Supervision and Mentorship

MSU CAPS has a shared identity as a training clinic. We have an “Open Door” policy which provides you with opportunities to utilize the knowledge and expertise of all staff members through supervision, consultation, and professional relationship.

Staff who are fully licensed psychologists are the primary supervisors of doctoral Interns. This standard meets the licensing requirement for Michigan and for most other states. All supervisors attempt to provide a balance of both challenge and support in the service of your growth as an emerging psychologist. You will meet weekly with your primary supervisor for two hours of individual supervision and will receive another two hours of supervision from your time in seminars and other activities. Your progress is collaboratively supported by all members of MSU CAPS with particular emphasis from the Training Committee, who will have input in the evaluation of your performance and growth. Formative and summative evaluation points are built into the training year.

Typically, you will have the option of having at least two different primary supervisors over the course of a training year. This provides you with an enhanced opportunity to experience different styles and orientations.

The following senior staff psychologists are commonly available to serve as doctoral intern primary supervisors:


Mentoring relationships with psychologists, counselors, psychiatrists, care managers and/or social workers result in additional supervision and professional experiences and offer customization of the training experience.

The following staff members are available to serve as mentors:


Ginny Blakely, LMSW
Social Justice and Identity Development from an Intersectional Queer Framework; Transgender and Women’s Rights; Empowerment and Advocacy; Transgender Health; Cultural Humility; Self-Care and Social Healing; Connecting Folks to Critical Resources and Supports; Interdisciplinary Health Care.

Talitha Easterly, PhD, LLP
Outreach: College Student Mental Health; Multiracial Identity Development; Retention, Persistence, and Achievement among Culturally Diverse College Student Populations (Racial/Ethnic Identification, First-Generation, International, Non-traditional, Student Parents); Leadership Development; Integrating Religion and Spirituality into practice; Positive Psychology.

Sarah Fay-Simons, LMSW
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), First-Generation College Students, International Students, Women’s Issues, Chronic Medical Diagnoses, LGBTQ+, Trauma-informed, Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Depression, Relationship Concerns

Swapna Hingwe, D.O., M.A.
Eating Disorders, Intimate Partner Violence, Positive Psychiatry, Resilience, First-Generation U.S. Born Students, LGBTQ+, South Asian American Health, Feminist and Dynamic therapies

Basak Khamush, PhD, LP
Clinical Areas interest: Anxiety, OCD, ADHD, Eating Disorders, Mood Disorders, Perfectionism, and Psychological Assessment. Treatment Approaches: Psychodynamic, ACT, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, DBT, Gottman Method, Bowenian Family Therapy, and Transactional Analysis. Populations of Interest: Couples, Immigrants, International Students, Muslim and Middle Eastern Students, Asian and South Asian Students. Social/Developmental Issues of Interest: Acculturation, social justice issues, identity development, and Career Development.

Caitlin Riley, LMSW
Identity Development; Family of Origin Issues; Chronic Illness, Grief/Loss; Women's Issues; Interpersonal Neurobiology; Couples/Relational Counseling.

Olivia Scott, PhD
Interpersonal/Psychodynamic Therapies; Feminist-Multicultural Therapy; Working across Difference; Students of Color; LGBTQ+ Students; Student-Athletes; International Students; Identity Development and Conflict; Religion and Spirituality; Outreach

Josh Turchan, PhD, LP
Interpersonal & Relational psychodynamic Psychotherapy/Theory; Psychotherapy Research, Process, and Outcomes; Personality Pathology/Disorders; Developmental/Relational, Complex, and Sexual Trauma; Family of Origin issues; Low Income, First Gen, Non-Traditional College Students; Interpersonal Process Group Therapy; Supervision and Training; Psychological/therapeutic Assessment.

Doctoral Internship