The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) Counseling Services offers Predoctoral Advanced Externship and Postdoctoral Fellowship training. At SAIC, we are committed to providing excellent training and support for our trainees as they engage in clinical and professional services to serve the SAIC student body. Our philosophy of training reflects our value in helping pre-professionals and new doctoral graduates develop advanced skills in multiculturalism, ethical provision of services, and professional identity. Our trainees are exposed to Counseling Services' essential roles and functions, including counseling and psychotherapy, crisis intervention, consultation and outreach programming.
Externship Program
Overview
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) Counseling Services offers advanced practicum externship opportunities. Our focus is providing brief, integrative psychotherapy to a diverse population of undergraduate and graduate, international and domestic art students. We are committed to providing our clients with ethical and supportive treatment and to provide our trainees with the tools for success in their work with our student population.
Our value in training is to increase the skillset and confidence of our trainees through a focus in the following areas: brief therapy, intake assessment and triage, consultation, clinical documentation, and crisis intervention. Additionally, we focus on general competencies such as ethical practice, multicultural competence and professional development.
Expectations
Externs are expected to be on-site for 20 hours a week (two full days plus one half day) throughout the academic year (late August until the end of May), and will receive two hours of individual supervision as well as one hour of seminar each week. One hour of supervision is provided by a licensed clinical psychologist and the other by a postdoctoral fellow. Typically, Tuesday mornings from 9:00–10:00 a.m. are required for the practicum seminar, subject to change. Externs are expected to carry a caseload ranging from 8–12 individual psychotherapy clients. In addition to providing psychotherapy, each extern is expected to also conduct intake assessments, crisis intervention, clinical consultation, and provide referrals/recommendations. Externs are also expected to participate in relevant on-site training to enhance their experience.
Eligibility Requirements
This is considered an Advanced-level Practicum. Interested applicants should be enrolled and be in good standing in a doctoral program in clinical or counseling psychology. Applicants should have already completed at least two years of doctoral level practicum experience (basic/intermediate and diagnostic) and have experience providing psychotherapy. Candidates should also have some prior exposure to and interest in psychodynamic and/or existential-humanistic theories.
Application Procedure
SAIC Counseling Services training program is not an ACEPT member, but we welcome applications from students whose schools have membership to this organization. We offer interviews on a rolling admission basis until all positions are filled.
When the application process begins at the beginning of February, interested applicants should submit the following materials in one .PDF document:
- Cover letter describing your experience and interest in our site
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Transcript from your program (an unofficial transcript is acceptable)
- Two letters of recommendation from mental health professionals who are familiar with your clinical work
Writers can choose to email the letter directly to Dr. Rodriguez or via the applicant.
Questions
Please email all questions to: Joey Rea, Psy.D Training Director, Counseling Services, SAIC
jrea1@artic.edu
Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Overview
SAIC Counseling Services offers two postdoctoral fellowship positions for each academic year. Our focus is providing brief, integrative psychotherapy to a diverse population of undergraduate and graduate art students. We are committed to providing our clients with ethical and supportive treatment and to providing our postdoctoral fellows with the tools for success in their work with our student population and in their role as clinicians, consultants and supervisors.
Our value in this program is to increase the skillset and confidence of our fellows in the areas of brief therapy, consultation and collaboration with other professionals, crisis intervention, clinical documentation, and clinical supervision. Additionally, we focus on general competencies such as ethical practice, multicultural competence and professional development. Specifically, our goal is to help our postdoctoral fellows achieve the following by the end of the training year:
- Refine psychotherapy, consultation, and supervision skills
- Develop a philosophy of supervision based on personal and professional values and experiences
- Increase understanding of roles and resources within college counseling and academic settings
- Build confidence in crisis intervention and crisis consultation.
Fellows are expected to be onsite for 40 hours per week. This is a 12-month fellowship typically beginning mid-August and ending mid-August of each academic year. The structure is designed to include hours and clinical experiences to support the application for licensure.
Fellows will receive one hour of individual supervision by a licensed clinical psychologist for clinical work, as well as biweekly supervision of supervision with the Training Director. Postdoctoral Fellows are included in staff meetings, such as weekly clinical and consultation meetings. Postdoctoral fellows are also expected to participate in relevant on-site trainings/meetings to enhance their experience.
Each position is expected to carry a caseload that meets the needs of the center. Postdoctoral fellows will provide one hour of weekly individual supervision to two Advanced Therapy practicum trainees. Fellows will be included in the walk-in and after-hours clinical crisis consultation rotation with ample training and support.
Eligibility
Eligible candidates will have obtained a Ph.D. or Psy.D. from an accredited (APA) program in Clinical or Counseling Psychology by or near the start date of the fellowship. A completed psychology internship is required. Postdoctoral hours cannot be accrued until dissertation has been defended.
Candidates must have strong clinical skills in treatment, assessment and crisis intervention. College or university counseling center experience and an understanding of outreach and consultation activities is preferred. Interest in LGBTQ individuals (60% of student population) and international students (33% of student population) is preferred. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and high level of attention to detail are essential.
Application Requirements
We will begin soliciting applications starting in December for the 2020-2021 academic year. At that time, applicants can submit requested information through the SAIC Employment page. You will be asked to upload the following:
- Cover Letter
- CV
- Graduate transcripts (unofficial is acceptable)
- Three letters of recommendation from mental health professionals who are familiar with your clinical work
Writers can choose to email the letter directly to Dr. Rodriguez or via the applicant.
Questions
Please email all questions to: Joey Rea, Psy.D Training Director, Counseling Services, SAIC
jrea1@artic.edu
