
Kayla Kellner
Undergraduate Intern, Kennedy Krieger's Child Family Therapy Clinic
Major: PSYC & EDHD
Minor: General Business
Class Year: 2024
What was a typical week like in your internship position?
At my internship with KKI's CFT, I have the freedom to select my daily tasks. Most often, I spend time observing therapy sessions and watching supervisions. In the supervisions, I meet with post-docs and their site supervisor to discuss case conceptualization and how to move forward with specific clients. Additionally, I am trained to score psychological measures administered to clients by their therapists. There is also the opportunity to read books on different models of therapy. I am currently reading a book about the implementation of DBT in helping teens who self-harm. Other topics of books in the library include eating disorders, functional family therapy, and multicultural psychology.
What do you enjoy most about your current position?
I love the freedom that I have in this position. I get to design my days by selecting which therapy sessions I want to watch. If I am very interested in observing therapy with a client who is on the spectrum, I could choose to do that for most of the day. If the next day I would rather learn more about therapy in children with ADHD, I can observe sessions related to improving executive functioning. This allows me to tailor the internship to my personal interests. Additionally, I really enjoy attending supervisions because it gives me a behind-the-scenes look on how therapists conceptualize their cases.
How did your coursework help you in your internship?
My experience in my adult psychopathology (PSYC353) class has been the most helpful in preparing me for this position. This class gave an overview of the most common disorders in the DSM-5. From ADHD to personality disorders, having this foundation of knowledge has allowed me to understand the presenting concerns of the clients. Additionally, I am registered to take counseling psychology and plan to take basic helping skills, both of which deal with how to administer therapies and different interventions. Finally, the clinical psychology (PSYC436) course that I am taking discusses some novel mental health interventions that have the potential to be beneficial in certain populations. I have noticed some of these interventions being mentioned in therapy sessions, such as a focus on sleep hygiene and models for coping with race-based oppression.
How did you locate your internship position?
During my freshman year, I subscribed to the PSYC E-News email list. I continue to get emails from this newsletter now as a junior, and all of the information in the emails can be found on the PSYC E-News website. After seeing a posting for this internship in the newsletter, I emailed the requested materials to the email listed in the message.
Advice for students:
I would recommend identifying your values and desires in an internship prior to applying for a position. For example, if you value structure, routine, and supervision, my internship with CFT may not be the best due to the freedom we are given to structure our days ourselves. When applying or interviewing for these positions, ask questions! I almost always ask what a "typical day" looks like to get an understanding of what will be expected of me. It is also important to get an understanding of the culture and environment within the company. Additionally, asking the company what its values are can help you better understand if you would be a good fit within their organization.
Anything else you want to share with students?
Internships can be a great way to gain a unique experience in your desired field. Be active in your internship search! Look into opportunities that interest you at companies that you are familiar with or companies that you identify as doing work that is consistent with your career goals.