Clinical Psychology Training Program | UC Davis CAARE Diagnostic and Treatment Center | UC Davis Children's Hospital

CAARE Diagnostic and Treatment Center

Clinical Psychology Training Program

For the 2023-24 training year, we will continue to conduct interviews virtually.

The Clinical Psychology Training Program offers a one-year APA accredited internship opportunity for students who have attended APA-accredited clinical or counseling psychology programs.

For the 2023-2024 training year, there will be four separate internship track training opportunities.

  • Child Abuse Internship (CAARE Center only track – 4 positions)

    Psychology interns can receive training and supervised experience in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), psychological evaluations, child welfare evaluations, Infant Mental Health Therapy, intake assessments, individual and/or group therapy, and consultation to local agencies. There is also opportunity to participate on Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) services and team meetings depending on level experience. Most CAARE Center clients range in age from 2 to 18 years, although adults are seen for family treatment, individual therapy, and evaluations.

    Location: CAARE Center

  • Trauma-Adolescent Mental Illness Internship (TAMI – 2 positions)

    Psychology interns in this track will receive training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and assessment and treatment of early psychosis based upon Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) model, which includes training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp). Trainees will spend approximately 50% of their time at the CAARE Center receiving training and supervised experience in TF-CBT and psychological evaluations with children and adolescents seen for trauma. Trainees will also spend 50% of their time at SacEDAPT receiving training and supervised experience in the assessment and treatment of early psychosis.

    Location: CAARE Center and SacEDAPT

  • Child Maltreatment and Neurodevelopment Track (CMN track – 1 position)

    Psychology interns in this track will receive training in infant mental health treatment with children ages 0 to 5 and their families and neurodevelopmental psychological assessments of infants and young children. Trainees will spend 50% of their time at the CAARE Center and 50% within Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at the MIND Institute. Interns will be provided training in one empirically based treatment approach, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy at the CAARE Center. In addition, they will be trained to conduct evidence based, neurodevelopmental evaluations with a focus on identifying developmental delay and autism spectrum disorder in young children. There is strong emphasis in working with under-resourced families and family centered care at both sites.

    Location: CAARE Center and MIND Institute

  • Juvenile Justice Forensic Psychology Internship (JJFP track – 1 position)

    Psychology interns in this track will receive training in assessment and treatment of juvenile justice involved youth. Trainees will spend 50% of their time at the CAARE Center and 50% within the Sacramento County Probation Department Youth Detention Facility. Interns will be provided training in one empirically based approach, Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Other modalities such as Harm Reduction and Motivational Interviewing can be offered. In addition, they will be trained to conduct evidence based forensic evaluations (i.e., competency evaluation; juvenile sex offender evaluations; child welfare evaluations).

    Location: CAARE Center and Sacramento County Probation Youth Detention Facility

  • Postdoctoral Fellowship Training Program

    The CAARE Center also offers postdoctoral training that is similar in nature to the Clinical Psychology Training Program. In addition, postdoctoral fellows are able to obtain specialized training in a clinical area of their choice (e.g., individual and group therapy, parent-child interaction therapy, psychological evaluations, child welfare evaluations).

How to applyApplication process

Our 2023-24 application deadline is November 1, 2023.

When applying, applicants should consider which internship track best matches their previous experiences as well as future professional goals. Interested applicants can only apply to 2 internship tracks.

For more details, download and review our CAARE Internship Handbook (PDF).

Follow the directions on the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) website for submitting your application.

Apply online at APPIC site

What your APPI online application should include:

  • Cover letter
  • APPI application
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official graduate transcripts

No supplemental application materials are required.

Accreditation and contact informationOther program details

Program accreditation

The CAARE Diagnostic and Treatment Center provides ongoing training for mental health professions through our nationally recognized American Psychological Association (APA) accredited clinical psychology training program as well as training programs for master level clinicians.

Questions about accreditation may be addressed to:
Office of Accreditation, American Psychological Association
750 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20002

Phone: 800-374-2721 or 202-336-5979

Contact info

For more information about the Clinical Psychology Training Program internships or fellowship, please contact:

Dawn Blacker, Ph.D.
Co-training Director, Clinical Psychology Training Program
UC Davis CAARE Diagnostic and Treatment Center
3671 Business Drive
Sacramento, CA 95820

Phone: 916-761-6713
Email: dmblacker@ucdavis.edu