A Tradition of Training
The Behavioral Health department of BPS has trained students from pre-practicum through internship for over 10 years.
Many of our currently certified staff began working with the nationally recognized BHS department in BPS as students themselves. In 2020, we were delighted to welcome our first class of pre-doctoral interns to a new training program that will meet criteria for both certification through the Massachusetts Department of Education in School Psychology and licensure as an independently practicing psychologist through the Registration of Psychologists for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as Health Service Providers. We are excited to continue to grow and offer wonderful training opportunities to our trainees. Interns engage in the special education evaluation process and gain exposure to all NASP and APA competency areas. In addition, training focuses on trauma-sensitive practices, teacher consultation, mental health supports, and systems-level support. Despite the ever-changing circumstances brought about in a COVID-19 world, our trainees have remained engaged in all aspects of our program.
Our Program
Interns will receive high-quality training within a unique service model. Interns engage in the special education process and gain exposure to all competency areas defined by NASP and APA. In addition, training focuses on trauma-sensitive practices, educational equity, teacher consultation, mental health supports, and systems-level support. Our goal is to provide an extraordinary learning experience that helps school psychology interns become highly skilled practitioners. We provide training in a wide variety of settings with a diverse group of students and professionals. Based in BPS, we focus on giving trainees a solid foundation in the essential skills, while also providing the wide range of experiences and specialized training that will allow interns to develop into confident professionals. Our program uses the competencies developed by NASP and APA as guides and evaluation tools. Interns improve their skills through general experience and individualized growth plans that they create in consultation with their supervisors. Interns receive a minimum stipend of $12,000 for the year.
Intern Activities
Interns and post-doctoral fellows gain experience with managing caseloads, engaging in behavior consultations, functional behavior assessment, developing behavior support plans, direct interventions, such as group or individual counseling, standardized assessments, reviewing data for eligibility determinations, consulting with school teams, and utilizing a system of tiered supports. Other common activities may include participating in building teams, such as Student Support Teams (SST), child study teams, data teams, CBHM teams, such as climate and culture teams, and providing professional development opportunities for teachers and other school personnel.
Supervision & Training
Note that we are not an APPIC-approved site; however, the program is in compliance with all Massachusetts Licensed Psychologist/Health Service Provider requirements and NASP internship requirements. Supervision is provided by licensed Psychologists. Increased levels of supervision and support will be provided when new or challenging tasks are assigned. Toward the end of the year, supervision is aimed at supporting the intern as an independently functioning school psychologist with the skills to seek out new knowledge and to develop further areas of expertise. Interns in our program receive didactic trainings on a variety of topics over the course of the year. Didactic sessions involve our doctoral interns, post-doctoral fellows, and supervisors, but are also open to EdS interns, other school psychologists, and related service providers from our district. We love sharing our experiences across a broad range of professionals.
Range of Specializations
Interns are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to work with specialized staff and students with a wide variety of needs. Potential areas may include working in programs that support early childhood, multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), students on the Autism spectrum, and those with developmental disabilities. In addition, BPS also serves students with complex emotional impairments, learning disabilities, and students in post-secondary transition. Trauma-sensitive training and practice is embedded throughout all areas of our work in BPS. For school psychologists working within BPS, there is a strong emphasis on leadership experiences, participation in district research and implementation teams, and involvement with community mental health initiatives. The BPS School Psychology Internship Training Program (BPSSPIP) offers you the unique opportunity to complete your internship in an urban district that qualifies as a health service agency. This one year internship will provide you with a wide array of training experiences. Interns have the opportunity to further hone their professional and communication skills, clinical and consultation skills, and leadership and systemic change skills within an urban environment - all with ongoing support and guidance to help prepare them for a successful career as a leader within the profession of school psychology.