1. Domestic Harmony: Domestic Harmony is a non-profit organization that houses battered women and runs a crisis line. It gives women who are in an abusive situation a safe place to live with their children while they make other arrangements. It also provides a safe place where the woman can take some time to collect their thoughts and think things through. Counseling and legal services are also provided to the women. To volunteer at Domestic Harmony, you must go through an eight hour training session during which you learn how to handle crisis calls and about the shelter's policies. To find out when the next training session is, contact Bonnie, the volunteer coordinator, at 439-1454 between 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. A volunteer can work either as a shelter worker or a crisis worker. A shelter worker works at the shelter either during weekday evening or on weekend mornings, responsibilities include answering the door, answering the phone, and assisting the woman in the shelter with various needs. A crisis worker works on an on-call basis to take crisis calls that come into the shelter. A crisis worker is also responsible for picking up the women and bringing them to the shelter. The staff at Domestic Harmony is committed to helping battered women deal with their trauma. It is the philosophy of the organization that the women must make their own decisions and think for themselves. Domestic Harmony does not allow women to use the organizations as a crutch, but rather as a tool take back control of their lives. (This description was written by Amy Scherger, Fall 1997)

"I have really enjoyed working at Domestic Harmony this semester. I had the opportunity to work as both a crisis worker and a shelter worker. My services were not needed when I was on call as a crisis worker, so I was not able to fully experience this aspect of volunteering. I did, however, take several crisis calls when I was working at the shelter. It was really an eye opening experience to work at Domestic Harmony. I learned a lot about the characteristics and behaviors of batterers and of the battered. It is a great experience for anyone who is considering pursuing a career in counseling. My view of the world is not quite as naive as it was before." (Amy Scherger, Fall 1997)

"I enjoyed my experience with Domestic Harmony and plan to continue to volunteer. I worked in the shelter but also spent some time working with the children. I did enjoy volunteering for Domestic Harmony and my eyes were opened to some harsh realities, but I did not find much educational value with working in the shelter. Working with the children's group though was more educational. I was able to see the effects of domestic violence on the children." (Shannon Vinaske, Fall 1997)

8/21/98 revision

"Volunteering for Domestic Harmony, I worked at both the shelter and on the crisis line. My job at the shelter was primarily to answer the phone and cater to the residents' needs. If a call happened to be a woman in need of help, I listened to her and if she wanted, transferred her to a crisis worker. I also helped the residents of the shelter by getting them clothes, toiletries, and other personal needs, and in addition, would listen to them if they needed to talk. Working on the crisis line, I would be available for fifteen hours in order to listen to troubled women and/or pick them up and check them in to the shelter. However, during my times on call I was never needed, so I was not able to fully experience the job. I am very excited to continue volunteering at Domestic Harmony for the rest of my time here at Hillsdale College. I have learned a great deal and know that my experiences there will benefit me in the future." (Jenny Campbell, Fall 1995)

"I worked in child care in the evenings at Domestic Harmony. The children were ages 6 months to 17 years. We did arts and crafts and played games. Our discussions covered topics such as domestic violence, good touches and bad touches, and problems they were having at school. It was encouraging to see the impact a positive role model had on these children." (Keri Brown, Fall 1995)

"This was a very fun internship, but it could be depressing at the same time. The children really opened up to me and responded to me in a positive way. I really enjoyed this internship and I feel like I have actually done something good for these children. I think that my time was well spent during this internship." (Elisa Croy, Fall 1995)

"As a volunteer I worked within the shelter to provide sensitive effective counseling to battered women. I also acted as a hostess making women feel secure and welcome. I was responsible for passing crisis calls to a crisis worker and for maintaining security in the shelter. I think I was good for this position because I am a non-judgmental listener with a caring attitude and a genuine concern for persons in crisis." (Kelly Gartner, Fall 1994)

"I worked as a shelter worker. I usually answered phone calls and determined if the women were safe. I would connect them with a crisis worker if they were not. I also got the opportunity to talk with the women who were staying in the shelter. I found it was an invaluable experience." (Amy Johnson, Fall 1994)

2. Head Start: Head Start is a half day preschool program funded by the government. If provides children with two hot meals a day and a committed staff. To work at the Hillsdale Headstart School contact Deb Marsh or Patty Roberts at 437-3346 or Rosemary Easler at 437-7655. You will be asked to go out to the office to talk and fill out some forms. You will be given a TB test in the office and you will have to get a physical as well. At Headstart you can either work in the classroom with the teachers, go on home visits, or ride the school bus. The teachers and other staff members at Headstart are easy-going and casual. They are extremely committed to the children and take their work seriously. In addition to educating the 3, 4, and 5 year olds, the Headstart School provides the children with the security, encouragement, and attention that they may be missing at home. The children are also served breakfast or lunch and a snack.

"I had the opportunity to have an internship at Head Start this semester. I worked with the children individually on art, language, and math skills. I also read books, sang with the children, and taught them a variety of movements. This experience was very beneficial. The children taught me to be cooperative, and creative. They also gave me the opportunity to learn more about preschool aged children. The Head Start program gave me a broader view on society and taught me to respect and appreciate children of different classes." (Jennifer Master, Spring 1995)

"I worked in the classroom in the afternoons, eating lunch with the kids, helping them brush their teeth, reading stories, and providing supervision on the playground. In addition, Rosemary, the teacher I worked with, delegated other responsibilities to me, such as working with the children on specific art projects and testing and helping them develop their motor skills. Rosemary is wonderful to work with and is very appreciative of the college student's help, as there are many children who need one-on-one attention." (Amy Hall, Fall 1994)

3. Branch County Mental Health in Coldwater: (517-279-8404) Don't confuse this with the Coldwater Hospital inpatient and outpatient programs across the street (see Coldwater Hospital Psychiatric Unit entry for information on that). Dr. John Scott is probably the director of this program now; he is an excellent supervisor. Dr. John Scott used to be the director of the Coldwater Hospital inpatient and outpatient psychiatric unit (when Brian Lang, Stacy Rimmer, Jill Story, Erin Prohaska and Shannon Longstreet worked at the hospital).

Amy Hiscock worked here at CMH when Dr. Bolton was in charge of it. This internship has received mixed reviews but it could be a good one with Dr. Scott helping you out.

Nikki Weber had a difficult time getting stuff to do in spring 1994, but maybe it was a schedule conflict. She reports that "The students will be asked to do initial contacts (intakes) consisting of "walk-ins" and phone calls from individuals seeking services. (The calls are of the non-emergency type.) The intern will be allowed to observe patients who are waiting for the therapists. Also the therapist may take the student out into the field for observational purposes. Only one student will be taken as an intern per semester. Intakes are a major part of this program, and it tends to be more administrative than working at the Coldwater Hospital Psychiatric Unit.

4. The Partial Hospitalization Outpatient Program at the Community Health Center of Branch County: An internship at the Inpatient Hospital in Coldwater, MI is a great opportunity for students to obtain hands-on experience in the psychology field. Arrangements for this internship should be make through Jim Cantz, the Psychiatric Program Director at 517-279-5369. However, prior to beginning the internship, students will need to sign a liability release form, turn in a copy of their updated immunization records (including Rubella, Measles, and a TB test), and complete a 1 day hospital orientation. Nevertheless, the experience is worth it!!! The Coldwater Hospital Psychiatric Unit provides two types of programs for those suffering from various forms of mental illness. The 24 hours inpatient program is designed for individuals who are experiencing schizophrenia, the manic stage of bipolar disorder, suicidal thoughts due to severe depression, and dementia. Programming is aimed at protecting at the patient from harming themselves or others while educating them about the different aspects of their illnesses. The outpatient program is designed to assist patients who can function in society but need extra help handling their problems on a daily basis. Patients live at home but participate in group therapies and activities at the hospital from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (This description was written by Micheleen Brancel, Fall 1997)

"My experience was primarily in the inpatient unit in which I had a lot of one-one-one contact with the patients. I typically sat in on the afternoon briefing for the second shift staff, and then I visited with the patients until it was time for the patient education class. Since patients only stayed in the program for a short period of time (7 to 14 days), each day I went to the hospital there was a new group of patients. Therefore, I used the time between briefings and patient education classes to meet the new patients and to learn more about their situations. In addition, after 3 weeks at the internship, the nurses asked me to lead the patient education classes. Although they were helpful in suggesting topics that fit the needs of the group, they gave me complete freedom in running the class. I covered such topics as loneliness, anger control, stress management, grief, abusive relationships, and family issues. On one occasion I also observed group therapy on the partial unit. The psychologist in charge was very good about answering any questions I had about his approach to therapy. He also asked for my input while documenting the session after finishing the group for the day. Needless to say I learned a lot about clinical psychology that could not be found in a book. Overall, I would recommend this internship to anyone that was seriously considering clinical psychology as a profession. Not only do you gain valuable insight about the nature of various mental illness, but you also learn about the work environment found in a hospital setting."
(Micheleen Brancel, Fall 1997)

"I really have enjoyed this internship in the inpatient unit. I was able to learn a lot about many different disorders and see the patients first-hand. I spent quite a bit of time discussing symptoms and treatments with the nurses (it is they who do the most on the unit), and also talked with the psychiatrist and the counselors that are employed there. I was also able to lead some groups on my own and participate in the counselor-led groups. They let me chart the patients' responses, assist the activity therapist with games and other group activities, and attend treatment team meetings. These meetings include the director, counselor, psychiatrist, nurse, activity therapist, and a social services liaison. They all meet several times per week to discuss patients are brought in to have a say in the decisions. When I started the internship, the nurses sometimes didn't tell me what I could do, so you may need to ask to sit in on groups or participate in other activities until they get used to you being there. I enjoyed this internship so much that I am staying on as a hospital volunteer on the psychiatric unit next semester. I was also offered a job working there starting in the spring of 1997 while I am still a student. Highly recommended!!!!" (Emily Gibson, Fall 1996)

"My internship was at Coldwater Hospital's inpatient psychiatric unit. My work at the institution brought me a great deal of exposure to various psychological diseases, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and dementia. One of the most important responsibilities I had was assuming the role of facilitator in group therapy sessions. Through leading such activities as creative expression and interpersonal skills, I realized what a challenge it was to work and communicate with the mentally ill, but I also found it informative and rewarding. Some of my other duties included keeping periodic behavioral records of the patients and helping serve them dinner. I was also fortunate enough to sit in on staff meetings, which revealed how many of the patients' personal lives and activities are discussed and taken care of. Finally, I was able to review the patients' personal hospital records, which listed such information as what disorder a patient had and the drugs prescribed. I highly encourage this internship for anyone wishing to go into psychiatry or any other mental health profession." (Jon Pfeifer, Fall 1996)

"While working in the outpatient unit, I gained first hand experience with mildly ill patients. I led patient education sessions, which teach patients about their specific condition and what they need to do to take control of their lives, and sat in on group psychotherapy. The staff trained me to assist in intake evaluations and post session charting. I also participated in community integration outings, which involved taking the patients on a picnic or bowling. I learned how to plan activities based on current patients' issues. To learn patient issues, we have to watch how they manipulate topics to focus on their particular problem. Unfortunately, I also had to learn about the constraints that insurance companies put on treatment of people that really need the help. This internship requires a lot of time and attention, so be prepared to work the whole time that you are there. I also saw first hand how many different occupations there are in just this small part of the psychiatric field. If you are looking for a career in psychology in a clinical setting, this internship will show you diverse options, some of which are available right after graduation." (Erin Prohaska, Summer 1995)

"My internship was in the outpatient unit, although one can split time between the units. I had the opportunity to observe group therapy and to participate in the occupational therapy of the unit. I also sat in on treatment team, which is an individual meeting of the patient with all the doctors, nurses, etc., of the patient to evaluate the patient's progress and treatment plan. Several times I was also present for patient education on various issues. I thoroughly enjoyed this internship. Besides the exposure to various mental disorders (I met patients who were self-mutilators and borderline personalities), I completed some psychosocial histories and had several one-on-one interviews with patients. I also observed group therapy being led by several different counselors, so it was an excellent therapy experience. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!!" (Stacy Rimmer, Fall 1994)

"The major responsibility that I had was to do one-on-one interviews with inpatients. I was often asked to fill out psycho-social histories or just to spend time interviewing them. I was also involved with patient education sessions and group therapy." (Brian Lang, Spring 1994)

5. New Beginnings (in Coldwater): Contact Katrina at (517) 279-8866. New Beginnings is a counseling center for children. It is one of the few places in the area children 10 and under can get help. They focus on play therapy but also do testing and some family therapy. Children are unable to understand and talk about their feelings the way adults do and this makes adult therapies inappropriate in meeting children's special needs. A benefit of play therapy is that children can create therapeutic play at their own developmental level. (This description was written by Kendra Bondie, Fall 1997)

"At New Beginnings I sat in on Katrina's counseling sessions with the children. I went in on a Wednesday or Friday depending on the week. Because I worked on two different days, I was able to see children of various ages and wide ranges of concerns. Some children I saw more often than others. I enjoyed this because I was able to actually see the progress the child was making over the course of the semester.

While at New Beginnings I helped Katrina get a child of sexual abuse ready to testify in court, talked with others about their past abusive living situations, and helped others adjust to new foster home living conditions. Katrina included a wide variety of techniques during the counseling sessions. With some children we played psychotherapeutic games dealing with thoughts and feelings, other times we played and made objects with clay, and with young kids we would play games such as "Hungry, Hungry Hippos" to teach rule following and good sportsmanship. Katrina always took time to talk to me about the children both before and after the sessions. She was always happy to answer any questions I had. I loved my experience at New Beginnings. I felt I learned a great deal about counseling and various techniques that can be applied with different children. I would strongly recommend this internship for anyone who thinks they may be interested in working with young children and teenagers in the future." (Nancy Newhouse, Spring 1998)

"New Beginnings is an excellent place to learn about child therapy. I learned so much about how children think, feel and act and I was completely fascinated by it. I would observe the child's discussion sessions and play therapy sessions with Katrina. Once I became more comfortable with the process of Katrina's sessions I would ask the child questions and offer my input. I also was an active participant in the play sessions. Most of the children Katrina meets with are either in foster care or have been at one time. I could only imagine all the confusion and distrust that these children have to deal with. Most of their behaviors are a result of these feelings. Some of the other children had to deal with ADHD on top of all the faculty confusion which only make their situations worse. Katrina showed me some of the tests she uses to test ADHD and I.Q. and explained how to read the results. She also showed me the results and diagnoses for some of the patients. As the semester continued I became more interested and involved with the children. Katrina would tell me most of the child's background information, but once the child came into the therapy room she would have them explain more about why they were there. The children really seem to like Katrina and look forward to seeing her. Katrina seems to love these children as if they were her own and she is not afraid to let them know that she cares about them. Some of her patients come to see her just to make sure that she is still there for them. She is someone they can trust and who helps them feel better about themselves. She is more like a friend than a parent, yet she is still like an authority figure to them. Talking to these children and hopefully being able to reach them and help them made me feel good about myself. I really, really enjoyed this internship and may find myself doing something very similar in the future. I recommend New Beginnings to anyone who thinks they may want to work with children." (Kendra Bondie, Fall 1997)

"New Beginnings is an excellent opportunity to learn about child therapy. I was an active participant in the therapy process. Katrina explains what she is doing as she does it. She also showed me the tests they use for ADHD and I.Q. and explained how they work. Then she showed me the results of the tests given to one child I had worked with. This is an excellent opportunity to learn "hands on" about child therapy." (Keri Brown, Spring 1995)

6. Coldwater Shelterhouse: Contact Christina, who is head of the women's meetings at 1-517-278-7432. This is a place where women can meet who have been abused.

"I sat in on meetings with the women. After a few weeks. I was helping Christina run some of the meetings. After the meetings I would stay after and listen to many of the women. Many of the women just wanted a listening ear." (Amy Scheick, Spring 1994)

"On Fridays I would be in charge of child care and I would also sit in on parenting meetings. On Tuesday evenings I participated in the women's group and I also viewed the counseling sessions of a young child who witnessed domestic violence. I also did some office work, mainly with the files." (Elizabeth Lovelace, Spring 1993)

7. New Horizons Psychological and Consultant Services (in Battle Creek) is an agency, serving a tri-county area, that provides services including family therapy, ADD/ADHD testing and treatment, play therapy and sexual abuse treatment, among many other services. This agency also works closely with the Family Independence Agency (formerly the Department of Social Services), Community Mental Health, and the court, as well as gaining referrals from local doctors and clergy. This agency is one of the few agencies in the area who will work with children, and one of even fewer who will with children as young as a year old. Please contact Carol Poole at 439-4393 (Hillsdale, on Mondays), 517-278-3322 (Coldwater, on Tuesdays) or 616-962-4630 (Battle Creek, Wednesday - Friday).

"As an intern at New Horizons, I participated in many sessions of play therapy. Carol taught me what you could learn about the child by the type of play that s/he participated in. She is an excellent therapist to work with and I feel this experience was very beneficial to me."

(Kristi Barr, Spring 1996)

8. The Region II Community Action Agency in Hillsdale is an umbrella organization responsible for running many different community support programs such as Head Start, SHARE (a program in which participants work two service hours in exchange for buying food at reduced prices), and the Rural Community Assistance Program. Though itself a private organization, much of the CAA's funding is from public sources. To intern at the CAA, contact its director, Bill Steger, at 437-3346. Though many of the staff members have plenty of little projects for interns to do, there is little practical or hands-on experience in the field of psychology to be had at the CAA. Once or twice I was able to sit in when a social worker met with a person seeking food or rent assistance for the month. But since these people walk in without scheduled appointments, you have to be at the agency and free at the right moment in order to sit in. The other opportunity there for psych majors is a parenting skills class held once a week in the evenings. I was even given the chance to teach this one week. Those in attendance were ordered to be there by a court and were in danger of losing . . . ? (This description written by Dan Bielefeld, Spring 1997)

"Most of the time I spent doing basic office work for the various

program coordinators. Other times I was breaking down boxes used

in food distribution or picking up fallen branches on the grounds. Sometimes I was able to sit in on planning meetings held by the director and by the advisory council. Sometimes I was given tasks which I could take home and work on over the weekend when I had more time. The people there are kind and very flexible when working with you, but, with the possible exception for those interested in doing social work, there is little to be learned that is applicable to a psychology degree." (Daniel Bielefeld, Spring 1997)

9. Community Action Agency (in Reading): To volunteer at the preschool site in Reading contact Donna Anstead. Her home phone number is 283-2453. It is best to call in the evenings. Volunteers must have a TB test before they start their internship. The preschool is located next to the elementary school in Reading on Strong Ave. Donna is very easy to work with and welcomes the added help. The children come to school Tuesday through Friday mornings. Donna also teaches the Head Start program in the same building in the afternoons. Volunteers are welcomed for that program. Children who go to the Community Action preschool are four years old. This program places most of its emphasis on social development. Many of the children who come to this program lack the social skills needed for kindergarten. They begin the day with a short play time until everyone arrives. This is followed by breakfast which is provided by the agency. After breakfast the rest of the morning is basically devoted to play. The teacher provides a wide range of activities that the children may choose to do. Each day the children do some sort of art activity, are read to and sing many songs.

"I found my experience at the preschool to be a very interesting and rewarding one. I read to some of the children, ate breakfast with them, observed them at play and played with them. There were 18 children in this program and two teachers. As a soon to be teacher, it was helpful to listen to and watch the children interact with each other. Many of the children had a difficult time playing and sharing with other children. This was a very relaxed atmosphere and the children welcomed another adult into their room." (Cheryl McLachlan, Spring 1995)

10. Bridgeway Center for Substance Abuse: Contact Mr. Don Nielsen at 439-9457. The Bridgeway Center is located at 25 Care Drive in Hillsdale. The Bridgeway Center is an out-patient substance abuse and counseling treatment center. At the center, patients can be counseled for many different addictions, but most are addicted, to alcohol. Patients can also be counseled if they are not actually addicted, but have some family history of addiction or are greatly impacted by a relationship with an addicted person. The Bridgeway Center offers various forms of out-patient treatment. Some of the treatments include: assessment for patients coming of free will and those who are referred by the court, individual counseling, voluntary group counseling, court ordered group counseling (usually for patients convicted of drunk driving), all day drug awareness seminars (usually for patients without a drug abuse history who have been convicted of first offense drunk driving), and student assistance assessments (for children with behavioral problems). Mr. Don Nielsen also provides traffic safety classes that the offenders are referred to by the court. Family, teachers, principals, friends are encouraged to sit in with the troubled individual, in order to help that person.

"What I did was sit in on various sessions with actual clients. In these sessions I would get a copy of the questionnaire that the counselor would be using during the session, at times, I would just sit back and be a quiet observer and sometimes ask questions. In addition, to sitting in the private sessions I would sit in with the traffic safety classes, and participate with the members." (Darrell Davis, Spring 1995)

"This has been a very real life and hands on internship experience. I was free to sit in on any evaluation or assessment the center did (with client permission), and afterwards I was able to help form a treatment plan for the client. One of the therapists at the center is very involved with the services in Hillsdale, and I worked individually with her to set up a women's dual diagnosis group, which required reviewing files and contacting clients. I attended the men's dual diagnosis group sessions and was allowed to review case files and assessments of clients. The Bridgeway Center handles a wide variety of clients, one of them being students referred for treatment by the local schools. I was able to sit in on these assessments and to review the files sent by the school. The therapist who works with the adolescents frequently role played with me while I assessed her for treatment." (Stacy Rimmer, Spring 1995)

"I found the Bridgeway Center to be an environment very receptive to interns. Don Nielsen was welcoming and made me feel right at home. He always answered any questions I had and didn't push me to do more than I was ready for at first. The staff was kind and helpful and willing to include me in every aspect of the clinic. While I was there I sat in on assessments and discussed each case with the counselor afterwards. I got to hear their impression of the patient and what treatment they recommended. Counselors many times asked my opinion and I felt that they really took it into consideration. With one patient, I was able to sit in on the individual counseling sessions that followed the initial assessment. I was able to speak during the sessions and help the counselor with the treatment. During group sessions, I was able to offer my input and interact with the group. Don and I, would discuss the topics of the group prior to its meeting and he actively involved me in the counseling. We would also discuss the events of the evening after the group broke up. I learned a lot about addiction and the people plagued with it. I also learned effective methods of treatment and how to execute them. The Nielsen Center gave me practical psychology experience and I feel lucky to have served my internship there." (Jaminda Britt, Fall 1994)

"What you will be doing is sitting in on various interviews with actual clients, sit in on group sessions. In these sessions you will get blank copies of the forms they use in the session, along with any questionnaires they may give. After a session or a group meeting you will discuss how you think the session or group went and the counselor will give you their impression of how things went and they will tell you what action, if any will be taken. In addition to sitting in on the sessions, they are very willing to give you any information you may want on substance abuse. This is a very good internship if you want to see "hands on" what goes on in a outpatient treatment center." (Gretchen Sweet, Spring 1994)

"For a fascinating internship where you can really get a feel for how a counseling center works this is a wonderful opportunity that is only one and a half miles from campus." (Doug Freutel, Summer 1993)

11. Court House Probation Saturday Work Program: Juvenile probation provides an internship possibility with a good deal of freedom. Every Saturday probation supervisors meet with the youth offenders to complete a set number of hours of community work service. Most times you will go to local schools and clean up certain areas. This program gives you ample time to get to know the juveniles, ranging in ages six to seventeen, and work closely with them. There is an opportunity to act as a peer counselor for juveniles. Most offenders have been males in the past but now the rate of females in Hillsdale Co. is catching up. The programs are mostly geared towards males so it is very important for a female supervisor to be there as well for the female offenders. I've worked with juvenile probation for three years and have enjoyed this job a great deal. If you're interested in working with this age group and have something to offer please call Lynn Hecksel at 437-4446. (This description was written by Erika Boshaw, Spring 1996)

"I had the opportunity of working as an intern for the Hillsdale County Juvenile Probation Department. I helped supervise the Saturday work programs for juvenile offenders. These kids were placed on these work programs due to their probation violation. Most of the kids were between the ages of 13 and 16. On some Saturdays, we broke up into smaller groups, where I was able to personally supervise 2 or 3 kids. These were perfect opportunities to get to know some of the youngsters, and to act as a peer counselor on various issues concerning their delinquent behavior. This internship provides an excellent opportunity of those interested in working with troubled juveniles." (Eric Nichols, Spring 1996)

"I had the opportunity to participate in a juvenile community repayment program on Saturdays. I was the girls' supervisor in this program. These girls (and boys) are involved in the work program as part of their probation or due to a violation in their probation. Surprisingly, most of the youth involved are around 10-14 years of age. My main duty was to supervise these troubled youth while they fulfilled their work requirement. This also provided a lot of one on one with the kids. It provided the opportunity to counsel the youth in issues ranging from delinquency to sex to drugs. This program is an excellent opportunity for intervention before the youth become adults. Hopefully, this program will lead these troubled youth in the right direction and away from delinquency." (Jennifer Thompson, Spring 1994)

12. Litchfield Nursing Centre: The Litchfield Nursing Centre is an establishment that houses up to eighty-one residents and provides aid for the elderly and mentally disabled as well as individuals with various diagnoses including schizophrenia, Alzheimer's Disease, dementia, anxiety-related disorders and differing types of depressions. The residents vary in terms of alertness and level of orientation to the world. To work at the Litchfield Nursing Centre, contact Terry Esterline at (517) 542-2323 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. There is no need for a physical examination or other tests, however reliable transportation is necessary. Interns will work directly with Mr. Esterline and will have many opportunities to become involved in the nursing home. The internship program is very new and still evolving. Duties may include: being involved in the assessment process through giving mental status examinations, evaluating the functioning of the resident, being involved in care planning, updating charts, attending conferences with family and staff members and getting acquainted with working with the elderly. The schedule of the program is structured so as to stabilize the residents' environment. Activities vary, however, and the residents have the opportunity to choose the activities in which they are interested. (This description was written by Melanie Pell, Fall 1997)

"My experience working at the Litchfield Nursing Centre was interesting and rewarding. Terry was very supportive, easy going, and patient. I was involved in many different aspects of the Centre and experienced a wide range of situations. I first read charts to become acquainted with some of the residents and then updated many of them. I gave residents mental status examinations and evaluations to determine how well they were functioning, which was particularly interesting because I had a chance to interact with them one on one. I sat in on various conferences, including one where the facility was evaluated by the State of Michigan in terms of cleanliness, maintenance, medication, etc... I had the chance to observe many of the scenarios which I had only read about, such as patients with dementia, those who hallucinated, had no touch with reality, and those with additional mental illnesses. I learned a great deal about psychotropic medications and other types of treatments. There is a plethora of opportunities which an intern at this facility can become involved in and each one is rewarding in its own respect. It should be noted that this internship can be highly emotional due to empathetic responses felt toward the residents, however it is very informative and I highly recommend it to anyone." (Melanie Pell, Fall 1997)

"I had the pleasure this semester of working as an intern at the Litchfield Nursing Home. I did everything from filing Care Plans to helping an older gentleman order his books on tape. I work under the supervision of Autumn Freed, an alumnus of Hillsdale. She gave me the opportunity to administer Mental Status Exams to the residents, to make notations in medical records, and to read Psychiatric reports. I also sat in on the State's Exit Interview with the facility, and I sat in on conferences between staff, residents, and family members. If anyone is interested in this internship contact Autumn Freed at (517) 542-2323. The program is very new, but Autumn was wonderful to have as a supervisor and the experience is well worth the drive to Litchfield." (Tabatha Goss, Spring 1995)

13. Hillsdale Hospice: Contact Marsha Fleetham or Kitty Aemisegger at 439-5252. Hospice is nursing care and counseling for terminally ill patients. The work available for an internship is a five week program of bereavement group therapy for families of deceased loved ones, help with Hospice fund raisers, and other office jobs. The Women at Hospice are enthusiastic and devoted to their work. They were more than happy to have me there and always treated me like an adult. In preparation for the group therapy sessions I read manuals and watched films on bereavement. During the sessions I was an observer for the most part, but at the end of the sessions the counselor asked me to give my input on the progress of the group. (Amy Swain, Spring 1995)

14. Hillsdale Community Mental Health: Contact Phyllis Myers at 439-2603 (her office and voice mail), 439-9327 (her office receptionist). You have to take the initiative with Phyllis. She is busy and hard to reach sometimes. There will be a second opportunity beginning in the spring of 1993. The LIFE program hopes to make social and leisure activity choices available to developmentally disabled adults by focusing on each person's ability to integrate into social and leisure activities within the community. (Movies, concerts, dancing, fairs, bowling, walking, shopping, bingo, dining, parades, carnivals, cards.)

"I received hands on experience through this internship. I visited many homes that housed clients with severe depression to severe mental retardation. I also was able to visit Key Opportunities. I was able to sit in on client's medical reviews. I was able to see how the case workers kept record of their clients goals and if they were achieving them." (Amy Scheick, Spring 1994)

"I saw how the therapists interacted with the patients. I was able to sit in on many of the staff meetings, which was beneficial to see how a mental health clinic is run." (Jennifer Markusic, Spring 1992)

15. Key Opportunities: is a private non-profit vocational workshop located in Hillsdale County. Contact Jane Munson or Roy DelValle at 437-4469 for more information on interning at this establishment. While Key Opportunities meets the needs of companies in the area with quality labor, the institution's main goal is to aid individuals experiencing physical, mental, or emotional limitations. Such individuals are trained and evaluated on jobs compatible with their unique abilities, in a safe and educational work environment. They learn how to communicate effectively with each other, conduct themselves properly in a work atmosphere, and other essential skills that open the door for employment opportunities within the community. Whether working side by side with experienced supervisors, interacting directly with the disabled, or just observing interns, have the opportunity to broaden their understanding of a unique form of rehabilitation. Key Opportunities willingly strives to establish a mutually beneficial relationship. (This description was written by Tim Zammit, Spring 1996)

"While interning at Key Opportunities I had the opportunity to experience the field of psychology first hand. Working with the disabled on the work floor, I learned valuable communication skills that provided me not only with insight into the symptoms and effects of various ailments, but also with the opportunity to apply my unique skills to help increase efficiency and improve work behavior. By interacting with the floor supervisors and observing their relationship with the workers, I learned skills essential to productive daily interaction with impaired individuals. Working side by side with management educated in the field of psychology, I conducted vocational interest tests, lead group meetings, and both filled out and interpreted observation sheets. I really liked how Key Opportunities was willing to give me the opportunity to actively participate in what was going on." (Tim Zammit, Spring 1996)

16. Family Independence Agency: Previously known as the Department of Social Services, this internship provides an excellent opportunity for those interested in pursuing a career as a social worker. The children services department is divided into two groups : those working with child protective services and those working with child foster care. An intern will learn about both of these aspects. To intern with the children services department is divided into two groups: those working with child protective services and those working with child foster care. An intern will learn about both of these aspects. To intern with the children services department of FIA, contact Merry Stuard at 439-2291 or Dan Gunter at 439-2281. Merry and Dan are quite accommodating to the interests of their intern; they want to provide their intern with the opportunities and experiences that he or she seeks. For example, if field work interests you, they send you out with a worker to visit homes and schools to talk with children and adults involved in abusive or neglectful situations. If administrative tasks interest you, they provide various projects that allow you to problem solve and get acquainted with governmental paperwork. You really learn a lot about the entire social work system. By the end of the semester, you are able to trace a particular case starting from the referral of abuse, moving to the initial contact with the victims and perpetrators, and ending with decisive action and follow-up plans.

"I interned with the children services branch of the Family Independence Agency. I was more interested in the field work aspects of this agency, so each time I was there I was able to go out with the social workers. I went out on investigations of abuse, during which we would interview the children at school before we went to confront the parents, and I went on home visits to see if the homes are clean and safe for the children. I saw many cases of abuse, and it was quite sad to realize how prevalent it is. I saw homes which could barely be called homes because they were so filthy and in disrepair. I saw marks on children's bodies and watched the parents lie about it. I heard parents accuse ex-spouses of horrible things while the children were caught in the middle. I heard stories from these children that make me appreciate my life so much more. Probably the most interesting and sad case was a 22 year old woman who neglected her tiny baby so he had to be taken from her, and the worst of it was that this was her second child that had been place in foster care. When we removed that child, we had to take a police officer with us, which made me nervous. All of the workers answered all of my questions and were more than willing to take me with them. When I was not out in the field I was at the office doing filing or paperwork, which I did not enjoy that much. This internship made me realize that social work is a lot of bureaucratic red tape, and that social workers are so bogged down with paperwork to fill out that they struggle to have time to make a difference in the children's lives. After completing this internship, which I did find interesting most of the time, I realized that I will stick to the mental health end of the psychology, and not the social work end. For students really wanting to see what social work is all about, I would definitely recommend this internship." (Emily Gibson, Spring 1997)

"I interned with the children services branch of the Family Independence Agency. I was particularly interested in learning more about the administrative aspects of this governmental agency. I was assigned projects to work on throughout the course of the semester. For example, I compiled a listing of all area schools' dismissal times. I filled out paperwork to send into the government so that foster care homes would receive the appropriate amount of money to support their foster care homes would receive the appropriate amount of money to support their foster children. I also did some computer work including statistical analysis and completing a spreadsheet pertaining to employees' annual leave and sick time allotments. In addition to office work, I was sent out into the field with a social worker. This was such an eye opener; I NEVER fathomed child abuse was so prevalent and heartbreaking. It was very sad, and it made me realize how much work must be done if we want to make life any easier for these children." (Sara Petta, Fall 1996)

17. Manor House (in Jonesville): The Manor House in Jonesville is a private, non-profit residential school and treatment facility for emotionally and/or mentally impaired adolescents. The 60 boys and 26 girls range in age from 10-24 years old, and have a variety of disorders ranging from autism to delinquency. This internship is for a position in the girl's unit. The purpose of The Manor House is to prepare individuals for a return to family or independent living situations. This internship offers the opportunity to acquire experience as a caseworker in a residential treatment setting. It is possible to acquire knowledge on Ethics & Confidentiality Issues, role-playing to enhance interpersonal skills, and the dynamics of each treatment group. You will also become familiar with the legal and community facets of residential treatment. The girl's unit includes a wide range of diagnoses, varying from autism and mild mental retardation to emotionally and mentally impaired. Each client receives individualized care, meaning that the intern can be involved in up to twenty-six different treatment plans and strategies. This internship prepares the student to enter the work force in the residential treatment field. The Manor House has employed Hillsdale graduates immediately after graduation.

"I worked in the Girl's Unit and had the opportunity to get to know all 26 girls and begin to understand why they are living there at the present time. When I first started I was not very impressed by the work (or lack of work) that I was doing. I felt as if I was either "just there," in the way, or baby-sitting the girls. However, I soon figured out that once the girls and the staff were used to my presence, they opened up and really learned a lot more. I worked directly with Pete, who encouraged me to jump right in and act like I was supposed to be there. I found that being with the girls on days when there were structured events and groups was more beneficial to me. In general, I interacted with the girls via picking them up at school, talking/being available during social time, playing, eating meals with them, supervising duties and participating in group sessions. It was interesting to sit in one one-on-one counseling sessions with a girl and her counselor, as well as the clinical sessions reviewing each counselor's case load with Pete. I experienced learning about the daily interactions and thinking patterns of girls with psychopathic tendencies, autism, mental retardation deviance, and how they deal with anger issues. I would recommend that any interested student be a motivated "go getter" to become involved, or you will be left if you do not show curiosity. I found that once I showed interest in learning how the operation works, the opportunities arose frequently. By the time I finished the semester there, I had keys so that I could be of better use to both the girls and the staff, I was helping run the group sessions as well as being asked for my personal input. Some of the girls gained trust in me and I clicked with some of them, allowing them to talk without passing judgment.

The staff at the Manor House is young and easy going--no one dresses up more than the girls do (jeans and shirts). By the way, there are about equal numbers of male and female counselors in this unit, so it is available to males as well. If you are willing to put forth effort to make your internship a successful learning experience, I would recommend the Manor House. I enjoyed the overall experience and plan to continue working there in the spring semester." (Cheryl Kretzmann, Fall 1996)

"As an intern at the Manor House, I had the opportunity to observe several psychological disorders in adolescents. Most of my time was spent interacting with the girls in the unit during free time, and occasionally I would sit in on a clinical progress meeting or help conduct treatment groups. This internship provides interns with the opportunity to witness the treatment of several disorders in progress. Those students interested should have either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evenings available in order to observe treatment groups." (Lauren Payne, Fall 1996)

18. Greenfield School: Mentally and physically handicapped individuals come here each day to be cared for and trained. You may go there and observe and help.

19. Mauck Elementary School: Mauck Elementary is located at 113 East Fayette Street, just one block from the Roche Sports Complex. The school is in session from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. In order to arrange an internship with an E.M.I. specialist (special education), it is necessary to contact the principal, Mr. Marty Ryan, Mrs. Kelly Jancek, and/or Mrs. Rhonda Eves at 437-2717. An internship with the special education students to gain an understanding of their learning abilities, strengths, weaknesses and needs. The special education teacher works with her students both in and outside of the classroom, (but in the classroom for the most part). Mrs. Jancek worked with the student in the classroom by assisting him or her with class work to ensure completion and understanding of the assigned tasks. During this internship, the college student would assist Mrs. Jancek or Mrs. Eves when they work with students by offering assistance with schoolwork and other academic activities. (Mauck runs an inclusion program because they believe the students achieve the same academically compared to a resource room but are far better off socially.) (This description was written by Kelly Young, Spring 1998) "

"I learned a great deal about the various individual needs of students with special needs." (Kelly Young, Spring 1998)

"This internship was a hands-on and educational experience. I worked with Rhonda Eves and her case load of students. The students were in grades K-5 and had a variety of needs ranging from Learning Disabled to students lacking speech. The tasks mainly consisted of helping students with reading, math and composition/writing skills. There was also opportunity to talk with the school psychologist and sit in on some testing. I really enjoyed working with the people at the school; they were very informative and helpful." (This description was written by Angela Faber, Fall 96)

20. Star Commonwealth for Boys: in Albion. "This a modern, excellently run school for delinquent boys. I would highly recommend this facility for any Psychology majors because it will allow them the chance to apply what they have learned in class, as well as, give them some insight on many of the psychological puzzles they may run into in the future. Bill Wasmund is the internship contact. (517-629-5591). Due to the fact there are many cottages and covering a variety of different issues, the experience obtained while there is top grade. They do interview candidates prior to setting up the student internship." (This description was written by Ken Haley who interned there in the Fall of 1995.)

21. Alpha Omega Pregnancy Counseling: Carin Coors worked here in the fall of 1992.

22. Hospice: There is an opportunity to help terminally ill people and their families.

23. M&S Manufacturing: M&S Manufacturing is a company that manufactures screw machine and cold-formed products for the automobile industry nationwide. To work at M&S Manufacturing, contact Dr. Kari McArthur (Psychology Department) or Doug McArthur (Human Resources Manager of M&S) at (517) 448-2026. You will work in the Human Resources Department of the company, doing a variety of tasks involving industrial/organizational psychology principles. M&S Manufacturing puts forth a very professional atmosphere, yet the employees working there are very down-to-earth and easy to work with. (This description was written by Tim Martin, Fall 1997)

"Interning at M&S Manufacturing was the perfect opportunity for me. All of the other internships had to do with counseling, teaching, clinical psychology, and the like. This internship provided the option to work on the business end of the psychology spectrum, which is actually what I had planned to pursue in graduate school. I was exposed to a variety of things at M&S, including environmental and safety inspections, employee training and development plans and theories, as well as employee discipline, compensation, benefits, and investment plans. I had the opportunity to work independently and with other employees on projects such as finding effective training programs for employees, how to deal with the problems of temporary employees and turnover, and determining how employees could be utilized more efficiently to increase production. Doug McArthur was extremely helpful and actually tailored my internship to what I wanted to accomplish. I would definitely recommend this internship to anyone who has any interest n industrial and organizational psychology." (Tim Martin, Fall 1997)

24. Community Action Agency: contact Ron DeCook at 437-3346. He has several intern projects that involve writing.

25. Gier School: working with emotionally impaired kids: Mary Robbins is your contact. Celeste Carroll, Rhonda Mitchell and Julie Dunfee worked out there and said that it was very helpful. They also said that Mary Robbins is particular who she gets to help.

26. Herrick Stress Center in Tecumseh: This is a modern mental hospital which treats adolescents and adults with a variety of difficulties. Tecumseh is approximately 30 miles east of Hillsdale. Students will also have an opportunity to tour the facilities and see many different phases of mental health administration. Participating students will have an opportunity to sit in on individual and group therapy sessions. Interns will also be able to observe team conferences where a group of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and nurses intensively examine a patient's case in order to decide on the most accurate diagnosis and the best treatment. Interns will go through an intensive orientation program and then be asked to be co-leaders of group sessions with patients. This is an excellent lead in to permanent jobs that Herrick has available for psychiatric technicians. These psychiatric technicians must have a BA or BS in psychology.

The hospital is very flexible in terms of setting up a schedule for prospective interns. One may go to Tecumseh as little as once a week or as often as every day. If interested, you should contact M. J. Stall at 517-423-2141. We have had very little success in placing a student here since 1990.

Glenn Nix and Jane Gage worked here in the summer of 1986.

27. National Association of Anorexia and Associated Disorders: summer internships in Chicago.

28. Rose Hill, in Holly, Michigan near Pontiac and Detroit: Summer internship with pay at Rose Hill, a very innovative treatment center on a farm for schizophrenics and other mentally disturbed individuals. Julie Bennington and Allyson Blum (92) were both hired to work there full time after graduating from Hillsdale College with a bachelor's degree in psychology.

29. Coach House Rehabilitation Center: This is a rehabilitation center for individuals that have suffered from a severe head injury. These head injuries range from the patients loss of their short and long term memories to the physically disabled. If you wish to work at Coach House please contact Paula at 278-5933. To work at Coach House you must have at least one years experience as a rehabilitation assistant, a physical and TB test are also required. You must also be CPR and have had a number of inservices. While at Coach House you will be required to do some physical therapy and follow behavioral programs for each of the patients. There are five on-call behavioral psychologists that work at the facility. The work at Coach House requires a great deal of attention and maturity. While at work you are supervised by nurses and psychologists both. As a rehab-tech you will be required to clean patients and do a number of other services such as preparing meals. You must also learn to deal with many types of aggressive behavior.

"Coach House has proved to be a very helpful and informative place to work for my interests in the behavioral field. Although the work at times is stressful it has also been helpful in developing my understanding of the behavioral therapies implemented. The nurses and psychologists on the premises are always helpful and informative to employees needs. As an employee I found the experience to be overall very valuable." (Mathew Osborn, Fall 1995)