Course content

In the main internship of the professional psychology program, students are placed in workplaces for psychologists and take on psychological work under the supervision of an experienced psychologist. The main internship lasts for 26 weeks, including two weeks of seminars. The seminars cover topics such as professional ethics, legal regulation of professional practice, professional development, systems understanding, and more. There is a requirement of 80% attendance for these seminars.

The main internship is intended to give students opportunities for greater integration of theory and practice, as well as provide experience with how psychological theory and methods can be used and adapted to the work tasks of psychologists. Relevant internship sites are workplaces within health-related services. This can include various fields and types of practice such as child and adolescent psychology, adult and geriatric psychology, neuropsychology, family counseling, substance abuse treatment, and primary care. Consequently, the methodological and theoretical challenges may vary depending on the workplace. The internship period will therefore serve as a learning arena for the exchange of different types of knowledge related to prevention, assessment, treatment, and habilitation/rehabilitation depending on the field.

Although the student during the internship is expected to perform psychological work under supervision, it is assumed that they will, to a large extent, practice the profession independently based on their professional and personal capacities. The students will be assessed and approved according to specific guidelines. During the internship period, there is close contact between the university, the student, and the supervisor.

Learning outcome

The student can carry out psychological work under supervision.

Knowledge:

The student

• can apply relevant theories within psychology to issues relevant to each individual workplace.
• shall apply knowledge of the health and welfare system, laws, regulations, and guidelines, and integrate this into their service delivery.
• has advanced knowledge of ethical principles, ethical decision-making, and relevant legislation regulating psychologists’ work.
• has knowledge of how risk, consent, record-keeping, privacy, and reporting duties are handled in clinical practice.
• has knowledge of how their own and others’ cultural backgrounds influence assessment, treatment, and collaboration.
• has insight into how individual differences and social contexts influence mental health and treatment processes.
• has knowledge of how research evidence, clinical expertise, and client preferences are integrated in psychological decision-making.
• has advanced knowledge of psychological assessment methods, test theory, diagnostic systems, and case formulation.
• has knowledge of evidence-based intervention models and how measures are selected, adapted, and evaluated.
• has knowledge of the organization of health services, lines of responsibility, priorities, and roles in interdisciplinary teams.
• has knowledge of how systemic and organizational factors influence psychological practice.

Skills:

The student

• can integrate theoretical and practical skills with a view to later independent professional practice.
• can apply their psychological knowledge and skills for self-care.
• can identify ethical dilemmas and navigate these using the resources available.
• can apply legal and ethical frameworks when encountering complex clinical issues.
• can conduct systematic self-assessment of their own competence and implement measures to manage limitations.
• can apply self-care strategies to maintain professional soundness.
• can establish, maintain, and repair therapeutic relationships characterized by alliance, safety, and collaboration.
• can manage challenging communication in a professional and appropriate manner.
• can plan, conduct, and integrate various assessment methods (interviewing, testing, observation, informant information).
• can develop case formulations and diagnostic assessments in accordance with current standards.
• can communicate assessment results orally and in writing in a clear and professionally precise manner.
• can develop and carry out treatment plans tailored to the client's needs and context.
• can apply evidence-based interventions with professional flexibility and treatment integrity.
• can evaluate treatment processes systematically and adjust interventions when necessary.
• can collaborate effectively with colleagues and other professions in the health services.
• can give and receive supervision in a professionally responsible manner.
• can analyze risk for adverse events and use relevant methods to follow this up systematically.

General competence:

The student

• has competence in the application and development of methodological competence within the respective fields of psychology.
• can act as a psychologist in development, with a consolidated professional identity and sense of responsibility.
• can identify social, cultural, and structural factors affecting the client’s health and act in support of the client’s development and rights.
• can contribute to improvement and change processes in services and organizations where relevant.
• can contribute to quality in services through systematic work, evaluation, and reflection on their own and others’ practice.
• can participate in administrative work and understand organizational frameworks for psychological services.
• can communicate psychological knowledge and assessments clearly, ethically, and in a context-sensitive manner to clients, relatives, and collaborators.

Learning methods and activities

Supervision 2 hours per week during the internship period, of which 1 hour is individual. Two mandatory seminars are included in addition. There is a requirement of 80% attendance for both seminars. The course is assessed in accordance with the Guidelines for the implementation and evaluation of clinical practice.

Compulsory assignments

• 80 % mandatory attendance seminar: Adm. and public governance
• 80% mandatory attendance seminar: Psychological professional ethics

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

PSYK4605

Required previous knowledge

PSYK4110, PSYK4111, PSYK4121, PSYK4122, PSYK4123, PSYK4125, PSYK4127, PSYK4128, PSYK4301, PSYK4302, PSYK4303, PSYK4304, PSYK4317, PSYK4318, PSYK4328, PSYK4417, PSYK4419, PSYK4420, PSYK4428, PSYK4520, PSYK4521, PSYK4522, PSYK4600, PSYK4601, PSYK4602, PSYK4603, PSYK4604, PSYK4606, PSYK4701 and MH2002

For class 45 (Autumn 2021), the following applies:

PSYK4120 replaces PSYK4110 and PSYK4111.

PSYPRO4314 and PSYPRO4414 replace PSYK4417.

PSYPRO4316 replaces PSYK4328.

Credit reductions