This training experience has chosen to follow the APPIC Postdoctoral Selection Guidelines.
This training experience does not meet one or more of the elements of quality clinically-focused postdoctoral training. Applicants are encouraged to consider this in making decisions about post-internship plans.
Postdoctoral Scholar - Counseling Services
Job Description
The University of Nevada, Reno Counseling Services is recruiting for two full-time, 12-month Generalist Postdoctoral Fellows. This Postdoctoral Fellowship is for a generalist college counseling center clinician, and we currently have the following optional areas of emphasis available for applicants with experience and interest: alcohol and other drugs, group therapy, multicultural counseling and consulting, and psychological assessment (see summary of activities for each one below). Other areas of focus may also be considered, dependent on candidate interest and available supervision.
Under supervision, the Postdoctoral Fellow will provide a full range of psychological services, including individual and group therapy, same day sessions, crisis intervention, and outreach and consultation services to university students. There is also the option to conduct psychological assessment. This position will receive a comprehensive training experience in University Counseling Services. Post-docs at UNR CS receive a minimum of 90 minutes of individual supervision per week, participate in postdoc group/cohort supervision, and have access to didactic training seminars.
Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counseling Emphasis
This emphasis focuses on providing clinical support to students experiencing substance use concerns with a heavy focus on Motivational Interviewing and Harm-Reduction. This emphasis involves provision of individual therapy for 4-5 students per semester. Other opportunities may include providing campus outreach focused on AOD topics and/or co-facilitating a substance use focused group, if offered (individual case load is adjusted if participating in group or outreach).
Group-Focused Emphasis
Group-focused postdocs participate in group work for the entire postdoc year, striving to facilitate one interpersonal process and one group of choice during the fall and spring semesters and one group of choice during the summer. Expertise is also developed through emphasis supervision, readings, taking on administrative tasks under the supervision of the group program coordinator, and potentially supervision of group work, dependent on interest, readiness, and availability.
Multicultural Counseling and Consulting Emphasis
This emphasis focuses on working with students from diverse backgrounds who have unique needs. Rooted in multi- and cross-cultural psychological integrated approaches, it considers this work to be a specialized skill that warrants dedicated time and effort to develop. Multicultural-focused postdocs will help provide training to CS staff at our monthly full-staff Student Empowerment Trainings, will have opportunities to lead sessions of interest, join the Student Empowerment Consultation Team, and complete at least two multicultural outreach activities for the University community during the year, in collaboration with the CS Outreach Team.
Psychological Assessment Emphasis
Postdocs with an emphasis in assessment will aim to complete 12-18 comprehensive psychological evaluations, including completing integrated reports, during the training year. Assessment-focused postdocs also have the opportunity to provide assessment-focused didactics and supervision, as well as, participate in administration of the assessment program, if interested. Note that UNR CS receives assessment referrals primarily related to ADHD and specific learning disorders but offers comprehensive psychological evaluations that can assess for a wide range of presenting concerns, using a multi-method and multi-report approach.
The preferred start date for this position is August 1, 2026, although a flexible start date may be considered if necessary.
Required Qualifications
- Doctoral degree from an APA-accredited institution in clinical, counseling, or school psychology conferred prior to the start of the postdoctoral fellowship.
- The candidate must have completed a doctoral internship, in which they received supervision for psychotherapy activities. The doctoral internship must be completed by the anticipated start date of the position.
- The doctoral degree must have been completed within the five years immediately preceding the first date of appointment as a postdoctoral fellow at the University.
- The individual cannot have held previous positions in the professional ranks.
Preferred Qualifications
- Completion of a doctoral internship at an APA-accredited site.
- Prior experience working with college students or emerging adult populations or conducting clinical work at a college counseling center.
- Experience providing counseling services to underserved populations and interest in serving members from diverse groups.
Compensation Grade
Postdoctoral Scholar: $66,600 a year for a full-time, 12-month position.
Total Compensation
The total compensation package includes a rich retirement plan, health insurance options that include dental and vision, life insurance, long-term disability, annual (vacation) and sick leave, professional development resources, along with many other benefits. Additionally, there is a grant-in-aid educational benefit for faculty and dependents. For more information, please visit: unr.edu/hr/benefits
Postdocs within UNR Counseling Services receive 12 university holidays, 15 annual leave/vacation days, 15 sick days, 8 professional development days, and limited opportunities to work from home as deemed appropriate. Dependent on budget, CS is also often able to provide professional development funds.
Department Information
The University of Nevada Counseling Services provides individual and group psychotherapy, crisis intervention, psychological assessment, outreach including educational workshops and presentations, consultation, and referrals to community health care providers. These services are undertaken in accordance with the following mission – UNR Counseling Services provides personalized culturally-responsive mental health services, training, and outreach to the University community. By doing so, we promote an inclusive learning environment supportive of mental health, diversity and social justice, as well as student personal growth and academic success.
We invite you to take a moment to see a short video about our center here: https://youtu.be/607kPEKweEQ?si=bap9LOtpJNEG317B
Also, please check out our website: https://www.unr.edu/counseling
And you may find out more about UNR and the Reno-Tahoe area here: https://vimeo.com/744627808
The University of Nevada, Reno Counseling Services acknowledges, accepts, and embraces diversity in its multiple forms, including but not limited to ability, age, cultural identity, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, language, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, size, race, and religion. We are committed to providing a safe, affirming, accepting, and empowering environment in our relationships amongst our staff and trainees as well as our clients, the university, and the community as a whole.
Counseling Services provides education and training in diversity, equity, and inclusion to practicum students, interns, postdoctoral fellows, and our professional staff. We believe staff diversity improves teamwork, promotes innovation, enriches the training experience, enhances learning, and helps us best meet the needs of our student clients. For these reasons, we encourage applicants from a variety of diverse backgrounds and lived experience with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion to apply to our post-doc positions.
The professional staff currently consists primarily of licensed psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, and several administrative and outreach staff. Each year we have an average of 10 trainees in psychology, social work, clinical mental health counseling, and marriage and family therapy from the practicum to post-masters and post-doctoral level.
Interested candidates are invited to attend our postdoc informational virtual open house on Friday, December 16, 2025 at 4-5pm PST. Open house zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/8145837171. I hope you can join us to learn more about our program!
Contact information for this position: Dr. Jodi Thomas, Director of Training / Associate Director, jodit@unr.edu