- Student Life & Services
- Health and Wellness
- Counseling and Psychological Services
- CAPS Training & Internship Programs
CAPS Training & Internship Programs
2023-2024 CAPS Trainees and Training Program Staff (L to R): Calista Colbert, MA, LCMHC-A, NCC (Master's Training Coordinator); Erin Thompson, MA (psychology doc intern - Chicago School of Professional Psychology - Anaheim Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program); Britt Duncan, MA (psychology doc intern - Loyola University Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Program); Gill Kerner, BA (master's trainee - WCU Social Work MSW Program); Grace Bingham, BA (master's trainee - WCU Clinical Mental Health Counseling MA Program); Adam Hicks, MA (psychology doc intern - WCU Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program); Morgan Penberthy, BA (master's trainee - WCU Clinical Psychology MA Program); Matt Busch, MA (psychology doc prac trainee - WCU Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program); Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director)
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 Accreditation 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. Because of COVID-19 related delays, the Commission informed us that our next accreditation site visit (originally scheduled for 2023) will occur in 2025.
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: 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).
- Doctoral Psychology Internship
- Doctoral Psychology Practicum
- Master's Training Program
- Psychology Post-Doctoral Residency
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is offering three positions for the 2025-2026 year (August 1st, 2025– July 31st, 2026). Our 2000-hour internship program is rooted in the values of trauma-informed care and decolonization principles. Our training focuses on developing skills in individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, outreach, consultation, psychological assessment, training the in provision of supervision, and inter-disciplinary consultation.
- APPIC Application Deadline: Monday November 25, 2024, 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
Application Process and Additional Information
For additional detailed information about our doctoral psychology internship program and how to apply, please refer to the 2023 - 2024 Psychology Internship Brochure.
(UPDATED BROCHURE WILL BE POSTED LATE SEPTEMBER 2024)
Resources for Intern Families and Newcomers
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.
Unfortunately, CAPS will not be offering a doctoral psychology practicum for a doctoral psychology practicum student (pre-internship experience) for the 2024 - 2025 training year. If we re-open a doctoral psychology practicum position in the future, info will be posted here. Prior year application materials are posted below as a reference.
We are committed to providing a high-quality practicum experience that facilitates your development both as a clinician as well as personally.
For further information, contact Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director) at jay.manalo@wcu.edu.
We are not currently accepting doctoral psychology practicum applications for the 2024 - 2025 training year. Prior year application materials are available below as a reference.
Reference writers must complete the WCU CAPS reference form below (not a standard letter of recommendation)
- 2023-2024 Doctoral psychology practicum flyer
- 2023-2024 Doctoral psychology practicum application form
- 2023-2024 Doctoral psychology practicum reference form
(***We are not currently accepting doctoral psychology practicum applications for the 2024 - 2025 year)
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. CAPS has served as a masters-level training site for over 25 years. Students typically apply during the spring for the upcoming academic year commitment.
Our master's training program is rooted in the values of trauma-informed care and decolonization principles. Our training focuses on developing skills in individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, outreach, and inter-disciplinary consultation.
Please review the brochure, application form, and reference form for further information or contact Calista Colbert, LCMHC-A (Master's Training Coordinator) at ccolbert@wcu.edu.
Application deadline for master's level training program: Friday March 1st, 2024 by
5:00 p.m. EST
Reference writers must complete the below WCU CAPS Master's Training Program Reference Form (standard letters of recommendation are NOT accepted)
- 2024-2025 Master's Training Program Brochure
- 2024-2025 Master's Training Program Application Form
- 2024-2025 Master's Training Program Reference Form
(2025 - 2026 application materials and information will be posted early spring 2025)
When available, we provide a post-doctoral residency for psychologists who have completed both their doctoral internship and doctoral degree in psychology. Our residency is designed to meet the requirements set forth in the North Carolina Psychology Practice Act towards licensure as a Health Services Provider Psychologist.
Please note, we are not currently accepting applications for our Psychology Post-Doctoral Residency at this time. However, information about our Psychology Post-Doctoral Residency is available in the 2022 - 2023 Psychology Post-Doctoral Residency brochure. Please contact the Training Director, Dr. Jay Manalo, if you have additional questions (jay.manalo@wcu.edu).
2023-2024 CAPS Trainees and Training Program Staff (L to R): Calista Colbert, MA, LCMHC-A, NCC (Master's Training Coordinator); Erin Thompson, MA (psychology doc intern - Chicago School of Professional Psychology - Anaheim Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program); Britt Duncan, MA (psychology doc intern - Loyola University Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Program); Gill Kerner, BA (master's trainee - WCU Social Work MSW Program); Grace Bingham, BA (master's trainee - WCU Clinical Mental Health Counseling MA Program); Adam Hicks, MA (psychology doc intern - WCU Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program); Morgan Penberthy, BA (master's trainee - WCU Clinical Psychology MA Program); Matt Busch, MA (psychology doc prac trainee - WCU Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program); Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director)
2022-2023 CAPS Trainees and Training Program Staff (L to R): Calista Colbert, MA, LCMHC-A (Master's Training Coordinator); Jane Argodale, BA (master's trainee - WCU Social Work MSW Program); Erin Kelley, BA (master's trainee - WCU Social Work MSW Program); Alyssa Raggio, MA (psychology doc intern - Western Carolina University Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program); Sophie Williams, BA (master's trainee - WCU Clinical Mental Health Counseling MA Program); Charlotte Dawson, MS (psychology doc intern - Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program); Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director); Nina Paupaw (psychology doc intern - Adler University Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program)
2021-2022 CAPS Trainees and Training Program Staff (L to R): Alex Camargo (psychology
doc intern - Eastern Kentucky University Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program), Bree
Riley (psychology doc intern - Marywood University Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program),
Mehak Kapoor (psychology doc intern - Tennessee State University Counseling Psychology
Ph.D. Program), Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director), Adam Hicks (psychology
doc practicum trainee - WCU Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program), Meg Moomaw (master's
trainee - WCU Clinical Psychology MA Program), Benny Williams (master's trainee -
WCU Social Work MSW Program), Aaron Plantenberg, LCSW, LCAS (Master's Training Coordinator),
Chelsea Sokolow (master's trainee - WCU Social Work MSW Program)
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 Psychology MA 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)