This training experience is not an APPIC Member program and is not APA Accredited. Applicants should be aware that this training experience has not undergone a formal external quality review process.
Job Summary
The roles and responsibilities of a Postdoctoral Fellow (Registered Psychological Associate via the California Board of Psychology) at Sentiero consist of the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral health disorders. Modalities of treatment include individual, group, and family psychotherapy, as well as psychological, neuropsychological, and psychoeducational assessment of children, adolescents, and adults. In addition to clinical and associated administrative tasks, conducting community-based mental health seminars, consultation with internal staff and agency stakeholders, engagement in professional development activities, and attendance at supervision, didactics, and team meetings are requirements.
Locations and Services
Sentiero is a fee-for-service, private outpatient mental health organization that supports patients with private and government-managed health insurance. We offer pro-bono services on a case-by-case basis, with special consideration for underserved populations, active-duty Naval Special Warfare Operators, and military Veterans.
Sentiero has two San Diego County locations, one in Downtown and another in Carlsbad. Primary patient populations include active-duty service members, military dependents, and Veterans across the lifespan. Services offered at both locations include individual, family, and group psychotherapy, psychological, neuropsychological, and psychoeducational assessments, special education advocacy, consultation services, and opportunities for residential and school-based services. The Carlsbad location also contains acupuncture and homeopathic services.
Sentiero engages in community outreach and partnership, volunteering services for our stakeholders. We have committed annual financial support and access to psychological and wellness services at Sentiero and Sentiero Wellness to support Navy SEAL Foundation's mission for Whole Warrior Health. SEALs from Coronado and Virginia Beach have access to psychotherapy, psychoeducation, acupuncture, naturopathy, functional movement training, and B12 shots via our team. We are also honored to partner with the Charles Humphrey Keating IV Foundation (C4 Foundation). In addition to Dr. Kierce’s appointment to the Scientific Advisory Board, our team supports C4 with program development, monitoring, and efficacy, as well as clinical services and consultations regarding research-based interventions.
As affiliates and alumni of the San Diego Psychoanalytic Center’s (SDPC) post-graduate and fellowship programs, clinicians in training are encouraged to complete a fellowship with SDPC, including monthly seminars and psychoanalytic individual supervision with an assigned SDPC Adjunct.
About the Training Program
Supervision and training have been an integral part of Sentiero since its inception. The Training Program is newly formed and created based on standards necessary for licensure as a psychologist in California and models recommended by APA and APPIC. Feedback from past informal postdoctoral and predoctoral trainees has also been pivotal in training development. The organization’s Training Program is currently seeking accreditation through the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) and the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) Membership.
Training Period
Training is approximately 12-18 months with rolling start dates dependent on the applicant's availability. The range of pay is $78,000 to $117,000.
Required Training Hours
2000
Reports to/Supervision Received
Clinical Director & President
Essential Functions
Individual, group, parent, and family psychotherapy with children, adolescents, and adults
Perform psychological, psychoeducational, and neuropsychological assessments (i.e., testing, scoring, and report writing)
Diagnostic assessments and the development of treatment plans
Advocacy for children, parents, families, underserved and diverse populations
Creation of workshops/seminars for community stakeholders
Provide referrals for auxiliary services, assessments, and/or additional treatment when necessary
Coordinate with stakeholders and treatment team members regarding care
Complete necessary billing, clinical, and administrative documentation in a timely manner
Ensure all services are completed according to relevant ethical and professional standards
Individual, group, and peer supervision
Professional development
Attendance is required for supervision and team meetings
Knowledge, Skill, and Experience
Doctoral Degree in Clinical, Counseling, or School Psychology
Successful completion of APA-accredited Predoctoral Internship Program
Ability to pass requirements mandated by the California Board of Psychology
Adherence to legal and ethical standards put forth by APA and state board
Engagement in personal psychotherapy preferred
Supervision, training, coursework in psychoanalytic psychotherapy preferred
Commitment and demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse populations
Experience conducting psychological assessment batteries, interpretation, and report writing
Excellent time management skills
Ability to multi-task, plan, and prioritize work
Accuracy and attention to detail
Critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Personal agency and independent initiation of tasks
Self-awareness and self-assertion
Flexible and collaborative in a team environment
Appropriate discretion and judgment
IMPORTANT COVID-19/EMERGENCY PROTOCOL RELATED UPDATE
Depending on guidelines provided by the Governor of the State of California (i.e., “Safer at Home”), a significant portion of clinical services may be delivered remotely via HIPAA-compliant telehealth platforms. Registered psychological associates will receive guidance and training in the ethical and legal considerations of telehealth service delivery, per local, state, and federal laws, CA Board of Psychology mandates, and best practice guidelines offered by the APA as they relate to telehealth practice. Assessment and Intervention: Our organization has elected to return to full in-person and face-to-face services while reserving the right to transition to telehealth practice when clinically indicated or to ensure the safety of our clients, clinicians, and other staff. Given the likely ebb and flow of COVID-19, the coming training year may be characterized by potential agency closures, re-openings, partial openings, and other possible scenarios depending on guidelines provided by the governor of the State of California. Applicants selecting our site should be aware of and ready for the possibility of a portion (or all) of their training experience in Intervention occurring remotely through telehealth, with the possibility of increasing in-person, face-to-face contact during the training cycle.