Neva Sanders-Dewey, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology
Canisius College
Child Clinical Psychologist
First, basic background information. Then, scroll down the page for a listing of practicum sites.
BASIC INFORMATION
- Clinical/Counseling Minor
- What can you do with a degree in Psychology
- Practicum/Internship Opportunities
- Courses Taught
- Research Interests
- Research Team
- Applying to Graduate School
- A little about me
- Contact information
Clinical/Counseling Minor
Two tracks:
- Clinical/Counseling Minor: Adult Track
- Clinical/Counseling Minor: Child/Adolescent Track
Can be obtained en route to psychology major or other major field disciplines
Clinical/Counseling Minor: Adult Track
Required Courses:
- Abnormal Psychology (PSY/CRJ 303)
- Assessment in the Beh. Sciences (PSY 395)
- Theories and Techniques of Counseling (PSY 452)
- Clinical Practicum/Internship (PSY 498C)
Any 3 of the following courses:
- Biopsychology of Stress (PSY 391)
- Reproductive Biopsychology (PSY/BIO 325)
- Neurobiology of Mental Disorders (PSY 397)
- Cognitive Psychology (PSY/CST 324)
- Child, Family and Community (PSY/CRJ/GRN 334)
- Ethics and Human Services (PSY/GRN/SOC 321)
- Health Psychology (PSY 235)
Non-Psychology majors must also take PSY 101, 102 and 201
Clinical/Counseling Minor: Child/Adolescent Track
Required Courses:
- Abnormal Psychology (PSY/CRJ 303)
- Psychological Assessment (PSY 395)
- Theories and Techniques of Counseling (PSY 452)
- Clinical Practicum/Internship (PSY 498C)
Any 3 of the following courses:
- Developmental Psychology (PSY 203)
- Behavioral Modification (PSY 373)
- Child Psychopathology (PSY 384)
- Adolescent Psychology (PSY/CRJ 307)
- School Psychology (PSY 370)
- Family Communication (COM 304/WST 376)
- Juvenile Delinquency (CRJ/SOC 354)
Non-Psychology majors must also take PSY 101, 102 and 201
What can you do with a degree in Psychology?
Individuals who major/minor in psychology are qualified for a variety of positions immediately upon graduation
- e.g., counseling aide, direct care staff, mental health aide
Many students pursue graduate education
- Degrees sought include:
S./M.A., Psy.D., Ph.D., M.D.
Programs applied to include:
- social work, school counseling, counselor education, law school, counseling/clinical psychology, medical school
A clinical practicum is intended for students considering future careers associated with the clinical/counseling fields. These practicum placements are intended to introduce students to “real world settings” wherein previous course material can be applied and first-hand experience can aid in career decision-making. If you are interested in working at a site that is not listed here, please set up an appointment with Dr. Sanders to discuss the potential for making that site viable for course credit.
Students are encouraged to apply for a practicum position during their junior and/or senior year(s). Acceptance into these practicum placements is limited, thus careful planning and contact with Dr. Sanders is suggested prior to the semester within which a practicum placement is desired.
Completion of a practicum requires the completion of the following:
- 120 documented hours of practicum experience.
- Journal of activities completed during practicum experience. (e.g., one journal entry per “workday” that includes the amount of time spent onsite that day, the activities completed, types of clients you worked with, what was accomplished)
- On-site supervision at least once every two weeks. Students must have their supervisors sign and date these supervisory meetings in the journal.
Practicum/Internship Sites
- Gateway-Longview Serving Children, Youth and Families
- People Incorporated Non-profit Human Services Agency
- Action for Mental Health Services
- Brylin Hospital
- Buffalo Psychiatric Center
- Child & Family Services Foundation
- Camp Caring Love
- Baker Victory Services
- "Special Friends" Program Lancaster Central School
- ADHD Summer Treatment Program
- Ramapo Anchorage Camp
- Compeer West Inc.
- Compass House
- Western NY DDSO Volunteer Services Office
- Residential Environments Allowing Children Hope
- Aspire of WNY
- Veronica Connor Middle School
- Community Grief Center of WNY
- Crisis Services
Gateway-Longview
Serving Children, Youth and Families
Populations: Children, Adolescents, Young Adults
Programs and Services:
Adoption
· Adolescent Group Homes
· Community Day Care
· Day School
· Day Treatment
· Foster Family Care
· Pregnant Teens
· Residential Treatment
· Respite Services
· Special Education
· Independent Living
· Therapeutic Preschool
Contact:
Sara Lester
(716) 633-7977,
ext. 1221
People Incorporated
Non-profit Human Services Agency
Populations: Children, Adolescents, Young Adults
· Paid or Unpaid Internships
· Summer/Fall/Spring opportunities
Programs/Services:
· Day Treatment Centers
· Disabilities Prevention Program
· Early Intervention Program
· Family Support Services
· Guardianship
· Home Health Care
· Primary Health Care
· Recreation Programs
· Senior Services
· Vocational Services
Contact:
Elizabeth Pantano
(716)634-8132, Ext.123
www.people-inc.org
Action for Mental Health Services
Populations: Adults
Description: The peer support phone line offers support and encouragement to consumers of mental health services (i.e., individuals who are currently or were previously involved with inpatient and/or outpatient psychiatric services). Students are introduced, via a six-hour training course, to the active and passive listening skills necessary for working with individuals who will be utilizing the peer support line. Following training, students will spend several hours observing trained professionals field calls from the support line and then discussing the techniques and procedures utilized during those communications. Students are then individually supervised during their first experiences of fielding calls in order to provide support/reassurance, and to ensure use of proper communication between consumer and student.
Once independent management of the support line has been obtained, calls can be transferred to and fielded from the student’s home or dorm room. Feedback about this practicum has been extremely positive. Previous students have found the training and experience afforded by this practicum to be extremely useful and valuable in aiding in their career planning.
Program/Services:
- Peer Support Line
- Civic Empowerment Program
- Survivors of Sexual Abuse Program
Requirement: Must have personal experience with mental health services.
Contact:
Charles Scarpase
(716) 836-0822, Ext. 161
Brylin Hospital
Populations: Any individuals in need of behavioral, psychiatric, and/or addiction services
· Part-time positions as Mental Health Aides or Assistants
· Great for individuals who are studying Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Human Services, Anthropology, Learning disabilities, or Special Education
Other Services:
· Dietary
· Medical Records
· Transcription
Contact:
Human Resources Offices
1263 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14209
(716) 886-8200 Ext. 2180
Buffalo Psychiatric Center
Populations: Adults
Description: Buffalo Psychiatric Center is an adult care facility operated by New York State that provides comprehensive mental health services to individuals who are at least 18 years of age and who reside in the four counties of Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua. BPC provides ongoing treatment and rehabilitation services to persons with serious mental illness through its network of inpatient, outpatient, residential, vocational, and wellness services. The main location is at 400 Forest Avenue, but in addition, the center provides services through its Recovery Plus Division some 14 sites in the community. BPC offers a variety of volunteer placements. Placements are available during the week, on weekends, and in the evenings. Most volunteers prefer to work with patients; however, assignments in support areas can be arranged.
Program/Services:
- Rehabiliation and Recovery Centers and Living Units
- Social Learning Programs
- Centerwide Recreation Activities
- Education Intervention Program
- Recovery Plus Community Service Sites
Contact:
Sue Joffe, Director of Public Information/Volunteers
400 Forest Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14213-1298
(716) 816-2014
Child & Family Services Foundation
Non-profit Child Welfare Agency
Population: At-risk children and families in Buffalo and Western New York
- Unpaid Internship specializing in Development/Special Events (approximately 15 hrs. per week)
Programs/Services:
· assisting with market/prospect/donor research
· writing for agency publications
· developing/writing fund raising materials
· assisting with direct mail campaigns
· working with the special events coordinator and volunteers on Heartlight 2001, a gala which will be held in October
· assisting with the donor relations program
· assisting in evaluating campaigns and programs
· assisting with agency annual meeting in December
Qualifications:
· excellent writing skills
· excellent organizational skills
· excellent verbal communication skills
· word processing skills
· high levels of initiative and self-motivation
· ability to work with staff at all levels within the organization
Contact:
Susan T. Siwiec, APR
Chief Development Officer
Child & Family Services Foundation
361 Delaware Avenue, #309
Buffalo, NY 14202-1609
(716) 852-1424
www.webmaster@childfamilybny.org
Baker Victory Services
Populations: Children, Youth, and Families
· Part-time positions
· Applicable for all students who are studying to enter the field of Social Services
Contact:
Sarah Syed
125 Martin Road
Lackawanna, NY 14218
(716) 828-9332
"Special Friends" Program
Lancaster Central School District
Populations: Young, School-aged Children (K-3)
- Internship as a Child Associate (Para-Professional)
- Requirements: 2 semester commitment
Duties/Services:
· Establish rapport and warm meaningful relationships with referred children to reduce their dysfunctional behavior in the classroom and elsewhere, and to improve their behavior, educational performance and social relationships.
· Use of conversation, creative play materials, games, academic coaching and other approaches to achieve prescribed goals with individual children experiencing school adaptation problems of a behavioral and/or educational nature.
· Converse with children and establish an atmosphere that encourages their expression of feelings and ideas. Deal effectively and constructively with such feelings and ideas.
· Help to build confidence and self-esteem in children through one-to-one and/or group interactions.
· Provide feedback to the mental health team, principal, teachers, and other school personnel, and at the discretion of the team, to parents about the progress and behavior of the child.
· Participate with school personnel and program coordinator in Progress and Termination conferences concerning the students involved.
· When indicated by the team, meet with other school personnel and/or parents to gain additional relevant information about the referred child so as to better understand their current behavior.
· Participate in monthly in-service instructional workshops and other training sessions provided by both the building supervisors and program coordinator.
· Write appropriate progress notes and reports for children being seen and report back to the building supervisor the progress of each student.
· Participate in regularly scheduled, individual and/or group supervisions, at which time the progress of each student is discussed.
Contact:
Town of Lancaster Youth Bureau
(716) 683-4444
Camp Caring Love
Population: Developmentally disabled young adults attending a Summer Camp
Requirements: 1 week on site during the summer.
Duties:
· engage in recreational activities
· help with accomplishing the tasks of daily living
· be a role model
· encourage pro-social behavior
· maintain behavioral programs
Contact:
Dan Jason
694-2336
ADHD Summer Treatment Program
State University of New York at Buffalo
Population: children and adolescents
Services/Program:
· develop children’s problem solving skills and social skills
· improve a child’s learning skills and academic performance
· develop a child’s ability to follow through with instruction, complete tasks and comply with requests
· improve children’s self esteem by developing competencies in interpersonal, recreational, academic, and other related areas
· to teach parents how to develop, reinforce and maintain these positive changes
· evaluate the effects of medication on the child’s academic and social functioning in a natural setting.
Requirements:
· Mon-Friday, 7am-7pm, June and July
Benefits:
· Can obtain course credit and salary
· Excellent experience and training for those interested in applying to graduate school
Contact:
· Position announcement and application materials are available at:
http://wings.buffalo.edu/psychology/adhd∞
· To request an application by mail, send a letter of interest and self-addressed stamped manila envelope, with postage of $0.78 to:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Program—STP
State University of New York at Buffalo
Psychology Department-Park Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
Questions: (716) 645-3697
Ramapo Anchorage Camp
Population: Children with a wide range of emotional and learning problems
Setting: Therapeutic camp offering a comprehensive program of services to specials needs children, preschool through age 15. The camp is located 95 miles north of New York City.
Position: Camp counselor position that will provide outstanding supervision, experience and training.
Benefits: Course credit, salary, room and board and travel reimbursement
Requirements: 10 week position from mid-June through August
Contact:
Ramapo Anchorage Camp
P.O. Box 266
Rhinebeck, NY 12572
(845) 876-8403
http://www.ramapoanchorage.org∞
Compeer West Inc.
Population: Children, adolescents, adults, geriatric. All individuals seeking a mentor have been diagnosed with a mental illness
Description: Practicum students will be matched with an individual who is seeking a one-to-one relationship with someone who can be a role-model, friend, and supporter. Individuals seeking a mentor typically just want someone with whom they can talk. Those seeking a mentor can range in age from 6-100 and typically have a history of receiving some type of psychiatric service. Practicum students are allowed to chose the age and gender of the individual they will mentor.
Benefits: can obtain course credit and a stipend
Contact:
Compeer West, Inc.
70 Barker Street
Buffalo, NY 14209-2013
(716)883-3331
email:
http://www.staff@compeerwest.org∞
web:
http://www.compeerwest.org∞
Compass House
Populations: Runaway and homeless youth
Description: Compass House is an agency providing short-term emergency shelter and services to runaway and homeless youth. They provide assistance by role modeling and teaching problem solving and decision-making skills. Volunteers and interns must be mature, responsible, caring individuals who can relate to and communicate easily with youth. Must be able to serve as positive role models.
Contact:
Compass House
370 Linwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14209
Phone: (716) 884-3066
Fax: (716) 886-8387
Western NY DDSO Volunteer Services Office
Description: Provide support and services to consumers in a “natural way.” The vision of the agency is to serve the DDSO catchment area through interaction with the Community.
Volunteer office responsibilities: recruit, interview, screen and place volunteers. Each team has a Volunteer Liaison who acts as the voice of the team. The office will provide training and protocol to enable the Liaison the best information available in the field of volunteerism. Volunteer service staff attends team meetings as needed and will provide updates of information at tea m, discipline and management meetings.
Contact:
Charles J. Tokarz
1200 East and West Rd.
West Seneca, NY 14224
charles.tokarz@omr.state.ny.us Phone: (716) 517-3829
Fax: (716) 517-3708
Residential Environments Allowing Children Hope
Population: Children who have been remanded to the Orchard House until their next court appearance.
Description: The Orchard House, part of Community Missions of Niagara County, is a non-secure detention home. The facility is temporary in which the youth ordered there can spend up to 45 days.
Benefits: Good learning experience for those wishing to work as a case manager
Contact:
Melissa Tierson
Orchard House
Burt, NY 14028
Phone: (716) 778-5515
Aspire of WNY, Inc.
Population: Children and adults with cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities, and other similar conditions
Description: Provides transition services, school-age services, and a pre-school program to help children and adults with developmental disabilities and cerebral palsy to live their lives to the fullest in keeping with their informed choices.
Contact:
Cathleen Voyer
cathleen.voyer@aspirewny.org
Phone: (716) 505-5700
Veronica Connor Middle School
Positions available: GIFTS Advantage- After School Leaders
Description: Plan, coordinate and implement daily activities and routines. Maintain a healthy and positive atmosphere in accordance with the policies of the school and GIFT
Contact:
YMCA- After School Program
Aimee Neri, Program Director
1100 Ransom Rd.
Grand Island, NY 14072
Community Grief Center of WNY, Inc.
Population: at-risk youth, caregivers, professionals, and grieving individuals
Description:
- Prepare presentations for various populations including at-risk youth, caregivers, professionals, and grieving individuals
- Complete reports required for funding
- Contact organizations to set up presentations
- General office duties
- May include co-facilitation of bereavement support groups and individual counseling sessions
Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday 10am-2pm
Every other Saturday 9am-11am
Contact:
Tina Colson
2219 South Park Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14220
http://www.communitygriefcenter.net∞
Phone: (716) 821-0042
Fax: (716) 821-0256
Crisis Services
Population: services available to EVERYONE in Erie County
Description: The Crisis Services are dedicated to promoting the health, safety, and well being of the community through prevention, education, immediate intervention and access to community wide resources 24 hours/day
Programs:
- Crisis Phone Counseling (Hotline)- provides immediate crisis intervention, supportive counseling, information, and referrals 24hrs/day
- Emergency Outreach Service to Children and Adults- 24hr/day crisis intervention and mental health assessment by teams of professional counselors
- The Advocate Program for Survivors of Family Violence, Rate, and Sexual Assault- 24hr/day crisis intervention and supportive counseling at Erie County hospital emergency departments to individuals who seek medical treatment for family violence, rape, or sexual assault.
- Outreach to the Homeless Program- works with homeless individuals and families residing on the streets or in area shelters, assisting them in securing necessary supports and establishing permanent residence. Also provides assessment and case management to homeless persons, primarily those who are mentally ill
- Trauma Response Services- 24hr/day crisis intervention and counseling to children and adults exposed to violence and other traumatic events
- Police/Mental Health Coordination Project- Collaboration between law enforcement and the emergency mental health system in Erie County
- Network Services- Employee Assistance Program for the Catholic Health System
Contact:
2969 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14214
Phone: (716) 834-3131
Fax (716) 834-9881
Courses Taught
- Abnormal Psychology (PSY/CRJ 303)
- Child Psychopathology (PSY 384)
- Theories and Techniques of Counseling (PSY 452)
- Behavioral Modification (PSY 373)
- Clinical Practicum (PSY 498C)
Research Interests
Outcomes assessment
- Inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations of children/adolescents
- Knowledge/perceptions of mental illness
Behavioral Management of Problematic Behaviors
Research Team
Research team members are trained to engage in all aspects of the research process
- Data collection, data analysis (SPSS), manuscript write-up
Team members are expected to present research at local/regional/national conventions
Approximately 3-4 students are on the team at any given time
Applying to Graduate School
Begin researching degrees and schools during your sophomore year
- Internet (e.g., Gradschools.com)
- Books available in Psychology Dept. office
Take the GRE (if your schools require it)
- You can take the GRE as many times as you want, so it’s better to start early and re-take it if you aren’t pleased with your scores.
Request information from prospective schools during the spring semester of your Junior year
- Most requests can be made by visiting prospective schools’ websites
Requested materials will aide in your decision making process
- Do they offer training/experience in an area you want to work in (e.g., children, drug/alcohol counseling)
- Determine if you’re a good candidate for that program (GRE and GPA cutoffs, number of students who apply vs number accepted)
Make contact
- If there is a particular person with whom you would like to work (e.g., interested in his/her research), it is okay to contact them (email is a great method for doing this!).
Applying to Graduate School
Asking for letters of recommendation:
- Ask at least 3 weeks before application due date.
- It is critically important that you ask people that truly know you AND that will write you a good letter.
- Provide a vita/resume and a transcript
- Provide stamped, addressed envelopes for the finished letters.
- Clearly demark when the letter are due and where it will be going (some will come back to you to be sent with your entire application).
- If there is something special you want included in the letter, discuss it with the letter writer.
- If you will be taking time off before you apply, let potential letter writers know and tell remind them that you will be re-contacting them in the future.
When in doubt, seek assistance!!!
A little About Me
Education:
- B.S., Oklahoma State University
- Ph.D., Oklahoma State University
Clinical Psychologist
- Specialization in Children/Adolescents
- Clinical Internship: University of CA, San Diego
- Post-doctoral study: University of CA, San Diego
Family:
- Boy/girl twins born March 2002, girl born April 2005
- Husband is a Child Psychiatrist
Contact Information
Sandersn@Canisius.edu
Canisius College
2001 Main Street
HSC 207J
Buffalo, NY 14208
716-888-2510
PracticumSites