DOCTORAL PRACTICUM TRAINING PROGRAM

At the Institute for Girls’ Development

Independent Practice Site

We are excited to be accepting therapy track applications for our Doctoral Practicum Training Program! For the 2026-2027 training year, we will NOT be offering the assessment track. Check with your Director of Clinical Training to see if the Institute is an approved site for your doctoral program.

2026-2027 Advanced Practicum Position Dates:

• Dates: August 10, 2026 – August 6, 2027 (Selected Practicum Trainees may be invited to begin their training experience in late June or July, depending on their availability and the clinical needs at the Institute).

About the Institute:

The Institute for Girls’ Development was founded in 2004 by Melissa Johnson, PhD. The Institute is dedicated to empowering girls, young adults, trans and nonbinary individuals, families, and circles of community through three initiatives:

• We promote excellence in psychotherapeutic and assessment services. Our asset-based model of comprehensive services is based on current research on gender, girls’ and women’s development, and effective psychotherapeutic interventions. We are committed to collaborating effectively with our community and our colleagues in education, health, and mental health to provide the therapeutic environments that help individuals thrive.

• We provide empowering community programs for girls, young adults, trans and nonbinary individuals, and families. Our workshops have provided thousands of youths and their parents with growth-fostering experiences. Workshops are provided through schools and youth programs.

• Our Professional Training Institute helps mental health and health professionals, educators, and youth program leaders utilize best practices in helping youth build hardiness, mindfulness, and connections.

The Institute is well-known and well-respected in the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles County communities. Our specialists take pride in providing high-quality treatment, assessment, community education, and training in a collaborative team practice. Hear more about working at the Institute from our team members here!

Who is the ideal trainee for the Institute Advanced Practicum Program?

The ideal trainee is an advanced student with prior experience (practicum or other) working with children and teens.  They must have completed at least 1 practicum year. Courses in group therapy and child development are a plus. The student must have a strong demonstrated interest in working with children, adolescents, and families (all practicum trainees work with some children and some teens). The student must also have an interest in girls’ development, community education, feminist and multicultural approaches, and working with gender-fluid, non-binary, and trans youth.  Lastly, the student must have an interest in learning to work collaboratively in a private practice model.

Diversity:

The Institute for Girls’ Development embraces diversity in our staff and in the clients we serve. Please review our 4 Essential Criteria for this position and learn about our Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiative.

Who are the Practicum Supervising Faculty?

• Melissa J Johnson, PhD — Training Director, Founder and CEO
• Grace Goodman, PsyD — Director of Assessments and Practicum Training, Practice Manager
• Monica Valdivia Aguilar, MA, LMFT — Clinical Director, Young Women’s Specialty Practice, Co-director of the DBT Specialty Practice, and Senior Supervisor for pre-licensed Masters’ level clinicians
• Vicki Chiang, PsyD — Clinical Director, Child and Adolescent Specialty Practice; Supervisor

What is the Institute’s philosophy of supervision and training?

Our supervisors each bring their own style, personality, and approach to their work. You and your supervisors will discuss these approaches in more depth, including how they will be integrated into the supervision process. In general, Institute supervisors draw from the following:

• Developmental models
• Multicultural competency
• Feminist approaches
• CBT
• Third wave behavior approaches such as DBT, ACT, and other mindfulness-based models
• Interpersonal neurobiology
• Positive psychology
• Body aware/body centered approaches
• Practice management skill building
• Community education and community partnership building

We incorporate theory and research as well as our own phenomenological experience in the provision of competency-based supervision.

What kinds of training and professional development experiences are offered as part of the Advanced Practicum Program at the Institute?

• Trainees will have the opportunity to work collaboratively in team consultation and facilitating groups with other clinicians from various guilds
• Trainees will have the opportunity to receive training in our Stand Up, Speak Out!® Curriculum, as well as the Institute’s annual one-day mindfulness training for professionals in mental health and education. These trainings generally take place in July. Practicum students are encouraged to attend these trainings for free at the beginning of their practicum year.
• Trainees will gain experience in working with children, teens, and families.
• Trainees will co-facilitate groups for children and/or teens.
• Trainees will learn about a private practice delivery system.
• Trainees will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with collateral providers in the community.
• Trainees will participate in the facilitation of community education workshops and potentially some public speaking.
• Trainees will learn about professional networking through participation in several events.
• Trainees will participate in some program development activities.

What is the Advanced Practicum Training Schedule?

Tuesdays are mandatory for practicum students, as it is the day for our team meetings, group facilitator trainings, and onboarding meetings.  Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays are available options for the second and third training days.

• Total hours expected to be worked per week: 20 hours/week
• Number of clients therapy track practicum students have at one time: 10 to 15 individual/family clients, 1 group per week (generally co-facilitated). Practicum trainees should anticipate a working caseload of about 50% children and 50% teens/young adults. Note: it generally takes about 1 to 2 months to reach this level of client contact.

What are the cultural and demographic groups that typically receive services at the Institute and Flourish?

Cultural: LGBTQ+, Caucasian, Latinx, Asian American, African American/black, bi-cultural, other.

Other demographics:

• Early Childhood
• Children
• Adolescents
• Transitional Aged Youth (ages 18-25)
• Groups
• Individuals
• Families and parents

What types of services will advanced therapy practicum students provide?

• Brief therapy
• Long-term therapy
• Community outreach activities
• EBTs/EBPs: CBT, ACT
• Therapy groups

What diagnoses and clinical issues do clients present with?

• Diagnoses: Depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, LD, youth who are neurodivergent and/or autistic, chronic health and/or pain syndromes, and impulse-control challenges
• Treatment themes: Emotional regulation challenges, academic challenges and stresses, relational/friendship/social difficulties, health and pain management, gender identity, body image
• Theoretical orientations: Students will learn mindfulness approaches, developmental and strengths-based models, and feminist/diversity-oriented approaches to therapy. Students will be exposed to ACT, CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, and expressive arts.

Application Due Date: 

January 9th with interviews the week of January 19th and decisions by February 6th. Practicum trainees will receive a stipend of $2500 for the training year.