Field Work Placements
The Psychology Department maintains relationships with an impressive variety of Boston-area hospitals, schools, and other institutions and special programs, allowing our majors to enjoy valuable internship experiences that complement their academic work. These relationships are mutually beneficial, because our skilled and professional majors help to advance the important missions of those organizations. Current placements include the following examples:
Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation
The BU Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation offers services that promote the recovery and wellness of individuals with psychiatric disabilities. Interns at the Center participate in multiple facets of the Recovery Education Program, assisting with classes such as Writing and Creative Arts, Developing Stress Hardiness, Communication and Friendships, and Meditation.
Children's Hospital Cancer Center: Patient and Family Resource Room
The Resource Room is dedicated to the family-centered care and support of children who are receiving inpatient care in the Hematology/Oncology Department at Children's. Interns work under the supervision of the Community Resource Coordinator and are involved in many support and program activities: talking and playing with children and families in the Resource Room and at bedside, organizing and running Resource Room programs and family-focused events (e.g., lunches for parents, crafts and activities for children), assisting families in accessing information about their child's diagnosis and treatment, and providing families with information about other available hospital services and supports.
Children's Hospital Boston: Program to Enhance Relational Communication Skills (PERCS)
The PERCS program aims to help medical professional develop communication skills that are critical when engaged with patients and families dealing with difficult medical issues and decisions (e.g., difficult diagnosis, poor prognosis, end of life decisions). Interns at this site assist in preparing for the different workshops and may attend workshops as well.
Franciscan Children's Hospital: Community Based Acute Treatment Unit (CBAT)
This is a short-term residential program that serves males and females (ages 4 to 14) experiencing significant social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties and who cannot be maintained in their current living environment. The CBAT Unit provides crisis intervention, medication management and consultation, family therapy, individual and group counseling, and long-term planning. The fieldwork experience offers interns the opportunity to work directly with the children admitted to CBAT. Interns are also required to plan and lead classroom activity at least once a week and to attend weekly supervision meetings with the other interns.
Gateway Arts
Gateway is a vocational arts program for adult with special needs, serving a diverse population of individuals with developmental, medical, and psychiatric disabilities. The program helps clients to develop skills in a wide range of arts, including pottery, fabrics, painting, jewelry, and weaving. Interns at Gateway work directly with clients with a wide range of needs and abilities and participate in all aspects of the program (e.g., encouraging clients in their artwork, as well providing emotional and practical support around their daily activities and social interactions).
Suffolk County House of Corrections
The Suffolk County House of Corrections (HOC) is a corrections institution that houses up to 1900 male and female criminal offenders for the Boston area (with maximum sentences of 2.5 years). The Suffolk HOC includes 27 housing units that range from maximum- to minimum-security. Interns work closely with caseworkers and contribute to diverse aspects of the HOC program, including participating in intake interviews and working with the inmates in a group treatment setting (addressing such topics as addictions, family relationships, and domestic violence and abuse). Interns also assist with administrative tasks and inmate support services (e.g., responding to inmates' questions, assisting inmates in contacting legal representatives).