Therapy Trainee

USC Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences and invites applications for several post-doctoral and post-graduate fellowship positions (functional title: "Fellow" / business title: "Therapy Trainee"). These positions are open to psychology postdoctoral fellows, associate marriage and family therapists (AMFT), and associate clinical social workers (ASW). Working directly under the supervision of the Training Director within Counseling and Mental Health, these Fellows/Trainees will provide clinical and administrative services including initial evaluations, brief individual psychotherapy, outreach and prevention, psychotherapy groups, and case management. Please visit https://sites.usc.edu/cmhtraining/letter-from-training-director/ for detailed information.

There are several positions open for the 2026-2027 academic year with multiple emphasis areas available. Applicants can apply for ONE or MORE of the emphasis areas and must rank their preferences within their application.

• Crisis Team: Crisis team provides immediate intervention and support for students experiencing acute mental health crises. Crisis clinicians focus on stabilizing clients, conducting risk assessments, and coordinating with other resources to ensure students' safety and connect them to ongoing care as needed.
• Multidisciplinary Eating & Body Image Concerns (MEBIC): MEBIC addresses the complex issues surrounding eating disorders and body image concerns. This team is a collaborative team including medical, dietary, and mental health providers to support students managing these challenges.
• Confidential Advocacy, Resources, And Education Support Center (CARE-SC): CARE-SC offers confidential advocacy and mental health support for students impacted by sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and other forms of gender-based harm. The team provides trauma-informed counseling, 24/7 crisis intervention, and guidance on resources, reporting options, and accompaniment through various processes. Additionally, CARE-SC supports students in navigating campus resources and promotes a safer campus environment through education on violence prevention.
• Substance Use Disorder Treatment: SUD offers support for students dealing with substance use concerns. The team provides individual and group counseling, harm reduction strategies, and educational resources to help students understand, manage, and reduce risky behaviors related to alcohol and substance use.
• Training and Supervision: This area focuses on supervising and developing the skills of social work intern, psychology practicum, and psychology intern trainees at CMH. Fellows in the Training and Supervision track are involved in various training activities and participate as a member of the CMH training committee.
• Generalist: Evaluation & brief treatment with general student population via individual and group therapy on a range of issues, such as anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, and academic stress. Treatment focused on the diverse needs of the student body, offering flexible support across a wide spectrum of mental health concerns and student identities.

Essential job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Reports to Licensed Psychologist, Psychiatrist, or Social Worker.
• Implements therapy services for patients/clients under supervision of a licensed/registered therapist that has completed the CA Board of Psychology and/or Board of Behavioral Sciences supervisory requirements, as relevant.
• Performs assessments, provides psychotherapy/counseling, and completes required documentation in the EMR.
• Provides mental health services to the university population through a variety of service types including individual therapy, crisis triage, intake assessment, consultation and outreach.
• Responds to requests for service by relaying information and referral to other mental health providers. Determines patient's/client's need for services in collaboration with a licensed therapist.
• Contributes to the assessment process under supervision of a licensed therapist.
• Develops treatment plans and techniques to implement plans under the supervision of a licensed professional. Monitors patient's/client's response to treatment and modifies treatment during sessions as indicated in collaboration with a Licensed Therapist. Reports observations of patient's/client's performance and responses to services to the Licensed Therapist. Recommends termination of patient/client to the Licensed Therapist.
• Documents and maintains service-related records, as directed by supervisor. Maintains patient confidentiality.
• Participates in in-service education programs to enhance job knowledge and performance.
• Maintains compliance with established university and department policies and procedures, quality assurance, safety and environment control and complies with requirements of accreditation and regulatory agencies.

• Follows established USC and department policies, procedures, objectives, performance improvement, attendance, safety, environmental, and infection control guidelines, including adherence to the workplace Code of Conduct and Compliance Plan.

Minimum Qualifications:

• For doctoral candidates:
  • Completed a doctoral degree in Counseling or Clinical psychology from an APA-accredited program
  • 2 years of pre-doctoral clinical experience and at least 500 clinical hours completed
• For master's candidates:
  • Master's degree in Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, or related mental health field that is eligible for licensure for direct clinical practice by the CA BBS
  • 2 years clinical mental health experience in a pre-master's program
• For all:
  • Strong clinical skills and experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds
  • Strong organizational skills, flexibility, openness to feedback, and ability to work independently

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1 or more years of direct clinical experience in college mental health
• Completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship

Employees must report to work at the USC University Park Campus in Los Angeles, CA when scheduled for in-person work; hybrid arrangements may be available but are not guaranteed. Work hours and on-site days may be subject to change depending on business needs.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Cover letter - _include relevant experience, goals for fellowship year and future career, and a ranked list of emphasis area interests
• Curriculum Vita including the anticipated date of defense and graduation.
• Case Example - 500 word max, include how you work with clients (theoretical orientation, conceptualization, treatment plan, interventions, diversity considerations, diagnosis) and a case example
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals from sources familiar with your clinical skills. For postdocs, one must be from your APA-approved internship site Director of Training.

The hourly rate range for this position is $25.57 - $39.94. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.