Psychology

The Psychology Practicum Student training program at SVMHI follows an apprenticeship model. The primary commitment of this model is to equip students with hands-on clinical experiences working with patients with severe mental illness. While graduate programs for psychology students may utilize a scholar-practitioner, scientist-practitioner, or a clinical-science model, the hospital environment is inherently different from a purely academic environment, thereby making it an excellent practicum site. It is the expectation that the student’s academic program is providing the necessary scholarly and scientific foundations while the practicum site provides a clinical environment wherein applied learning occurs by observation and supervised practice. Supervised practical experiences provide the opportunity to develop the skills in assessment of behavior, personality, and intellectual functioning in clinical interventions with adults, families, and groups. The practicum experience emphasizes ethical practice, professional development, and inter-disciplinary relations. 

To be eligible for a practicum placement at SVMHI, students should have a Bachelor’s Degree and be currently enrolled in a graduate program in a Clinical Psychology or Clinical Counseling field. A copy of the student’s most relevant Bachelor’s Degree must be provided to be kept on file at SVMHI. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) must be in place between SVMHI and the academic institution where the student is currently enrolled. The MOU is in the form of a standard contract set forth by the Commonwealth of Virginia and is maintained by the Director of Materiel Management at SVMHI.


Occupational Therapy (OT) and Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Students

SVMHI welcomes Level II OT and OTA students as well as OTD students. We are not accepting Level I students at this time. If interested in pursuing placement at our site, please email the contact above so that we can begin the process. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)/Site Contract must be in place between SVMHI and the academic institution prior to accepting a student. This form is maintained by the Director of Material Management at SVMHI. Please click here for more information.


Social Work

The Social Work Department at SVMHI encourages students to apply for our awesome internship programs. We offer the Clinical track for those in a MSW program that will provide valuable clinical experience, and opportunities to work closely with individuals that have a severe mental health diagnosis. You will be supervised by a seasoned MSW or LCSW that will provide supportive mentoring and close professional contact with our clients currently working through the treatment programs of SVMHI. This internship will give you the opportunity to be a part of a clinical treatment team, working closely with a psychiatrist, psychologist, rehabilitation therapist and nursing staff in providing quality treatment to our individuals. You will receive training in completing social work assessments, providing individual and group therapy, writing progress notes and completing discharge planning with our community partners.  We prefer that this be your second-year internship, but any qualified student enrolled in an MSW program may apply.

Students pursuing a BSW may also apply as SVMHI provides opportunities to work with BSW case workers, aiding with discharge planning, benefits/entitlements, and providing case management services.  This experience will give you the opportunity to learn basic social work skills, including providing group facilitation and documentation.  Please contact our Social Work Director to apply for a SVMHI Social Work internship.  The application process will require that you provide a copy of your resume, have an interview with the site supervisor and SW Director, tour of the facility, and completion of the confidentiality statement.  If accepted, the student will also need to provide their background check, drug screen, etc. as this is required by their school before they allow them to complete internships. As with the other internships at SVMHI, a signed contract must be on file between SVMHI and the student’s academic institution, maintained by the Director of Material Management.