The Counseling Staff consists of graduate-level psychology interns and postdoctoral associates who work under the supervision of licensed clinical psychologists.
The staff is selected each year on the basis of competence, interest in serving college students, and freedom from bias in meeting the needs of a diverse population.
Post-Doctoral Fellowship Intern
- 1-2 available, part-time/full-time for 2020-2021 academic year
- Part-time (20 hours per week), Full-time (40 hours per week, benefits eligible)
- Minimum qualifications: A Ph.D./Psy.D. in Clinical or Counseling Psychology from an APA-accredited graduate program, completed by August 1, 2019. Experience in a college or university Counseling Center at the practicum or pre-doctoral intern level.
- Desired qualifications: Experience with a short-term, solution-focused treatment model.
- Stipend: TBD
Full details about the Post-Doctoral fellowship are available on the Human Resources page.
Practicum Trainee
- 1-2 openings
- Part-time (up to 20 hours per week); Practicum II & III
- Minimum qualifications: Completed 1 year of clinical practicum training
- Level: Practicum II or III, 20 hours per week
- Contact: Rebecca Eberle-Romberger, Psy. D., Director, rromberger@whittier.edu
Nature of Agency/Population Served
The Student Counseling Center serves only Whittier College undergraduate students. Whittier College is a private liberal arts college of approximately 1,650 students. In addition to undergraduate degrees, the College awards Masters Degrees in Education. It is primarily a residential school and attracts students from across the United States. As a Minority-Majority school, more than 50% of the student population is from ethnic and minority backgrounds and many are first-generation college students.
Direct/Indirect Services
The mission of Student Counseling Services is to meet the psychological needs of the campus community through direct services, outreach programs, guest lectures, training of residential advisors, and consultation with staff and faculty. Practicum students work with pre- and post-doctoral Interns and may participate in all of these activities. Individual therapy includes crisis intervention, short-term, and extended term. Group therapy and conjoint therapy may be offered on a limited basis. There is also the opportunity to provide brief consultations to students in informal settings such as the residence hall following Cornell University’s “Let’s Talk” program.
Theoretical Orientation
Student therapists receive training in models of consultation and short-term therapy. Supervision is integrative, with an emphasis on assessing client needs and developing treatment strategies which fit those needs. Clinical assessment skills are developed, and student therapists learn to contract with their clients for a focused treatment goal. Certain cases may be selected for longer treatment, when appropriate to clients’ needs. DSM-5 diagnoses are utilized.
Supervision
Each week, student therapists will receive individual supervision with the Director or Assistant Director, group supervision led separately by a licensed psychologist and consultation, based on tape review, led by a post-doctoral fellow. Practicum students will also participate in weekly staff meetings and weekly outreach consultation meetings.
Training
Work with the college population offers a range of presenting problems including developmental issues, as well as problems prevalent in this age group (alcohol and other substance abuse, eating disorders, relational issues, mood disorders, etc.). Practicum students will provide therapy to students, learn consultation skills, and be involved in outreach programming events. Practicum students will join the staff in attending weekly didactic seminars on issues such as diversity, psychological testing, suicide, law and ethics, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Practicum students may serve in the after-hours, on-call rotation for one week, approximately four to eight times during this practicum.
Length of Training
Training is nine months in length, beginning mid-August and including a 3-day mandatory orientation. The training runs through approximately May 21, 2021.
Vacation/Holidays
Practicum therapists are expected to take vacation the two weeks of the college’s winter break and the week of spring break (March 15-19, 2021). The Counseling Center is also closed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of Thanksgiving week. Other time off, including that for Internship interviews, must be negotiated with the Director or Assistant Director in advance.
Preferred/Required Days
The Counseling Center is open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Practicum students are required to be present on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Other days/times can be negotiated depending on trainee schedule, office availability, and center staffing needs. Outreach activities, such as workshops, occur periodically outside of the typical workday. Staff members are expected to be flexible with their schedules to attend these events.
Application Procedures
Application will be made only after clearance has been received from DCT and will include:
- Cover letter, which provides a statement of your interest in this site
- Curriculum vitae
- A minimum of 2 letters of reference (preferably from a clinical supervisor, not only academic). Please have references utilize the Practicum Reference Form.
Notification
The Whittier College Counseling Center (WCCC) follows SCAPTP guidelines for practicum notification. If WCCC is not a captive site for your program, Uniform Practicum Notification Day is typically the second Monday in April.
