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INTERNSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM
INTRODUCTION
Counseling West, a non-profit mental health center, was founded in 1976 to provide quality, affordable counseling and psychotherapy to individuals and families, and to provide a training program for mental health professionals of depth and value. Our program is designed to meet the needs of both those with no prior experience in the field and those who have acquired experience toward licensure. Interns and trainees begin to take on clients as quickly as readiness and previous experience allow and based on availability of new clients.
The agency's two offices are staffed by a carefully selected group of licensed trainees and interns. Staff members are characterized by their compassion, personal maturity, warmth, degree of self-awareness, and commitment to the rigors of a life lived in the presence of the psyche. Staff members are encouraged to be in therapy and, although it is not mandatory, it is typical.
The agency believes strongly in facilitating a supportive, nurturing environment for trainees and interns as well as clients. We believe that staff members can benefit greatly from knowing each other and each other's work; therefore, supervision and training are conducted in groups. In this way, staff members have an opportunity to observe a variety of counseling approaches as well as developing deep bonds with others at the agency.
Counseling West staff members utilize a variety of orienting approaches in working with clients. Many cases involve family issues, and a systems approach is appropriate. For other clients, more in-depth therapeutic interventions utilizing psycho-dynamic, Jungian, and Humanistic-Existential approaches are used. In all cases, therapists use an orienting philosophy, which they personally feel comfortable in applying.
In addition to opportunities for additional training offered during the year through guest speakers and clinical presentations, our staff is required to become involved in community outreach programs. These provide invaluable experience in acquiring additional skills in areas such as networking, public speaking, public relations, etc. that are necessary for successful practice after licensure. Some interns/trainees choose to offer groups in areas of specific interest to them, i.e. bereavement, adolescence, children of divorce.
Because of the diversity of our client population, we are able to provide interns and trainees with a broad base of experience with many kinds of presenting problems. We strongly encourage our interns/trainees to observe and participate in our various programs, including our parenting classes, elementary school counseling groups and other programs, which we offer to the community.
Many interns who begin their training at Counseling West apply to stay on and complete their entire 3000 hours of experience. We are pleased with the environment we have created at Counseling West and we strive to constantly improve our services to both clients and staff.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
1. FIRST YEAR INTERNS AND TRAINEES: (Approximately 10 hrs/wk.)
--Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (This includes a 2-hour supervision group, 1-1/2 hour training group, monthly in-service presentations, staff meetings, etc.)
--Carry a client caseload of 6 sessions / week by the end of the first 6 months.
--Be present for training on the telephone intake procedures. Be available to answer intake calls for about 2 hours per week during business hours (Mon thru Fri.9-5).
2. SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT YEAR INTERNS: (10 - 15 hrs/week)
--Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. weekly, and monthly trainings from 11:30 to 1:00 p.m.
--Carry a client caseload of at least 8 client sessions / week through the remainder of your internship.
--Individual supervision provided when the intern has consistently carried a sufficient caseload.
3. Internship Fee: First month $150.00; each subsequent month $50.00, payable at the beginning of each month. Upon hiring, you will be required to sign a supervision contract with your designated supervisor.
4. Provide proof of malpractice insurance before beginning to see clients, continually updating your file with current insurance documentation.
5. Have voice-mail on your home or cell phone, and a designated voice-mail # where your clients may leave messages. Your message to clients must include your position as an intern or trainee at CW.
6. Design and implement an annual 24-hour project of your choosing, as a service to CW, individually or with a team that may also be done as a monthly ongoing project. We will provide guidance, suggestions, and mentoring. The first year interns / trainees engage in 2 hours per week answering intake calls instead.
7. Interns are not paid for clients referred by CW. When interns bring clients to the agency by their own efforts (a "Direct Referral"), and the fee has a cash portion of $45.00 and above, interns will receive 50% of that fee. In addition, interns or trainees who do 30 or more sessions in a month will receive 15% of that month's fees. All clients except for direct referral clients are to remain with the agency upon the intern’s departure. For details, please refer to the therapist manual.
8. Maintain an acceptable level of attendance and participation in the internship program, notifying your supervisor when you are unable to attend supervision/training.
9. Agree to clear all vacations with your supervisor, and to notify the office and your supervisor of any out of town away time greater than a few days.
10.Satisfactorily pass bi-annual evaluations with your current supervisor.
TYPICAL INTERNSHIP TRAINING SCHEDULE
Introductions, Overview and (time permitting, intakes) for 3-4 weeks
Adolescent psychotherapy for 3-4 weeks
Medication and referring for medication evaluations
Couple Therapy for approximately 6 weeks
AIDS –HIV, Gay and Lesbian Issues in Therapy for 2-3 weeks
Individual therapy for 2-3 weeks
Narcissistic and Borderline Dynamics for 2 weeks
Managing the Transference (and Counter transference) for 2 weeks
Dealing with Incest and Sexual Abuse issues for 2 weeks
Using Guided Imagery for 2 weeks
Parenting Skills for 2 weeks
Family Therapy: Role Playing, Divorce issues for 4 weeks
Working with Children
Play therapy for 2 weeks
Sand Tray training
Chemical dependency: 12 step programs and other treatments for 2 sessions
Further topics to be announced
BARBARA SWENSON, Ph.D., MFT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / MFT CLINICAL SUPERVISOR
Over twenty years experience counseling individuals, families and couples. Seventeen years supervisory experience. Director of The Couple Center, Sherman Oaks and Woodland Hills offices. Specialized training in couple therapy and adolescent group psychotherapy; Adjunct Faculty, Pacifica Graduate Institute, Santa Barbara; Member of L.A County Red Cross Mental Health Disaster Response Team; MA in Psychology from Pepperdine University; MA and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from The Fielding Institute, Santa Barbara.
JEANINE ROOSE, Ph.D.
CLINICAL DIRECTOR / PHD CLINICAL SUPERVISOR
DIRECTOR OF PRE-DOCTORAL PSYCHOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Licensed Clinical Psychologist; Certified Jungian Analyst; Past President and Past Director of Training, Los Angeles Jung Institute; Faculty, Teaching and Supervision of candidates at C.G. Jung Institute of Los Angeles; B.S. & M.S., Nursing, UCLA; Ph.D., Psychology, UCLA; Former Assistant Director, Nursing Service, UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute; Associate Editor, Journal of Analytical Psychology; Over 28 years in private practice in analytical psychology/psychotherapy.
PATRICIA ABSEY, M.A., MFT
DIRECTOR OF SANDPLAY STUDIES / MFT CLINICAL SUPERVISOR
Over seventeen years experience counseling individuals, families, and children. Fifteen years supervisory experience. Certified Sand Play Therapist; Member International Sand Play Association; Former Faculty at Calif. State University Northridge.
STEPHEN KENNEALLY, M.A., MFT
DIRECTOR OF TRAINING
Six years experience counseling individuals, families and children. Currently in analytic training at C G Jung Institute of Los Angeles. Certified Life Coach, experience in facilitating personal growth seminars. TA at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Advisory Board Member at Counseling West. Board member at Opus – The Archives at Pacifica.
At this time, our training program is not accepting new applicants. However, please check this page for announcements of upcoming interview. In the meantime, if you would like to be on our waiting list for 2010, please contact: Sarah Stickeler at counselingwest@gmail.com
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