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For more information about our doctoral internship program in health service psychology, please go here. There is no deadline for submitting an application to the doctoral internship program for the 2024-2025 school year; positions remain open until filled. If interested in more information about this program, please contact our Director of Internship Training, Heather Applegate, PhD, at heather.applegate@lcps.org or our Associate Director, Charles Barrett, PhD, NCSP, at charles.barrett@lcps.org. In addition to completing an online application with the Department of Human Resources & Talent Development, all applicants must submit the following materials electronically to Dr. Applegate: 1) cover letter expressing why the applicant is interested in the LCPS internship program, 2) a vita, 3) official graduate school transcripts, 4) three letters of professional recommendation, 5) a statement from the university’s training director confirming that the applicant is eligible for internship, and 6) a psychological evaluation report redacted to protect confidential information. The applicant may include additional information (e.g., additional work samples, published papers, conference presentation materials) to highlight unique interests or skills. To complete the online application with the Department of Human Resources & Talent Development, please apply here.The internship is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA, Commission on Accreditation, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242; Phone: 202.336.5979
). Questions related to the program's accreditation status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation (see above).Internship Program Admissions
Does the program require that applicants have received a minimum number of hours of the following at the time of application? If Yes, indicate how many:
Total Direct Contact Intervention Hours
No
Total Direct Contact Assessment Hours
No
Describe any other required minimum criteria used to screen applicants: None
Financial and Other Benefit Support for Upcoming Training Year*
Annual Stipend/Salary for Full-time Interns
Note: The stipend and associated benefits are undergoing review during the 2023-2024 academic year and may change.
$27, 285
Program provides access to medical insurance for intern?
No
Hours of Annual Paid Personal Time Off (PTO and/or Vacation)
24 Holidays
Hours of Annual Paid Sick Leave
Per Diem Deduction
In the event of medical conditions and/or family needs that require extended leave, does the program allow reasonable unpaid leave to interns/residents in excess of personal time off and sick leave?
Yes
Other Benefits (please describe)
Liberal Paid Professional Leave
*Note: Programs are not required by the Commission on Accreditation to provide all benefits listed in this table.
Initial Post-Internship Positions
(Provide and Aggregated Tally for the Preceding 3 Cohorts)
2020-2023
Total # of interns who were in the 3 cohorts
13
Total # of interns who did not seek employment because they returned to their doctoral program/are completing doctoral degree
0
PD
EP
Community mental health center
Federally qualified health center
Independent primary care facility/clinic
University counseling center
Veterans Affairs medical center
Military health center
Academic health center
Other medical center or hospital
1
Psychiatric hospital
Academic university/department
1
Community college or other teaching setting
Independent research institution
Correctional facility
School district/system
11
Independent practice setting
Not currently employed
Changed to another field
Other
Unknown
Note: “PD” = Post-doctoral residency position; “EP” = Employed Position. Each individual represented in this table should be counted only one time. For former trainees working in more than one setting, select the setting that represents their primary position.
Program Leadership
Heather Applegate, PhD (Clinical Psychology), Director of Internship Training, Licensure Supervisor, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified School Psychologist, Louisiana State University, 2002. Professional Interests: supervision/mentoring, childhood psychopathology, parents as protective versus risk factors, parent training, learning disorders, cognitive and psychological sequelae of pediatric chronic illness. Professional Affiliations: National Register of Health Service Psychologists, International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society.
Charles Barrett, PhD (School Psychology), NCSP, Associate Director, Rotation Supervisor, Certified School Psychologist, Lehigh University, 2013. Professional Interests: cross-cultural assessment of ADHD with Black students; cognitive assessment of English Learners (ELs). Professional Affiliation: National Association of School Psychologists.
Site Supervisors
Caitlin Cells, PhD (School Psychology), Site Supervisor, Certified School Psychologist, The Pennsylvania State University, 2017. Professional Interests: PBIS and the implementation of effective classroom management systems, crisis response, cognitive assessment of children with learning disorders.
Kristin Hockensmith, PhD (School Psychology), Site Supervisor, Certified School Psychologist, The Pennsylvania State University, 2004. Professional Interests: assessment of children who are hard-of-hearing, resiliency, counseling children with anxiety disorders, teacher consultation. Professional Affiliations: National Association of School Psychologists.
Sonya T. Lanier, PhD (School Psychology), Site Supervisor, Certified School Psychologist, University of Maryland, College Park, 2007. Professional Interests: autism spectrum disorders, psychological assessment, group counseling, teacher consultation. Professional Affiliations: American Psychological Association.
Megan Urbassik, PhD (School Psychology), NCSP, Site Supervisor, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified School Psychologist, Pennsylvania State University, 2015. Professional Interests: the impact of chronic medical conditions on educational, emotional, and behavioral outcomes; early childhood development. Professional Affiliations: National Association of School Psychologists, American Psychological Association.
Desiree L. Vyas, PhD (School Psychology), NCSP, Site Supervisor, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified School Psychologist, Howard University, 2015. Professional Interests: the relationship of neuropsychological functioning on academic achievement and psychosocial functioning, the role of executive functions in learning, and the impact of nutritional deficiencies and toxicities on neurodevelopmental disabilities. Professional Affiliations: National Association of School Psychologists.
Required Experiences Supervisors
Courtney Barti, EdS, NCSP, Preschool Rotation Supervisor, Certified School Psychologist, University of Colorado, Denver, 2007. Professional Interests: early childhood development, early identification of autism, dynamic play-based assessment, behavior support.Jesseca Fernandez, MEd (Special Education), Advanced Educational Diagnostics Rotation Supervisor, Educational Diagnostician, Florida State University, 1998. Professional Interests: administration of academic assessments to assist in diagnosing educational disabilities, consultation/collaboration with teachers/staff/parents to support academic and social/emotional growth in students, response-to-intervention (RtI), designing and assisting with selecting instructional classroom interventions.
Noelia P Garcia-Gettmann, PhD (School Psychology), High School Rotation Supervisor, Certified School Psychologist, University of Washington, 2008. Professional Interests: anxiety, school refusal, and social skills/transition supports for adolescents on the spectrum.
Jennifer C. Laible, MEd, (Special Education), Advanced Educational Diagnostics Supervisor, Lead Educational Diagnostician, University of Virginia, 2004. Professional Interests: administration of academic assessments to assist in diagnosing learning problems; consultation/collaboration; instructional classroom interventions; Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to include response-to-intervention (RtI) for reading and math; Positive Behavior Incentives and Supports (PBIS); supporting children, families and teachers regarding school/learning and behavioral problems.
Theresa A. Lichtman, PhD (Clinical Psychology), High School Rotation Supervisor, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified School Psychologist, George Mason University, 1998. Professional Interests: anxiety disorders.
Carrie Ruvalcaba, MEd (Special Education), Advanced Educational Diagnostics Rotation Supervisor, Educational Diagnostician, George Mason University, 2006. Professional Interests: administration of academic assessments to assist in diagnosing learning problems; consultation/collaboration; instructional classroom interventions; reading literacy development; response-to-intervention; supporting children with gaps in their mathematical understanding.
Jennifer Avery Ward, M.Ed. (Special Education and EL), Advanced Educational Diagnostics Rotation Supervisor, Educational Diagnostician, George Mason University, 2006. Professional interests: administration of academic assessments to assist in diagnosing learning problems; collaborating with teachers and students to build success in school; differentiating between language/culture/socioeconomic difference and disability; exploring the difference between normal stress and anxiety.
