Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Postdoctoral Fellowship Program provides Postdoctoral Fellows with opportunities for advanced training and supervision in crisis intervention, assessment, on-call coverage, brief counseling, long-term counseling, individual and couples counseling, group psychotherapy, consultation, and special administrative projects.
The Postdoctoral Fellowship emphasizes a generalist training in preparation for a Staff Psychologist position at a university counseling center. Over the course of the year, Postdoctoral Fellows continue to enhance and solidify the development of clinical skills required for professional practice in psychology including: skills to effectively respond to crisis situations, consultation and collaboration skills to work with an interdisciplinary staff, the campus community and off-campus community, skills to work with individual and cultural diversity, and consultation, administration, education, liaison, and outreach skills. Additionally, CAPS provides Postdoctoral Fellows opportunities to select specialized training in the assessment and management of eating disorders, substance abuse, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or peer counseling.
The Postdoctoral Fellowship Training Program is sequential, cumulative, and graded in complexity. The training year follows a developmental model that supports and builds on the knowledge Postdoctoral Fellows bring, and it provides opportunities to gain experience and training in multiple professional capacities. Post-doc Fellows build competencies, confidence, and skills throughout the year.
Quarterly evaluations with supervisors monitor the development and readiness of Fellows. A minimum rating of 4 (adequate) on supervisor evaluations demonstrates adequate progression through the training program. Supervisors also provide ongoing feedback on Fellows’ strengths and areas of growth. The ongoing evaluation process provides regular feedback and evaluation of goals set for the training year. Professional autonomy increases and Postdoctoral Fellows graduate with developed competencies to practice as professional psychologists.
Postdoctoral Fellows provide 20 hours of clinical work per week. This includes weekly intakes and assessment, one, 8 hour shift of on-call coverage that includes 1-2 hours of on-call emergency appointments, consultations, referrals, short-term individual, couples, or group psychotherapy, and two long-term fee-paying students. Postdoctoral Fellows receive two hours of Primary Supervision, one hour of Specialty Supervision, and two hours of Case Consultation per week. Postdoctoral Fellows also attend a weekly staff meeting and a ninety minute Education Meeting.
Postdoctoral Fellows also participate in various types of outreach to the Stanford community. Outreach encompasses both preventative work and may include responding to an event on-campus. Additionally, Postdoctoral Fellows provide consultation to faculty, staff, Resident Deans, Peer Counselors, or students.
Applying to the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Qualifications
Applicants are expected to have completed ALL requirements for the doctoral degree by the start date of the Fellowship. Applicants must demonstrate strong experience with diverse student populations and in one of the specialized training areas mentioned above.
CAPS offers two full-time (40 hours per week), twelve month postdoctoral fellowship appointments beginning September 1, 2009 and ending August 31, 2010. The stipend for the fellowship is $28,000 for the year. This includes 4 weeks of vacation and a $250.00 educational allowance, library privileges and access to university recreational facilities.
Application Procedures
To apply for our Postdoctoral Fellowship, please send us the following materials by January 15, 2009:
- A brief cover letter (no more that two pages) indicating your interest and goals for the Postdoctoral Fellowship Year.
- A completed Stanford CAPS Application for a Postdoctoral Fellowship.
- A current vita reflecting all practicum work, predoctoral internship, related coursework, and expected graduation date.
- Three letters of reference (at least 2 from former clinical supervisors)
Please note that our application deadline is January 15, 2009. In order for your application to be considered, all of your materials, including letters of recommendation, must be received in our office by this date.
Your application will be reviewed by the Selection Committee. After initial review, selected applicants will be contacted for interviews.
CAPS participates in CAPIC’s Uniform Notification day. Phone notifications begin at 8:30 am PST and end at noon. If you are offered a position, you will have 30 minutes to hold a position. After that time, a decision is needed or we will have to move to the next applicant on the list. Thus, it is very important that you begin thinking and consulting about whether or not you would like to be at Counseling & Psychological Services next year. You may call the Training Director 30 minutes after notification begins to inquire about your status in the process. We notify all applicants once all of our positions have been filled.
Submit completed applications to:
Mary Mendoza-Newman, Ph.D., Assistant Director for Training
Counseling and Psychological Services
Vaden Health Center
Stanford University
866 Campus Drive
Stanford, California 94305-8580