Program Growth: From Trainee to Staff
The Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Training Program has successfully wrapped up another impactful training year. For the 2024–2025 cycle, we saw a record number of trainees complete the program. Notably, in 2024 92.6% of unlicensed mental health providers hired into permanent positions were MHTP graduates. These numbers reflect our continued commitment to workforce development and show that “Our work is working.”
We are on track to further increase the number of trainees hired into regular staff roles, reinforcing our mission to grow and sustain a skilled mental health workforce.
Supervisor Certifications: Elevating Clinical Excellence
Our Clinical Supervisors play a vital role in shaping the next generation of mental health professionals. Many have pursued board certifications in specialized clinical areas to enhance their ability to support and train our trainees. These certifications include:
- Unified Protocol
- Managing and Adapting Practice (MAP)
- Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C)
- EMDR Provider and Consultant (EMDRIA Certified)
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT for PTSD)
- Certified Clinical Social Worker (ABCSW)
- Certified Clinical Supervisor (ABCSW and CAMFT)
Their dedication to professional growth ensures our trainees receive high-quality, evidence-based supervision and mentorship.
Apple Award Recognition: Bilingual Spanish-English Specialty Program
In May 2025, the Mental Health Training Program received its second Apple Award, this time for the Bilingual Spanish-English Specialty Program. Originally developed by Patrizia Meunier, LMFT, as a supplemental training for Post-Master’s Fellows at the Oakland Medical Center, the program has grown into a comprehensive regional initiative.
Thanks to the collaborative leadership of Patrizia Meunier, LMFT, Veronica Ochoa, LCSW, and Jorge Becerra, LCSW, the program is now available to all Post-Master’s and Doctorate-level trainees across Northern California.
This award celebrates the program’s innovative contributions to culturally responsive care and its transformative impact on mental health training throughout the region.
Robust CE Library: Expanding Learning Opportunities
Our Continuing Education (CE) Library continues to thrive, offering over 60 trainings on topics ranging from addiction medicine to trauma-informed care. Between August 2024 and August 2025, more than 3,700 individuals accessed these trainings.
Earlier this year, our live regional speaker presentations and asynchronous online trainings received APA approval for continuing education, further validating the quality and rigor of our offerings.
Looking Ahead
As the largest non-governmental mental health training organization, Kaiser Permanente continues to lead the way in specialty training and professional development. We remain committed to evolving, thriving, and excelling—because “Our work is working.”
Contributed by: Angela Payton, MBA
