Specialty Training
The specialty training offered through the Kaiser Permanente Regional Mental Health Training Program provides the opportunity for advanced training using evidence-based treatments and assessment. Our training programs allow for breadth and focused training with the opportunity for in-depth training in specialty areas. Our specialty training encompasses evidence-based practices with specific clinical diagnoses, minority-identifying populations, or therapeutic approaches. Specialty training involves a combination of didactic education, clinical work and mentorship to foster the knowledge and skills needed to provide effective and high-quality patient care.
The Trauma Treatment Training is focused on evidence-based treatment for adult patients who are diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The training is focused on treatments including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE).
Trainees who complete this track will receive specific training in the evaluation of trauma, as well as group and individual therapy. Monthly grand rounds/didactics and one hour of bi-weekly case consultation will be led by licensed staff and content experts. Diverse topics relevant to trauma treatment, such as diagnosing PTSD, evidence-based treatment modalities, medications related to treating PTSD, and vicarious trauma will be reviewed. In addition to creating trauma training opportunities, our team hosts an online library of trauma-related resources that we continue to build, including best practices reviews, relevant articles, online CE trainings, multi-media resources for patients, and trauma screening instruments.
The trauma specialization track is open to interested Postdoctoral Residents, Doctoral Interns, and Post Master’s Mental Health Fellows who are based in areas where there is local support for supervision focused on trauma treatment. To be eligible, trainees must be meeting all program requirements at the time of application and receive approval from their Training Director. Please inquire about whether these regional training opportunities are available at the site when speaking with your prospective Training Director.
This specialized bariatric training track focuses on multidisciplinary bariatric care and is concentrated at the four Kaiser Permanente medical centers Fresno, Richmond, South Sacramento, and South San Francisco. However, Postdoctoral Residents and Doctoral Interns across Northern California can participate in providing virtual bariatric assessments as well.
The bariatric surgery training program rotation offers the opportunity to gain experience about the bariatric surgery process, including how members qualify for bariatric surgery, and the lifestyle changes one must make before and after surgery. Trainees in this specialty program are an integral part of the multidisciplinary team (i.e., surgeons, registered dieticians, nurses, psychologists, medical assistants) who educate and support patients as they prepare for weight loss surgery. They will also gain experience in evaluating how mental health diagnoses and treatment, substance use, and support can play roles in surgery outcomes. Weekly individual and group supervision is provided.
The bariatric surgery process is an example of how psychologists bring a unique skill set to assessing if patients are ready and appropriate for a medical procedure. The Bariatric Department is one of several medical departments that benefit from having a psychologist involved in the evaluation and treatment process at Kaiser Permanente. To be eligible, trainees must be meeting all program requirements at the time of application and receive approval from their supervisor.
This specialized training track for bilingual Spanish/English speaking trainees is available in several Kaiser clinics in Northern California and at the Kaiser Counseling Center (KPCC). The track is open to trainees at all levels, including premaster’s interns, practicum externs, postmaster’s fellows, doctoral interns and postdoctoral residents.
The bilingual track aims to increase cultural awareness through understanding diverse cultural needs, fostering sensitivity, and adapting interventions accordingly. Trainees receive linguistic and communication training in Spanish to develop fluency and integrating non-verbal cues in providing evidence-based therapeutic practices. In addition, trainees learn counseling techniques and skills for bilingual counseling, fostering empathy, and crisis intervention. Training is provided specific to ethical guidelines and legal aspects of bilingual counseling with precision.
Trainees receive supervised practice and clinical experience, gaining hands-on experience under expert guidance while serving diverse populations in individual and group counseling settings. Supervised professional experience is provided through individual and group supervision, as well as case consultation. Please inquire about whether these regional training opportunities are available at the site when speaking with your prospective Training Director.
The Gender Health Competency Training (GHCT) will prepare trainees to provide affirming, inclusive and culturally responsive care for transgender and gender-diverse patients. This training is geared towards trainees with a passion for LGBTQ+ issues and empowerment, and those wanting to build competency working with gender-diverse populations.
This 6-month long series will cover topics such as gender health fundamentals, the rich history of the trans and gender-diverse community globally, key terminology in the field, provider cultural self-awareness skills and gender-affirming psychotherapy techniques. Trainees will also have a chance to apply their skills with gender-diverse patients during the training program and will receive weekly case consultation support in addition to didactic training. Guest speakers will enhance the learning experience, as well. Training resources include the text A Clinician’s Guide to Gender-Affirming Care by Chang et al. (2018), scholarly articles on gender-affirming psychotherapy, interactive activities and hearing the wisdom from individuals with lived trans experience.
The Gender Health Competency Training is currently in its pilot year and is accepting Post-Masters Mental Health Fellows (PMF) for its inaugural cohort. Didactics will primarily focus on adult transgender and gender-diverse populations, with some exposure to the pediatric gender-diverse population via a guest presenter. To be eligible, trainees must be meeting all program requirements at the time of application and receive approval from their Training Director.
