Specialty Training
Our specialty programs provide both breadth and depth of training, with opportunities for focused development in evidence‑based practices related to specific clinical diagnoses, minority‑identifying populations, or therapeutic approaches. Training includes a combination of didactic education, supervised clinical experience, and mentorship to support the development of advanced clinical knowledge and skills.
Most specialty trainings are available to eligible Post‑Master’s Fellows, Doctoral Interns, and Postdoctoral Residents within the Mental Health Training Program. Bariatric Training and Implementation Science are available only to Doctoral Interns and Postdoctoral Residents. Participation in specialty training requires meeting specific program criteria, and trainee eligibility is determined at the discretion of the overseeing Training Director.
- Bariatric Assessment
- Bilingual (Spanish)
- DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
- Gender Health Competency
- Health Psychology
- Implementation Science
- Trauma – CPT (Cognivite Processing Therapy)
- Trauma – EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
- Trauma – Prolonged Exposure & Written Exposure Therapy (PE & WET)
Bariatric Assessment
The Bariatric specialty 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.
Bilingual (Spanish)
The Bilingual (Spanish) specialty 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.
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
The Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT) specialty is a two-stage professional development program offering foundational learning for both those intrigued by DBT and advanced specialization for those seeking competence and expertise. These two stages are called “DBT-Informed Treatment” and “Foundations of DBT.”
During the first week-long, 20 hours of DBT-Informed Treatment training, participants will discuss and practice what a DBT therapist does including techniques of assessment, as well as the 4 core skills training strategies of Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, and Interpersonal Effectiveness providing a foundation of DBT-informed care.
After the first week of training, trainees will be integrated into DBT consultation teams to actively discuss cases, practice skills, and shadow DBT groups/classes. For those interested in continued expertise, after 6 weeks a second weeklong 20 hours of Foundations of DBT training will be offered for the specifics of how a DBT therapist engages with clients with fidelity to the DBT model. Those continuing in the second stage of training will continue to meet with their DBT consultation team, be offered additional training/consultation resources, and begin working directly with clients with borderline personality disorder and/or active suicidal ideation.
Gender Health Competency
The Gender Health Competency Training (GHCT) specialty 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 8-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.
Health Psychology
The Health Psychology Specialty prepares clinicians to assess, intervene, and coordinate care for patients across integrated health care settings, with a strong focus on women’s health and cultural competency. Trainees develop skills in targeted brief treatment using fACT, integrated behavioral health, and collaborative medical team approaches, while building competency in women’s and pediatric health interventions and culturally responsive care.
A preview of topics covered include: Perinatal Mood & Anxiety, Models of Integrative Behavioral Health, Perimenopause, Focused ACT, Sexual Health, Needle & Other Phobias, Coping with Diabetes, Pediatric Conditions, Sleep, Group Therapy, Lifestyle Medicine, AANHPI Health Disparities, Medication. Chronic GI Issues, Spirituality & End of Life, Eating Disorders, and more.
Implementation Science
The Implementation Science specialty is designed to prepare clinician-researchers for impactful roles in major health systems like Kaiser Permanente. Postdoctoral Residents and Doctoral Interns lead real-world research projects from concept to publication, exploring topics such as:
- Maternal infant resilience programming impact
- Pediatric behavioral medicine outcomes
- Region-wide patterns in mental health utilization
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy implementation
Trainees also gain access to expert mentorship, statistical tools, KP Libraries, and a dedicated data analyst. The program also supports professional development through additional professional experiences including reviewing conference submissions, attending journal clubs, and joining professional organizations.
Trauma - CPT (Cognivite Processing Therapy)
The Trauma – Trauma – CPT (Cognivite Processing Therapy) specialty is focused on evidence-based treatment through the CPT model for adult patients who are diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Trainees will learn to conceptualize cases using the CPT framework and develop a strong foundation in the CPT theory of PTSD through: Review of CPT research and protocol, self-directed reading of the CPT manual, socratic dialog, Cultural and Clinical Considerations, and more.
Trainees who complete this track will receive specific training in the evaluation of trauma, as well as group and individual therapy. Initial intensive foundational trainings will be followed by weekly case consultation, led by licensed staff and content experts. 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.
Trauma - EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
The Trauma – EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) specialty is focused on evidence-based treatment through the EMDR model for adult patients who are diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and also patients with a different diagnosis with an etiology in an impactful/traumatic past event.
Trainees will develop expertise in evidence-based, trauma-informed practices and earn a certificate upon completing this EMDRIA-recognized basic EMDR training. Trainees will also begin earning consultation and patient hours toward their official national certification as EMDR therapists, which they can obtain after their licensure.
Trainees who complete this track will receive specific training in the evaluation of trauma, as well as group and individual therapy. Initial intensive foundational trainings will be followed by weekly case consultations, led by licensed staff and content experts. In addition to creating trauma training opportunities, our team hosts an online library of trauma-related resources that we continue to build, including best-practice reviews, relevant articles, online CE trainings, multimedia resources for patients, and trauma screening instruments. Research opportunities linked to EMDR therapy will also be available to the interested trainees.
Trauma - Prolonged Exposure & Written Exposure Therapy (PE & WET)
The Trauma – PE & WET (Prolonged & Written Exposure Therapy) specialty is focused on evidence-based treatment through the PE & WET models for adult patients who are diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Trainees will complete extensive training in the PE & WET models, which can be integrated into various other treatments such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) or Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT).
Trainees who complete this track will receive specific training in the evaluation of trauma, as well as group and individual therapy. Initial intensive foundational trainings will be followed by weekly case consultation, led by licensed staff and content experts. 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.
