Training Experience

Across the training year, Guam-PIC interns work primarily in the Adult Services Division with some training opportunities with Child and Adolescent Services, Drug and Alcohol Services, and Guam – Department of Corrections (DOC). Adult Services Division is located at the main facility in Tamuning. Outpatient drug and alcohol services and outpatient children and adolescent services is located in the J&G Commercial Center in Hagatna. The primary training site for DOC is the Adult Correctional Facility in Mangilao.

Adult Services Division

The Adult Services Division (ASD) offers individual, family, and group behavioral health inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment opportunities at several locations throughout Guam for individuals ages 18 and older experiencing a variety of life, emotional, and mental health issues from adjustment to life stressors to serious mental illness. Interns learn to practice as generalist psychologists across the continuum of care, addressing the needs of a rural and diverse community. Adult consumers are seen via scheduled in person or telehealth appointments. The Adult Services Division also serves individuals in group homes. GBHWC has five group homes (three of the homes are for adults diagnosed with SMI and two homes are for adults diagnosed with a co-occurring SMI and Developmental Disability (DD). Additionally, interns assist the Adult Inpatient Unit, a structured crisis stabilization program consisting of 16 beds for individuals who present an imminent threat to themselves or others or are gravely disabled.

Children and Adolescent Services

Children and Adolescent Services provides child and adolescent behavioral health services (ages 5 to 18 years) through individual, group, and family therapies for inpatient, outpatient, and residential care placements. The Child Inpatient Unit (CIU) provides structured crisis stabilization services (e.g., via Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy [TF-CBT]) to children and adolescents presenting an imminent danger to themselves and/or others. Children and Adolescent Services works to assess and treat childhood onset emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders; substance use disorders; or developmental disorders through comprehensive cognitive, achievement, and behavioral testing. Children and Adolescent Services works collaboratively with multiple agencies (e.g., Child Protective Services, Guam Department of Education, Guam Superior Courts) and incorporates a System of Care philosophy and adheres to the Wraparound Fidelity Model.

Drug and Alcohol Services

Drug and Alcohol Services provides inpatient, outpatient, residential, and medically assisted substance- use treatment for adults who are at risk or diagnosed with a substance use disorder. Assessments are conducted using the American Society of Medicine (ASAM) placement criteria and administering psychological assessments to identify co-occurring disorders. Evidenced based practices like motivational interviewing and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Substance Users (DBT-S) are utilized. Drug and Alcohol Services also supports the Medically Assisted Treatment Unit (MAT), which provides structured detoxification and rehabilitation services. The MAT unit has 16-beds and provides 24-hour medical, psychiatric, psychological, and counseling services.

Guam Department of Corrections

Interns work primarily from the main facility’s Mental Health Unit in Mangilao but may also travel to Hagatna Detention Facility to provide support as needed. Interns at DOC enhance their skills in diagnostic assessment, risk assessment, consultation, and treatment for a diverse, rural population in the correctional setting. Interns will develop psychological skills and competencies in assessment and treatment of individuals living with serious mental illness, malingering, personality disorders, and crisis intervention. Interns work closely with a multidisciplinary team, which includes psychiatrists, psychiatric technicians, psychologists, nurses, social workers, program managers, and others. Interns will enhance their skills in professional development and clinical consultation. Consultation is regularly provided to clients, family members, medical providers, correction officers, program coordinators, and members of the client’s multidisciplinary team concerning the psychological functioning of the consumer. Interns additionally provide supports to the Crisis Stabilization Unit Program, which provide structured crisis stabilization services in a locked unit for inmates and/or detainees presenting as an imminent danger to self and/or others.

Required Major Training Emphases

The following are Guam-PIC training emphases.

Behavioral Health Intervention

Interns spend approximately 10-15 hours per week in activities related to behavioral health intervention. Interns work witha diverse range of underserved consumers within a variety of therapeutic modalities, including individual, group, family, and/or couples therapy treatments. Consumers served range widely in age, race, ethnicity, and diagnostic presentation.

Psychological Assessment

Interns spend approximately 5-15 hours per week in activities related to assessment. Interns, with supervisor support will administer, interpret, and provide written synthesis of psychological test batteries. Assessments may include record reviews, clinical interviews, intellectual, achievement, personality, risk assessment, drug assessments, and/or competency-based measures. Interns will write reports and make recommendations that convey meaningful information to prescribers, treatment teams, consumers, and families.

Consultation and Systems Collaboration

Interns spend approximately 6-8 hours per week in activities related to consultation and systems collaboration, learning to consult with a variety of other providers and stakeholders. Collaborative opportunities include working within an interdisciplinary treatment team, providing psychological consultation to other disciplines, and partnering with community social service, medical and legal services. Opportunities for consultation and systems collaboration vary by site.