Training Program

CAPS offers extensive practicum training for qualified graduate students in the CSUF Departments of Counseling and Psychology, as well as doctoral students in psychology from local universities. CAPS also offers a paid 10-month post-doctoral position for persons who have completed a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in counseling or clinical psychology.

CAPS TRAINING FOCUS

The emphasis of the CAPS training program is to provide developmentally-appropriate training and clinical experiences that include exposure to a variety of therapeutic modalities and styles. The training program is designed with the overall goal of developing trainees’ skills, confidence, and competence in the following areas:

Brief, time-limited individual therapy
Effective intervention with a diverse and multicultural population
Effective intervention with a range of diagnoses and developmental issues
Crisis intervention
Professional issues in mental health practice
Professional and ethical development

Additional Training Opportunities
Professionals-in-training may also have the opportunity to:

Co-facilitate a psychotherapy group
Participate in outreach opportunities such as classroom presentations, workshops, resource fairs
Participate in consultation efforts with faculty, staff and student groups
Collaborate on agency projects and special assignments
Provide clinical supervision (post-doctoral trainees only)

Practicum Program Description

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) offers extensive, high-quality practicum training for qualified masters- and doctoral-level graduate students in psychology and marriage and family counseling. Since CAPS provides services to all registered students at CSUF, we are able to provide practicum students with a wide variety of experiences within the clinical and educational services of the center. The practicum experience is an academic-year long experience covering the fall and spring semesters.

GENERAL INFORMATION

All professionals-in-training are required to attend a multi-day orientation during the week before Fall semester classes begin. Orientation will consist of:

Review of CAPS’ policies and procedures, including forms and equipment
Supervisor introduction and assignment
Schedule set-up and office assignment
Didactic training on various clinical issues

All trainees are required to be at CAPS on Wednesdays from 8am-noon to attend the Trainee Administrative Meeting, Training Seminar, Case Assignment Team (CAT) Meeting, and Group Supervision. Individual supervision (minimum of 1 hour per week) is arranged as it fits the schedules of the trainee and supervisor.

Prospective applicants should note the following CAPS policies before submitting an application:

Trainee applicants cannot be a CAPS client for a minimum of eight months prior to the start of a practicum or internship experience at CAPS.
Applicants may not be accepted for placement at CAPS if they have been seen for therapy at CAPS by multiple therapists as this may ultimately affect or limit the applicant’s future participation in training or supervision within the program.
Current CAPS trainees are prohibited from receiving ongoing counseling services from a CAPS staff member concurrent with their period of assignment.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND PROCEDURES

CAPS Application forms are available beginning January 15th for positions beginning in the fall of that year. CLICK HERE to download the current form.

Minimum Requirements:

Current graduate student of good standing in a Ph.D. or Psy.D. program in Clinical or Counseling Psychology or in the CSUF Master’s-degree programs in Counseling, Psychology, or related mental health field. Applicant’s academic program must have a contractual training agreement with CAPS.
Approval from department chair, supervisor, or other person familiar with your academic/clinical skills
Commitment of 20 hours per week
Good interpersonal and communication skills
Completed coursework: Theories of counseling, Basic counseling skills/Counseling fundamentals, Treatment/Interventions with adults

Desired qualifications:

At least 1 year of experience providing individual counseling, including the intake, treatment planning and termination processes
Experience maintaining clinical case notes
Completed coursework in: professional ethics, multicultural counseling, group therapy, couples/family therapy, psychometric assessment

Preference will be given to applicants who have previous experience providing therapy to individuals, couples, and/or groups.

Application Process and Timeline

All applicants must submit:

Letter of interest
CAPS Application form
Curriculum Vitae
Official graduate transcript(s)
Two letters of recommendation

Submit completed applications to:

Practicum Selection Committee, Counseling and Psychological Services, California State University, Fullerton, PO Box 6830, Fullerton, CA 92834-6830

Application Deadline:       Early March
Interviews Held:               Mid-March to Early April
Notification Date:             April—CAPS observes the standard SCAPTP notification day

Start Date: Mid-August End Date: Late May

If selected for further consideration, applicants will be notified by phone and a personal interview will be scheduled at that time. Applicants who are no longer being considered will also be notified. Trainees who accept positions at CAPS will be required to maintain their own liability insurance throughout the duration of the practicum. For more information, please call (657) 278-3040.

Post-Doctoral Trainees

CAPS welcomes applications for our post-doctoral training position from clinical and counseling psychology students around the country. The post-doctoral fellowship is a 10-month, paid position and the successful candidate is selected through the formal CSUF hiring process.

Minimum Requirements:

Graduated with a Ph.D. or Psy.D. prior to start date at CAPS
Completed at least 1,500 hours of clinical work
Experience working with diverse populations
Commitment of 40 hours per week beginning as early as August 1st ending no later than June 30th

Desired Qualifications:

Experience providing therapy services in a university counseling center setting
Experience working successfully with a wide range of clinical diagnoses and treatment modalities (individual, group, couples therapy)
Experience working with an ethnically and culturally diverse student population.
Crisis intervention experience.
Completed APA-accredited internship.
Experience providing one or more of the following: supervision, outreach, assessment

Application Procedure:

Both CAPS and CSUF Human Resources (HR) are involved in the selection process. Recruitment for this position typically begins in mid- to late-fall. Applications are available online at: www.fullerton.edu. Click on “Jobs” and follow instructions for using Brass Ring. After the required materials are submitted, applications are pre-screened by HR. Applications meeting the minimum requirements will be forwarded to the CAPS search committee and it is from this group that a pool of candidates will be chosen for a personal interview.

Contact

For additional information about the training program or the various training opportunities at CAPS, please contact the Training Coordinator via post, phone, or email:

Christina Carroll-Pavia, Ph.D.
Training Coordinator
Counseling and Psychological Services
California State University, Fullerton
P.O. Box 6830
Fullerton, CA 92834-6830
(657) 278-3040 (phone)
ccarroll@fullerton.edu