CAPS Training Program

At CAPS we offer an immersive and developmentally-tailored training experience.  We strive to structure training experiences with developmentally appropriate challenges that are based in trainees past experience and areas of interest. During their training at CAPS, trainees immerse themselves in all aspects of work at WSU CAPS including clinical services, consultation, outreach to the University community, and professional development. Trainees' clinical efforts are supported with intensive and diverse supervision experiences. We aim to foster professional growth in a supportive and inclusive environment. We value and consider all points of view and strive to collaborate within our own staff and across the University.

Our training program is rooted in creating multiculturally competent and ethical professionals that proudly advocate for WSU's diverse student body. We emphasize evidence-based practice and teach our trainees to evaluate empirical knowledge and consider individual differences and diverse identities in their clinical practice. Interdisciplinary collaboration is embedded within both our training program and broader clinic. Trainees are given the opportunity to work with and learn from staff from all mental health professions (counseling, social work, psychology, and psychiatry). It is our belief that such interdisciplinary collaboration strengthens trainees' command of the broader mental health field and their clinical expertise. Our trainees are integral and valued members of our staff. It is our hope that training at CAPS is a transformative experience that assists trainees in developing not only their professional competencies, but also their professional identity.

CAPS Training Program Goals

Through our program, trainees will develop competence in the following areas:

Clinical Skills

1. Develop assessment skills including risk assessment, diagnostic skills, clinical interviewing, interpretation of psychological measures, and providing feedback to clients.
2. Develop crisis management and referral skills.
3. Develop individual, couples, and group counseling skills including direct service skills, case conceptualization, treatment planning, and termination skills.

Supervision and Consultation

1. Demonstrate appropriate use of supervision and willingness to accept and incorporate feedback.
2. Develop clinical skills for effective case consultation including receiving and providing consultation and case presentations.
3. Develop knowledge and skills in effective practices in clinical supervision (PDI only).

Professionalism

1. Demonstrate responsible, reliable, and dependable professional behavior.
2. Demonstrate a willingness to perform duties with flexibility and adaptability.
3. Develop and maintain collegial interpersonal relationships with other trainees, supervisors, and staff.
4. Develop effective and timely record keeping skills including use of electronic health record.

Ethical Practice

1. Develop knowledge of relevant ethical code.
2. Demonstrate behavior that is consistent with the professional ethics and codes of conduct.

Diversity

1. Develop knowledge of and respect for diversity and individual differences.
2. Develop the ability to integrate knowledge of diversity into clinical practice.

Service/Engagement of University Community

1. Develop outreach skills including collaborating with other departments, providing referral information, conduct psycho-education, and develop professional presentation skills.
2. Learn to advocate for CAPS clients and Wayne State students.

Scientific Foundation

1. Develop skills necessary to integrate relevant theory and empirical knowledge into clinical practice.
2. Conduct research projects of interest and present findings to colleagues (Optional).