Psychology internship expectations and responsibilities

The University of Nevada, Reno Psychology Doctoral Internship is a 2,000 hour experience, with the expectation of at least 500 hours of direct service activities. Interns gain experience through a wide range of activities, some of which will be negotiated individually by each trainee based on their interest areas and the needs of the center.

The doctoral internship in professional psychology includes these components: 


General schedule of activities and expectations

Below are sample tables of Direct and Indirect Service activities psychology interns might be expected to complete on a weekly basis during their internship. The maximum and minimum hours within each category and the actual schedule may vary from week to week.

The University's CS doctoral internship requires a rigorous full-time commitment of 40 hours per week for the internship year. Interns are expected to work a minimum of 2000 hours during their time at UNR Counseling Services, with a minimum of 500 of those being direct contact hours (e.g., same-day sessions, individual counseling, group counseling, outreach, psychological testing).

The following sample intern schedule shows the categories of work that will be counted toward the 2000 hours; interns’ weekly actual hours may vary:

  1. Same Day Sessions (4 hours).
  2. Crisis Appointments (as needed).
  3. Individual Counseling Hours (12-15 hours including same-day sessions).
  4. Assessment/Report Writing (4 hours).
  5. Outreach (~0.5 hours).
  6. Group Hours (1 - 2 hours). Plus group supervision/debriefing (0.5 – 1 hour).
  7. Individual Supervision Provided (1 hour – spring semester).
  8. Individual Supervision Received (3 hours – primary and emphasis area supervision).
  9. Group Supervision(2-3.5 hours – supervision of supervision, assessment group supervision, intern cohort group supervision).
  10. Didactic Training Seminar (2 hours).
  11. Professional Development Time (2 hours).
  12. Administrative (10 – 16 hours).
  13. Lunch (0.5-1 hour).
Direct service activities for fall and spring hours
Direct Service Activities Fall Hours Spring Hours
Individual Therapy/Same Day Sessions (SDS) 10 to 12 12 to 15
Walk-in crisis 0-1 0-1
Assessment 2 2
Outreach 0.5 0.5
Group Counseling 1 to 2 1 to 2
Supervision Provided 0 1
Total Direct Service 13.5 to 17.5 16.5 to 21.5
Indirect service activities for fall and spring hours
Indirect Service Activities Fall Hours Spring Hours
Client Consultation Meeting 1 1
Staff Meeting 1 1
Group Counseling Debriefing Supervision 0.5 to 1 0.5 to 1
Supervision Received - Individual 3 3
Supervision Received - Assessment 1 1
Supervision Received - Group 1 1
Supervision Received – Sup of Sup 0 1.5
Training Seminar 2 2
Professional Development (dissertation, research) 2 2
Documentation, Phone/emails, Preparation, Report Writing 10.5 7.5
Total Indirect Service 22.5 18.5
Total hours of direct and indirect service for fall and spring
Activity Fall Hours Spring Hours
Total Direct Service 13.5 to 17.5 16.5 to 21.5
Total Indirect Service 22.5 18.5
Total Hours 40 40