Palm Beach County Youth Services Department Psychology Training Program Celebrates Recent Graduates and 10-Year APA Accreditation Renewal

The Youth Services Department celebrated the successful graduation of four doctoral psychology interns and one postdoctoral fellow from the Department's prestigious American Psychological Association (APA) accredited training program on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

The doctoral psychology internship program is designed to guide graduate students and postdoctoral fellows on their path to becoming professional psychologists. This achievement builds upon the program's recent full 10-year reaccreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation, following a comprehensive self-study and a 2025 site visit. The program's next site visit is scheduled for 2035.

Comprehensive Clinical Training Model:

The Youth Services Department doctoral psychology internship integrates theoretical, clinical, and professional standards through its Residential Treatment and Family Counseling (RTFC) Division. To ensure the depth and breadth required for independent practice, each intern completes:

• A six-month residential rotation at the Highridge Family Center.
• A six-month outpatient rotation at the Education & Training Center.

The graduating cohort completed a rigorous, year-long, 2,000-hour program and will move forward in their professional careers serving the behavioral and mental health needs of communities across the nation:

• Dr. Jillian Hersman (Nova Southeastern University) completed her doctoral internship and will begin a postdoctoral fellowship at a private practice in Miami, Florida.
• Dr. Alexandra Perez (Nova Southeastern University) completed her doctoral internship and will continue her training with a postdoctoral fellowship at Palm Beach Behavioral Health and Wellness in Palm Beach County.
• Dr. Alyssa Payne (Nova Southeastern University) completed her doctoral internship and will remain with the Youth Services Department as a postdoctoral fellow at the Highridge Family Center.
• Dr. Lisa Carter (Nova Southeastern University) completed her doctoral internship and will also remain with the department, stepping into a postdoctoral fellowship at the Education & Training Center.
• Dr. Yadira Diaz Romero (Eastern Kentucky University) successfully completed her year-long postdoctoral fellowship at the Highridge Family Center, following her doctoral internship with the department the previous year. She is relocating to Indiana to complete her licensing exam and will practice as a psychologist in Chicago.