DSH-Metropolitan Clinical Psychology Doctoral Internship: Program Description
Located in the suburban community of Norwalk, approximately 15 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, DSH-Metropolitan is a distinguished state psychiatric facility that has been serving around 800 patients since its establishment in 1916. DSH-M is organized into six treatment programs serving adult criminal commitment (forensic) patients, civilly committed patients (e.g., Murphy Conservatorship and Lanterman-Petris-Short; LPS), and patients who require a skilled nursing facility (SNF). These programs are designed to cater to a variety of age groups, levels of care, and patient needs. The treatment approach may vary based on the patient’s legal status, with forensic programs primarily addressing competency to stand trial for pre-adjudication court-involved patients, while civil programs focus on civilly committed patients with severe and persistent mental illness. Specialized cognitive remediation programs, such as Functional Rehabilitation and Education Experience (FREE) and Social-Cognitive Treatment for Adaptive Recovery (STAR), are also offered. Additionally, as indicated above, dedicated units serve patients requiring skilled nursing services.
Our intensive full-time program offers a diverse range of experiences, including provision of individual and group psychotherapy, cognitive screenings, skills training, psychological and functional behavioral assessments, and consultation services to treatment teams, as well as behavior plan development and monitoring. Interns will engage in two six-month rotations, with possibilities for assignment to LPS (civil commitment) units, Forensic (criminal commitment) units, off-unit rotation in Neuropsychological Assessment, or off-unit rotation in Advanced Cognitive Assessment.
Beginning with the 2026-2027 internship year, DSH-M will offer two training tracks:
- General Track (Program Code 114411)
- Neuropsychology Track (Program Code 114412)
Interns matched with the General Track will complete their first rotation on either an LPS or Forensic unit and their second rotation on an LPS unit, a Forensic unit, or off-unit with a focus on Advanced Cognitive Assessment.
Interns matched with the Neuropsychology Track will complete their first rotation with the Neuropsychological Services office, with the aim of preparing for a formal postdoctoral placement in neuropsychology. These interns will complete their second rotation on either an LPS or Forensic unit.
Interns at DSH-M are expected to actively participate in diverse training assignments, irrespective of their chosen areas of focus. The program's primary training objectives revolve around achieving competence in various domains. These objectives encompass knowledge and skills in the philosophy and techniques of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery models; psychological assessment, including cognitive, diagnostic, personality, risk, forensic, malingering, and functional behavioral assessments; evidence-based interventions; treatment planning; and those specific to working with a forensic population. Additional training objectives relate to broader professional development, such as comfort in setting personal and professional boundaries and realistic self-appraisals of strengths and growth areas.
The program aims to align with the required Profession-Wide Competencies in health service psychology established by the APA. By the conclusion of the internship year, each intern is anticipated to demonstrate proficiency in essential domains, including research, ethical and legal standards, individual and cultural diversity, professional values, attitudes, and behaviors, effective communication and interpersonal skills, assessment, intervention, supervision, and consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary collaboration. DSH-M is dedicated to nurturing a new generation of skilled and competent clinical psychologists.
Benefits include vacation, dissertation time, professional development time, sick time, and health, dental, and vision insurance.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, DSH-Metro is committed to actively seeking individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. At present, approximately 60 percent of the hospital staff and around 51 percent of the patients identify as racial and/or ethnic minorities, enriching our understanding of the impact of cultural and racial aspects on psychiatric treatment. Ensuring inclusivity, DSH-Metro offers almost complete wheelchair accessibility, accommodating patients, staff, and interns with diverse levels of physical mobility.
Contact Information regarding DSH-M training program may be directed to:
Anna Kafka, Psy.D.
Internship Director and Training Coordinator
DSH-Metropolitan
11401 Bloomfield Ave.
Norwalk, California 90650
Phone: (562) 367-3773
Email: MSH.PsychologyInternship@dsh.ca.gov