern with the Egyptian Health Department and the Wabash Ohio Valley Special Education District, I have the opportunity to work across several distinct settings. During the first part of the week, I split my time between two clinic placements through Egyptian —one focused on community mental health and the other on integrated primary care. I collaborate with behavioral and medical health professionals at both sites, providing consultation, assessment, and intervention services to support our shared clients. Many of the clients at Egyptian require trauma-focused care, family therapy, and medical management. My third site is an outplacement day school, where I offer push-in, brief group, and individual counseling services to students with behavioral and emotional needs. I also consult with teachers and staff, who are always receptive to support, suggestions, and a listening ear. Finally, I spend the remainder of the week in a rural school district, providing traditional school psychology services, such as educational testing and MTSS-related consultation. Regardless of where I am, I have access to quality supervision from clinical and school psychologists who follow a developmental supervision model. Through these varied experiences, I feel I am building the skills necessary to become an effective collaborator and a well-rounded psychologist capable of thriving in a range of professional settings. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me, Brenna Fitzmaurice, at brennafitzmaurice@gmail.com.
SIU Edwardsville/Metro East
My internship experience with SIUE/Metro East has been incredibly rewarding, providing me with high-quality opportunities to work across diverse settings, including elementary schools, high schools, pre-K environments, and a university clinic. I spend two days a week at the university and 3 days within the school setting. I have thoroughly enjoyed collaborating directly with teachers, administrators, and families. Preparing to teach an undergraduate course has further expanded my horizons, allowing me to explore all my interests within the field. Engaging in critical activities such as conducting evaluations, managing 504 cases, participating in teacher consultations, and offering systems-level consulting (e.g. RTI, PBIS) has enriched my experience. The unwavering support from my supervisors has been invaluable, as they have encouraged me to pursue numerous opportunities for both professional and personal growth. Being a part of a consortium has allowed me to feel connected to others and created more space for collaboration and learning. I have gained so much from this experience, and I look forward to continuing this journey. If anyone has questions or would like to learn more, feel free to email me, Jordan Amor, at joamor@iu.edu.