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 interaction. Achieving knowledge and skills in the following areas are expected. These areas include 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.

Competence commensurate with Post-Doctoral entry level is expected in each of these skills areas, and the achievement of these competencies is the standard for successful completion of the 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. Fellows will write progress notes and written 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 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 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. As supervisors, Residents will participate in the beginning of the year WE training and will provide weekly supervision to the group of WEs. Additional responsibilities include helping the WEs make appropriate contacts on campus and assisting them in designing presentations and executing events.
• Residents will be expected to participate in and show initiative in developing presentations, psycho-educational, and prevention workshops 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 in the top regional universities in the Western United States, receiving high marks in academic reputation and faculty resources.

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 7,200 undergraduate students, 2,100 graduate students and 1,200 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 focus of 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 occur 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.

Content

The Post-Doctoral Residency is 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 adjustment difficulties, relationship concerns, major affective disorders, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and often present in psychological crisis. Learning disabilities, substance abuse problems, and other disorders are also present.

The clinical caseload is generally 16-20 hours per week and includes intake/assessment, crisis management, individual and group psychotherapy. 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.

Supervision

Each week the Residents receive two hours of individual supervision as part of their clinical training. Residents are assigned individual supervisors with whom they meet weekly, but they are also encouraged to receive supervision and consultation from other Student Psychological Services staff. All supervisors provide a supportive, comfortable learning situation that is intended to treat the Residents with respect and to encourage self-confidence and openness.

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.

Wellness Educator Program

Supervision of the Wellness Educator Program is one of the assigned duties for this residency. Residents organize, facilitate, and supervise a group of students Wellness Educators who provide outreach regarding health and wellness to the LMU campus community.

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. 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 preventive education on campus, and, throughout the year.

Seminars

Residents participate in weekly seminars and didactic experiences throughout the year. The number of hours varies. Didactics focus on relevant clinical issues in treating our clientele, including current legal and ethical issues. Didactic experiences focus on emerging issues in treating a college population as well as developments in the field of psychology. SPS invites speakers to share their expertise on a variety of topics, for example, alcohol abuse, racial trauma, and eating disorders accompanied by pertinent literature. Additionally, the Division of Student Affairs is committed to anti-racism dialogues, and Residents will participate in Student Affairs programs, such as, "Cultural Conversations." The university has numerous events, speakers, and sport activities that add to the Resident's enrichment experience. 

Benefits

Residents will receive a stipend for 10 months. Health and dental coverage, 6 days paid personal/professional development time, University paid holidays, and other University benefits are included. A University staff identification card is issued to Residents which gives access to a number of University facilities and activities, parking structures, and a discount at the LMU Student store.

Duration of the Program

The Post-Doctoral Fellowship is anticipated to begin on August 4, 2025 and end in late May/early June.

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

Applications are due January 2^nd, 2025.

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 recommendation from 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 department that 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. Copies are acceptable.)

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