AN OVERVIEW
CAPS is a department of Student Development and Campus Life at Montclair State University. CAPS provides a full range of services and programs, which promote the personal development and psychological well being of students and the attainment of personal and educational goals. The staff is strongly committed to programming related to student diversity and to an overall university environment, which is accepting of individual and cultural differences. Among the services offered are short-term individual psychotherapy, group therapy, couples counseling, crisis intervention, consultation and referral. Skill-building and psychoeducational workshops are offered to augment the personal growth and development of students and staff members of the university. As the only mental health agency for student body of over 15,000, CAPS works with students comprising the full range of functioning, from developmental issues to severe psychopathology. At times, students require referrals or further evaluation at the psychiatric emergency room of the local hospital to meet their immediate needs.

CAPS has a staff of five full-time psychologists, two part-time psychologists, one part-time psychiatrist and practicum students who are graduate students from different local universities. In addition to the practicum-training program, CAPS previously offered an internship program that was fully accredited by the APA.

SETTING AND FACILITIES
CAPS is located on the south end of the campus directly behind Freeman Hall. The facilities include a reception area, a group room for seminars, individual counseling offices, video recording equipment and computer resources.

CAPS has a strong commitment to maintaining close working relationships with other departments of the division of Campus Life and Student Development, including the Academic Success Center, Career Development, Global Education, EOP, Residence Life, Health and Wellness Center, and the Office for Students with Disabilities.

TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
Since each trainee brings a variety of skills to CAPS, we believe it is important that training be tailored to the experience and needs of each trainee. A unique aspect of our program is a shared interest on the part of all staff to psychodynamic conceptualization and theory. However, staff members utilize interventions from a variety of other theoretical orientations, including cognitive-behavioral, feminist, and humanistic approaches.

CAPS staff is dedicated to the concept of excellence in a training experience within a multifaceted, service-oriented agency.  While broad exposure to a variety of professional activities is advocated, a genuine commitment to intensive supervision and to the furthering of the trainee's personal and professional growth exists as the foundation of our philosophy. Overall, we work to create an atmosphere of respect and trust where trainees and professional staff support their own and others' growth both personally and professionally.

THE TYPICAL WEEK
You are expected to be on-site approximately 12-20 hours/week depending on your particular program requirements. Your time will be devoted to a variety of activities, some recurring, and some occurring only once, as the needs of CAPS and your training dictate.

You are required to be here only when MSU classes are in session. This placement ends at the end of finals week, but you are encouraged to terminate with all your clients before then if possible, to leave yourself time for paperwork and final supervisory issues.

Here are some of the typical activities you will engage in (please note, this list of activities is accurate at the time of this writing, and is subject to change):

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

You will carry a caseload of approximately 4-8 clients-- typically 4 +short-term (semester or less) cases, and 1+ long-term cases (year long).

SUPERVISION

You will meet with your individual supervisor for at least one hour of supervision each week. More individual supervision can be provided if needed based on client load or difficulty.  Additionally, you will meet for group supervision for one hour each week.

CLINICAL MEETING/TRAINING SEMINAR

You will meet with the entire staff once weekly during which time cases and clinical issues are discussed.  This can be a lively exchange of ideas and you are encouraged to "jump in" and participate.  Additionally, this time is often used to present a training seminar on a variety of clinical and professional topics relevant to your CAPS experience and development as a clinician.

PAPERWORK AND MISCELLANEOUS PREP-TIME

Time should be built in to your schedule for paperwork and preparations for therapy sessions and campus outreach. It is essential that your paperwork be kept up to date at all times.

INTAKES

You will be trained in our intake procedures during the beginning of the fall semester. There will be formal training sessions and you are encouraged to observe "live intakes" being conducted by staff members.  When you are ready, you will be observed conducting intakes by staff members and provided with feedback.  Upon receiving the necessary training, and given approval by your supervisor, you will be scheduled for approximately two (2) intakes a week.

OUTREACH

Your participation in presenting workshops on campus or staffing CAPS information tables (such as at the Wellness Fair or for Alcohol Awareness Week) throughout the semester is required.  You are expected to conduct 2-3 workshops and/or presentations each semester, and are encouraged to collaborate with other externs or staff members on these outreach efforts.  Additionally, you will be periodically asked to contribute an article on a mental health related issue for the Montclarion, the MSU student newspaper.

PERFORMANCE FEEDBACK

An important aspect of training is providing regular feedback to the trainee about his or her performance. At the end of each semester, a formal feedback process occurs, during which you will receive feedback from the people you have worked with during the semester. This process is also a time for you to formally give us feedback. At all times this process is seen as a two-way street, where facilitation and growth are the goal, not the assignment of a grade or other measures of ranking. You are encouraged to browse through the CAPS evaluation forms during the first few weeks to familiarize yourself with areas of focus.

PRACTICUM/EXTERNSHIP APPLICATION

In order to apply, please fax (973-655-4470) a cover letter and current curriculum vitae in January or early February for consideration for the following fall semester. Contact Dr. Christopher Drost at 973-655-5211 for additional information. Please note that current and previous CAPS' clients are not eligible to apply for training at CAPS due to ethical considerations.

WORK EXPECTATIONS

HOURS

WEEK ACTIVITY

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING

1 - 2

Intakes

4 - 8

Individual Clients

2 - 3

Organizational/Preparation Time (tape review, paperwork, etc.)

SUPERVISION/TRAINING

1

Individual

1

Group

2

Clinical Meeting/Training Seminar

OUTREACH

0 – 2

Presentations/Workshops

0 – 2

Preparation

12 - 20

Total