The Community Institute for Psychotherapy (CIP) is a nonprofit, tax-exempt agency founded in 1977 with a mission to provide evidence-based, equitable outpatient mental health services. Our rigorous training program is designed to be a springboard for doctoral interns into productive careers as clinical psychologists, whether that be in private practice or public health settings. We strive to create a supportive and collaborative atmosphere that fosters the development of each intern’s unique professional identity, while ensuring that their evolving clinical judgment is thoroughly rooted in common best practices and a robust theoretical framework.
CIP offers a two-year, half-time (24 hours per week) psychology doctoral internship, which best supports our training model and curriculum. This structure reflects our commitment to in-depth, long-term psychodynamic treatment and allows for a sustained, developmental approach to clinical learning. Individual supervision, group supervision, and didactic seminars form the core of the training program.
CIP’s internship program takes place in a community-based environment that includes:
-
Community mental health clinic serving low-income clients in Marin county through Medi-Cal and sliding scale
-
Work with a diverse population and wide range of issues
-
In-depth assessments using a variety of psychological tests
-
One of a only a few psychodynamic training programs informed by various schools of thought within and adjacent to the psychoanalytic tradition, such as Object Relations, Jungian, Attachment Theory, Control Mastery, Self-Psychology, Family Systems Theory, and Contemporary Relational points of view
-
Opportunity to obtain specialty program training (e.g., Couples Therapy, Group Therapy, Eating Disorder Clinic, Dreamwork) and, for full-time interns, outreach program training (e.g., a public middle school, a detox center)
-
Outpatient individual, group, family, and couples therapy available
-
Individual supervision, group supervision, and seminars
-
Support to develop the skills needed for a successful career in private, public, or nonprofit sectors
-
Potential for paid contract work after licensure (paid Post Doc availability)
-
Learn how to effectively collaborate with other professionals, psychiatrists, and agencies.
-
A work environment that honors cultural differences and promotes an atmosphere of continuous learning
CIP’s internship program is geared toward individuals interested in learning to provide long-term psychodynamically informed psychotherapy. The essentials of psychotherapy will be taught through experiential and didactic learning. With supervision, students are supported to deepen their theoretical understanding of case material and translate that understanding into practical, effective interventions with clients. Intensive examination of each case is utilized to facilitate in-depth understanding of the work. Self-exploration and peer feedback are highly valued and audio recording is used in the supervision process.
As one of only a few accessible institutes for psychodynamic training, we preserve the rich history of this work using evidence-based psychodynamic practices to ensure providers fill a developing void in services available to clients. Additionally, emphasis is placed on professional development, providing valuable training and experience that prepares our interns for independent practice.
Please include with your application the following supporting documents:
- Current curriculum vitae
- Cover letter
- Three letters of recommendation from those familiar with your clinical work
- Official transcripts from graduate school(s)
