Intern Photos - Western State Hospital Internship Program

September 09 2025

They have arrived!

We welcomed our 2025-2026 cohort interns August 1st and have been enjoying our time with them! During their first month, they completed hospital and department orientation and trainings. Now they are on our Admissions program area, perfecting their intake assessments and diagnostic abilities. Starting in October, they will be starting their rotations, working with the different program area treatment teams and conducting groups with patients, amongst other responsibilities.

(left to right) Chelsea, Jordan, Cynthia, Sarah

August 08 2024

2024 Mock Trial Experience

Again this year, our interns met with Dr. Danielle Smith and her husband, Assistance County Attorney, Jared Smith, to get a taste of what to expect when providing expert testimony in a court of law. Interns are provided background and psychological testing information from real (anonymous) patients before coming to trial. Mr. Smith really lays it on thick trying to make our interns nervous and see if he can get them caught up in order to help his “client”. Interns, Shakeira and Sarah, didn’t crack under pressure and gave excellent testimony.

This experience is always fun and a good way to introduce interns into court proceedings. Mr. Smith and Dr. Smith do an excellent job at giving insight into how expert testimonies play out in the justice system and also help our interns learn how to stay cool, calm, and collected while on the stand.

Sarah swearing an oath to tell the whole truth

Shakeira kept a great poker face during her testimony. “Judge” Mullins… not so much!

November 11 2023

2023 Mock Trial Seminar

Each year, we meet with Forensic Psychologist (and former WSH intern) Dr. Danielle Smith and her husband, Asst. District Attorney Jarred Smith, Esq., to give our interns a look at how forensic testimony in court proceedings carry out. Jarred does not hold back on grilling our future docs but sometimes “Judge” Vaught throw her weight around as well. It’s a fun, interesting learning experience we are thankful to have offered to us and hope to continue.