Clinical Psychology Internship at NCMH

Are you starting your clinical internship? or just curious about what to expect in this journey? I have my fair share of anxiousness when I was to begin this chapter of my life. I vividly remember googling for 'clinical psychology internship PH' and combing through Youtube to find any with almost no results. So, let me share my experience and maybe you wouldn't feel so lost about it.

As a college student, I strive to explore and exhaust all possible opportunities that may come my way. I joined organizations that I view to be supplemental to my passion which is to serve people who are dealing with mental health issues and be able to empower them through webinars and social media. I worked with school counselors to raise awareness about mental health and make counseling less daunting to students who felt lost, confused, and afraid of what their present and future held. Like my fellow college students, I also endure such hardships. I was torn on what I wanted to become in the next chapter of my life.

I find a home in studying that the future beyond the university seems scarier than it is. I envied my friends who have a clear path on who they want to become. And, I longed for a realization that would help me build the person I dream to become.

Before being an intern at the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), I interned in a rehabilitation center where I immersed myself as a resident and experienced what a recovering addict patient has to deal with every day. Instead of being enlightened, I came out to be more confused with the learnings and experiences that I have garnered. I was baffled by what truly happens on site and how it is much different from what I studied. I administered some tests but the lack of psychologist supervision made me doubt the output that I produced. Because of that, I yearned for more experience and knowledge as much as I can to help me understand and discover myself as well as the person I am becoming.

Upon arriving at the gates of NCMH, I remember being so excited and somewhat nervous about what I am about to discover. On the first day of administration, I was immediately intimidated by the battery of tests to be administered and how the interview should be conducted. We were assigned to the pavilion where patients have forensic cases and some are accompanied by military and police. I was flabbergasted at being able to interact face-to-face with people who have committed heinous crimes like murder and rape. I find it hard to maintain a calm demeanor and focus on the job at hand while hearing the step-by-step narration of their crimes.

It was at the moment of interviewing that I realized what it entails to be a psychologist along with the burden it holds as someone who will deal with various diverse issues and cases but oddly enough, in the midst of unnerved state, instead of being discouraged and afraid, I was left feeling challenged and thrilled on what this profession is truly about.

As days went by, I was able to adapt little by little and learned how to cope with stories that were told with the help of our dear onsite supervisors who never failed to educate and guide us and share meaningful mentorship on the career that we are venturing into. I deeply enjoyed administering projective tests and garnering results that are very distinguishable from one another (Draw a person test, Bender Visual test, Sacks Sentence Completion test, Raven's test).

My experience in the institution might be short but it is definitely worth it. The skills and learnings I have acquired together with the memories created, and fruitful relationships that were formed and deepened, I can say with my whole heart that it left a great impact and shed some enlightenment on the journey that I’m about to take, and for that, I am forever grateful.