Universal Psychology Postdoctoral Directory

Elements of quality clinically focused postdoctoral training

San Diego Center for Children seeks candidates for three (3) postdoctoral fellows with a specialty interest in therapy and psycho-diagnostic assessment with children and youth with significant behavioral and mental health needs. The positions are for one year, full time appointment. This Fellowship is designed to facilitate, guide and support the professional development of highly skilled, trauma informed, and ethical child psychologists with specialized competency in assessment and treatment of children, adolescents and families. Fellows are viewed as highly valued professionals with a practitioner-scholar lens, who provide direct clinical care and evidence-based practice, and consultation within a multidisciplinary, community mental health context. Cognitive-behavioral orientation is emphasized, and multiple advanced training opportunities are provided throughout the year to meet individualized Fellow professional goals. Fellows will develop supervision skills through opportunity to support the training of psychology practicum students in therapy, assessment and consultation. Clinical, counseling, and school psychology applicants are all encouraged. Supervised training experiences meet licensing requirements for the state of California, and all other states. Weekly supervision includes individual and group supervision, didactics, and multidisciplinary treatment teams. Fellows will need to be Registered Psychological Associates with the California Board of Psychology by the start of the clinical training. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply for consideration of one or more of the following:     

(1)  Clinical Residential Fellow: This fellow will spend approximately 60% of their time involved in assessment activities and 40% in treatment activities with children and teens in a short term residential treatment program and non-public school.  Training at the Center's Residential program provides the opportunity to work with diverse and underserved populations with significant and complex presentations, with emphasis on trauma informed care and working within the system of care, and family-based intervention. Fellows work within a multidisciplinary team of master's clinicians, psychiatry, nursing and counseling staff to provide consultation and didactic leadership in evidence based practices and diagnosis.    

  (2)  Family Wellness Outpatient Fellow: This fellow will spend the majority of their time involved in direct therapy provision with children, youth and adults, with an emphasis on family therapy in clinic or school-based settings. Additional activities will include psycho-diagnostic assessments, care coordination, and service coordination for a community-based outpatient clinic. The client population includes a broad and diverse spectrum of youth and families with moderate to significant behavioral health needs. Professional development will emphasize the use of evidence based practices and trauma informed care. Training will include focus on PCIT for families referred for child welfare prevention services.

 (3) Intensive Outpatient Fellow: This fellow will spend the majority of time in direct treatment provision for adolescents with significant mood and anxiety disorders. Interventions will emphasize the use of DBT, CBT, and family therapy and care coordination for high risk youth with the goal of reducing hospitalization and out of home care. Psycho-diagnostic assessments can occur in collaboration with the Residential or Community outpatient programs.       

Eligibility requirements include completion of a doctoral degree from an institute of higher education accredited by the American Psychological Association or other regional accrediting agency and completion of a pre-doctoral internship which meets standards of Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APA-approved internship strongly preferred). Fellows should have academic coursework and direct experience with child and adolescent clinical populations.      

Founded in 1887, San Diego Center for Children is the region's oldest private, non-profit child serving agency. We are accredited by the Joint Commission and are a preferred provider offering a full continuum of behavioral health services to support children and families. Our psychology Fellowship program has been successfully preparing child psychologists for licensure and varied careers for over a decade. SDCC Fellows obtain professional positions in medical, educational, and clinical settings upon completion of the program, including Rady's Children's Hospital, San Diego State University, Stanford University, UC San Diego, Sharp HealthCare, CSPP, private practice, and here at SDCC. SDCC meets all APPIC postdoctoral guidelines but chooses to remain independent and flexible in our professional development model.   *COVID 19 update: In person services are required for all positions.