COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA–LINCOLN

Match Code - 141612

University Health Center
15th & U Streets
Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0618
402.472.7450
Fax 402.472.8010
http://health.unl.edu/caps/

Training Director

Tricia M. Besett-Alesch, Ph.D.
Phone: 402.472.7450
Email: tbesett-alesch2@unl.edu

Type of Facility

Counseling and Psychological Services is a university counseling center that is placed within the University Health Center. We are located in the heart of the university campus, serving approximately 23,000 students. Our professional staff includes 5 psychologists (from clinical and counseling psychology backgrounds), 3 psychiatrists, 2 licensed social workers, a licensed mental health practitioner, a counselor, and an intern. We also have 2 to 3 doctoral-level students who work with us part-time for their field placement experience.

CAPS strives to identify and meet the needs of a diverse student population. More specifically, our mission is to educate and counsel students so that they might better address their developmental concerns; and, when germane, identify, clarify, and resolve psychosocial and other related issues. In these ways, we strive to enhance the learning process and the ability of all UNL students to realize their academic, personal, and professional potential.

The UHC has maintained accreditation since 1978. Services of the UHC include ambulatory medical services, allergy clinic, dermatology clinic, other specialty medical services, pharmacy services, physical therapy, laboratory services, radiology, dental, psychological and psychiatric services (CAPS), and community health education.

Location/Region

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln has a long tradition of academic excellence and equal opportunity for all. UNL is listed by the Carnegie Foundation as a Doctoral/Research University-Extensive, with important ongoing research in many areas of inquiry. The Cornhusker athletic teams exemplify the tradition of high classroom achievement; more Huskers have been awarded the title ‘Academic All American’ (football alone and all sports combined) than student-athletes of any other university.

Lincoln, the capital city of Nebraska, is home to state government and is the largest campus of the state’s four-campus university system. Lincoln has an excellent educational system and, according to Zero Population Growth, is in the top 20 least stressful cities in the nation for children. The city has a thriving economy, with unemployment hovering near 2 percent for several years. Cost of living compares well to other cities, about 10 to 12 percent below the national average. Lincoln is ranked among the top 25 cities in the nation for affordable housing. Lincoln has the most city park land per capita in the United States, with 10 lakes and over 57 miles of bike paths and trails. Lincoln’s 200 acres of city park land and 15,000 acres of recreational areas nearby make the outdoors an enjoyable attraction. Lincoln has been cited for its excellent transportation and commitment to the arts and culture, as well as for its low crime rate, good educational facilities, and recreational opportunities. With a population of over 232,000, Lincoln offers the benefits of metropolitan living and the advantages of a small-town lifestyle.

Major Internal Rotations

CAPS provides a comprehensive training program that is tailored to the intern’s training needs. Long-term and brief therapy models are used in individual psychotherapy. Interns will also have the opportunity to become involved in group counseling as well as outreach.

There are opportunities for major concentrations in eating disorders and supervision. Our eating disorders program is extensive. The intern would be involved in the weekly eating disorder treatment team that consists of a multidisciplinary professional staff. In addition, the intern would be expected to hold a caseload of 2-3 eating disorder clients during the academic year. The supervision experience is tailored based on the intern’s interest. Typically, the intern supervises one of the doctoral-level field placement students. There are opportunities to supervise more than one student and to provide group supervision.

Opportunities for assessment with clients struggling with ADHD/LD are frequently available (e.g., WAIS-III, WJ-III, CPT-II). We also have a variety of personality assessments including the MMPI-2, MBTI, Rorschach, and TAT that can be utilized in one’s individual therapy. Other concentrations include minority counseling and outreach as well as crisis intervention.

Client Population

Direct services are provided to UNL students only. The student population reflects a broad age range (most being between the ages of 17 and 35). UNL has a culturally diverse population with a substantial international student population. Students come from various racial, national, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. There are undergraduate and graduate students as well as students from professional schools such as law, dentistry, and nursing. Students experience many types of problems and concerns, ranging from developmental issues and adjustment disorders through character disorders and more florid psychoses. Diagnoses run the gamut of Axis I and Axis II with the exception of mental retardation.

Problem Focus

The problem focus is primarily social/emotional and behavioral with an emphasis on developmental issues. Psychiatric/medical issues are also addressed. Students experience many types of problems and concerns. Examples include personal issues such as poor self-image and low self-esteem, poor communication skills, school and academic adjustment, identity concerns, and attentional problems; problematic relationships such as those between couples, within families, and in other interpersonal, academic, and social settings; and psychological/psychiatric problems and disorders such as anxiety, depression, panic disorders, obsessions/compulsions, and psychosis sometimes requiring hospitalization. Clients can be seen for brief treatment or longer-term psychotherapy, based upon the needs of the individual student.

Nature of Services

CAPS provides an initial evaluation (with a Mental Status Examination); psychological assessment; individual psychotherapy (brief and long-term); couples and family (rarely) therapy; process and psychoeducational groups; crisis intervention; psychiatric hospitalization (voluntary and involuntary); and outreach on a variety of topics. Several staff members are involved with the eating disorders treatment team and diversity committee as well as providing consultation and education to faculty and staff (especially Residence Life). We have in-service training as well as campus-wide screening events. CAPS has several liaison relationships with the Office of Academic Support and Intercultural Services (OASIS), TRIO programs, the Women’s Center, Services for Students with Disabilities, the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Student Association, the Eating Disorders Education and Prevention Student Organization, International Affairs, the Athletic Department, Residence Life, Campus Recreation, Judicial Affairs, and the UNL Police Department.

General Theoretical Orientation

A variety of theoretical orientations are represented among CAPS staff. The developmental perspective is an important focus for our work with the student population. Theoretical approaches employed are cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, interpersonal, and integrative.

Intern Duties

Intern duties include individual, couples, and group counseling and psychotherapy; psychological assessment; consultation and outreach; psychoeducational presentations; participation in Grand Rounds and case conferences; and other rotations to be arranged that are consistent with the training needs of the intern.

Stipend/Benefits/Dates of Service

The annual stipend is $23,660.

Benefits include: one day per month of vacation (i.e., 12 days for the internship year); one day per month of sick leave; two paid floating holidays; seven paid holidays (Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day). The University closes down between December 24 and January 2 and these days are paid using a combination of floating holidays and vacation time. Medical insurance is available. Research time is available for dissertation and travel for dissertation-related purposes can be negotiated with the training director and considered paid administrative leave. $500 can be paid for professional development during the internship year. Interns receive University of Nebraska library privileges.

Each intern has a private office with personal computer (Internet access, university email account), phone (with private voicemail), and audiotape equipment. Dictation service is available.

The internship year runs August 1–July 31.

Employment will be contingent on satisfactory completion of a background check.

Average Number of Interns per Year

CAPS usually has two internship positions available per year.

Past Interns

Past Interns have gone on to jobs at university counseling centers, post-doctoral positions at university counseling centers, and jobs at community mental health centers.

Staff of Counseling & Psychological Services, University of Nebraska–Lincoln