Psychology Interns, Experience Plentiful at St. Vincent’s
Students, Like Residents, Access Comprehensive Learning Opportunities

   SAN DIEGO — Over the past 13 years, St. Vincent de Paul Village has given thousands of clients the opportunity to earn livable wages through its job-training and educational programs.

   But what most San Diegans don’t realize is another group at the Village – college students – is also benefiting from a unique learning opportunity.

   Since 1997, St. Vincent’s has offered social work internships focusing on areas such as chemical dependency (CD), mental health, psychology and family therapy.

   "We offer internship opportunities in about every area of study within the realm of social work," says Carl Wolter, Program Manager of the Village’s Counseling Department.

   The year-long mentoring opportunity gives interns a unique perspective, he says, with exposure to other specialties that most internships fail to offer.

   "It’s part of our Continuum of Care," says Assessment Center Program Manager Mike Benedetto. "Just as our clients can access any rehabilitative service in-house, interns not only learn about their specific area of study, they learn how their job function works in conjunction with other disciplines of social work, whether it be CD, anger management or other specialties."

   Benedetto says another benefit an internship at the Village offers is access to its diverse client population.

   "We see people of all races, colors, creeds, genders and ages," he says. "It creates a very rich environment for mental and physical health issues."

   With a group of on-staff doctors and other medical professionals, students access a unique mentoring relationship which offers immediate feedback.

   "Interns receive training as they are working," Benedetto says. "They’re groomed as experts in interdisciplinary studies."

   He says throughout the next year, the students will directly participate in the care of clients, administering clinical interviews, conducting intensive psycho-social assessments, charting the histories of each client and completing a comprehensive evaluation to determine the cognitive level at which patients function, all while under the watchful supervision of the Village staff.

   Based on the outcome of this rigorous testing, the interns will develop individualized case plans which will determine the appropriate course of action clients must take to overcome psychological, educational and other social issues which have contributed to their current state of homelessness, says Benedetto.

   The counseling department administers over 2,000 patient visits every month and its staff relies on the assistance the students provide, says Wolter.

   "This program wouldn’t run without the interns," he says. "The dedication, hard work and fresh perspectives they bring to us are an asset to everyone here."

   With most interns working an average of 20 hours every week, thousands of dollars are saved annually that would otherwise be earmarked for staff wages.

   The year-long program also allows residents the stability of not having to play musical chairs with counselors, says Benedetto.

   "As our residents transition in to long-term housing, the association with the same intern time after time helps our clients develop a level of trust that would otherwise not be there," he says.

   This year’s internships started during the last week of August and the first week of September. The mentoring opportunity is offered to students at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate levels.

   For more information on St. Vincent’s counseling and assessment departments, please call (619) 687-1000.

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