Postdoctoral Training Program Activities

Postdoctoral fellows participate in several weekly structured training activities that support the CAPS training goals.  They receive specialized training in and provide Intake Assessment, Individual and Group Psychotherapy, Crisis Intervention, Psychoeducational Outreach, Consultation, Supervision, and utilization of University and community resources and referrals.

We encourage you to review the Postdoctoral Fellowship Training Manual 2022-2023 for additional information about our training goals and competencies, resources, and policies. 

Supervision

Individual Supervision

Fellows receive two hours of individual supervision on a weekly basis. One hour of weekly face-to-face supervision is provided by the primary supervisor, who monitors the fellow's overall clinical and professional development and individual caseload throughout the training year. Specific goals are developed collaboratively by the primary supervisor and fellow to supplement the general goals of the fellowship and provide an individualized learning experience. An additional hour of individual weekly supervision is provided by another licensed staff psychologist who functions as the delegated supervisor. There are opportunities to change delegated supervisors during the summer semester to broaden the training experience.  Fellows have the opportunity to receive additional supervision from the licensed staff psychologist functioning as their co-therapist for any group psychotherapy.

Group Supervision

Fellows participate in two and a half hours of weekly group supervision.  During one of the meetings, fellows present cases on a rotating basis for consultation and discussion. The additional hour of group supervision is devoted to supervision of supervision.

Case Conference

Postdoctoral fellows participate in the weekly one-hour Staff Case Conference, where all clinical staff present cases for group feedback and discussion.

Quality Assurance Staff Meeting

Postdoctoral fellows participate in a weekly one-hour meeting with the entire clinical staff to address clinical issues and center procedures and policies and increase effective response to needs of clients and the University at large.

Intercultural Seminar

A weekly forum exploring a variety of intercultural issues relevant to the practice of psychology, this seminar utilizes a variety of training modalities including staff/guest speaker presentations, readings, media, and group discussion of case material. Participants examine how their own cultural beliefs and values impact interactions with one another and their clients while continuously enhancing the delivery of psychotherapy services to a diverse college campus. The experience culminates with a fellow’s capstone intercultural case presentation to the CAPS clinical staff at the end of the spring semester.

Didactic Inservice Seminar/Continuing Education Workshops

CAPS senior staff and guest speakers from the community present topics relevant to the acquisition of assessment and psychotherapy skills in a university setting, grounded in evidenced-based practices and legal and ethical guidelines. Based on their individual training needs, postdoctoral fellows participate in selected sessions of the seminar. Additionally, they participate in Continuing Education workshops with senior staff sponsored by USF-CAPS (APA-approved sponsor).

Summer Professional Development Seminar

Exposure to career options in psychology (through interactions with psychologists in the greater professional community), further understanding of the licensing process, and an emphasis on networking within the professional community and involvement in professional organizations are covered during this seminar.

Professional Presentations

Postdoctoral fellows develop and provide scholarly presentations at to the CAPS clinical and training staff in addition to facilitating discussions on multicultural issues during the Intercultural Seminar.  Additionally, they present a multicultural case presentation incorporating scholarly inquiry and clinical practice at the end of the training year.  

Additional Trainings

In addition to the aforementioned trainings, postdoctoral fellows have the opportunity to attend University-sponsored, departmental, and regional university-based trainings/programs.

Multicultural Film and Media Series (Summer)

Interns and postdoctoral fellows collaboratively develop a list of shows, movies, documentaries, and other media representative of various aspects of intersecting identities. Facilitated by postdoctoral fellows, discussion of salient themes follows each media screening and draws on individual and cultural diversity shared throughout the training year.

Direct Service

CAPS provides assistance to students seeking counseling/psychotherapy for a wide range of presenting concerns—from typical, developmental, and situational issues to significant clinical concerns. We work within a session-limited approach and make an assessment at intake regarding the appropriateness of a brief therapy approach versus referral for longer-term or more specialized work.

TRIAGE ASSESSMENT AND DISPOSITION PLANNING

Phone based triage assessment of mental health needs; determine fit for CAPS scope of services, and provision of campus and community referrals. 

Intake Assessment and Disposition Planning

Intake appointments entail an interview-based evaluation of the client's presenting problem, differential diagnosis, and motivation for treatment, as well as disposition planning.

Individual Counseling/Psychotherapy

CAPS provides brief, time-limited integrative therapy, with a maximum of 12 sessions per client (over the course of the fall and spring semesters), with an option of continued therapy if the client is enrolled in the summer semester. Individual clients are not regularly seen on a weekly basis.

Single Session Therapy (SST)

Clients are seen for one planned session focused on a goal of their choosing, with implementation of specific strategies and provision of resources.

Group Counseling/Psychotherapy

Both structured-thematic and process-oriented groups are offered each semester. Fellows are encouraged to serve as co-therapists in ongoing CAPS groups or to initiate a new group relevant to the needs of the USF student population. Client session limits do not apply to groups attended. Some of the anticipated groups at CAPS include Understanding Self and Others, Re-Claiming Self:  ACOA Support, Gender and Sexual Diversity, Wise Mind DBT Skills Group, and ACT for Anxiety and Depression.

Crisis Assessment and Intervention

Crisis evaluation, intervention, and management includes assessment of safety and risk factors, effective response to crisis situations, and facilitation of hospitalization when needed. Fellows are part of the rotation in after-hours on-call duties, which include staff consultation with Public Safety, Student Housing and Residential Education (SHaRE), and other University representatives; phone triage; and provision of referrals. Fellows consult with a licensed staff supervisor in crisis situations that involve a client's potential harm to self or others.

Psychological Testing

The Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms (CCAPS-62) is routinely administered to clients at intake and termination, and the CCAPS-34 is given at specific intervals during the course of therapy. The CCAPS is supplemented by other brief assessment instruments (e.g., Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test [AUDIT], and the Eating Attitudes Test [EAT-26]), as relevant to the evaluation and treatment of the client.

Consultation and Collaboration Activities

Postdoctoral fellows provide consultations to staff, faculty, and other University representatives; parents and family members; and students regarding mental health issues and CAPS services. They also provide appropriate on- and off-campus referrals, discussion of rationale for referrals, and follow up; establish professional relationships with other University and community colleagues; and act as liaisons to residence directors in Student Housing and Residential Education (SHaRE).

Supervision

Postdoctoral fellows provide one hour of individual supervision to an advanced practicum student on a weekly basis. The fellow and a licensed staff psychologist make up the practicum student's “supervision team” and monitor their overall clinical and professional development throughout the training year. Specific goals are developed collaboratively by the supervision team and practicum student to supplement the general goals of the traineeship and provide an individualized learning experience.

Peer Consultation

Fellows facilitate a bi-monthly meeting for the intern cohort providing consultation about clinical cases and mentorship associated with professional development issues.

Outreach Activities

Fellows provide preventive/educational services and/or developmental programs to serve the needs of the larger USF community, promote social justice, and celebrate diversity in all its forms. Outreach has traditionally included training student, staff, and faculty on mental health-related topics; conducting educational programs; developing and implementing passive programming; serving as an affiliate of a student organization, such as a culturally focused student club or academic and/or service-oriented organization. Fellows are expected to deliver various types of outreach activities, work with the assistant director for outreach, and develop their outreach goals in order to individualize their training experience.

Training Administration

Postdoctoral fellows contribute to the administration of the practicum program through curriculum development and didactic presentations for the practicum inservice training. Additionally, they are involved in administrative and evaluative aspects of recruitment and applicant selection for the Doctoral Internship and Postdoctoral Fellowship programs.

Special Project

Postdoctoral Fellows work with the Training Director to develop an annual project, program, and/or area of focus. Projects are based on the interest, professional trajectory, and capabilities of the fellow and the needs of the Center and University.  

Sample Weekly Schedule

Description	Hours
I. Direct Service
A. Individual Psychotherapy	10
B. Group Psychotherapy (includes 1/2 hour supervision)	0-2*
C. Intake Assessment	2
D. Triage Assessment	2
E. Crisis Intake	1-2
F. Single Session Therapy	0-1
G. Outreach/Consultation	0-1
H. Provision of Supervision	1
I. Case Management	2
Subtotal	10-22*
II. Training Activities
A. Supervision	4.5
Individual	2 (Primary-1; Delegated-1)
Group	2.5 (Clinical-1; Supervision of Supervision-1.5)
B. Intercultural Seminar/Continued Education Workshops	1-2
C. Case Conference	1
D. Peer Consultation	1
E. Quality Assurance Staff meeting	1
Subtotal varies	7.5-8.5
III. Professional Development
A. Weekly Professional Development	4
IV. Administrative/Planning
A. Charting /Planning	9**
B. Supervision Administration	1
C. Special Projects	1
Subtotal	11
Average Estimated Total Hours per week	44
* Fellows who co-facilitate therapy groups have a reduced individual clien caseload ** Hours not spent in direct service are administrative hours