Post-Doctoral Counselor Intern

San José State University • San José, CA

11d • $4,370

About The Position

The Student Wellness Center provides caring, quality, integrated, student-centered health, counseling, and wellness promotion services to SJSU students in support of their ability to perform optimally, physically, and mentally. Within Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), professionally trained clinicians are available for students on an individual, couple, or group basis for therapeutic services on a variety of psychological and mental health issues. CAPS is proud to host a Multicultural Postdoctoral Residency in support of the services provides across CAPS, the Student Wellness Center, and the Division of Student Affairs. Position Details The Multicultural Postdoctoral Residency is a 1500-hour program beginning August 3, 2026 and ending July 30, 2027. Postdoctoral Residents will be expected to perform all the duties of a generalist clinician in a comprehensive multicultural university counseling center and will receive supervision according to the State of California Board of Psychology guidelines. The Multicultural Postdoctoral Residency also provides the opportunity to develop or continue an area of emphasis regarding cultural diversity. Due to CAPS’ commitment to the development of practitioners who promote social justice and consistently work from a multicultural lens, Postdoctoral Residents are provided supervision and training as they develop an area of focus related to a specific cultural group or topic related to multiculturalism and diversity. The Multicultural Postdoctoral Residents are expected to engage in these activities as part of increasing their competency regarding the selected area of focus. The training coordinator, primary supervisor, and/or project mentor will provide support and guidance throughout these steps. Summary of Duties There are four major component areas of the Training Program. These areas are Cultural Diversity, Training (including Supervision), Direct Service, and Indirect Service. Cultural Diversity This component is considered one of the most important of the training program for Postdoctoral Residents and is woven throughout all other components. Cultural diversity themes appear in individual and group sessions, supervision, in the outreach programming in which Postdoctoral Residents take part, in the training seminar presentations, and in clinical meetings. In addition, there are many seminar experiences focusing on self-awareness of cultural identities. Additionally, CAPS hosts an annual one-day Multicultural Training Day conference, which Postdoctoral Residents attend. Postdoctoral Residents have the option to deliver presentations at the conference. Training Social Justice and Outreach Seminar : The Social Justice and Outreach Seminar occurs during the Fall semester and is led by a licensed psychologist. Trainees will discuss the role of psychologists in addressing social justice issues that may prevent or alleviate mental health struggles; explore the relationship between social justice and the development of outreach services and programs; and may help in developing specialization areas in which they focus their outreach and group efforts (e.g., LGBT student services, cross-cultural center, international students, substance abuse, eating disorders and body image, suicide prevention). Supervision/Case Consultation : Individual (1:1) Supervision (all trainees): CAPS meets or exceeds the supervision requirement in the Board of Psychology’s Supervised Professional Experience (SPE) regulation. Postdoctoral Residents will be provided with supervision for at least 10% (4 hours) of the total time worked each week. Postdoctoral Residents will have at least one hour per week of individual supervision for the training year. Supervisor assignments for the Fall semester are made by the Training Committee. All trainees are required to change supervisors during the second semester to obtain a breadth of orientations, techniques, and styles. For the second semester, trainees’ preferences for supervisors are solicited and considered in assignments made by the Training Committee. Every effort is made to match requests. Group Supervision: Group supervision occurs one hour per week. Group supervision is led by a licensed psychologist and is attended by the Postdoctoral Residents. Group supervision provides a forum for discussing clinical work and improving clinical skills, as well as professional development issues. Clinical Consultation Meeting: This weekly meeting is for all clinicians, psychiatric providers, and trainees. It is an opportunity to present cases to one another and engage in consultation. The emphasis in the meeting is on viewing our work as an interdisciplinary team effort to provide the best possible service to students. Audio/Video Recording : Postdoctoral residents are highly encouraged to record most of their sessions and are required to record 10 sessions per semester for training purposes. Case Presentations/Mock Job Interviews : Postdoctoral Residents, due to their unique developmental needs, are required to complete a form of professional development during the training year. The Postdoctoral Residents will provide one case presentation and a mock job interview. Presentations will be provided to the members of the training committee in a scheduled meeting. Multicultural Project : Postdoctoral Residents will also complete a special multicultural project that focuses on Postdoctoral Residents’ interest area. Multicultural Postdoctoral Residents will have an opportunity to create or join a project that focuses on a student population. Due to Counseling and Psychological Services’ commitment to the development of practitioners who promote social justice and consistently work within a multicultural lens, Postdoctoral Residents are provided guidance as they develop an area of focus related to a specific cultural group or topic related to multiculturalism and diversity. The Training Coordinator or designee will meet with the postdocs in the Fall Semester to provide initial guidance and connect the postdocs to the appropriate collaborator on campus. Direct Service Direct service hours are provided through individual, couple, and group counseling sessions; outreach presentations; assessment and crises coverage, and providing supervision. Postdoctoral Residents are expected to deliver 22.5 hours per week in Fall semester and 24.5 hours of direct service per week in the Spring. Individual/Couple Psychotherapy: Trainees are expected to accrue the majority of the direct service hours through work with individual clients and/or couples. The size of the caseload varies considerably depending on whether clients are seen weekly or less often. Clinical load may also vary during slower times of the year, such as winter break and the beginning of Fall semester, and higher during peak times such as midterms and finals. Groups : Trainees may be involved in providing group therapy. Formation of groups will be discussed in orientation, individual and group supervision. Groups are supervised by the licensed clinician co-leading the group, or the designated supervisor. Outreach, Workshops, and Consultation : Trainees are encouraged to be involved in various CAPS programming. Trainees are encouraged to present psycho-educational workshops at CAPS. Topics may include: stress management, procrastination, time management, cross-cultural communication skills, sleep hygiene, and many more. Trainees may also be part of programs presented during re-occurring campus events such as Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Transgender Awareness Week, or African American History month. Trainees may establish consultation relationships with any number of student organizations or offices, including: Gender Equity Center, MOSAIC Cross-Cultural Center, Athletics Department, Residence Life, Accessible Education Center, The Greek System, Mental Health Ambassadors (student group de-stigmatizing mental health services), and Peers In Pride (LGBTQ mentoring program) or the Pride Center. Time spent on these projects varies widely. Trainees are welcome to suggest programs based on their interest areas. Intake and Same Day Coverage: Postdoctoral Residents will be required to have 2 Intake appointments per week (2 x 1-hour assessments or 2 hours); intake appointments are generally the entry point for our students and are scheduled appointments that last approximately 45 minutes and are designed to assess the student’s reason for wanting personal counseling, assess for risk, and plan treatment. After the intake appointment, if determined to be appropriate for our services, the student is scheduled for a personal returning visit. CAPS counselors provide same day services during business hours Monday to Friday. Each semester, a variety of same day cases demand our attention. These include walk-in clients who seem to be in same day, calls from staff in the residence halls, or requests from faculty or staff to consult about troubled students. Postdoctoral Residents are required to have 4 hours of same day coverage per week, during which you manage any crises that arise/come into the center. In addition to the assigned shift, from time to time all counselors may be called on to assist with same day situations or cover for other team members. Trainees are not responsible for after-hour emergency coverage. All after-hours emergency coverage is managed by department administrators. Indirect Service Peer Support Meetings : Each level of trainee group is encouraged to develop a weekly meeting to support each other and process their unique developmental experiences. Meetings may focus on supporting each other through transitions, discussing issues that come up around working in CAPS, and processing the dynamics within the cohort. This experience is optional but highly encouraged for Postdoctoral Residents. Administrative Time : Trainees schedule time into their weekly schedules to complete their case records, review session recordings, and attend to other administrative tasks. In addition, certain blocks of free time for this will present themselves from time to time (e.g., cancellations, no-shows). Other Consultation, Club, or Committee Work : In the past, trainees have become involved with other organizations that correspond to their own interests. These have included the Career Services; Health Services; MOSAIC Cross-cultural Center; Cesar Chavez Community Action Center; Pride Center; Gender Equity Center; Athletic Department, etc. Postdoctoral Residents also may have the opportunity to sit on search committees. Attendance at Division or Departmental Meetings and Functions : As part of CAPS, trainees attend various meetings throughout the year that involve the staff and faculty, such as Division meetings and functions. CAPS also provides 1-3 trainings per year to all staff which include trainees.

Requirements

• Post-Doctoral Residents must have completed the requirement of a terminal academic degree in an accredited PhD, PsyD, or EdD program prior to starting the residency.
• Individuals who are still completing their doctoral program may still receive an offer of employment. However, this offer will be rescinded if the doctoral degree is not conferred by the start date of the residency.
• Applicants should demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a multicultural population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching and other comparable experience.

Responsibilities

• Candidates must address the mental health, developmental and academic achievement needs of a student population of great diversity – in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation – through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies and advisement.
• Successful candidates are expected to collaborate and work closely with other disciplines/departments, developing and implementing innovative non-traditional services for the diverse student population.
• The candidate may participate in shared governance, usually in department, college, and university committees and other service assignments.

Benefits

• Residents receive a salary of $4,370/month.
• SJSU provides excellent medical and dental benefits.
• Residents will also have university privileges that include library use, discounts on public transportation, days off for holiday closures and paid time off accrual.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees