DOCTORAL PRACTICUM TRAINING PROGRAM

ONE-YEAR DOCTORAL PRACTICUM TRAINING PROGRAM

 At the Institute for Girls’ Development

Independent Practice Site

We are excited to be accepting applications for our Doctoral Practicum Training Program! Check with your Director of Clinical Training to see if the Institute is an approved site for your doctoral program.

2025-2026 Advanced Practicum Position Dates:

• Dates: August 11, 2025 – August 7, 2026 (Selected Practicum Trainees may be invited to begin their training experience in late June or July depending on their availability and the clinical needs at the Institute)

About the Institute:

The Institute for Girls’ Development was founded in 2004 by Melissa Johnson, PhD. The Institute is dedicated to empowering girls, young adults, trans and non-binary individuals, families and circles of community through three initiatives:

• We promote excellence in psychotherapeutic and assessment services. Our asset-based model of comprehensive services is based on current research on gender, girls’ and women’s development and effective psychotherapeutic interventions. We are committed to collaborating effectively with our community and our colleagues in education, health and mental health to provide the therapeutic environments that help individuals thrive.

• We provide empowering community programs for girls, young adults, trans and nonbinary individuals, and families. Our workshops have provided thousands of youths and their parents with growth- fostering experiences. Workshops are provided through schools and youth programs.

• Our Professional Training Institute helps mental health and health professionals, educators and youth program leaders utilize best practices in helping youth build hardiness, mindfulness, and connections.

The Institute is well-known and well-respected in the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles County communities. Our specialists take pride in providing high-quality treatment, assessment, community education and training in a collaborative team practice. Hear more about working at the Institute from our team members here!

 

Who is the ideal trainee for the Institute Advanced Practicum Program?

The ideal trainee will be an advanced student. They must have prior experience (practicum or other) working with children and teens.  They must have successfully completed at least 1 practicum year. Courses in group therapy and child development are a plus. The student must have a strong demonstrated interest in working with children, adolescents, and families (all practicum trainees work with some children and some teens). The student must also have an interest in girls’ development, community education, feminist and multicultural approaches, and working with gender fluid, non-binary, and trans youth. Students applying to the assessment track must have successfully completed an introductory assessment course and either a neuropsychological assessment or child assessment course.Lastly, the student must have an interest in learning to work collaboratively in a private practice model.

Diversity:

Who are the Practicum Supervising Faculty?

Monica Valdivia Aguilar, MA, LMFT — Clinical Director, Young Women’s Specialty Practice, Co-director of the DBT Specialty Practice, and Senior Supervisor for pre-licensed Masters’ level clinicians
Vicki Chiang, PsyD — Clinical Director, Child and Adolescent Specialty Practice; Supervisor
Grace Goodman, PsyD — Director of Assessments and Practicum Training, Practice Manager
Melissa J Johnson, PhD — Training Director, Founder and CEO

What is the Institute’s philosophy of supervision and training?

Our supervisors each bring their own style, personality and approach to their work. You and your supervisors will discuss these approaches in more depth, including how they will be integrated into the supervision process. In general, Institute supervisors draw from the following:

• Developmental models
• Multicultural competency
• Feminist approaches
• CBT
• Third wave behavior approaches such as DBT, ACT and other mindfulness-based models
• Interpersonal neurobiology
• Positive psychology
• Body aware/body centered approaches
• Practice management skill building
• Community education and community partnership building

We incorporate theory and research as well as our own phenomenological experience in the provision of competency-based supervision.

What kinds of training and professional development experiences are offered as part of the Advanced Practicum Program at the Institute?

• Trainees will have the opportunity to work collaboratively in team consultation and facilitating groups with other clinicians from various guilds
• Trainees will have the opportunity to receive training in our Stand Up, Speak Out!® Curriculum, as well as the Institute’s annual one-day mindfulness training for professionals in mental health and education. These trainings generally take place in July. Practicum students are encouraged to attend these trainings for free at the beginning of their practicum year. 
• Trainees will gain experience in working with children, teens, and families.
• Trainees will co-facilitate groups for children and/or teens.
• Trainees will learn about a private practice delivery system.
• Trainees will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with collateral providers in the community.
• Trainees will participate in facilitation of community education workshops and potentially some public speaking.
• Trainees will learn about professional networking through participation in several events.
• Trainees will participate in some program development activities.

What is the Advanced Practicum Training Schedule?

Specific days and times that are mandatory for practicum students to be available: SM (Staff Meeting), TR, (Training) SUP (Supervision). Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays are available options for the third training day.

	Therapy Track	Assessment Track
Tuesday	10:30am-7:30pm ·       10:30am – 12:00pm SM/TR ·       2pm-3pm TR	9am-5pm ·       9:30am – 10:30am TR/SM ·       10:30am – 12:00pm SM/TR
Thursday	11am-7:30pm ·       1pm – 2pm SUP	9am-5pm ·       10am – 12pm TR/SUP

Total hours expected to be worked per week: 20 hours/week

Number of clients therapy track practicum students have at one time: 10 to 15 individual/family clients, 1 group per week (generally co-facilitated). Practicum trainees should anticipate a working caseload of about 50% children and 50% teens/young adults. Note: it generally takes about 1 to 2 months to reach this level of client contact.

Number of clients assessment track practicum students have at one time: 2 clients. 1 in active testing phase, 1 in report-writing phase. Assessment track practicum students can expect to complete between 5 to 8 assessment reports over the course of the training year.

What are the cultural and demographic groups who typically receive services at our site?

Cultural: LGBTQ+, Caucasian, Latinx, Asian American, African American/black, bi-cultural, other

Other demographics:

• Children (6-12)
• Adolescents (11-18)
• Transitional Aged Youth (18-25)
• Groups
• Individuals
• Families and parents

 

What types of services will advanced therapy practicum students provide?

• Brief therapy
• Long-term therapy
• Community outreach activities
• EBTs/EBPs: CBT, ACT
• Psychoeducational & therapy groups

 

What diagnoses and clinical issues do clients present with?

Diagnoses: Depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, LD, youth who are neurodivergence and/or autism, chronic health and/or pain syndromes, and impulse-control challenges

Treatment themes: Emotional regulation challenges, academic challenges and stresses, relational/friendship/social difficulties, health and pain management, gender identity, body image

Theoretical orientations: Students will learn mindfulness approaches, developmental and strengths-based models, and feminist/diversity-oriented approaches to therapy. Students will be exposed to ACT, CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing,  solution-focused therapy and expressive arts.

TO APPLY:

1. First, students must obtain approval from their Director of Clinical Training to apply.
2. To make our hiring process more equitable, we have eliminated the cover letter requirement. In lieu of a cover letter, applicants can submit responses to the 4 Essential Components (4EC) form. Along with the 4EC, applicants include their curriculum vitae and 3 standardized reference forms from professors and supervisors. 
3. Email to Dr. Grace Goodman at HR@InstituteForGirlsDevelopment.com.
4. In the subject line, please write: Therapy Practicum, Your Last Name or Assessment Practicum, Your Last Name (e.g., Therapy Practicum, Lopez)

 

Application Due Date: 

January 10th with interviews the week of January 20th and decisions by February 7th. Practicum trainees will receive a stipend of $2500 for the training year.