TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AT FULLER PSYCHOLOGICAL AND FAMILY SERVICES
At Fuller Psychological and Family Services (FPFS), we offer a variety of pre- and post-graduate training opportunities for Clinical Psychology and Marriage and Family clinicians. All students and post-graduate clinicians receive supervision and/or consultation directly from licensed professionals. As our telehealth platform and most of our therapy rooms are equipped with video recording capabilities, clinicians benefit from having videos of their sessions reviewed during supervision. Further, to help ensure a well-rounded training experience, we make every effort to have each student and post-graduate clinician experience different types of therapy (e.g., individual, child/adolescent, couple/family, and group therapy) using different theoretical orientations (e.g., Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy). Student performance is tracked using a variety of metrics that are reviewed regularly by clinic supervisors to enable timely and effective training interventions.
FOR CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS
Psychotherapy. Students typically see an average of six to eight clients per week for 50-minute sessions. Each student receives at least one hour of weekly individual supervision in addition to group consultation.
Didactic training. Practicum students receive at least six hours per month of in-service training. Typically, four hours of this training focuses on the integration of psychology and religion. Training also include topics such as child and elder abuse reporting, suicidality/self-harm, motivational interviewing, and short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy.
Neuropsychological assessment. Students in the Clinical Psychology program may apply for 12-month clerkship positions at FPFS, during which they will administer neuropsychological assessment batteries to help detect the presence of neurodevelopmental disorders. These disorders include but are not limited to ADD/ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, learning disorders, intellectual disabilities, dyslexia, processing issues, depression, and anxiety. These students are directly supervised by a licensed psychologist.
Personality assessment. Students in Fuller’s Clinical Psychology program may apply for 12-month clerkship positions at FPFS, during which they will administer personality assessment batteries to help clients understand their personalities at a deep level, identify areas of their personality that may interfere with reaching their fullest potential, and gain insights into vocational and career themes that best fit them. These students are directly supervised by both licensed psychologists and post-doctoral fellows.
Additional Clinical Experience. FPFS has a limited number of opportunities for clinical students seeking additional clinical experience in the areas of psychotherapy and assessment, for the purposes of honing their skills and becoming more competitive when they apply for internship. These positions typically involve spending five to eight hours per week in the clinic treating clients and receiving supervision.
FOR STUDENTS IN THE MARRIAGE AND FAMILY PROGRAM
FPFS provides training opportunities in the areas of psychotherapy, assessment, and didactic training for Marriage and Family students:
Psychotherapy. Marriage and Family students typically see an average of eight to ten clients per week for 50-minute sessions. Each student receives at least one hour of weekly individual supervision and two hours of group supervision.
Assessment. Qualified students have the opportunity to administer, score, interpret, and document assessments included with treatment programs such as PREPARE/ENRICH.
Didactic training. Marriage and Family students receive at least six hours per month of in-service training. Typically, four hours of this training focuses on the integration of psychology and religion. Training also include topics such as child and elder abuse reporting, suicidality/self-harm, motivational interviewing, and short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy.
FOR CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS
FPFS provides opportunities for postdoctoral fellows to accrue supervised professional experience in the areas of psychotherapy, assessment, and supervision. We are no longer accepting applications for the 2022-2023 fellowship year. Please click on the link below for details about the postdoctoral fellow position and application instructions for the 2023-2024 fellowship year.
TRAINING FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY ASSOCIATES
FPFS also provides training opportunities for students from Marriage and Family programs who have graduated with their master’s degree and are seeking additional hours in preparation for licensure.
Marriage and Family Associate. Students who have their master’s degree from a Marriage and Family program may qualify as a Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Associate. MFT interns provide psychotherapy to 15–20 clients weekly, including individuals (children, adolescents, and adults), couples, and families. This is a paid part-time position in which the MFT Associate receive a percentage of the therapy fees his/her clients pay to the clinic. MFT Associates also receive individual and, as appropriate, group supervision. In addition, Associates have access to other training opportunities such as in-service lectures and training.
WHAT MAKES TRAINING AT FPFS UNIQUE?
FPFS is unique as a training clinic in a number of ways, including these:
Intensive Supervision
All students receive weekly supervision and consultation, overseen by licensed professionals.
Video Recording Capability
FPFS therapy rooms and telehealth platforms are equipped with video recording capabilities that record both the client and the clinician. These recordings are regularly reviewed during supervision to enhance training effectiveness.
Exposure to a variety of therapeutic modalities and types
At FPFS, we believe that the best training experience exposes students to a variety of ways to conceptualize and treat clients and to a variety of treatment types. For example, each practicum student will receive extensive training in both insight (e.g., psychodynamic) and action/behavioral (e.g., cognitive behavioral) therapies. Further, we strive to provide opportunities for each student to treat adults, children/adolescents, and couples/families.
Access to a diverse clientele population
Los Angeles County in general and the Pasadena area in particular are blessed with a rich mixture of racial, ethnic, and cultural groups. This provides students the opportunity to learn and utilize culturally sensitive conceptualization and intervention practices.
Integration of psychology and spirituality/religion
One of the most important and fundamental ways FPFS is unique is that its very existence is predicated upon treating mind, body, and spirit in an integrated manner. Simply put, this means that people are more than just physical beings. It also means that psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety often manifest as physical symptoms such as fatigue or pain. Further, it means that our spiritual health can impact and be impacted by our physical and psychological symptoms. These beliefs are inextricably linked to the establishment and ongoing vision of FPFS, a vision strongly influenced by both the Fuller Graduate School of Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy and Fuller Theological Seminary. Students receiving training at FPFS will have opportunities to learn how this integration is done in practice. And, because FPFS attracts many clients who want their spirituality/religion integrated into their treatment, students will have many opportunities to practice integration with willing clients.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact:
Sylvia Garcia, LMFT
Director of Training, Fuller Psychological and Family Services
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
email: sylviagarcia@fuller.edu
Tel: 626-584-5556