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Mental health interns coming to Standing Rock

WILL KINCAID/Tribune Tami Decoteau, Fort Yates Phychologist

Jul 19, 2008 - 04:06:28 CDT

By SARA KINCAID
Bismarck Tribune

FORT YATES - A new recruitment tool is available to the Indian Health Service in Standing Rock.

Three students will start yearlong internships later this month. It's the beginning of a process to bring an accredited American Psychology Associationprogram to the reservation.

"There's a lot of difficulty getting psychologists to rural areas," said Tami Decoteau, a psychologist at the Indian Health Service Standing Rock Service Unit in Fort Yates.

The primary reasons are pay, work conditions and lack of interest in working in rural areas. The internships add much-needed professionals to the area, which is covered by two psychologists.

The Standing Rock service unit covers 2 million acres. It has a caseload that could use another clinical psychologist, but there isn't funding from IHS to cover this.

Decoteau can pay stipends for three interns for less than the cost of a psychologist. It would help ease the caseload at the Standing Rock service unit, at the same time that it provides a needed service for the students.

The three doctoral students will come to Standing Rock this month. They will live in Bismarck and commute. Orientation starts on July 28, and they start working under supervision on Aug. 11.

The interns are from across the country. Decoteau found them from a national matching service clearing house. The students are in graduate programs. There are more students than internships. Most of the students are working toward a doctorate in psychology to go into clinical work. Other doctoral degrees in psychology move people into a research and academic track.

This year, the IHS was able to ask for applications from the nearly 800 students nationally who did not get an internship. In one day, they had 50 applicants.

They did not receive applicants from the University of North Dakota Indians into Psychology program because students are required to complete an American Psychological Association accredited internship. The program in Standing Rock is not accredited through the APA at this time, but is working to be APA accredited in the future.

Decoteau based the internship on a similar program she started with Veterans Affairs in South Dakota. Her hope is that the Standing Rock internship program could be a model for other rural areas with at least two psychologists.

The internship is funded through the Standing Rock Tribe and Indian Health Services unit in McLaughlin, S.D. It provides a $2,500 monthly stipend. Students find their own living accommodations.

Most internships are in metropolitan areas, and consequently, most job opportunities are in those areas, Decoteau said.

The first two weeks will be orientation, then the interns will provide services under the supervision of a psychologist. Four out of the five days, they will be on the reservation. The other weekday, they will be at one of three organizations in Bismarck: West Central Human Services Center, Youth Works or Chambers and Blohm. The interns will pick two locations, start at one location, then switch to the second location after six months.

The last month of the internship will be at a horse therapy camp in Montana. They will learn about equine therapy, as well as how to work with Indian people.

The services provided by IHS include evaluations, treatment for suicidal individuals and chemical dependency. They also work with schools and provide community outreach programs.

"We have no luxury to make referrals," Decoteau said.

In addition to the main clinic in Fort Yates, there are clinics in Cannon Ball, Selfridge and Bullhead, S.D.

(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@bismarcktribune.com.)

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Comments

Jason Lueder, Online Editor wrote on Jul 24, 2008 4:22 PM:

" As a rule, I don't comment on stories, but I will make an exception for this one. Keep up the good work Tammy. "

SUPPORTIVE IN BISMARCK wrote on Jul 24, 2008 4:13 PM:

" GREAT JOB from Dr. DeCoteau. The reservations are in such need of this type of service. Only good will come from this with the interns able to meet their required training and the benefit the people on the reservations will receive. "

NorthBis wrote on Jul 20, 2008 12:51 AM:

" It shouldnt surprise me that some of us here have never heard of equine therapy, and I guess I'm not surprised at this kind of reaction, one borne of ignorance. Equine therapy is a widely used (evidently not in ND) therapy tool not only for mental health issues, but also as part of physical therapy throughout the country, and elsewhere. And as far as "how to work with Indian people" goes, what's wrong with service providers trying to learn about the cultural background of those they are trying to serve? "

Sandi wrote on Jul 19, 2008 9:36 PM:

" Horse Camp therapy for acutally for the benefit of people (patient)...especially young people who have issues with trust, self esteem and the need to give and feel love. Horse therapy is also a great help with young children with physical problems such as balance and motor skills. Horses and therapy dogs have worked miracles with people. Many prisons have dog and horse programs for the same reasons...give people love and a purpose....before you bash things you don't know about...do research... "

south bismarck wrote on Jul 19, 2008 7:14 PM:

" Now what is this equine (horse) therapy as well as learning how to work with Indian people???? Now that is kind of degrading using these two in the same sentence. Don't u think? People what's wrong with this? "

Halatbis wrote on Jul 19, 2008 9:03 AM:

" Horse therapy camp? What next? How about Prairie Dog therapy? They have more problems than horses what with snakes on the ground and hawks and eagles in the air and ranchers with guns. Good grief! Some one does not have enough to do and way too much money.
That part about horse therapy was just a joke--to see if the readers are really paying attention, right? "

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