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CAPS Training & Internship Programs

2024-2025 CAPS Trainees

2024-2025 CAPS Trainees and Training Program Staff (L to R): Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director), Cara Berlin, BA (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵSocial Work MSW Program); Laura Franke, BA (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical Mental Health Counseling MA Program); Kyle Beideman, MA (doctoral psychology intern - Immaculata University Clinical Psychology PsyD Program); Venecia Butler-Pérez, MS (doctoral psychology intern - Albizu  University Clinical Psychology PhD Program); Kim Holt, MA (doctoral psychology intern - Appalachian State University Clinical Psychology PsyD Program); Calista Colbert, MA, LCMHC-A, NCC (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 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 re-accreditation site visit (originally scheduled for 2023) will occur in fall 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:

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 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 2025 - 2026 Psychology Internship Brochure.

Resources for Intern Families and Newcomers

Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵCAPS 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 2025 - 2026 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 2025 - 2026 training year.  Prior year application materials are available below as a reference.

Reference writers must complete the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵCAPS reference form below (not a standard letter of recommendation)

(***We are not currently accepting doctoral psychology practicum applications for the 2025 - 2026 year)

Along with the variety of services offered to all students at Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ, 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 7th, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. EST

Reference writers must complete the below Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵCAPS Master's Training Program Reference Form (standard letters of recommendation are NOT accepted)

(2026 - 2027 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).

2024-2025 CAPS Trainee Photo

2024-2025 CAPS Trainees and Training Program Staff (L to R): Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director), Cara Berlin, BA (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵSocial Work MSW Program); Laura Franke, BA (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical Mental Health Counseling MA Program); Kyle Beideman, MA (doctoral psychology intern - Immaculata University Clinical Psychology PsyD Program); Venecia Butler-Pérez, MS (doctoral psychology intern - Albizu  University Clinical Psychology PhD Program); Kim Holt, MA (doctoral psychology intern - Appalachian State University Clinical Psychology PsyD Program); Calista Colbert, MA, LCMHC-A, NCC (Master's Training Coordinator)

2023 CAPS Trainees

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 - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵSocial Work MSW Program); Grace Bingham, BA (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical Mental Health Counseling MA Program); Adam Hicks, MA (psychology doc intern -  Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical Psychology Psy.D. Program); Morgan Penberthy, BA (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical Psychology MA Program); Matt Busch, MA (psychology doc prac trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical Psychology Psy.D. Program); Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director)

2022 CAPS Trainees

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 - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵSocial Work MSW Program); Alyssa Raggio, MA (psychology doc intern -  Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program); Sophie Williams, BA (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical 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)

CAPS 2021-2022 Trainee Photo2021-2022 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 - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical Psychology Psy.D. Program), Meg Moomaw (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical Psychology MA Program), Benny Williams (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵSocial Work MSW Program), Aaron Plantenberg, LCSW, LCAS (Master's Training Coordinator), Chelsea Sokolow (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵSocial Work MSW Program)

 CAPS Trainees 2020 - 2021

2020-2021 CAPS Trainees and Training Program Staff (L to R, top to bottom): Marcia Gralha (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical Psychology MA Program), Erin van Gorkom (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical 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 - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical Psychology Psy.D. Program), Aaron Plantenberg, LCSW, LCAS (Master's Training Coordinator)

CAPS Trainees 2019 - 2020

2019-2020 CAPS Trainees and Training Program Staff (L to R): Megan Myers (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical 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 - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵSocial Work MSW Program), Kim Taylor (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical Psychology MA Program), Katherine Beattie (psychology doc intern - Counseling Psychology Psy.D. Program), Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director)

CAPS Trainees 2018-2019

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 (Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵHigher Education Student Affairs grad assistant), Emily Myers (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵSocial Work MSW Program), Matt Varley (psychology doc intern - University of Georgia Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Program), Gracie McCarroll (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical Mental Health Counseling MS Program), Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director), Rosemary Yelton (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵSocial Work MSW Program), Christy Newell Wyatt, MSW, LCSW, LCAS, CCS (Master's Training Coordinator)

2017-2018 CAPS Trainees

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 - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical Psychology MA program), Arika Morrison, MS, LPCS (Master's Training Coordinator), Kayla Byrd (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical 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 - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical 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)

CAPS 2016-2017 Trainees2016-2017 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 - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵSocial 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 - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical Psychology MA program), Arika Morrison, MS, LPCS (Master's Training Coordinator), Meredith Willis (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical Mental Health Counseling MS Program)

CAPS trainees

2015-2016 CAPS Trainees and Training Program Staff (L to R): Clint Matthews (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical 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 - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵSocial Work MSW Program), Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director), Justine Diener (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical 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 doctoral and master's trainees

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 - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical Mental Health Counseling MS Program), Annabel Franz (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵClinical Psychology MA program), Leah Stephens (master's trainee - Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵSocial Work MSW Program), Jay Manalo, Ph.D., HSP-P, NCC (Training Director)