Student & Graduate Training

Department of Psychology Clinical Training

Institute on Aging's Department of Psychology is one of the largest and most comprehensive training sites in the Bay Area for those interested in developing clinical skills tailored to the needs of older adults and their caregivers. We offer a variety of training opportunities for doctoral level psychology students.

Training Model

Our training emphasizes an integrative model of evaluation, case formulation, psychotherapy and care planning, with a strong focus on the developmental challenges of late life. Students receive training and supervision around a number of approaches to psychotherapeutic work with older adults including; psychodynamic, existential, and cognitive-behavioral treatment modalities.

Additionally, we train clinicians to become familiar with the neurophysiology and treatment of cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and other types of Dementia.

CLINICAL WORK

Practicum trainees have the opportunity to provide a range of services during their 12-month placement with IOA's Department of Psychology. Services include: clinical assessment and screening focused on behavioral health and cognition, provision of home-based, individual psychotherapy utilizing a variety of interventions, and occasional opportunities to co-facilitate psychotherapy groups.

Patient Population

Our patient population, consisting predominately of older adults over age 65, is highly diverse across race and ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and psychiatric diagnosis. We offer specialized training in elder abuse issues as well as problems related to traumatic loss and bereavement.

Home-Based Services

Approximately 90% of our services are home-based, and psychotherapy is often conducted in non-traditional settings such as client's homes, assisted living facilities, and skilled nursing facilities. This unique and exciting aspect of our program allows us to work with many clients who would otherwise not have access to mental health services and support.

multidisciplinary Teamwork

We have a multidisciplinary onsite staff across various agency programs, and our clinical work often involves consultation and collateral work with a variety of other helping professionals. Consequently, the training program at IOA provides unique opportunities to learn important skills in the area of multidisciplinary teamwork and communication.

Consulting Professionals

• psychiatrists
• primary care physicians
• social workers
• conservators
• attorneys
• nursing home administrators
• home care specialists

Mission

Our primary program mission is to offer vulnerable and isolated clients a wide range of services that will help them live as independently as possible for as long as possible. Because many of our clients have difficulties with mobility and transportation, we offer clinical services outside of our clinic in private residences, doctor's offices, and nursing homes--providing a unique training experience in the provision of clinical services in non-traditional settings.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Psychology practicum training at the IOA Department of Psychology is open to 2nd, 3rd or 4th year doctoral students currently enrolled in a graduate program. Unfortunately, we are not currently able to offer training opportunities in the Department of Psychology for students enrolled in Masters-level Programs.

Applicants should follow all BAPIC guidelines around timeline, submission of application packets, and the formal match process. Please refer to our agency description on the BAPIC website for further details.

The training year at IOA begins the first full week in August and runs through the end of July the following year.