Universal Psychology Postdoctoral Directory

Elements of quality clinically focused postdoctoral training

As an APPIC member postdoctoral training program, our primary goal is to provide opportunities and support that will help develop ethical, culturally sensitive, and clinically competent postdoctoral fellows as they prepare for licensure and an entry-level psychologist position. To fulfill this goal, we strive to provide a safe learning environment that encourages interaction, risk-taking, honest self-appraisal, collaboration, and teamwork. Our program offers a variety of clinical, supervisory, consultative, and administration experiences that are further intended to provide a clear picture of what it is like to work as a psychologist in a university learning center.

The training of a postdoctoral fellow is an endeavor that is fully supported by our mission and our staff. Our staff engages in the process of training with a purpose, a plan, and an overarching respect for the postdoctoral fellow (colleague-to-be) who transitions through the USC Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity.

This program meets California state licensure requirements. Formal evaluations are done twice: once in December and once in July. There are informal evaluations done on a weekly basis. USC KCLC has an active Due Process and Grievance procedure.

Our central training goal is for the postdoctoral fellow to complete the internship with advanced knowledge and confidence in the following areas of clinical practice:

• Evidenced-Based Practices/Research and Empirically Supported treatments with a focus on college students diagnosed with ADHD, Specific Learning Disabilities, Anxiety, and Depression
• Conducting Brief Individual and Group Therapy
• Psychoeducational Assessment includes screening, administration, and writing of fully comprehensive reports (averaging 3-6 full batteries per semester)
• Supervision of graduate student employees in the office (academic coaches) including co-leading group supervision and scheduling individual supervision meetings
• Outreach and consultation with Campus Partners
• Clinical Documentation
• Administration and program development

• Direct Service: individual and group counseling, case management, intake interview, supervised supervision
• Supervision: individual supervision (2 hours/week), group supervision (2 hours/week)
• Training seminars: assessment seminar, professional development, licensing exam preparation
• Psychoeducational assessment: learning disabilities and ADHD, differential diagnosis
• Outreach and consultation: Collaboration with campus departments including faculty, staff, and student groups
• Administration: consultation with academic coaches (weekly); psychology representative in multi-disciplinary staff; active member of the postdoctoral selection committee