Practicum Training Program
Program Overview
Hands On Clinical Experience
Our practicum training program offers supervised clinical placements for graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in psychology, marriage and family therapy, and professional clinical counseling. Trainees gain hands on experience in a warm, supportive learning environment while building real therapeutic skills with the children, parents, and families we serve.
From their first weeks, trainees are welcomed into a collaborative team, carrying a thoughtfully assembled caseload and taking part in the same case discussions that shape our care. The goal is not to observe from the sidelines but to grow into the role of clinician, with close support at every step and room to ask questions as they go.
What We Offer
A supportive, well supervised placement built to help you grow into a confident clinician.
Focused Clinical Experience
Trainees work directly with children, parents, and whole families, gaining exposure to child therapy, family dynamics, postpartum and new-parent support, and the developmental and emotional needs of young clients.
Supervision and Training
Weekly individual and group supervision from our licensed clinicians, plus case consultation and regular training, so your learning is closely guided from your very first session.
A Whole-Child, Family-Centered Approach
Training grounded in caring for the whole child within the whole family, integrating psychodynamic, family systems, and relational thinking so you understand each client in context.
A Collaborative Learning Environment
Trainees join team meetings and case discussions alongside our multidisciplinary clinicians, learning through shared reflection and the everyday rhythm of a connected practice.
Where Your Training Will Focus
Training is centered on the families we serve, so you build a real foundation in child, family, and postpartum care.
Children
Play based child therapy, developmental and behavioral support, and social skills work that meets each child where they are.
Families
Family dynamics, parenting through transitions, and the sibling and relational patterns that shape life at home.
Postpartum & New Parents
Perinatal adjustment and postpartum support, holding space for the full range of what this season brings.
What We Look For
Requirements & Commitment
- Current enrollment in a graduate program in psychology, marriage and family therapy, or a related clinical mental health field.
- A commitment of roughly 20 hours per week, with some evening and Saturday availability so you can meet the families we serve.
- Active, engaged participation in weekly supervision, case consultation, and training.
- A commitment to a full training year, so your growth and your clients' care both have room to unfold.
- A training fee of $100 per month, which supports supervision, training workshops, and educational resources.
Openings, schedules, and program details can shift from term to term. When you reach out, we will walk you through what is current and answer any questions.
For Prospective Trainees & Graduate Programs
How to Apply
To apply, send your resume and a brief cover letter describing your academic background, your clinical interests, and what draws you to working with children, parents, and families. Graduate programs exploring a placement partnership are warmly welcome to reach out as well.
Questions Trainees Ask
Our program is designed for graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in psychology, marriage and family therapy, or a related clinical mental health field who are ready for supervised clinical experience. Because openings and requirements can shift from term to term, the best first step is to reach out and tell us about your program, your stage of training, and what you are hoping to gain.
Training is centered on the families we serve, so trainees gain hands on experience with children, parents, and whole families. That includes play based child therapy, family dynamics work, and postpartum and new-parent support, giving you a broad, well supervised foundation in child, family, and perinatal care rather than a narrow placement.
Trainees receive both weekly individual supervision and group supervision from the licensed clinicians who guide our work, along with case consultation and regular training. Supervision emphasizes a whole-child, family-centered way of thinking, integrating psychodynamic and family systems perspectives so you can connect what you are learning to the clients in front of you.
We ask for a commitment of roughly 20 hours per week, with some evening and Saturday availability so trainees can meet the families we serve, along with active participation in supervision and training across a full training year. We are glad to talk through the current schedule, requirements, and any program details when you reach out.
Yes. There is a training fee of $100 per month, which helps support the individual and group supervision, training workshops, and educational resources that are part of the program. We are happy to answer any questions about it when you reach out.
To apply, send your resume and a brief cover letter describing your academic background, your clinical interests, and what draws you to working with children, parents, and families to info@cfdcla.com. Graduate programs exploring a placement partnership are warmly welcome to reach out to the same address.
Grow as a Clinician With Us
If you are a graduate student or program seeking a supportive, well supervised placement in child, family, and postpartum care, we would be glad to hear from you.