The Psychotherapy Training Program provides an intensive learning experience in psychodynamically oriented psychotherapy. It is open to professional community members who have attained a master's or doctoral degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related mental health field and want to deepen their skills and knowledge. Trainees staff the Institute’s moderate-fee clinic and provide psychotherapy to clients under the careful supervision of experienced, licensed clinicians. They receive both individual and group supervision weekly and participate in a didactic program of lectures, seminars, and case conferences covering major theoretical and clinical aspects of psychotherapy.

Post-Graduate Staff Therapists receive an annual stipend of $3000 to provide minimal support during their two years in the program 

The program extends for two years. The training group is composed of approximately 16 first- and second-year trainees. In a typical year, eight trainees start the program in early September. Our goal is to select a diverse group of developing therapists who represent the professional community and value the self-awareness required of psychotherapy practitioners. TPI does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation and welcomes all qualified persons to apply.

Supervised hours at the Clinic are routinely accepted by the Board of Behavioral Science (BBS) for the California LMFT and LCSW licenses. Psychologists can accumulate post-doctoral hours when registered with the Board of Psychology as Psychological Associates; however, a maximum of 11 hours/week in the training program can be credited toward psychology licensure.

A Closer Look

As a staff therapist at The Psychotherapy Institute, you’ll work with a caseload of at least five adult clients (9-12 client hours per week). The Clinic treats individuals of a wide range of ethnic and economic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and mental health problems. The Clinic does not accept clients who are actively suicidal at the time of intake or whose primary difficulties concern substance abuse or domestic violence. Most clients are seen in individual therapy, but there are opportunities to work with couples as well. Along with the other staff therapists, you’ll share responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the Clinic, including the intake process.

Regular meetings include:

• Weekly clinical issues group. This meeting is held on Tuesday mornings.

• Weekly staff meeting. This group is held on Tuesday mornings. 

• Weekly didactic seminar. The focus of the didactic seminars alternates each year between theoretical perspectives and treatment techniques and modalities. These groups are held on Friday mornings.

• Bi-weekly Process Learning Group. Separate groups are held for first-year and second-year trainees. The groups meet on Friday afternoons.

• Monthly TPI committee meetings. Staff therapists may join a standing committee to become more familiar with the organization and the larger TPI community.

Supervision: Each week, staff therapists receive up to 2 hours of individual, face-to-face supervision and 1.5 hours of small group consultation. You’ll have both a primary and secondary supervisor. Your weekly group supervision will consist of 5 - 6 staff therapists and include both first and second-year staff. TPI maintains a roster of over 60 active supervisors who are experienced clinicians from various disciplines and orientations who volunteer their time as TPI supervisors.

College Track: TPI collaborates with College Track (CT), an organization that offers an after-school college-preparatory program for underserved communities in Oakland. TPI Staff Therapists provide adjunctive therapy services virtually. This optional program offers Staff Therapists the opportunity to provide individual, drop-in, milieu, and/or group therapy while collecting child/family hours toward licensure. A LIMITED NUMBER OF SLOTS ARE AVAILABLE.

TPI Committees: you will have the opportunity to sit on a TPI committee that usually meets monthly. This will allow you to become more familiar with the organization and the larger TPI community.

The time demands of the training program are comparable to those of a part-time job. You’ll be involved in Institute activities for approximately 25 hours/week, including time for clinical hours, supervision, seminars, paperwork, and intake responsibilities. You must accumulate 550 face-to-face clinical hours to complete the program.

Graduates receive certificates after the annual graduation, a celebration attended by trainees, family, and supervisors. Many trainees become close to fellow staff members during the training program. Some in the Bay Area continue their association through peer consultation and study groups. Many also continue their involvement at The Psychotherapy Institute, going on to become supervisors or hold an Institute-wide office.

What Graduates Have Said
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