CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY OUTPATIENT CLINIC – CAP

*The Child and Adolescent Outpatient Psychiatry Program will not accept social work interns for the 2023-24 academic year.  Please apply next year when we have more staffing.  

Population we serve:

• We serve children, adolescents, and their families who primarily live in the South Bay, Service Area 8 (Carson, Torrance, Wilmington, San Pedro, Harbor City, Compton, Lawndale, Hawthorne, beach cities, Lynwood, Inglewood)
• Our clients range in age from 0-20 years old, but most are 2-20.
• Many clients are low income.
• 40% Hispanic, 30% Caucasian, and 25% African American, 5% Asian.
• Clients are referred through a variety of sources such as ACCESS/SRTS, schools, DCFS, pediatricians, Harbor UCLA hospital and local psychiatric hospitals, probation and self-referral.
• The clients are seen for various problems such as trauma exposure, abuse, depression, behavioral disorders, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar, psychotic disorders and other diagnoses.
• Many of our staff are bilingual Spanish speaking and certified in multiple evidence-based practices (EBP’s).  Families are always included in the treatment for our clients under 18.
• CAP is not a medical or hospital placement.  We are not part of the hospital; we are DMH and located in a building on the grounds of the hospital, but we are not a medical or hospital placement.  If that is what you are looking for, you are in the wrong place.

WE ARE A SECOND YEAR MSW PLACEMENT ONLY

The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Program (CAP) only accepts second-year students or students completing their last year MSW internship.  It is a very clinically intensive placement requiring 20 clinic hours per week.  Historically, our students spend additional time outside of internship, reading and researching to prepare for sessions.  We will need you Mondays and Wednesdays until 6 and Fridays 8-12.

TRAININGS OFFERED  

As an intern you may be offered training in the following:

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

CBT for Anxiety and Depression

Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

Various Mental Health Topics at In-service Trainings/Grand Rounds

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A) (Our DBT-A team is on a temporary hiatus)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

DMH Documentation

Diagnostic Assessment: DSM 5

MANDATORY Online Trainings:

1.   Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Please complete the training if you have not done so in your prior placement.  This training may charge a small fee ($35) which we do not cover.  It is a great training that will be a starting point for your learning this year.  They have scripts for the various modules that can be very useful as you begin to use the treatment concepts.

2.   Parent Child Interaction Therapy

You will be observing PCIT cases.  This training has great parenting strategies that you will need in your therapy toolbox.  This is a generally a free online training that will be a starting point for your learning.

SUPERVISION

 You will participate in:

•     Weekly individual supervision

•     Social Work Intern Group Supervision 2x/month

•     Consultation during the Social Work Case Disposition Meeting

CASE LOAD

•  Carry 6-8 clients, co-facilitate group, and complete weekly initial assessments with new clients seeking mental health services.  You will present these cases in supervision and the weekly Social Work meetings.  You will use family therapy, individual therapy, and some group treatment.
• Present one of your therapy cases at the Social Work Intern Group Supervision.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN AN INTERN:

 •     Someone who feels passionate about working with children, adolescents, and their families

•     A student who likes very in-depth clinical work

•     An independent learner who knows when to seek a supervisor and collaborates on client care.

•     A student who is available 20 hours per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (M & W until 6 or 6:30 and Friday until midday.)

•     Someone who is willing to dedicate time outside of internship to read and to learn interventions that would be helpful to a client or family

•     A student who is willing to work with an interdisciplinary team, collaborate with our team and outside professionals and advocate for clients.

Our students will carry their own clinical caseload, so they are expected to only take off 1 week at the winter holidays, 3 internship days.  This is for good client care and an expectation at our program even if your school gives you the time off.  We will always encourage student self-care, but client care and safety are our priority.