How to Apply to the Post-Graduate Training Program

Please read the following information to help you decide whether to apply to the Post-Graduate Training Program.

Who Should Apply?

• Post-master's professionals in mental health who are obtaining hours toward licensure as social workers, marriage-family therapists, and psychologists
• Licensed mental health professionals who want to expand their knowledge of open-ended, psychodynamic psychotherapy

Prerequisite Experience

By the starting date of the program you must have:

• Completed a two-year or longer graduate program and received a master's or doctoral degree in a mental health field.
• Preference is given to applicants who have completed a minimum of 18 months (two full academic years) of relevant clinical experience, including 375 face-to-face clinical hours; for example, by doing psychotherapy, counseling, specialized treatment, crisis intervention, or case work. Preference is given to applicants who have acquired this experience post-degree and within the past five years.

Additional Criteria

• We’ve found that applicants best suited to the program are self-reflective and value self-awareness for psychotherapy practitioners. Most have undertaken their own psychotherapy. Personal therapy during the training program is highly recommended.
• You must be willing to commit 25 hours weekly to the program, including blocks of time for seeing clients—such as a morning, afternoon, or evening—on at least three days a week.

How Do I Apply?

Application packets are available after December 1 for the training program that begins the following September. This packet contains a detailed description of the application process and the materials required for submitting an application. We must receive all application materials, including letters of recommendation, by March 3.

Use one of these two ways to obtain an application packet:

1. Download the application packet and print the personal information and letter of recommendation pages on your computer. Complete all the requested application materials and mail them with your check for the application fee to The Psychotherapy Institute early enough for us to receive them by March 3.
   Download the Training Program Application Packet
2. Email, write, or telephone The Psychotherapy Institute to request a printed application packet. Be sure that your message includes your name and mailing address.

   The Psychotherapy Institute
   2232 Carleton Street
   Berkeley, CA 94704 (USA)
   tpi@tpi-berkeley.org
   Associate Director: 510-548-2250 ext. 106 (USA)
   

   Each year, the Institute accepts approximately eight staff therapists. After the March 3 application deadline, we schedule interviews for as many applicants as possible. Depending upon the number of applications we receive, we may not be able to offer a personal interview to all candidates meeting the minimum requirements. The Selection Committee makes all decisions about personal interviews and the selection of trainees; its decisions are final.

   All written materials that you submit as part or in support of your application become the property of the Institute. If you are not selected, we’ll destroy all application materials except for letters of recommendation. TPI keeps letters of recommendation on file for three years.