Post-Masters or Second Year Students in MSW/MFT Programs
Doctoral Practicum Students
Discovery Counseling Center of the San Ramon Valley is a community based non-profit organization serving the San Ramon Valley for five decades. Discovery Counseling Center pledges to be a mental health agency of full inclusion where staff, clients and members of our diverse community can thrive.
We offer a robust training program to provide opportunities for students and trainees to gain practical experience with patients in a clinical setting. Training programs include School-Based, Clinic, and School/Clinic Combination opportunities.
TRAINING PROGRAMS
School-based Track
Counselors in the School Counseling and Intervention Program (SCIP) work in the schools with at-risk youth in individual, group and parent counseling sessions. SCIP Counselors are assigned to schools in the San Ramon Valley School District and will be affiliated with an elementary, middle school, high school or alternative school. The program is approximately 10-12 clinical hours (2 school days) plus 5 hours of training and supervision per week, with a 10-month commitment.
Applicants should have a minimum of one year’s experience involving children and be able to work independently during the school day. This option might be applied toward MFT/PPS hours as well. The program begins in late August and ends in mid-June. This is a paid position for Registered Associate MFT/PCC’s and a stipend is offered to Trainees.
CLINIC TRAINING TRACK
Counselors in this program work with adults, children, couples and families in our clinic. Additional responsibilities may include community outreach and participation in agency events. The program is 15-20 hours per week including a minimum of 10 clinical cases and 3 hours of supervision, with a 12-month commitment. Some evening and/or weekend hours are expected.
Applicants for this track can include:
- Pre-licensed therapists
- Associates at the Master’s Level
- Doctoral students who are in their third year or more
Applicants will be required to have ample clinic experience and either be registered with the Board of Behavioral Sciences as an associate marriage therapist or be registered with the Board of Psychology as a psychological associate. Practicum students who have reached a minimum of their third year in their doctoral practicum or post-doctoral fellows seeking either an internship or externship may also be accepted into this track.
Dual Track
A combination of School and Clinical, this dual track is available to pre-licensed therapists of all levels. Because associates will be working with SCIP as well as in the clinic, associates will receive a caseload consisting of one school and five clinic clients. The dual track offers a high number of hours for associates looking to gain ample amount of practical experience.
Sports Psychology Program
Similar to the SCIP or School Based Counseling Intervention Program which seeks to provide early and effective intervention on mental health, the Sports Psychology Counselor, supervised by a licensed therapist is placed at each of the district high schools in an effort to provide mental health support to athletes and athletic departments. The Counselor is available for a total of 10- 15 hours per week to provide one-on-one assessment and mental skills/mental health counseling with student athletes, consultation with coaches, group work with and presentations to sports teams on an as-needed basis.
How Will it Work?
● During the school day, the sports psychology counselor will work with student athletes in individual therapy sessions.
● During this time, individual athletes can speak with the counselor about what might be going on as it relates to their sports, or life.
● In return, the counselor will provide strategies, techniques, and tools for the athletes to implement in practice, games, and in other aspects of their life.
What kind of counseling will athletes receive?
The sports psychology counselor is qualified to provide both mental skills/mental health
counseling.
Program Manager
Dr. Noah Asch, PsyD
NoahAsch@discoveryctr.net
925.837.0505 Ext 354 (VM only)
How to Apply
MFT/PCC/CSW Trainees and Associates
Please submit via email a letter of intent, resume and two letters of reference to:
Robert Ayala, LMFT
RobAyala@discoveryctr.net
Phone: (925) 837-0505 ext. 355
Doctoral Students
Please submit via email a letter of intent, resume and two letters of reference to:
Dr. Noah Asch, PsyD
NoahAsch@discoveryctr.net
Phone: (925) 837-0505 ext. 354
We are members of Bay Area Practicum Information Collaborative (BAPIC). For BAPIC applicants, please follow uniform application guidelines and procedures. These can be found at http://www.bapic.info
“I have gotten so much out of my time at Discovery! The school placement has been very fulfilling and has taught me so much. The supervision has been awesome and the support incredible. I love the emphasis on a positive intern/staff community; I feel I can totally focus on my learning experience. The didactic training has been excellent as well. You can’t go wrong here!!”
-Doctoral student
