Hackettstown, N.J., April 29, 2010 – Three years ago, Dr. Christine Floether, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Centenary College, felt that the College’s Psychology students should be required to undergo special training before they could embark on an internship opportunity.  Thus, two courses were developed, entitled “Field Work Placement” and “Field Work Preparation,” that internship-bound students were required to successfully complete.

“Field Work Preparation,” which is completed the semester before the start of an internship, focuses on interviewing skills, dressing for an interview, careers in Psychology, what to expect from a supervisor, handling the stress of going to college full-time and interning, and how to say goodbye when the internship has completed.

This semester, 12 Psychology students have enrolled in the “Field Work Placement” course while completing their internship where, on a weekly basis, they were required to report on their progress to their peers and Dr. Floether, as well as complete a journal on their experiences.  This opportunity was designed to serve as a support system as they all moved through their journey. 

“Psychology internships vary from internships in other fields, in that students are required to utilize different skills than the traditional internship,” says Dr. Floether.  “For example, they are frequently put in highly emotional situations where they need to cope effectively, because of the nature of this profession.  That is why establishing a support system for all involved is important.” 

Each student secured her own placement in various organizations, such as Sussex County Correction Facility, Community Prevention Resources of Warren County, Siwolf Low Vision Center, Allamuchy School District, the United Way of Warren County and Roosa Counseling.  To name just a few, projects they were involved in include working on an anti-tobacco campaign, counseling children, a mentoring program, conducting play therapy with children and working with clients with ocular nerve damage.

Some students have been offered permanent positions, such as senior Whitney DePalma as a Therapy Assistant with Roosa Counseling in Middletown, N.Y.  

“I learned about an area in Psychology that I was previously not familiar with before my internship and found that it was something that I wanted to do as a career,” says DePalma, who will be using play and video-game therapy on children to ease the transition into therapy.

Danielle Dunn is another student who was offered a per diem position with the Community Prevention Resource Center in Warren County also working with children, but in this instance she will be teaching at grammar schools about different topics, such as how to build their self-esteem through the use of puppets.  Dunn also plans to return to Centenary for graduate school this fall.

“These are just a couple of examples of the twelve students who embarked on this journey,” says Dr. Floether.  “They all represent model Centenary students.  They are motivated, committed and driven.  It was a pleasure mentoring them through this process.”