Program Overview

Advanced Practicum in Clinical Psychology

The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School and Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital offer an advanced practicum in clinical psychology focused on intervention, assessment, and professional development in working with adults with serious and persistent mental illness and adolescents with complex psychiatric and psychosocial issues.

Overview

Clinical training occurs at WRCH, a large, urban, state psychiatric facility for adult and adolescent patients. The advanced practicum will offer one adolescent and three adult part-time positions. Trainees will be expected to be onsite 24 hours per week over a 10-month period between July and May and will receive a $4,000 stipend.

Eligibility

Applicants must be in good academic standing in a doctoral program in psychology or counseling and be in at least their third year of clinical training. Preference will be given to applicants interested in supporting marginalized individuals, pursuing careers in the public sector, and with some experience working in inpatient settings.

Application Requirements

Prospective candidates should provide:

• Cover letter, detailing relevant experiences and specific interest in the Advanced Practicum
• Curriculum Vita
• Unofficial Transcript
• Three letters of reference, at least one from a field training supervisor
• Fully redacted, HIPAA-compliant case formulation, including a comprehensive biopsychosocial history and mental status exam
• If available, a fully redacted, HIPAA-compliant psychological or neuropsychological testing report

Application Timeline

Applications will be accepted from November 3rd, 2025, until January 5th, 2026. Offer notifications will be made on the date selected by the Massachusetts Practicum Training Collaborative (02/09/2026).

Setting

WRCH is the Department of Mental Health's newest facility, designed to promote the personal dignity of patients and provide dual-recovery-oriented, person-centered care. The recovery center is composed of various units, including adult court evaluation units, adult continuing care units, adolescent units, and a unit with a mixed acute/continuing care population.

Structure

The training year begins with a two-week mandatory orientation, which includes hospital orientation and an introduction to the Department of Psychology's workflow, administrative procedures, and foundational seminar modules. Training opportunities throughout the year may include:

• Individual psychotherapy
• Group psychotherapy
• Admission/Annual assessments
• Risk assessments
• Cognitive and psychological assessment
• Weekly individual supervision with staff psychologists and interns
• Year-long didactic program
• Hospital-wide consultation groups
• Observation of recommitment hearings

Directors

The Advanced Practicum is directed by:

• Ariel Ingber, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and Designated Forensic Psychologist
• Faith Therrien, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist in Massachusetts and Rhode Island
• Heidi Putney, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist, Designated Forensic Psychologist, and the Training Director for the Comprehensive Psychology Training Program

Vaccination Policy

As of August 10, 2021, all faculty and staff employees of UMass Chan Medical School must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. UMass Chan allows certain exemptions for individuals with approved medical or religious accommodations. Additionally, UMass Chan requires all employees to receive the annual flu shot.