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Site Name: Vantage Point Center for Psychotherapy

Department: Vantage Point Center for Psychotherapy

Department : Vantage Point Center for Psychotherapy

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 2576
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Vantage Point Center for Psychotherapy
Department: Vantage Point Center for Psychotherapy
Address: 1011 22nd Street
Sacramento, California 95816
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Roseville, CA
Distance from Major City: 1.5 miles from downtown
Phone: 916-284-1416x103
Fax: 916-936-1110
Training Director Email: drmiller@vppsychotherapy.com
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: http://www.vppsychotherapy.com/
Brochure Website's Address: http://www.vppsychotherapy.com/
Primary Agency Type: Private Outpatient Clinic
Additional Agency Types:
  • Private Outpatient Clinic
Member of APPIC since: 10/03/2022
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Not Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Karen Miller
Chief Psychologist: Katie Polsky
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 5
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 6
Position Information
Start Date: 08/04/2025
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 4
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class:
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 37131.00
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class:
Fringe Benefits: Dissertation Release Time, Dental Insurance, Health Insurance, Licensing Exam Release Time, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): Each intern will have access to wifi, a printer, VR set, and a comfortable windowed office (shared) in a group practice setting. The hours are somewhat flexible and 2-3 days are in the office and 2-3 are virtual. There is opportunity for socialization with other trainees and staff and we aim to create a safe and caring work environment. Depending on conferences, there maybe an opportunity to attend or present at the IOCDF conference, should the intern have interest.
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Interns/Postdocs see individual clients (4-6) per day (flexible schedule and you do your own scheduling besides scheduled trainings and supervision), run a group of interest, participate in supervising practicum students, and supervision. Interns will come into the office from 2-3x per week (depending on variety of factors). The rest of the time is spent on clinical documentation and treatment planning, emailing, and scheduling clients. If there is interest, there is also opportunity to work with some couples and families (within context of individual therapy).
Does this site have practicum psychology students on site? Yes
Doctoral Psychology Practicum StudentsYes
Masters Psychology Practicum Students
Do Psychology Interns/Postdocs Have the Opportunity to Supervise Practicum Students?Yes
Is this program fully affiliated with one or more doctoral programs? No
Is this program partially affiliated with one or more doctoral programs? No
Internship Application Process
Accepting Applicants: Yes
Application Due Date: 12/06/2024 11:59 PM EST
A Virtual Interview are: Required
Interview notification date: 01/03/2025
Tentative interview date: N/A
Interview process description:

We interview on a rolling basis and all applicants should be notified of an interview by January 3, 2025. We have two interviews, one of which is individual and the other is a group process. The group interview is held in the last few weeks of January. Applicants are notified of their interview via email and interviews are held virtually. There are also opportunities to speak with current and former interns and postdocs. 

We work hard to find the right fit for the student and center and look forward to learning about you and your career goals. 
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: Alliant International University, Sacramento, CA Yeshiva University, New York, NY University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA Pacific University, Forest Grove, Oregon The Chicago School, Anaheim Campus, California University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
Internship Applicant Requirements
US Citizenship Required: No
If NOT a U.S. Citizen, Authorization to Work or to Engage in Practical Training (CPT or OPT) in the US is Required: Yes
Canadian Citizenship Required: No
If NOT a Canadian Citizen, Authorization to Work in Canada or to Engage in Practical Training (CPT or OPT) in Canada is Required: Yes
Masters Degree Required: Yes, by ranking deadline
Comprehensive Exams Passed: Yes, by ranking deadline
Dissertation Proposal Approved: Yes, by ranking deadline
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable): 500
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable):
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable): 500
Does your program require applicants to submit supplemental materials (i.e., an assessment report and/or a case/treatment summary): No
Minimum Number of Years of Grad Training Required (if applicable): 3
Accepted / Not-Accepted Program Types
Clinical Psychology Accepted
Counseling Psychology Accepted
School Psychology Not Accepted
APA-Accredited Accepted
CPA-Accredited Accepted
PCSAS-Accredited Accepted
Non-Accredited Not Accepted
Ph.D Degree Accepted
Psy.D. Degree Accepted
Ed.D. Degree Not Accepted
This institution, department, internship, or postdoctoral program requires trainees to sign a statement about personal behavior and/or religious beliefs as a condition of admission and/or retention in the program: No
How to obtain text of statement:
Other Requirements:
Program Description

Vantage Point Center for Psychotherapy has a robust training program for psychologists-in-training. We train students at the practicum, intern, and post-doctoral levels. Practicum and post-doctoral trainees should inquire directly about positions with the Training Director, Dr. Karen Miller, drmiller@vppsychotherapy.com. Interns apply through the APPIC system. 

At Vantage Point, we utilize a scientist-practitioner model of training. The internship training program is developmental, experiential, and sequential. We do our best to match our trainees with the type of experience they desire, while also challenging and stretching their growth areas to prepare them for independent psychological practice.

Qualified intern applicants must be enrolled in a APA/CPA accredited, degree-granting professional psychology program (i.e., clinical, counseling psychology). Intern applicants must have their dissertation proposal complete by time of applying. We highly recommend at least 500 direct service hours of previous supervised clinical experience.

We are currently working under a hybrid model, with Interns working 2-3 days in the office and 2-3 days from home. Interns engage in direct individual and group service, individual and group supervision, didactic seminar training, and supervision experience with our practicum students. Interns will conduct individual therapy for about 50% of their training experience. They will have the opportunity to work with a diversity of people aged 12-70. Interns will work with people of all ethnic, SES, religious, sexual orientations, and gender identities during their time at Vantage Point. They can expect to carry a total client caseload of around 22-28 clients. Therapy at Vantage Point tends to be longer term and is determined by presenting problem and discussions with supervisors and clients as to the best needs of the client. Therefore, treatment can be time-limited or longer term.

The internship application review committee is looking for the following in qualified interns:

1. Breadth of clinical experience with a diverse clientele

2. Various clinical and training activities, including coursework and/or experience in Assessment, Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories and Practices, Group Counseling, Multicultural and Diversity Counseling, and Supervision.

3. Clarity of emerging theoretical framework.

4. Openness to growth (lifelong learning).

5. Interpersonal relationship skills/Professional Attitudes and Behavior.

6. Introspection and willingness to look at oneself. 

7. BIPOC encouraged to apply. 

Program Learning Goals:

We facilitate the development of psychologists who can practice competently and independently in several domains. Our program emphasizes strengthening skills in areas that relevant to community mental health in the Sacramento region. This includes developing proficiency in conducting individual and group psychotherapy with a diversity of sexual orientations, gender identifications, and culture with teens and adults. Interns will be proficient in crisis intervention with diverse populations and communities.

The goal of the program is to also help interns develop specialized experience with:

  1. OCD/Anxiety Spectrum Disorders
  2. Eating Disorders 
  3. LGBTQIA+ Issues

The specific program aims are as follows:

  1. To foster the professional development, identity, and values necessary for effective and ethical practice as a psychologist.
  2. To develop the skills and competencies necessary for entry-level professional practice with diverse populations, with an emphasis on the development of professional skills.

Further information can be found on our website- https://vppsychotherapy.com/training-and-careers 

To obtain the Training Manual, which includes all of our policies and procedures, please contact the Training Director, Dr. Karen Miller,  at drmiller@vppsychotherapy.com. 

 

Accreditation Status:

This program received notification of approval for an accreditation site visit by APA for Fall 2025. Please be advised that there is no assurance that we will be able to successfully achieve accreditation.

Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: 

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation

American Psychological Association 

750 1st Street, NE, Washington DC 20002

Phone: (202) 336-5979

 

Email: apaaccred@apa.org

Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations
Infants:
Toddlers:
Children:
Adolescents: Yes
Adults: Yes
Family:
Older Adults: Yes
Inpatients:
Outpatients: Yes
LGBTQ+: Yes
Ethnic minorities: Yes
Spanish-speaking: Yes
French-speaking:
Deaf/Hearing-impaired:
Students: Yes
International Students: Yes
Rural: Yes
Urban: Yes
Low income: Yes
People without housing: Yes
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Individual Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Couples Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Family Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Group Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Community Intervention:
Consultation/Liaison: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Crisis Intervention: Experience (21% to 30%)
Brief Psychotherapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation:
Primary Care:
Evidenced Based Practice: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Evidence Based Research:
Supervision of Practicum students : Experience (21% to 30%)
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology:
Women's Health: Exposure (1% to 20%)
HIV/AIDS: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Eating Disorders: Experience (21% to 30%)
Sexual Disorders:
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:
Physical Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Learning Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Developmental Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Assessment: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Neuropsychology-Adult:
Neuropsychology-Child:
Serious Mental Illness: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Anxiety Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Trauma/PTSD: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sexual Abuse: Experience (21% to 30%)
Substance Use Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Forensics/Corrections:
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Vocational/Career Development: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Multicultural Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Feminist Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Religion/Spirituality: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Empirically-Supported Treatments: Experience (21% to 30%)
Public Policy/Advocacy:
Program Development/Evaluation:
Supervision: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Research:
Administration:
Integrated health care - primary:
Integrated health care - specialty:
Other:

About 20-30% of our clients are LGBTQI, gender questinging, and non-binary. Therefore, someone with interest/experience with this population could be a good fit. Also, we see a lot of clients with OCD as well and this could be a majority of your clients should you have interest in this clinical area. 

Additional information about training opportunities: Not all rotations or training experiences may be available as described in the APPIC Directory. Please consult the program's application materials or their website at: http://www.vppsychotherapy.com/  for a complete description of the training opportunities available at this training site. IF the site has not updated their information by August 1, feel free to contact the Training Director for additional information.

Summary of the Characteristics of the Specified Internship Class
2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025
Number of Completed Applications: 8 22 21
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 3 11 9
Total number of interns: 2 4
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 2 4
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 0 1
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 2 3
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 2 4
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2022-2023 2023-2024
Academic teaching:
Community mental health center: 2 1
Consortium: 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 0 0
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 0 0
Psychiatric facility: 0 0
Correctional facility: 0 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0 0
School district/system: 0 0
Independent practice setting: 0 1
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0 0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data: https://vppsychotherapy.com/training-and-careers
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