Information For

E-mail this page to a friendE-mail this page

Fieldwork/Internship Placements

Placements involving people of all ages

Sexual Assault Services of Northern Adirondack Planned Parenthood

Sexual Assault Services of Northern Adirondack Planned Parenthood provides services to victims of sexual assault and their families. Services include free, confidential counseling, 24 hour hotline support, hospital and law enforcement accompaniments and advocacy. Sexual Assault Services also develops and presents preventative educational programs to the community and other agencies. Interns can perform a variety of functions at Sexual Assault Services including preventative program development, community presentations, hotline coverage and hospital and law enforcement accompaniments. Interns are required to participate and successfully complete the Certified Rape Crisis Counselor training. Sexual Assault Services is located at 159 Margaret Street, Suite 203 in Plattsburgh. Sexual Assault Services also has offices in Saranac Lake and Malone. Contact Katie Thurber, Sexual Assault Services Coordinator at 825-6277 ext 108.

Education Services of Northern Adirondack Planned Parenthood

Education Services of Northern Adirondack Planned Parenthood is an ideal placement for students who are interesting in working with community members of all ages in various settings (schools, homes, business, etc). Interns with Education Services will be oriented to Northern Adirondack Planned Parenthood via direct supervision, staff meetings, reading, watching films and observing Sexual Health Educators in the field.

Interns with Education Services will prepare and deliver a lesson on a sexual health topic of their choice to the Education Services team. This opportunity will allow interns to present a program in a safe environment where they will receive feedback to enhance their presentation skills.

Interns with Education Services will be given the opportunity to co-facilitate and facilitate education programs on topics including:

Contact Rory MacRae, Education Services Coordinator at 825-6277 ext. 104 or at rory.macrae@ppfa.org. Education and Sexual Assault Services is located at 159 Margaret Street, Suite 203, Plattsburgh.

Placements involving children

Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital: Child and adolescent mental health inpatient unit

In the child and adolescent unit, interns can observe and learn about interactions between staff and clients, clients’ families and staff, and among clients. Interns work closely with the staff psychiatrist and can observe how the psychiatrist and other mental health staff respond to the needs of the clients and their families, including crisis intervention when necessary. Interns can sit in on meetings between the mental health staff and clients to observe some assessments and counseling, if appropriate. Interns can attend group counseling sessions run by the mental health staff and can discuss these sessions with the staff members to learn more about the process. Interns can also interact with the clients on the unit in more informal ways as well. For more information, contact Dr. Diane Zuniga at 562-7575.

Momot Elementary School

Several opportunities in a variety of programs are available for interns at Momot Elementary, under the supervision of Dr. Kris Lutters, the school psychologist (563-1140) and other staff members. These programs include the Primary Mental Health Prevention Project and the Pre-Kindergarten program (see below). In addition, interns can work individually with students from Kindergarten--6th grade. These children have been identified by the school psychologist and the teacher as needing one-on-one work because of their problems with attention, hyperactivity, impulsiveness, social behaviors, etc. You would be working with each child according to a plan developed by the psychologist that you would carry out directly in the classroom.

Primary Mental Health Prevention Project at Momot

Non-directive play therapy involving elementary school-aged children who appear to be at risk of developing adjustment problems. You will be assigned to individual children for one 45 minute play session per week. Supervision is provided by the school psychologist at Momot, Dr. Kris Lutters.

A course in child development, prior experience with children (i.e., babysitting, camp counseling, etc.) is helpful but not essential. We are looking for students who like children and are looking toward a possible career in some area of children's mental health.

A time commitment of one day, or two half days per week is usually required but exceptions can be made. A car, or transportation, of your own is helpful but not essential.

Pre-Kindergarten Program at Momot

The Momot Pre-Kindergarten program is a school-based program primarily for low-income families. Children participate in a classroom educational experience. Parents are encouraged to become involved in their child's classroom and additional activities are planned for parents. Students in this placement have an opportunity to work directly with young children in a stimulating environment. Often students are assigned to particular children "at risk" for a "special friend" experience. Some training is provided for students and they are included in staff meetings, staff development and home visits.

Beekmantown Elementary School

Interns will be working with children who have been identified by the school psychologist as needing extra assistance due to problems associated with attention, hyperactivity, impulse control, social skills, emotional control, and academic functioning. The children may be regular or special education students from K--5th grade. Interns will work with each child according to an intervention plan developed by the school psychologist that would be directly carried out in the classroom. Intervention strategies may include behavior modification, self-management strategies, social skill development, and cognitive interventions. Students interested in this placement should have had a class in human development and ideally some experience with children. Students should bring a cover letter and resume when they meet the school psychologist. Ideally, students should be able to work 2 hours a day for three days per week for this placement. Contact Karen Glushko at Beekmantown Schools (563-8035).

Beekmantown Middle School

Interns will be working with children who have been identified by the school psychologist as needing extra assistance due to problems associated with attention, social skills, academic skills, etc. The children may be regular or special education students in the middle school grades. Interns perform a variety of duties (mentoring, assisting in special education classrooms, etc) and attend various professional meetings and functions with the school psychologist. Students should bring a cover letter and resume when they meet the school psychologist. Contact Jerry Ross at Beekmantown Schools (563-8690).

Oak Street Elementary School

This practicum involves working individually and in groups with children at the elementary level. These children have been identified by the school psychologist, social worker or teacher as needing one-on-one work because of their problems with attention, hyperactivity, impulsiveness, social behaviors, etc. You would be working with each child according to a plan developed by the psychologist or social worker. There are also group counseling programs that interns can participate in along with the school psychologist or social worker. Hours can be flexible, and may involve mornings or after-school hours. Contact Dr. Steven Crain or Ms. Jane Pyke at Oak Street School (563-4950).

Bailey Avenue Elementary School

Interns work with children aged 4-8 years at Bailey Ave. Elementary. Interns can be involved in a variety of interventions including group counseling programs, reading interventions, and the Primary Mental Health Prevention project. Interns can also assist in data collection involving behavioral observations of children in the classroom situation. Students with experience and desire to work with children of this age group should consider this placement. Bring a cover letter and resume to the school psychologist, Steve Crain (563-2410), to be considered for this placement.

Special Education Students - Stafford Middle School

Interns work with children aged 11-15 years at Stafford, and can work with both regular and special education students. Interns can be involved in a variety of interventions including group counseling programs, and academic and behavioral interventions. Interns can provide classroom support and help students with independent work assignments. Interns can also assist with data collection including behavioral observations of children in the classroom. Students should have experience working with children before undertaking this placement, and should bring a cover letter and resume to the school psychologist to be considered for this placement. You should contact Kelly Ryan, the school psychologist at Stafford Middle School, at 563-6800.

Behavioral Health Services North Clinic

The intern will work with an experienced counselor in facilitating group sessions with children with emotional problems. The group sessions will be focused on social skills training for the most part, and will follow a structured curriculum. The intern can help to develop and run group activities. The clinic also provides parent training in parallel with the sessions with children, and interns can help facilitate or plan parent training activities as well. Interns could also work closely with case managers with smaller groups of children (2 or 3) on skill development, behavioral plans, etc. The intern must be available from 2:30-5 p.m. (after school hours) when the children meet for their group sessions. No more than two interns can be accommodated at one time. Interviews will be required with the site supervisor. Contact Karen Dague, 561-1767.

Special Friend Project

William A. Fritz Special Education Center of the Champlain Valley Educational Services is a school serving children ages 3-21 with handicapping conditions. Handicaps include the following classifications: autistic, emotionally disturbed, learning disabled, mentally retarded, deaf, speech impaired, visually impaired and orthopedically impaired. Students selected for this environment would be working in a play therapy situation under the direct supervision of a trained professional. Opportunities for special activities with children are available, depending on student interests. They may also participate in group therapy sessions and individual therapy with older students. Opportunities can be available to carry out behavioral change programs in and outside the classroom. Candidates for this placement will need to be interviewed and accepted by administrators and a supervising therapist. Prior experience working with children is highly desirable. Weekly meetings with the supervising therapist are required. Individuals need to provide their own transportation. You should contact Jerry Ducatte, Assistant Supervisor of Special Education, to set up an interview at 561-0900, ext. 176.

Special Education Children - Elementary Level

This program involves working individually in and out of the classroom with special education children aged 5-18. These children are at Champlain Valley Educational Services, which is a special education facility with smaller classrooms and specially trained teachers. The children you would be working with have emotional or behavioral problems and can benefit from forming a relationship with a student like you. They generally relate very well to college students and appreciate your friendship. Contact Jerry Ducatte, Assistant supervisor, at 561-0900, if you are interested in grades Kindergarten to 6th grade primarily. If you are interested in 7th through 12th, contact Marty Buchnowski, Assistant Supervisor, at 561-0900. They may wish to set up a brief interview with you and then link you with one of the staff psychologists as your actual supervisor.

Headstart Practicum

Interns will work in a preschool classroom along with teacher and aide. The Headstart Program works with children who can benefit from an intensive preschool experience. Duties include working one-on-one with one or two children who need special attention, helping the teacher with instruction, managing problem children, doing observations of children, and planning activities. Headstart Centers are in the city of Plattsburgh and surrounding communities. Contact Colleen LaFountain, Education Director, Headstart, 561-6310.

Head Injury Education

The North Country Regional Traumatic Brain Injury Center located in Suite 404 in Beaumont Hall offers several options for psychology majors.

THINK FIRST Program for the Prevention of Head and Spinal Cord Injuries

This component involves training students to work as part of a team for presentations to middle and high school students. The THINK FIRST program is a nationally recognized and highly acclaimed program. The TBI Center is the only agency in Northeastern New York approved to offer the program. Contact Nancy Fallica (564-3137) for further information.

Natural Support Assistant

At the TBI Center we have several people who have sustained a brain injury working in the office or in one of our various programs. These brain injured individuals have Job Coaches from community agencies who participate in training students as Natural Support Assistants to work with these employees. Interview is required. Contact Dr. Jeanne Ryan (564-3387).

Peer Counselors

College students who have sustained a brain injury during sometime during their life are trained by Patti King, Director of Peer Counseling at the North Country Center for Independence, to become a Peer Counselor for middle and high school students in the community. Mileage is offered to defer expense to students. Minimum of a one year commitment is required because it takes time to develop a rapport with these young people. Regular supervision of the Peer Counselor is required. Contact Dr. Jeanne Ryan (564-3387) for more information. References are required.

Supervised Visitation Program

The Supervised Visitation program enables non-custodial parents to visit with their children in a safe, neutral environment. Staff supervise the visits and complete observation forms for the visits. Interns could also be involved in case conferencing, interaction with legal services, and interaction with families. Interns will have the opportunity to facilitate visits, learn about intake procedures, and will participate in advisory committee meetings to network with the community. The program is seeking interns who are insightful, compassionate, and interested in helping families have positive interactions with their children. For more information, please call Dawn Gushlaw, the Supervised Visitation Program Coordinator with the Child Care Council, at 561-4999 (no information on minimum number of credits desired).

Chazy Central Rural School

This school consists of grades Kindergarten through 12th grade. Interns can work individually with children who may be at risk for academic or social difficulties, and can assist the school psychologist in facilitating group sessions with children as well. Interns can help children in the classroom setting, or do behavioral observations of children in the classroom to assist the school psychologist. Contact the school psychologist, Lori Miller, at 846-7135.

Nexus: A social competence program for children with asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism

Students are trained and supervised by Dr. Egan to help teach 9- to 15-yr.-old children the social skills they need to get along with peers and adults. Students work both as observers for research studies in progress, and as social facilitators with individual students, during structured social skills training sessions and unstructured game time. The program is in session on Tuesday afternoons from 2:30-5:30 on the campus of Plattsburgh State (currently in Hudson Hall). Some experience with children or adolescents and an interview with Dr. Egan are requirements for this practicum. Contact Dr. Egan at 564-3381.

Placements involving adults

Clinton Correctional Facility: Merle Cooper Program

An internship at Clinton Correctional Faculty's Merle Cooper program consists of a variety of experiences. This program attempts to prepare inmates for release back into the community. There are regular group counseling sessions run by the prison psychologists that interns can observe and participate in. Interns can also observe weekly assessment committee meetings where the prison psychologists and other staff discuss specific cases. Finally, there is the opportunity to attend the program's ASAT (alcohol and substance abuse training) group for inmates who have alcohol or substance abuse problems. An orientation must be completed before the internship begins. Clinton Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison in Dannemora, NY. Contact Amy Sweeney, prison psychologist, at 492-2511 ext. 1210.

Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital: Adult mental health inpatient unit

An internship with the Adult unit of the CVPH Mental Health Unit provides the opportunity for the intern to observe the daily duties of the treatment team. Interns can observe: daily patient assessments conducted by the staff psychiatrists or other mental health staff, consultations performed on medical floors and ER, family meetings, consultations with other service providers on inpatient cases, group therapy sessions, treatment team rounds on the unit, and court hearings. For more information, please contact the unit director at 562-7458.

Advocacy and Resource Center

Clientele will consist of adults who are developmentally disabled. All individuals have mental retardation as a primary disability. Other disabilities, including psychiatric and physical disabilities, may also be present.

Students' objective will be to increase individuals' spontaneous engagement in meaningful activities while at the Community Residence. Meaningful activities are defined as those which the individual in conjunction with others, has identified and meet one or more of the following criteria:

It is expected that upon completion of the internship, individuals will engage in one or more of the above activities without the initiation and/or assistance of the volunteer. Direct on-site supervision of the student will be provided at all times. A one-day orientation and training program will be required. Student may participate in other agency sponsored training programs as deemed appropriate. A PPD (Tuberculosis) test (or evidence of one within the past 12 months) will be required. Student must have ability to get to and from site on a previously scheduled basis. Acceptable hygiene, dress, and behavior is necessary in this professional setting. Contact: Michael Conine, Director of Quality Assurance; Phone: (518) 563-0930 or FAX: (518) 562-0085.

Advocacy and Resource Center - Clinical Behavioral Team

The Advocacy and Resource Center's Clinical Behavioral Team is seeking interns with interests in behavioral analysis, planning and implementation of behavioral interventions. The Behavioral Program works with a variety of individuals with varying degrees of developmental disabilities at different day program and residential sites. Interns can gain experience in a variety of behavioral support systems including direct observation of behavior, task analysis, data collection and tracking, behavior plan development, training and implementation. Please contact Todd Castine at 563-0930.

Essex County ARC

Essex County ARC serves a unique population of developmentally disabled persons. Opportunities for students involve working with Behavior Specialists, helping clients learning living skills, and general duties helping staff manage and care for clients. The Essex County ARC has both day care and residential treatment programs. The placement is in Port Henry, New York. Contact Michelle Ouellette, Community Inclusion specialist at 834-1190 for more information.

Northern New York Center (now called Behavioral Health Services North)

NNYC, on Broad Street adjacent to the PSU campus, is a community based mental health agency that provides services for chronically mentally ill adults on an outpatient basis. The program provides the following services: Verbal therapies, case management, recreation therapy, social skill training, medication therapy, family therapy, vocational training and counseling, educational tutoring, socialization, and community recreation. These services are provided within the model of a psychosocial club. The program operates five days a week from 8:30-2:30 and 4:30 to 9:30 as well as weekends for community recreation.

Students placed at NNYC will be placed in the Day Training program and will be involved in assisting a staff person in one of the pre-vocational units: Maintenance, food service, clerical, thrift shop, craft workshop. Specific tasks will be assigned to students and will involve directly working with clients. Evening hours will primarily be spent in socialization programs with the clients. Students may initiate activities under supervision of a staff person to obtain experience in developing and leading activities or programs. Students placed at NNYC will be expected to be able to provide appropriate socialization opportunities with our clients. Students should be comfortable in meeting new people and engaging in conversation. Acceptance of persons from a variety of economic, social, and educational levels is necessary. Students placed at NNYC will be asked to work a minimum of 3 hours blocks of time with two of those blocks of time between the hours of 8:30-11:30 during the week (M-F) and the remaining time in the evening 6:30-9:30. There can be some flexibility within these requirements. Contact Peter Trout, 563-1160.

Working with Elderly People

Working with the elderly is rewarding and educational. The Activity Program at Meadowbrook Nursing Home offers all residents an opportunity to participate in a variety of activities at all levels of proficiency. Activities are offered on an individual, small, and large group basis. After an initial interview and short training session, you would be assigned one or two residents with whom you would spend quality time, depending on the day and activity offered. You would also participate with residents in group activities such as crafts, birthday parties, socials, and various games. Contact Barbara Gardner, Recreation Director or Pricilla Lauren, Social Worker, both at 563-5440.

Northeastern New York Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Center is recruiting students to work in its "Third Age" Day Programs. Students will work with small groups of elderly clients by talking with clients and providing support and assisting with activities such as crafts, walks, and dances. Interns will have their choice of working with seniors that suffer from Alzheimer's Disease and related disorders on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday anytime from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or with developmentally disabled and frail elderly on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday anytime from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Both programs are in Sibley Hall on campus. The staff will be happy to give you a tour to observe the clients and programs so that you can decide if you would be interested. Contact Jennifer Graban, RN, Program Coordinator, at 564-3377.

Parent Aide Program

Parent Aides serve as supporting and caring friends to parents who are having trouble raising a family. This is one of the programs run by Behavioral Health Services North. You will receive training as a Parent Aide and work with individual parents and children in their home. Staffing and consultation work on the families is done on a weekly basis. You could also do filing, preparing of materials in the office or assist in presentations. Effective Parent Aides need to have experience with children--by being parents themselves, through babysitting or day care work, or through previous practicum work with children. Courses in child development are helpful. Contact: Judy Russell at 563-8206.

Stop Domestic Violence

The STOP Center deals with clients, the vast majority of whom are women, who have been physically abused by their partners. It provides counseling, crisis management, a safe house away from the abuser, child care, referral to a physician, and any other help the client may need. Support and encouragement as well as counseling is given to help victims resolve the abusive situation by leaving, taking legal steps against the abuser such as a restraining order, etc. The STOP Center is in the Mental Health Association offices near the corner of Cornelia and Broad Streets in downtown Plattsburgh. Contact Susan B. Kelley for further information, 563-8206.

Substance Abuse

Champlain Valley Family Center is a program for substance users/abusers. It has school-based prevention education and counseling, outpatient drug-free therapy, and community reintegration for youth placed in residential treatment. A fieldwork/internship student could be involved in staff meetings where clients are discussed anonymously, become familiar with intake and paperwork required on each client, and participate in substance abuse programs and mentoring in the schools. The student should be a senior, highly motivated, a self-starter, and able to work with minimal supervision. At least 15 hours per week is preferred. Contact the Agency Director. Prepare and send a resume first, then call at 561-8480 for interview.

High Peaks Hospice

As part of Hospice services, we maintain a volunteer component, which includes training and screening volunteers in all aspects of hospice services, a bereavement program that includes visiting families of deceased patients after the patient's death as well as community support groups, memorial services, bereavement support within the Hospice staff, and mailings. There is also a social work component that deals with family issues including interface between the family and community services. We maintain parallel programs in the Tri-lakes area, Essex County, and Warren County.

Violence Intervention Project (VIP)

The Violence Intervention Project is a program for adult male clients arrested for domestic violence directed at their partner; the program consists of 33 weekly education group meetings. The average client age is between 20-30 years old. A small percentage of clients are minors or volunteers. Domestic violence behaviors include: emotional abuse, economic abuse, verbal abuse, sexual abuse/rape, physical abuse, and isolation tactics. Outside of the weekly group meetings, contact with clients is minimal (ex., intake interviews) to none. Client groups meet two nights a week in Plattsburgh, and one night a week in Elizabethtown. Prospective interns should be self-motivated, preferably male, and open-minded about learning and integrating new information into their values system. Good computer skills preferred, specifically, experience with Windows, Microsoft Word and Excel, and Internet Explorer.

The internship experience could include:

Regular duties will include:

Interns should be available for 9-12 hours per week. Contact the VIP Program Director, Pat Harford, at 563-7208.

Other Placements

Placements at other sites are available depending on your interest. For example, working with deprived children, retarded adults, youth work through youth agencies like the YMCA, and work with victims of domestic violence. Placements in nearby communities such as Rouses Point, Malone, Saranac Lake, Elizabethtown, Ticonderoga, etc. are possible.

Placements outside of the Plattsburgh area are also possible. Some full-semester internships through agencies and business concerns are available through the Cooperative Education and Internship Office, Kehoe 6th Floor. If you would like to do a full semester internship at an agency here in Plattsburgh or near your home, contact the Fieldwork Coordinator.

Questions, Comments, Suggestions?

If you would like more information about the psychology program at Plattsburgh State, please contact

Department co-chairs
Dr. Wendy Braje (wendy.braje@plattsburgh.edu)
Dr. William Gaeddert (william.gaeddert@plattsburgh.edu)

Department secretaries
Ms. Pam LeClair (leclaipl@plattsburgh.edu)
Ms. Karen Newell (newellka@plattsburgh.edu)

Phone: (518) 564-3076
Toll-free Phone: (800) 441-7215
Fax: (518) 564-3397

Was this page helpful?

This is an official publication of Plattsburgh State

Copyright © 1996-2007 Plattsburgh State 101 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 Phone: (518) 564-2000