"It’s Never too Late to Start Living a Life You Love"                                                                                                                                                                 

  John T. Carlsen, Psy.D., Director                                                                              
 773.975.4297                                                                       Home

"Sharpening Your Competitive Edge:
Strategies for Getting the Internship You Want"

Graduate school has prepared you well in all areas of psychology . . . except how to enter the profession.  Unless you are an unusual student, you know very little about how to market your qualifications for internship.

Most students have no idea how to set themselves apart from their competition as they apply for internship.  They simply write a few drafts of each essay, correct the spelling and punctuation, and send them off in the mail, hoping for the best.  In fact, the average student spends much more time obsessing about the appropriate paper colors, type fonts, and page layouts for their applications and CV's than they devote to making sure they have said something worthwhile.

You can, however take a different approach.

The first secret lies in uncovering your unique gifts and talents as a training therapist.  While others might have more knowledge or experience in certain areas than you have, no one else has your particular blend.  The second secret lies in putting this uniqueness into words. . . words that convey your interest, enthusiasm, and excitement about training at each particular site. . . in both your written and spoken words.

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Internship Application Teleconferences

If you have limited time and availability or want more specific guidance in writing your APPIC essays, an IRC teleconference might be just what you need.

These convenient, easily-accessible 60-minute sessions will provide you with in-proven strategies for mastering the challenges presented by each essay question.  Focusing on one essay question per session, Dr. Carlsen will provide you with  structured methods for uncovering your best material and strategies for making the most of your 500 words in each essay.  Each session will review key strategies for overcoming procrastination and perfectionism  to help you keep moving forward and stay motivated to submit completed applications in advance of your deadlines.

Teleconference #1 Writing a Strategic Autobiography

Choose Session 

Check back for Dates/Times in August 2008 
$25 per person                   Session limited to 10 participants.
Advance registration/payment required.

Watch your email for announcements of future teleconferences!

Personal Coaching

Through the coaching process, you will develop a Core Personal Marketing Concept that tightly blends your training priorities and natural gifts as a therapist in one easy-to-understand package.  Your CPMC highlights how closely your individual training needs fit with the specific programs offered at your chosen sites.  

It also ensures that you present a consistent message throughout your application essays, your curriculum vitae, and your responses to interview questions.  Using this powerful tool consistently can help you to stay focused on your professional priorities and to replace your anxiety with unshakable confidence.

Writing Effective Applications
If you suffer from procrastination, writer’s block, or perfectionism, personal coaching can help you get unstuck and provide the relief and direction you need to move forward.  Personal coaching will help you:  

  • uncover and articulate your professional dreams,
  • identify your strengths and areas of growth
  • define your individual training goals
  • write persuasive essays that highlight your unique qualifications.

Conducting Persuasive Interviews
Maybe you have always felt uncomfortable talking about yourself.  Maybe you have trouble managing your anxiety. Or, maybe you simply have not interviewed in a long time and feel out of practice.  No matter what obstacles you face, personal coaching will help you to 

  • sharpen your communication skills, 
  • anticipate and prepare for challenging questions, and 
  • gain the confidence you need to make a powerful, convincing, and lasting impression.

You can set up personal coaching by telephone or in person, according to your preferences.  If your time is especially limited, consider arranging for editorial feedback on your applications by email or regular mail.

In-person Coaching:  Payment by check, cash, or money order is due at completion of each session.

Telephone Coaching must be prepaid.  If you cannot meet with Dr. Carlsen in person, you may register for a free 30-minute sample session.  To schedule a sample session, contact Dr. Carlsen.  Limit:  One free sample session per person . 

Telephone Coaching Credit Card Payment
By Appointment. . . .  .. . . . $100/hour


To learn more about how personal coaching can help you overcome your particular obstacles or to schedule a session, contact Dr. Carlsen or call 773.975.4297.

 

You have invested
a great deal of
time, energy, and money in your professional training.

 

Can you afford
to leave your internship
to chance?

Workshops 

Writing Effective Applications
Do you struggle with procrastination or writer's block in writing your APPIC essays?  Are you worried about how you can stand out from the competition?  If so, this workshop is for you.  You will learn to uncover your unique qualifications, create a strong match with your chosen sites, and package your experience to make a strong, distinctive impression on your selection committees.

Workshop I:  Writing Effective Applications 
Choose Session

Check back for Dates/Times in August 2008 
$60 per person                   Session limited to 10 participants.
Advance registration/payment required.
This workshop will take place at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
and is open only to current CSOPP students.

 

  
 Conducting Persuasive Interviews
Do you have trouble talking about yourself and your experiences yourself?  Are you unsure how to manage your anxiety while trying to make a good impression?  If so, this workshop is for you.  Learn how to define your Core Personal Marketing Concept™, manage "hot seat" interview questions,  and sharpen your communication skills to take charge of your presentation from start to finish.

Workshop II:  Conducting Persuasive Interviews 
Choose Session

Check back for Dates/Times in August 2008 
$60 per person                   Session limited to 10 participants.
Advance registration/payment required.
Sessions I & II take place at:
The Conference Center of
Bridgeview Bank Uptown
4753 North Broadway, Chicago
(enter on Lawrence next to Starbucks)
***Session III takes place at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
and is open only to current CSOPP students.

 

 

SPECIAL
Save 15% by registering for both workshops today!

Internship Workshop Series
(Note:  This workshop series is available only to applicants from
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and will take place on the CSOPP campus.)

Check back for Dates/Times in August 2008 
$100 per person                   Session limited to 10 participants.
Advance registration/payment required.

 

 

Personal Training Manuals

"Sharpening Your competitive Edge:
Strategies for Getting the Internship You Want"

If you want more in-depth value your independence and high-quality personal preparation, these self-paced training manuals offer an innovative approach to helping you stand out from your competition.

Tailored to the needs of first-time applicants, the exercises and examples will help you to uncover your unique experiences and find ways describe them with clarity and completeness. 

A unique resource, these workbooks offer powerful tools for identifying your particular strengths and weaknesses, setting realistic training and professional goals, and overcoming obstacles to present your qualifications with confidence.

Volume I: Writing Effective Applications
View table of contents and sample text here.

  • Conquer Procrastination and Perfectionism
  • Blast through Writer’s Block
  • Master the Five-step Writing/Editing Process
  • Stand out on Your APPIC Application
  • Shine in Your Curriculum Vitae and Cover Letters

$40 per manual

Volume II: Conducting Persuasive Interviews
View table of contents and sample text here.

  • Define and Present Your Core Professional Image
  • Take Charge of the Interview from Start to Finish
  • Master the Art of Handling Unspoken Questions
  • Tackle the "Hot Seat" Interview Situation
  • Harness Your Anxiety Throughout the Process

$40 per manual

SPECIAL
Save 10% by purchasing both manuals today

"Sharpening Your Competitive Edge:
Strategies for Getting the Internship You Want"
Volumes I & II
$70

 

These manuals are not available in any store -
you must order them directly from
The Internship Resource Center!