Search
Training Opportunities at Fuller Psychological and Family Services
At Fuller Psychological and Family Services (FPFS), we provide hands-on training for Clinical Psychology and Marriage and Family clinicians at both pre- and post-graduate levels. Every trainee receives direct supervision from licensed professionals and gains experience across a variety of therapy types and theoretical approaches. With video-equipped therapy rooms and regular performance reviews, FPFS ensures a well-rounded, practical, and reflective learning experience.
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.
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.
Get in Touch About Training Opportunities
If you’re interested in learning more about clinical training at FPFS, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to our Director of Training for details about programs, application requirements, and available opportunities.
Contact:
Sylvia Garcia, LMFT
Director of Training, Fuller Psychological and Family Services
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Phone: 626-584-5556
Email: sylviagarcia@fuller.edu
