• Individual, group and family treatment with children and adolescents
• Mandatory Monday morning group Clinical Needs meeting under supervision of licensed clinical psychologist
• Presentation at a Monthly Parent Support meeting on a rotating basis
• Attendance at annual Multi-disciplinary school staffing for students
• Writing and updating IEP goals and progress, and occasionally Treatment Summaries and/or Social Developmental Histories for child’s school staffing
• One hour of individual and weekly group supervision with at least two Licensed Clinical Psychologists and other members of the Clinical Training Staff
• Weekly 30 minute meeting with NCA’s consulting psychiatrist regarding students assigned to the Extern
• Ongoing training (Tuesday, 3:00-4:00) specific to Asperger’s Disorder & Autism
• All Staff Meetings- daily from 3:00 to 4:00 PM to discuss the day’s events, problem solve and develop plans for the future
• Institute Days- In School staff training covering a range of school related topics, therapeutic, behavioral and interventions
  

• 12 consecutive months
• 3 days per week (24 hours), 8:00 AM-4:00 PM. Some modifications can be made to this format depending on the Extern’s schedule
• Externs are required to participate in minimum of 600 hours of Supervised Clinical experience throughout the year, this time spent in: Direct Service, Indirect Service, Training and Supervision
• Traditionally the Externship program will begin at the start of the academic year (mid-August), however, alternate start dates may by required

1. Vacation Time (Winter, Spring, Summer School Breaks and all National Holidays)
2. School Hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM)
3. No pager or on-call duties
4. Free student cafeteria lunch daily
5. Free Parking

1. Cover Letter outlining professional goals and interests and how this Externship site meets those criteria
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. All Graduate School Transcripts
4. Three Letters of Recommendation
5. Writing Sample (Note: A case formulation, Treatment Summary, etc. is preferred, however, if a sample in this category is not available, please send a psychodiagnostic report)

All material should be contained within the same envelope. 

This information must be sent by mail to:

Cecily Kanter, PsyD
Clinical Director
New Connections Academy
865 E. Wilmette Road
Palatine, Illinois 60074 

If you have any further questions, please contact Dr. Kanter at (847) 359-8690 or by email Ckanter@newconnectionsacademy.net.

PSYCHOTHERAPY PRE-DOCTORAL  INTERNSHIP  IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

GENERAL INFORMATION
New Connections Academy (NCA) is a private therapeutic day school that was founded in 2006 to serve children and adolescents with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, ranging from Asperger’s Disorder to High Functioning Autism.  As an alternative day school program, NCA utilizes therapeutic, educational, family and community resources to enhance each child’s social communication abilities, to establish effective, stable emotional regulation, to demonstrate academic progress and to engage successfully with their transactional support team of parents, peers, teachers, therapists and auxiliary staff (consulting psychiatrist, nurse, behavioral intervention specialists, music therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist and art therapist).  NCA serves children and adolescents from first grade through high school that is referred by their local home school districts.

NCA utilizes the SCERTS (Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, Transactional Support) educational and therapeutic model to provide the basis for successful interventions to address the various developmental challenges that interfere with academic learning, development of socialization skills, management of emotional dysregulation to preservative thinking and/or sensory overload and positive interactions with support systems for guidance.  This foundation enhances the team’s ability to respect and empathize with the underlying developmental problems for each child while helping them to utilize a nurturing and supportive approach.  In addition to the SCERTS “best practice” model, Narrative Therapy principles and Lakota-Sioux Circle of Courage philosophy are used as the milieu structure. The goal is to work with students to build on their strengths and gifts while helping reduce the challenges and obstacles that get in their way of success.  The environment is based on a nurturing model, with reinforcement of positive behaviors and natural consequences for negative behaviors. NCA avoids using restrictive or punitive methods of behavior management and/or an isolated time-out room, using instead face-to-face verbal and written interaction with the behavioral intervention specialist.  Therapeutic holding/restraint is employed only as a last resort, when the child is deemed to be a danger to him/her or others.

The founders of the program, Ms. Betty Lindquist, Dr. John Schuler, and Dr. Sol Rappaport have based the mission of NCA on philosophical principles similar to those held at Counseling Connections (a multi-disciplinary group practice specializing in the therapeutic needs of children, adolescents and adults) and the Connections Day Schools (Connections Day School, Libertyville, South Campus Day School, Palatine) serving special needs students.  The professionals at Counseling Connections have worked closely with local school districts and social service agencies serving Northern Lake, Lake and Cook counties since the early 1980’s.

TRAINING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The Psychotherapy Pre-Doctoral Internship in Clinical Psychology at New Connections Academy is designed to help Interns acquire and refine their clinical therapeutic skills while at the same time learning to successfully interaction with a Multi-disciplinary team of professionals.  An emphasis is placed on training in fundamental clinical skills necessary when working with children, adolescents and families.  Interns are given opportunities to work with children and adolescents with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, ranging from Asperger’s Disorder to High Functioning Autism who may also exhibit a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues (depression, anxiety, oppositional defiant disorder, bi-polar disorder, sensory, speech and coordination problems).  Interns also have the opportunity to work with family dynamics parenting special needs children and adolescents and individuals with diverse cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

All training is conducted under the supervision of NCA’s Clinical Director and Chief Clinical Consultant (on site everyday) and other members of the Clinical Training Staff.  The primary training goal/objective is to promote the Intern’s professional growth in such a way that by the end of the training year, he/she feels confident in their ability to function as a Doctor of Clinical Psychology, with the ability to practice in accordance with the highest standards of care.

CLINICAL WORK, SUPERVISION AND TRAINING

1. Individual, group and family treatment with children and adolescents
2. Mandatory Monday morning group Clinical Needs meeting under supervision of licensed clinical psychologist
3. Presentation at a Monthly Parent Support meeting on a rotating basis
4. Attendance at annual Multi-disciplinary school staffing for students
5. Writing and updating IEP goals and progress, and occasionally Treatment Summaries and/or Social Developmental Histories for child’s school staffing
6. Two hours of individual and weekly group supervision with at least tow Licensed Clinical Psychologists and other members of the Clinical Training Staff
7. Weekly 30 minute meeting with NCA’s consulting psychiatrist regarding students assigned to the Intern
8. Ongoing training (Tuesday, 3:00-4:00) specific to Asperger’s Disorder & Autism
9. All Staff Meetings- daily from 3:00 to 4:00 PM to discuss the day’s events, problem solve and develop plans for the future
10. Institute Days- In School staff training covering a range of school related topics, therapeutic, behavioral and interventions

PRE-DOCTORAL INTERNSHIP  FORMAT

1. 12 consecutive months 
2. At least 40 hours per week (8:00 AM-4:00 PM, Monday-Friday is required) – due to vacation/holidays, interns must complete special projects outside of their regularly scheduled hours in order to meet the 2000 hour requirement. 
3. Interns are required to participate in minimum of 2,000 hours of Supervised Clinical experience throughout the year, this time spent in: Direct Service, Indirect Service, Training and Supervision
4. Traditionally the Internship will begin at the start of the academic year (mid-August), however, alternate start dates may by required

EVALUATION
Evaluation is an active, ongoing process throughout the Internship year.  All evaluations that the Intern’s academic program requires will be completed by his/her Primary Supervisor.  In addition, an interactive discussion between the Intern and Supervisor will occur regarding the evaluation and the Intern’s areas of strength and weakness at least 2 times during the training year. Any serious concerns will be discussed with the Intern, other members of the Clinical Training Staff and the Director of Training at the Intern’s academic program.  Please request the document: Due Process Procedures, for a full explanation.

PRE-DOCTORAL INTERNSHIP  BENEFITS

1. $18,000 Stipend for the year (beginning fall, 2009)
2. Vacation Time (Winter, Spring, Summer Breaks and all National Holidays)
3. School Hours (Monday-Fridays, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM)
4. 16 Sick Days and 2 Personal Days per year
5. No pager or on-call duties
6. Free student cafeteria lunch daily
7. Free Parking

CLINICAL TRAINING  STAFF
Cecily Kanter, Psy.D.
Illinois School of Professional Psychology
Licensed Clinical Psycholgoist
Clinical Director/Training Director/Administrator/Primary Supervisor

Charlotte Edwards, Psy.D.
Forest Institute of Professional Psychology
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Chief Clinical Consultant/ Administrator/Supervisor

John Schuler, Psy.D.
Illinois School of Professional Psychology
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Founder/Administrator/Supervisor

Sol Rappaport, Ph.D.
DePaul University
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Founder/Administrator/Supervisor

Shazia Tyyab, M.D.
University of Illinois
Board Certified in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 

Sara Anderson, LCSW
University of Illinois, Chicago
Therapist

Cheryl Andriopoulos, M.S., CCC-SLP/L
University of Illinois, Urbana
Speech and Language Therapist

Nancy Dempsey, MT, BC
Music Therapist

Rebecca Irmen, MS, ATR
Mount Mary College
Art Therapist

Susan Richey, M.S., OTR/L, SIPT
Rush University
Occupational Therapist/Sensory Integration Specialists

APPLICATION PROCESS
Students from Doctoral level Clinical Psychology training programs, who have met all requirements for application for Pre-Doctoral Internship, must submit the following materials by November 30th prior to their Internship year.

1. Cover Letter outlining professional goals and interests and how this Externship site meets those criteria
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. All Graduate School Transcripts
4. Three Letters of Recommendation
5. Writing Sample (Note: A case formulation, Treatment Summary, etc. is preferred, however, if a sample in this category is not available, please send a psychodiagnostic report)

All material should be contained within the same envelope. 

This information must be sent by mail to:

Cecily Kanter, PsyD
Clinical Director
New Connections Academy
865 E. Wilmette Road
Palatine, Illinois 60074 

If you have any further questions, please contact Dr. Kanter at (847) 359-8690 or by email Ckanter@newconnectionsacademy.net.
 
The Pre-Doctoral Internship at New Connections Academy fulfills the licensure requirements for “Pre-Doctoral Supervised Practice” as established by the State of Illinois
Department of Financial and Professional Regulation-Division of Professional Regulation.

POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Our Post-Doc is APPIC approved.

GENERAL INFORMATION
New Connections Academy (NCA) is a private therapeutic day school that was founded in 2006 to serve children and adolescents with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, ranging from Asperger’s Disorder to High Functioning Autism.  As an alternative day school program, NCA utilizes therapeutic, educational, family and community resources to enhance each child’s social communication abilities, to establish effective, stable emotional regulation, to demonstrate academic progress and to engage successfully with their transactional support team of parents, peers, teachers, therapists and auxiliary staff (consulting psychiatrist, nurse, behavioral intervention specialists, occupational therapist, music therapist, speech therapist and art therapist).  NCA serves children and adolescents from first grade through high school that is referred by their local home school districts.

NCA utilizes the SCERTS (Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, Transactional Support) educational and therapeutic model to provide the basis for successful interventions to address the various developmental challenges that interfere with academic learning, development of socialization skills, management of emotional dysregulation to preservative thinking and/or sensory overload and positive interactions with support systems for guidance.  This foundation enhances the team’s ability to respect and empathize with the underlying developmental problems for each child while helping them to utilize a nurturing and supportive approach.  In addition to the SCERTS “best practice” model, Narrative Therapy principles and Lakota-Sioux Circle of Courage philosophy are used as the milieu structure. The goal is to work with students to build on their strengths and gifts while helping reduce the challenges and obstacles that get in their way of success.  The environment is based on a nurturing model, with reinforcement of positive behaviors and natural consequences for negative behaviors. NCA avoids using restrictive or punitive methods of behavior management and/or an isolated time-out room, using instead face-to-face verbal and written interaction with the behavioral intervention specialist.  Therapeutic holding/restraint is employed only as a last resort, when the child is deemed to be a danger to him/her or others.

The founders of the program, Ms. Betty Lindquist, Dr. John Schuler, and Dr. Sol Rappaport have based the mission of NCA on philosophical principles similar to those held at Counseling Connections (a multi-disciplinary group practice specializing in the therapeutic needs of children, adolescents and adults) and the Connections Day Schools (Connections Day School, Libertyville, South Campus Day School, Palatine) serving special needs students.  The professionals at Counseling Connections have worked closely with local school districts and social service agencies serving Northern Lake, Lake and Cook counties since the early 1980’s.

TRAINING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The Post-Doctoral Fellowship program in Clinical Psychology at New Connections Academy is designed to help Fellows acquire and refine their clinical therapeutic skills while at the same time learning to successfully interaction with a Multi-disciplinary team of professionals.  An emphasis is placed on training in fundamental clinical skills necessary when working with children, adolescents and families.  Fellows are given opportunities to work with children and adolescents with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, ranging from Asperger’s Disorder to High Functioning Autism who may also exhibit a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues (depression, anxiety, oppositional defiant disorder, bi-polar disorder, sensory, speech and coordination problems).  Fellows also have the opportunity to work with family dynamics when parenting special needs children and adolescents and individuals with diverse cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

All training is conducted under the supervision of  NCA’s Clinical Director and Chief Clinical Consultant (on site everyday) and other members of the Clinical Training Staff.  The primary training goal/objective is to promote the Fellow’s professional growth in such a way that by the end of the training year, he/she feels confident in their ability to function as a Doctor of Clinical Psychology, with the ability to practice in accordance with the highest standards of care.

CLINICAL WORK, SUPERVISION AND TRAINING

1. Individual, group and family treatment with children and adolescents
2. Mandatory Monday morning group Clinical Needs meeting under supervision of licensed clinical psychologist
3. Presentation at a Monthly Parent Support meeting on a rotating basis
4. Attendance at annual Multi-disciplinary school staffing for students
5. Writing and updating IEP goals and progress, and occasionally Treatment Summaries and/or Social Developmental Histories for child’s school staffing
6. Two hours of individual and weekly group supervision with at least two Licensed Clinical Psychologists and other members of the Clinical Training Staff
7. Weekly 30 minute meeting with NCA’s consulting psychiatrist regarding students assigned to the Fellow
8. Ongoing training (Tuesday, 3:00-4:00) specific to Asperger’s Disorder & Autism
9. All Staff Meetings- daily from 3:00 to 4:00 PM to discuss the day’s events, problem solve and develop plans for the future
10. Institute Days- In School staff training covering a range of school related topics, therapeutic, behavioral and interventions

FELLOWSHIP FORMAT

1. 12 consecutive months
2. At least 40 hours per week (8:00 AM-4:00 PM, Monday-Friday is required) – due to school vacation/holidays post-docs must complete special projects outside of their regularly scheduled hours to meet the 2000 hours requirement. 
3. Fellows are required to participate in minimum of 2,000 hours of Supervised Clinical experience throughout the year, this time spent in: Direct Service, Indirect Service, Training and Supervision
4. Fellows are expected to spend at least 800 hours in direct, face to face student service
5. Traditionally the Fellowship program will begin at the start of the academic year (mid-August), however, alternate start dates may by required

EVALUATION
Evaluation is an active, ongoing process throughout the Fellowship year.  Formal, written evaluations will occur every six months throughout the course of the training year. All evaluations will be completed by his/her Primary Supervisor and will include an active discussion of the evaluation itself, and the Fellows strengths and weakness.  Any serious concerns will be discussed with the Fellow, other members of the Clinical Training Staff.  Please request the document: Due Process Procedures, for a full explanation.

POST-DOCTORAL INTERNSHIP  BENEFITS

1. $25,000 Stipend for the year
2. Healthcare Benefits, and optional Dental Benefits
3. Vacation Time (Winter, Spring, Summer School Breaks and all National Holidays)
4. 16 Sick Days and 2 Personal Days per year
5. No pager or on-call duties
6. Free student cafeteria lunch daily
7. Free Parking

CLINICAL TRAINING STAFF
Cecily Kanter, Psy.D.
Illinois School of Professional Psychology
Licensed Clinical Psycholgoist
Clinical Director/Training Director/Administrator/Primary Supervisor

Charlotte Edwards, Psy.D.
Forest Institute of Professional Psychology
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Chief Clinical Consultant/ Administrator/Supervisor

John Schuler, Psy.D.
Illinois School of Professional Psychology
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Founder/Administrator/Supervisor

Sol Rappaport, Ph.D.
DePaul University
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Founder/Administrator/Supervisor

Shazia Tyyab, M.D.
University of Illinois
Board Certified in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 

Sara Anderson, LCSW
University of Illinois, Chicago
Therapist

Cheryl Andriopoulos, M.S., CCC-SLP/L
University of Illinois, Urbana
Speech and Language Therapist

Nancy Dempsey, MT, BC
Music Therapist

Rebecca Irmen, MS, ATR
Mount Mary College
Art Therapist

Susan Richey, M.S., OTR/L, SIPT
Rush University
Occupational Therapist/Sensory Integration Specialists


APPLICATION PROCESS
Individuals who have met the following requirements for graduation from Doctoral-Level Clinical Psychology training programs:

• Completion of all Doctoral Degree Requirements from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
• Completion of a Pre-Doctoral Internship meeting APPIC standards

Must submit the following materials by April 15th prior to their Fellowship year:

• Cover Letter outlining professional goals and interests and how this Fellowship site meets those criteria
• Curriculum Vitae
• All Graduate School Transcripts
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Writing Sample (Note: A case formulation, Treatment Summary, etc. is preferred, however, if a sample in this category is not available, please send a psychodiagnostic report)

All material should be contained within the same envelope. 

This information must be sent by mail to:

Cecily Kanter, PsyD
Clinical Director
New Connections Academy
865 E. Wilmette Road
Palatine, Illinois 60074 

If you have any further questions, please contact Dr. Kanter at (847) 359-8690 or by email Ckanter@newconnectionsacademy.net.

The Post-Doctoral Fellowship at New Connections’ Day School fulfills the licensure requirements for “Post-Doctoral Supervised Practice” as established by the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation-Division of Professional Regulation.