Post-Doctoral Residency Program

The residency program at the University of California, San Diego Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) involves supervised experience working as an integral member of a team of clinicians serving over 35,000 diverse undergraduate and graduate students. Our main focus is to provide an environment that facilitates professional growth and development. The postdoctoral residency year focuses on the integration of professional skills in a supervised environment in preparation for licensure and professional work. Responsibilities include provision of short-term counseling/psychotherapy, group therapy, intake and assessment, referrals, crisis/urgent care counseling, outreach and consultation to the campus community, serving as consultant to one of six undergraduate colleges or major campus program, delivery of training, and administrative committee work. In addition, the resident will work with a department on campus to provide ongoing consultation, outreach, and collaboration.

Residents typically provide 20 hours of clinical work per week, which includes intakes, groups, brief individual and couples therapy, and a bi-weekly on-call shift. Clinical training focuses on brief therapy. Residents receive 2 hours of individual clinical supervision, one hour of group supervision, and participate in a weekly multidisciplinary case conference. Additionally, residents participate in a weekly Postdoctoral Support Group, monthly professional development meetings, and quarterly professional development trainings. Residents can choose from several areas of emphasis which gain them exposure to outreach to specific populations, consultation with specific campus groups, or unique clinical expertise. Several formal and informal trainings are offered every year on topics such as Law and Ethics, Supervision, Suicide Prevention, and various clinical topics.

The residency fulfills licensure requirements for postdoctoral supervised practice in the state of California. Residents receive over 1700 hours of supervised experience with at least 25% of their hours being dedicated to direct, clinical service.

Goals and Objectives of the Residency

The goal of the residency program is to provide comprehensive training in order to strengthen and consolidate the resident’s knowledge, skills and attitudes in the area of professional psychology. Additionally, it is crucial for residents to work towards the development of their professional identity as a psychologist. Through the comprehensive training at CAPS, it is expected that residents will gain competence and be prepared for independent practice in psychology. Specific objectives include:

• Consolidation of clinical skills by maintaining a regular caseload, facilitating groups, attending formal and informal training, and receiving weekly supervision with cases.
• Continued strengthening and integration of awareness, knowledge and skills pertaining to working with diverse college populations.
• Consolidation of crisis management skills through managing urgent cases on personal caseload and managing regular urgent care shifts with appropriate supervision and back-up support.
• Consolidation of outreach and consultation skills through outreach and consultation opportunities, shadowing, and ongoing consultation and mentoring from secondary supervisors.
• Hone skills essential to function and thrive in a University Counseling Center.

Competencies

• Professionalism {demeanor and conduct, ethics, supervision, & professional development}.
• Clinical Competence {clinical evaluation, therapeutic skills, crisis intervention, group psychotherapy, outreach, & consultation}
• Multicultural Competence {awareness, knowledge, & skills}

Activities which allow the postdoctoral resident to meet competencies and objectives of the Residency:

The formal and informal training opportunities that strengthen the resident’s knowledge base, in concert with clinical experience, allow the residents to further consolidate their learning. Throughout the year the residents work with various staff in different capacities. These training opportunities include:

• Orientation training which encompasses learning about CAPS policies and procedures, electronic record-keeping, urgent care procedures, and the campus system. This training lasts approximately two weeks and occurs on a one-time basis.
• Individual supervision is provided for two hours every week.
• Group supervision is provided for one hour every week either by the Training Director. Two of these sessions are specifically multiculturally focused.
• Secondary supervision is provided as needed on a weekly basis and may entail supervision related to group therapy, consultation, outreach, or requested areas of specialty.
• Co-facilitation of groups and workshops with senior staff.
• Case Review Teams offers an opportunity to discuss case conceptualization and explore ethical dilemmas and uses of transference and countertransference within multidisciplinary teams. Case teams are offered for one hour every week.
• Formal professional development training is offered on a quarterly basis and typically entails professional topics such as licensure, career development, and negotiation.
• Monthly, informal meetings where staff or invited community psychologists discuss the integration of their treatment modalities and their professional journeys and work both in and out of a counseling center setting.
• Formal half-day or all-day in-service trainings on professional topics such as ethics and supervision are offered three to five times throughout the year.
• Informal trainings are offered frequently throughout the year to keep the staff up to date on pertinent topics (e.g. working with Disability Services).
• Throughout the year the residents work with various staff and have the opportunity to learn from their expertise.
• Residents attend CAPS staff meetings which allow them to learn about the administrative functioning of a University Counseling Center.

The residency program assumes the following responsibilities to ensure residents receive comprehensive, ethical, and professional training:

• The residency program will provide orientation to residents which highlight the following:
University system; CAPS Center
Statement of goals for their residency
Review of the standards and guidelines
Access to and review of Policies and Procedures Manual (P&P)
Review of competency expectations and evaluation criteria
• The residency program will provide supervision by licensed psychologists who adhere to professional legal and ethical guidelines.
• The residency program will provide ongoing formal and informal feedback to facilitate the professional development and growth of the residents. These forums for feedback include, but are not limited to:
Self-evaluation at beginning, mid, and end of residency year.
Written evaluations at mid and end of residency year.
Quarterly meetings with Training Director and informal meetings as necessary.
Regular, weekly meetings with primary supervisor.
As needed meetings with secondary supervisors.
Regular supervisors’ meetings may generate additional feedback session.

Links for residents and trainees:

•   Post-Doctoral Residency Announcement and Instructions for 2019-20
• Post-Doctoral Resident Evaluation Form
• Post-Doctoral Resident Program Evaluation Form
• Due Process Procedures for Trainees
• Grievance Procedures for Trainees

>>> CLICK HERE FOR A COPY OF THE 2019-20 POSTDOC ANNOUNCEMENT <<<

UCSD CAPS Post-Doctoral Residency for 2019-20

Announcement

The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is announcing postdoctoral residency opportunities for 2019-2020. The Residency is a 12 month, full time appointment. The stipend is $48,000 plus university benefits. The Residency begins August 5, 2019 and ends July 24, 2020. Please visit our website for information about our center: : https://ucsd.caps.ucsd.

The Residency provides advanced clinical training with a focus on mental health in higher education and involves supervised experience working as an integral member of a team of clinicians serving over 35,000 diverse undergraduate and graduate students. Responsibilities include, provision of short-term counseling/psychotherapy, group therapy, initial evaluation and assessment, and crisis and urgent care. Residents will participate in a clinical outreach/consultation emphasis 3-5 hours per week which will be assigned based on demonstrated interest/experience and needs of the center. We are a decentralized counseling center and residents are housed within the six colleges on the UCSD campus, affording the resident a unique and embedded consultation experience. Upon arrival, residents will have the opportunity to facilitate a 4 week College Success Strategies course as part of a Summer Bridge program for incoming underrepresented students.

The optimal candidate will possess the following: demonstrated interest and experience working with diverse multicultural, university populations, strong clinical and crisis management skills, outreach delivery experience, organizational skills, basic computer skills, and excellent communication and written skills.

Residents receive approximately 1700 hours of supervised experience with at least 25% of their hours being dedicated to direct, clinical service.

Requirements

Applicants must have completed an APA-accredited internship and possess a doctoral degree from an APA-accredited program by the start date of the Residency. After selection, a background check is conducted that verifies that candidates have no criminal or other record that would preclude employment in the University's judgment. Formal hiring is contingent on these requirements.

Application Procedures

Our program will be using the APPA CAS (APPIC Psychology Postdoctoral Application-Centralized Application System). Please submit the following materials electronically to the APPA CAS system by Tuesday, January 1, 2019:
https://appicpostdoc.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login

• Cover letter indicating your specific interest in UCSD Counseling and Psychological Services.
• Curriculum vita.
• • Completion Letter from your Graduate Program Director of Training specifying dissertation status and projected timeline for completing all requirements for the doctoral degree. If you have completed your degree, a copy of your diploma or other indication from your graduate program is acceptable.
• • Three letters of recommendation from individuals who have knowledge of your clinical work. One letter must be from your Internship Training Director which also includes a statement indicating good standing in the program and exact completion date of internship (if the internship is already completed, please submit certificate or similar documentation).

For additional information, please contact:

Judy Goodman-Fermin, Ph.D.
Training Director
UC San Diego Counseling and Psychological Services

Email: jfgoodman@ucsd.edu
Phone: 858-534-3755

Positions are dependent on funding

Former Post-Doctoral Residents & First Job Post-Training Year

Links for residents and trainees:

•   Post-Doctoral Residency Announcement and Instructions for 2018-19
• Post-Doctoral Resident Evaluation Form
• Post-Doctoral Resident Program Evaluation Form
• Due Process Procedures for Trainees
• Grievance Procedures for Trainees