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 Planned Parenthood of the North Country (formerly known as Northern Adirondack Planned Parenthood)

Sexual Assault Services of Planned Parenthood of the North Country 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 the Sexual Assault Services Coordinator at 825-6277.

Education Services of Planned Parenthood of the North Country (formerly known as Northern Adirondack Planned Parenthood)

Education Services of Planned Parenthood of the North Country 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 the Education Services Coordinator  at 825-6277. 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 Mary Krakowski at 562-7048.

Momot Elementary School

Several opportunities in a variety of programs are available for interns at Momot Elementary, under the supervision of 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, 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 Ilona Selzer-Kelting 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).

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.

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 Jackie Skiff at 561-6310.

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 Mary Krakowski at 562-7048.

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 the main office at 563-0930.

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 Christine Martin-Ouellette at 564-2329.

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: Laura Holzer, 563-8206 ext. 136.

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 at 22 US Oval, Suite 218, in Plattsburgh, on the former air force base. Call the volunteer coordinator at 563-6904.

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.

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. Renee Bator (renee.bator@plattsburgh.edu)
Dr. J. Stephen Mansfield (steve.mansfield@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 SUNY Plattsburgh

Copyright © 1996-2009 SUNY Plattsburgh 101 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 Phone: (518) 564-2000