Health

Clinical Training Program

Health Clinical Training Program

Overview

North Marin Community Services’ Mental Health Programs have been an integral part of the local community for over 35 years. We serve participants from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, with a wide range of presenting challenges and strengths. We offer services that respect each individual’s racial identity, cultural background, and personal lifestyle. Associates have an opportunity to provide therapy primarily in local Novato Unified School District (NUSD) schools with the option of working at NMCS’ low-fee community clinic and the Novato Teen Clinic; trainees are placed at NUSD school sites. Please visit our Career Page to submit your application.

A traineeship or an associateship at NMCS will provide you with many opportunities to meet the BBS requirements, with an emphasis on obtaining child and family hours.

Child, adolescent, and family mental health services from a multi-cultural perspective is the core of our program.
Commitment to trauma-informed care through a racial justice and equity lens.
Integrated Model of Care

NMCS training program offers ongoing education and clinical support related to working with youth and families from diverse backgrounds. NMCS’ Mental Health Services program offers clinicians the ability to build a strong foundation in youth and family therapy through a trauma-informed lens. Weekly training sessions will guide each clinician to examine relevant theoretical perspectives and utilize evidence-based tools for assessment and treatment planning. Clinicians will learn evidence-based treatment models such as Brief Intervention, Trauma-Informed Treatment, CBT, Family Therapy, Solution-Focused, introduction to Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and more. Clinicians will also learn practical strategies to address issues such as defiant behavior, substance use/abuse, crisis management, anxiety, and depression. Trainings introduce techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, parenting support, as well as social-emotional group protocols.

School-based mental health services placement. Elementary, Middle School, High School mental health services positions generally include two days per week on school campuses for Trainees and 2-4 days for Associates. The number of days you are placed in schools may vary year to year based on the needs of the school district. School-based therapy includes individual, group, and parent collateral mental health services as well as crisis intervention, teacher consultation, clinical assessments of students’ needs, appropriate referrals, and documentation of services.

Clinic-based mental health services. In addition to your school placement, NMCS provides Associates an opportunity to see individuals, couples, and families at our low-fee clinic and assist NMCS teachers in leading social-emotional curriculum groups (Second Step) in our after-school program.

During your time within NMCS’ Clinical Training Program, you will:

Have increased confidence in working with youth and families
Reach the necessary clinical hours for your practicum class, and have the opportunity to continue earning hours as an Associate
Learn how to organize and manage a steady caseload
Diagnose and plan treatment
Respond to crises and provide appropriate risk & safety assessments and intervention
Work within systems to support participants
Coordinate care between providers
Have experience with working with diverse populations and at-risk youth and utilize culturally-inclusive assessments and case conceptualizations
Have a sense of accomplishment for making a difference in your community

Trainee Program Expectations

Trainees must be available Wednesdays from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. for training, supervision, and business meetings. School placements occur two days out of the week (other than Wednesday). Trainees will be expected to spend approximately 20 hours each week in the program, with responsibilities that include:

1. Clinical Work: Maintaining a caseload of 10 participants (hours) per week

2. Clinical Supervision:

Two hours per week in Group Supervision
One hour per week in Individual Supervision
On-going consultation with licensed staff, as needed

3. Training: 60 minutes per week

4. Administration/Paperwork: 4-6 hrs/wk. Clinical Paperwork, Case Management, and Other Administrative Tasks

Make a 1-school year commitment to the program. Each training year begins in mid-August and ends in mid-June. It includes five weeks of vacation (week of Thanksgiving, two weeks of winter vacation, one week in February, and one week in spring – NMCS follows the Novato Unified School District schedule). Your school placement(s) (day and times) will remain the same for the entire school year. We ask that mental health services staff schedule their vacation time based on NUSD school closures.

Stipend: Trainees receive a $1,000 stipend ($500/semester). Trainees also have access to our Employee Assistance Program.

To apply, please submit the following materials here:

Current Curriculum Vitae
Two letters of reference and/or contact information for follow-up calls.
Cover letter including a brief personal statement describing your career goals, interests in the field, and expectations for your professional development

Clinical Supervision: We strive to provide compassionate support and skillful direction to our developing clinicians. Evaluations focus on each individual’s strengths, as well as areas that need further development. This is assessed through discussion of transference/countertransference issues, therapeutic goals, diagnosis, case conceptualization, and other clinical concerns. Supervision will provide an opportunity to enhance clinicians’ theoretical understanding of participant work by offering experienced guidance for practical interventions.

Individual Therapy: Although this is not required, it is recommended. NMCS offers access to an Employee Assistance Program which includes assistance for mental health services, and health and wellness tools. This is to ensure that personal issues that inevitably come up in working with participants can be addressed and integrated. We seek clinicians who are able to make a wholehearted commitment to professional, personal, and interpersonal growth.

Appropriate Matching of Clinicians and Participants: A strong effort is made to provide the most desirable growth opportunities for all.

Associate Expectations

Associates must be available Wednesdays from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. for training, supervision, and business meetings, as well as at least two shifts per week ending at 6 p.m. Associates’ responsibilities include:

1. Clinical Work: A full-time caseload is 25 participants per week