Post-Doctoral Training

A primary goal of the Post-Doctoral Residency training program is the refinement of applied professional skills through supervised practice, modeling, seminars, assigned readings, and collegial interactions. Achieving knowledge and skills in the following areas are expected: ethics, laws, diagnosis, treatment planning and interventions, crisis evaluation, psychological assessment (as needed), understanding multi-cultural differences, consultation and education. By the end of the Post-Doctoral year, Residents are expected to have achieved a level of competence that will prepare them for licensure and independent practice as a psychologist.

Residents are also required to demonstrate skills in independent scholarship by completing assigned readings and pursuing on their own additional relevant readings and educational experience throughout the Post-Doctoral year. Residents are expected to actively participate in all aspects of the training program.

Below are a few examples of the level of competency expected of Residents by the end of the training year:

• Residents are expected to have knowledge of laws and ethics and to show the ability and willingness to apply them consistently and with good judgment in their clinical practice. A working familiarity with pertinent California laws and with APA ethical guidelines should be readily apparent by the end of the year.
• Residents will have the ability to assess and treat most cases with independence by the completion of training. Residents will write progress notes and treatment plans, if necessary, that evaluate presenting problems and symptoms and relate them to goals and interventions for a wide variety of presenting problems.
• Residents will gain significant experience assessing for risk (including threat to self and others) and taking the appropriate and necessary steps to manage crisis situations in a timely, professional, and ethical manger. 
• Residents will demonstrate competence in consultation and education and will present themselves in a professional manner to faculty, staff, students, and members of the LMU community.
• Residents will be expected to take initiative and offer preventative and psychoeducational programming to the LMU campus community.

Loyola Marymount University (LMU) honors the Jesuit and Marymount traditions of dedication to academic excellence and the development of the whole student. Loyola Marymount was recently ranked number 91 “Best U.S. National Universities” by the U.S. News & World Report (2025).

LMU includes five colleges: Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts, College of Business Administration, College of Communication and Fine Arts, College of Science and Engineering, and School of Film and Television. The Graduate Division includes the School of Education and Loyola Law School.

Located in West Los Angeles on a bluff overlooking Marina del Rey, the campus is in a quiet residential area and has open space and panoramic views. The Law School is located in downtown Los Angeles. Loyola Marymount has an enrollment of approximately 7,000 undergraduate students, 1,800 graduate students and 1,100 law students. LMU offers a Doctorate in Education, thirty Master’s degrees, and has fifteen credential programs. There is a rich cultural life at the University, including the performing and fine arts as well as NCAA Division I athletics.

Because Residents are at different levels of skill development and vary somewhat in their specific interests, our training model utilizes an individualized approach in reaching a training agreement with each Resident. A written agreement between the Resident and Primary Supervisor will be developed, which specifies the basic skills and professional conduct required as well as additional goals the Resident wishes to achieve. The training agreement serves as a reference point for periodic evaluation and planning. It can be modified as long as the Resident is progressing satisfactorily in achieving the basic requirements.

Evaluation is primarily a feedback process that helps guide the Residents’ training. It is offered in a supportive, interactive atmosphere. Feedback regarding professional development is continuous and occurs as an integral part of supervision. In addition, Residents will receive written evaluations from their primary supervisor in December and May. Residents are expected to review their written evaluations with supervisors and provide input into the evaluation process.

In the unusual instances in which a Resident is not making satisfactory progress toward a successful completion of the training year, due process policies exist. There are also written University policies that assure Residents that any complaints they may have regarding the training year will receive a fair hearing. Residents will also be asked to provide written evaluations and feedback to their supervisors in December and May, as well as an evaluation of the training program. The Training Director will review the latter document with each Resident independently.

Overview

The Post-Doctoral Residency includes a minimum of 1500 hours to be completed within a 10-month period. Clinical training involves the evaluation, treatment, and referral of our undergraduate and graduate students. There are extensive opportunities to work with late adolescents and young adults and, to a lesser extent, with adults of other ages.

There are rich opportunities to treat a very diverse clientele in terms of ethnicity, gender, culture, sexuality, and socioeconomic background. The clientele presents with a wide range of problems including (but not limited to) adjustment difficulties, relationship concerns, major affective disorders, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, substance abuse concerns, learning disabilities, and often present in psychological crisis.

The clinical caseload is generally 18-22 hours per week and includes intake/assessment, crisis management, and both brief and long-term individual psychotherapy. Residents maintain a minimum of 55% of their time providing direct clinical services. Residents also have the opportunity to develop and run groups based on the current needs of our student population (e.g., Anxiety Toolkit, Self-Compassion, Understanding Self and Others), each completing a minimum of 2 per training year. It is expected that Residents take advantage of the many opportunities to participate in campus outreach and education. The remaining hours per week are spent in supervision, outreach, case consultation, seminars, Wellness Educator activities, and chart documentation.

Postdoctoral Residents are provided with their own office at SPS (on the North Side of Burns Recreation Center, North- 2^nd Floor) on the main LMU campus. SPS has two administrative assistants who are available to assist the Postdoctoral Residents with scheduling and general office management as well as a Health Education Coordinator who is available to help with referrals.

Supervision

Each week, the Residents receive two hours of individual supervision as part of their clinical training. Postdoctoral Residents participate in a "round robin" style supervision matching process on the very first day, at which time they meet with each of the potential supervisors and then have the opportunity to rate goodness of fit and submit to the Training Director. Residents are assigned a primary supervisor who they meet with over the course of the entire year as well as a delegate supervisor that changes after winter break. Every effort is made to match Residents with their preferred supervisors. Residents are expected to videotape individual therapy sessions (with client consent) and share these during supervision sessions every other week. Residents are also encouraged to receive supervision and consultation from other Student Psychological Services staff. All supervisors provide a supportive, comfortable learning environment that is intended to treat the Residents with respect and to encourage self-confidence and openness. Residents also meet with the Training Director on a monthly basis for additional support.

Feel free to review staff bios here and note that current supervisors include Dr. Hung Tran, Dr. Mark Papp, Dr. Elisa Ambrosia, Dr. Ben Gallenson, Dr. Jedd Alejandro, and Dr. Sam Schwartz.

Outreach

Residents have a variety of opportunities to participate in outreach programming throughout the campus and work closely with the SPS staff to develop and deliver programming to students, faculty and/or staff. Residents are expected to cultivate their interests via outreach programming and are encouraged to collaborate with other campus partners (e.g., Athletics, Ethnic and Intercultural Services, the dance department, LGBT Student Services, First To Go Program). Residents are expected to offer at least 10 outreach programs to the campus community over the course of their training year.

Wellness Educator Program

Residents will have the opportunity to provide supervision to student leaders who are members of the Wellness Educator (WE) Program. Wellness Educators are trained to provide outreach to the LMU campus on topics related to overall wellness (e.g., depression, anxiety, mindfulness). After being provided with the appropriate training and resources to do so, Residents will facilitate WE orientation/training at the beginning of the year and then provide weekly supervision to the group of WEs. Additional responsibilities include helping the WEs make appropriate contacts on campus, assisting them in designing presentations and executing events, and offering mentorship to those who are interested in pursuing a career in the field of professional psychology.

Case Consultation

There is a weekly case consultation with the SPS staff. This is an opportunity to present cases, listen to other staff member’s cases, and to participate in case conceptualization, intervention, and treatment planning.

There are opportunities to consult with psychiatrist(s) at SPS as well as medical professionals within Student Health Services. Cases of mutual interest and concern are discussed as well as general issues that overlap psychology and medicine. There is an emphasis on collaboration to provide preventative programming on campus throughout the year (e.g., for National Eating Disorder Awareness Month).

Seminars

Residents participate in weekly seminars (1-1.5 hours of length) and didactic experiences throughout the year. Didactics focus on relevant clinical issues in treating our clientele, including current legal and ethical issues. Didactic experiences focus on emerging issues in treating the college population as well as developments in the field of psychology. SPS invites speakers to share their expertise on a variety of topics relevant to both clinical and professional issues (e.g., substance abuse among college students, racial trauma, preparing for licensure), often accompanied by pertinent literature. Additionally, the Division of Student Affairs is committed to anti-racism dialogues and Residents may have the opportunity to participate in Student Affairs programs such as "Cultural Conversations." The university has numerous events, speakers, and sport activities that further enrich the Resident's training experience. Residents also participate in regular (bi-weekly) seminars focused specifically on issues related to legal and ethical issues as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Benefits

Postdoctoral Residents can expect to receive a paycheck of $2,640 every 2 weeks for the duration of the program. Health and dental coverage, 6 days paid personal/professional development time, University paid holidays, and other University benefits are included. Residents also accrue sick time at a rate of 3.7 hours every two weeks. A University staff identification card is issued to Residents, which gives access to a number of University facilities and activities and a discount at the LMU Student store.

Duration of the Program

The Post-Doctoral Residency is anticipated to begin on August 4, 2025 and end on May 29, 2026.

Requirements

Applicants must have completed all doctoral degree requirements from an APA accredited graduate program in clinical or counseling psychology prior to the beginning of the Residency. The internship must be an APA-accredited internship or an APPIC member program. Prior experience in university psychological services is desirable, but it is not required.

Date of Application

Accepting applications until all 3 positions are filled.

Complete the Application

Please complete the application here: submit application

Please attach your CV and Letter of Interest to the online application.

• Your cover letter should address the following questions:
  • What are your goals for your post-doctoral training year?
  • Why have you selected LMU as a potential site?
  • How would you describe the constructs you find most useful in case conceptualization and treatment planning?
  • What is your experience with crisis intervention?
  • How would you describe yourself as a supervisee and co-worker?
  • What are your professional goals?
    
    

Please email the required documents below to Dr. Rebecca Rutchick, rebecca.rutchick@lmu.edu.

• Provide three letters of recommendationfrom sources familiar with your clinical skills and academic background. Two of the letters must be from your clinical supervisors within the last year.
• Please include a confirmation letter from your graduate departmentthat you have (or are expected to have) completed all requirements for the doctoral degree prior to the beginning of our Post-Doctoral Residency, including completion of your dissertation.
• Graduate transcripts. (Official transcripts are not necessary and copies are acceptable.)

ALL INFORMATION MUST BE SUBMITTED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE POSTDOCTORAL RESIDENT POSITION.