Please read the following information to help you decide whether to apply to the Psychotherapy Training Program.

TPI will have a pilot pre-graduate program starting in Fall 2024.

Who Should Apply?

• Post-graduate professionals in mental health who are obtaining hours toward licensure as social workers, marriage-family therapists, and psychologists

• Pre-graduate students in practicum applications are closed.

• Licensed mental health professionals who want to expand their knowledge of open-ended, psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Prerequisite Experience

By the starting date of the program you must have:

• Completed a two-year or longer graduate program and received a master's or doctoral degree in a mental health field.

• Preference is given to applicants who have completed a minimum of 18 months (two full academic years) of relevant clinical experience, including 375 face-to-face clinical hours; for example, by doing psychotherapy, counseling, specialized treatment, crisis intervention, or case work. Preference is given to applicants who have acquired this experience post-degree and within the past five years.

Additional Criteria

You must be willing to commit 25 hours weekly to the program, including blocks of time for seeing clients—such as a morning, afternoon, or evening—on at least three days a week.

We’ve found that applicants best suited to the program are self-reflective and value self-awareness for psychotherapy practitioners. Most have undertaken their own psychotherapy. Personal therapy during the training program is highly recommended.

How Do I Apply?

1. Download the application packet for post-graduates or pre-graduates. Complete all the requested application materials and email them to Sandra Gaspar, sgaspar@tpi-berkeley.org. To pay the $50, nonrefundable application fee, fill out the form below. 

Each year, the Institute accepts approximately eight staff therapists. We schedule interviews for as many applicants as possible. Depending upon the number of applications we receive, we may not be able to offer a personal interview to all candidates meeting the minimum requirements. The Selection Committee makes all decisions about personal interviews and the selection of trainees; its decisions are final.

All written materials you submit as part or in support of your application become the property of the Institute. If you are not selected, we’ll destroy all application materials.