As the westernmost institution in the UNC system, Western Carolina University provides
educational opportunities to residents of the state’s western region and attracts
students from around the globe to explore the area’s vast resources.
At Western Carolina University, we view our admissions process as our opportunity
to build the community that defines our institution. We look for people eager to explore
and ready to redefine success.
Programs and courses at Western Carolina are designed to provide hands-on, applied
experience. Students engage with communities across the region as they practice their
profession in real-world environments.
Western Carolina’s unique mountain location helps fuel a vibrant campus community
with more than 170 student clubs and organizations as well as a busy performing arts
calendar and the campus’s own adventure guide service.
Western Carolina is home to 16 Southern Conference athletic teams with more than 375
student athlete competitors. WCU strives to inspire student-athletes to compete like
champions on the field and in the classroom.
Western Carolina was founded to serve the region it calls home, and that has not changed.
WCU continues to focus on regional development initiatives, engaged service and community
programs. It also partners with alumni and donors to ensure access to higher education
for deserving students in the region and beyond.
2020-2021 CAPS Trainees and Training Program Staff (L to R, top to bottom): Marcia
Gralha (master's trainee - WCU Clinical Psychology MA Program), Erin van Gorkom (master's
trainee - WCU Clinical PsychologyMA Program), Laura Parks (master's trainee - WCU Social Work MSW Program), Olivia
Rothman (psychology doc intern - Carlow University, Counseling Psychology Psy.D. Program),
Ashley Virella (psychology doc intern - Pacific University, Clinical Psychology Psy.D.
Program), Savana Williams (psychology doc intern - Nova Southeastern University, Clinical
Psychology Psy.D. Program), Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director), Heather
Styles-Turbyfill (psychology doc practicum trainee - WCU Clinical Psychology Psy.D.
Program), Aaron Plantenberg, LCSW, LCAS (Master's Training Coordinator)
CAPS offers university counseling center training positions at both the master's and
doctoral level. In addition to becoming strong mental health generalists in the provision
of individual counseling services, trainees have the opportunity to participate in
group counseling, inter-disciplinary collaboration, outreach, consultation, campus
programs and related projects within the university community.
About CAPS
Counseling and Psychological Services operates within the Division of Student Affairs
and reports to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health and Wellness. Counseling and
Psychological Services is accredited by the International Association of Counseling
Services (IACS) and is a member of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and
Internship Centers (APPIC), the Association of Counseling Center Training Agencies
(ACCTA), and the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH).
CAPS Training Program Mission
The mission of the training program is to promote the development of clinical skills
and professional identity for the next generation of mental health professionals.
This mission is accomplished through the provision of didactic training, clinical
supervision, and direct practice experiences within an interdisciplinary, supportive,
and collaborative team environment.
APA Accreditation Status
We are pleased to announce that our doctoral internship in health service psychology
is Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association
(APA) with a date of initial accreditation as September 27, 2016. Our next accreditation
site visit will occur in 2023.
Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission
on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: 202.336.5979 Email: apaaccred@apa.org Web: https://accreditation.apa.org/
Our doctoral psychology internship program is also a member of the Association of
Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC member number 2132).
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is offering three positions for the 2021-2022
year (August 1st, 2021– July 31st, 2022). Our 2000-hour internship program includes
opportunities for individual and group counseling, initial consultations and intakes,
crisis intervention, outreach & consultation services, psychological assessment, and
supervision of masters-level mental health trainees.
APPIC Application Deadline: Monday November 23, 2020, 11:59 p.m. EST
APPIC Internship Matching Program Code Number: 213211
Please contact Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director) for any questions:
jay.manalo@wcu.edu
WCU CAPS welcomes prospective internship applicants and matched incoming interns who
may be considering moving their families to Western North Carolina. Please refer
to our CAPS Resource Guide for Intern Families and Newcomers for a partial list of area resources. A separate list of housing resources in the
area is also available upon request.
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Starting this fall of 2020, CAPS is pleased to offer 1 training position for a doctoral
psychology practicum student (pre-internship experience).
Please review the flyer and application form for further information or contact Jay
Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director) at jay.manalo@wcu.edu.
Application deadline for doctoral psychology practicum: Monday March 16, 2020 5:00
p.m. EST
Reference writers must complete the below WCU CAPS reference form (not a standard
letter of recommendation)
(2021 - 2022 application materials and information will be posted early spring 2021)
Along with the variety of services offered to all students at Western Carolina University,
Counseling and Psychological Services serves as a graduate fieldwork placement/training
site for master's level graduate programs in counseling, clinical psychology, social
work and related programs. Students typically apply during the spring for the upcoming
academic year commitment.
WCU has served as a masters-level training site for over 25 years and has a strong
commitment for effective clinical supervision, training and professional development.
Please review the flyer and application form for further information or contact Aaron
Plantenberg, LCSW, LCAS (Master's Training Coordinator) at aplantenberg@wcu.edu or Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director) at jay.manalo@wcu.edu.
Application deadline for master's level training program: Monday March 16, 2020 5:00
p.m. EST
Reference writers must complete the below WCU CAPS reference form (not a standard
letter of recommendation)
(2021 - 2022 application materials and information will be posted early spring 2021)
2020-2021 CAPS Trainees and Training Program Staff (L to R, top to bottom): Marcia
Gralha (master's trainee - WCU Clinical Psychology MA Program), Erin van Gorkom (master's
trainee - WCU Clinical PsychologyMA Program), Laura Parks (master's trainee - WCU Social Work MSW Program), Olivia
Rothman (psychology doc intern - Carlow University, Counseling Psychology Psy.D. Program),
Ashley Virella (psychology doc intern - Pacific University, Clinical Psychology Psy.D.
Program), Savana Williams (psychology doc intern - Nova Southeastern University, Clinical
Psychology Psy.D. Program), Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director), Heather
Styles-Turbyfill (psychology doc practicum trainee - WCU Clinical Psychology Psy.D.
Program), Aaron Plantenberg, LCSW, LCAS (Master's Training Coordinator)
2019-2020 CAPS Trainees and Training Program Staff (L to R): Megan Myers (master's
trainee - WCU Clinical Mental Health Counseling MS Program), Hewitt Rogers (psychology
doc intern - Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Program), Monica A. (psychology doc intern
- Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program), Aaron Plantenberg, LCSW, LCAS (Master's Training
Coordinator), Katarina Wittekind (master's trainee - WCU Social Work MSW Program),
Kim Taylor (master's trainee - WCU Clinical Psychology MA Program), Katherine Beattie
(psychology doc intern - Counseling Psychology Psy.D. Program), Jay Manalo, Ph.D.,
HSP-P, NCC (Training Director)
2018-2019 CAPS Trainees and Training Program Staff (L to R): Sheree Ash (psychology
doc intern - Mercer University Clinical Medical Psychology Psy.D. Program), Elizabeth
Bennett (psychology doc intern - Duquesne University Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program),
Jesse Chen (WCU Higher Education Student Affairs grad assistant), Emily Myers (master's
trainee - WCU Social Work MSW Program), Matt Varley (psychology doc intern - University
of Georgia Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Program), Gracie McCarroll (master's trainee
- WCU Clinical Mental Health Counseling MS Program), Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC
(Training Director), Rosemary Yelton (master's trainee - WCU Social Work MSW Program),
Christy Newell Wyatt, MSW, LCSW, LCAS, CCS (Master's Training Coordinator)
2017-2018 CAPS Trainees and Training Program Staff (L to R): Tamar Bat El (psychology
doc intern - Pacifica Graduate Institute Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program), Tari
Cox (master's trainee - WCU Clinical Psychology MA program), Arika Morrison, MS, LPCS
(Master's Training Coordinator), Kayla Byrd (master's trainee - WCU Clinical Psychology MA program), Sonaly Silva (psychology doc intern - Chicago School of Professional Psychology - Los Angeles Clinical
Psychology Psy.D. Program), Savannah Marino (master's trainee - WCU Clinical Mental Health Counseling MS Program), Manj Burdekar
(psychology doc intern - Springfield College Counseling Psychology Psy.D. Program),
Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director)
2016-2017 CAPS Trainees and Training Program Staff (L to R): Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director), Alyssa Frye (psychology doc intern - Marshall University Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program),
Adisa Haznadar (psychology doc intern - Springfield College Counseling Psychology Psy.D. Program),
Freya Kinner (master's trainee - WCU Social Work MSW Program), Joshua Matthews (psychology doc intern
- Florida School of Professional Psychology - Argosy Tampa Clinical Psychology Psy.D.
Program), Gabby Weierbach (master's trainee - WCU Clinical Psychology MA program), Arika Morrison, MS, LPCS
(Master's Training Coordinator), Meredith Willis (master's trainee - WCU Clinical Mental Health Counseling MS Program)
2015-2016 CAPS Trainees and Training Program Staff (L to R): Clint Matthews (master's
trainee - WCU Clinical Mental Health Counseling MS Program), Sara Cole (psychology
doc intern - University of the Rockies Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program), T'Shana
McClain (master's trainee - WCU Social Work MSW Program), Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P,
NCC (Training Director), Justine Diener (master's trainee - WCU Clinical Psychology
MA program), Brendan Carr (psychology doc intern - University of Georgia Counseling
Psychology Ph.D. Program), Carnice Covert (psychology doc intern - Marshall University
Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program)
2014-2015 CAPS Trainees and Training Program Staff (L to R): Marybeth Karnstedt (psychology
doc intern - Midwestern University Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program), Michael Tkach
(psychology doc intern - Minnesota School of Professional Psychology - Argosy Twin
Cities Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program), Sam Pranger (master's trainee - WCU Clinical
Mental Health Counseling MS Program), Annabel Franz (master's trainee - WCU Clinical Psychology MA program), Leah Stephens
(master's trainee - WCU Social Work MSW Program), Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director)
Doctoral Psychology Internship Documents
APPIC Application Deadline: Monday November 23, 2020 11:59 p.m. EST
2016-2017 CAPS Trainees and Training Program Staff (L to R): Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director), Alyssa Frye (psychology doc intern - Marshall University Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program),
Adisa Haznadar (psychology doc intern - Springfield College Counseling Psychology Psy.D. Program),
Freya Kinner (master's trainee - WCU Social Work MSW Program), Joshua Matthews (psychology doc intern
- Florida School of Professional Psychology - Argosy Tampa Clinical Psychology Psy.D.
Program), Gabby Weierbach (master's trainee - WCU Clinical Psychology MA program), Arika Morrison, MS, LPCS
(Master's Training Coordinator), Meredith Willis (master's trainee - WCU Clinical Mental Health Counseling MS Program)
