Training Program:
Dr. Perna has been training psychology interns, social work interns, licensed mental health counselors, and psychiatric residents for years. He began supervising trainees at McLean Hospital, which is Harvard Medical School's largest psychiatric teaching site-located in Belmont, MA. At CCS, he has partnered with co-supervisors Caitlyn Donaghey (Rinaldi), LICSW, Kaeley Majewski, PsyD, & Suzanne Brooks, PsyD, NCSP, in developing a multifaceted training program that covers a wide range of clinical interventions. Please take a look at their training profiles as supervisors as well as their approach to training at CCS: "Education must also train one for quick, resolute and effective thinking. To think incisively and to think for one’s self is very difficult. We are prone to let our mental life become invaded by legions of half truths, prejudices, and propaganda. At this point, I often wonder whether or not education is fulfilling its purpose."
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David A. Perna, PhD
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"We felt that we used to talk about ourselves too much in our interviews-so
we created this training page-now we spend more time focusing on each
candidate and learning about their past training experiences and
expectations for their career during our interview process."
Candidate Expectations:
Competitive trainees typically have prior experience in school settings, inpatient psychiatry placements, residential programs, court clinics, and/or college counseling centers. Experience in writing comprehensive testing reports/clinical summaries is essential and writing samples are reviewed and discussed within the interview process. Critical thinking skills are evaluated throughout the interview process based on a clinical case presentation. We encourage trainees to present their case using a powerpoint presentation, however, a handout is acceptable. We look for clarity of thought and a firm grasp of all clinical facts in presentations as well as the integration of evidence-based interventions. Warmth, rapport, and interpersonal sensitivity are all critical components to a successful candidate interview.
Competitive trainees typically have prior experience in school settings, inpatient psychiatry placements, residential programs, court clinics, and/or college counseling centers. Experience in writing comprehensive testing reports/clinical summaries is essential and writing samples are reviewed and discussed within the interview process. Critical thinking skills are evaluated throughout the interview process based on a clinical case presentation. We encourage trainees to present their case using a powerpoint presentation, however, a handout is acceptable. We look for clarity of thought and a firm grasp of all clinical facts in presentations as well as the integration of evidence-based interventions. Warmth, rapport, and interpersonal sensitivity are all critical components to a successful candidate interview.
Kaeley Majewski, PsyD
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Caitlyn Donaghey (Rinaldi), LICSW
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Suzanne, Brooks, PsyD, NCSP
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"At CCS, treatment is a team sport"
I tell all of our trainees:
"Sometimes we worry, but we never worry alone."
We rely on our team for support and direction every day. . .
-Dr. Perna
Testing |
Clinical Writing |
Multi-Modality Treatment |
Trainees also complete customized testing batteries that are designed to clinically track onto our Anger Management Treatment Program's curriculum.
Batteries may include:
School meetings typically include a review of school-based reports including:
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Trainees produce written reports related to typical clinical interactions (Treatment plans, Weekly clinical notes) in addition to psychological testing, single case-agreements, IEP development, developmentally specific educational reports, criminal court litigation documentation, behavioral plans, documents related to educational litigation, and single case agreements requests filed with insurance companies, Completion of Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and Department of Mental Health Services (DMH) referrals with a schedule of attached supporting documentation is also standard.
Clinical Tutoring: Please refer to the Clinical Tutoring Page (click) in order to understand how learning and clinical interventions are combined to address the unique needs of our adolescent and college transition populations. Many of our trainees learn a tremendous amount in these sessions. Specifically, how expressive writing impacts a patient's stress levels and learning progress in their school placements. |
Trainees also see group participants in individual/family therapy treatments and in their roles as Clinical Tutors (click). We discuss how to harvest relevant clinical information via a thorough, developmentally informed intake and a review of prior testing. This information is integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that coordinates all aspects of the patient's treatment.
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