Student-Athlete Psychological Services Training Program

Providence College’s Personal Counseling Center (PCC) is pleased to announce the establishment of a new training track through Student-Athlete Psychological Services (SAPS) (learn more about SAPS here). With a commitment to the development of informed, ethical, and passionate clinicians focused on mental health within collegiate athletics, SAPS plans to welcome its inaugural cohort for the 2023-24 academic year. SAPS Trainees will be fully embedded in Student-Athlete Psychological Services as members of the Personal Counseling Center who serve Providence College student-athletes and the Athletics community exclusively.

Training Program Values

The SAPS training program has been developed to support trainees’ unique goals and learning needs through participation in multidimensional roles and responsibilities completed under thoughtful supervisory structure. In addition, a core value within SAPS is the cultivation of a working environment that reflects the experience that we are committed to providing for our student-athletes. As such, within the SAPS training program, emphasis is placed not only on development of technical skill and critical thinking but also on fostering teamwork towards shared goals; commitment to personal growth; and appreciation for diversity of thought within the training cohort.

SAPS values diversity, equity, and inclusion and is strongly committed to achieving excellence through increased diversity of its clinical team. Individuals from under-represented groups and international students and fellows are encouraged to apply.

Our Programs

SAPS Pre-Doctoral Externship

Training (Roles/Responsibilities)

Pre-Doctoral Externs are trained in evaluation, assessment, and treatment while also being provided with the opportunity to hone outreach and programming skill. Trainees spend approximately 50% of their time in direct student-athlete care each week. The remaining practicum hours are spent in supervision, didactics, and indirect student-athlete care activities.

Didactics

Providence College seeks to support a meaningful learning environment and, as such, trainees participate in didactic opportunities throughout the year in the Personal Counseling Center as well as the Athletics. Below is a list of general didactics offered through the fellowship, followed by program specific didactics:

  • Supervision: Externs receive a minimum of three hours of supervision each week, including a minimum of two hours of individual supervision. Supervision is primarily conducted by SAPS psychologists.
  • Duration: The SAPS externship is a 9-month position. It starts in late-August of each year and ends in late-May of the following year.
  • Compensation: Competitive stipend available.
  • Admission: Successful candidates will be enrolled in a doctoral program in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or equivalent. Applicants should have a strong interest and experience in serving a college-age and student-athlete populations.

Applications should include a letter of interest which describes how the practicum relates to your academic and professional goals; a current vitae; transcripts of all graduate work; and three letters of recommendation, representing both your academic department and prior training sites. Send materials via email to: Dr. Jessica Stewart, Head of Student-Athlete Psychological Services (jstewar5@providence.edu).

SAPS Post-Doctoral Fellowship

Training (Roles/Responsibilities)

Fellows are trained in evaluation, assessment, treatment, and outreach. Fellows spend approximately 25 hours a week in direct client care. The remaining fellowship hours are spent in supervision, didactics, and indirect patient care activities.

Didactics

Providence College seeks to support a meaningful learning environment and, as such, trainees participate in didactic opportunities throughout the year in the Personal Counseling Center as well as the Athletics. Below is a list of general didactics offered through the fellowship, followed by program specific didactics:

  • Supervision: Fellows receive a minimum of three hours of supervision each week, including a minimum of two hours of individual supervision. Supervision is conducted by SAPS psychologists.
  • Duration: The SAPS Fellowship is a twelve-month position beginning on July 1 and concluding on June 30 of the following year.
  • Compensation: Competitive with excellent benefits. Opportunities for additional compensation could be available for delivery of performance psychology services.
  • Admission: Successful candidates will have completed all professional doctoral degree requirements, including internship in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or an equivalent psychology program from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Applicants should have a strong interest and experience in serving a college-age and student-athlete populations and working to promote integrative systemic collaboration.

Applications should include a letter of interest which describes how the fellowship relates to your professional goals; a current vitae; transcripts of all graduate work; and three letters of recommendation, representing both your academic department and your internship. Send materials via email to: Dr. Jessica Stewart, Head of Student-Athlete Psychological Services (jstewar5@providence.edu).