Applications will be accepted beginning October 1, 2008

The two-year Fellowship facilitates the training of scientist-practitioners in the tradition of Dr. John J. B. Morgan, a nationally known psychologist affiliated with Northwestern University from 1925 until his death in 1945.

This two-year Fellowship provides funding for a postdoctoral fellow in clinical psychology to pursue research and receive clinical training at The Family Institute at Northwestern University. The Institute’s research program, which is closely linked to the Psychology department, conducts research on couples and family dynamics, mental disorders, and psychotherapeutic change. The Family Institute provides 43,000 therapy sessions to more than 4,300 individuals, couples and families per year, which makes it an ideal context for conducting clinical research.

Under the direction of William Pinsof, Ph.D., the Postdoctoral Fellow will gain expertise as an integrative, couples/family oriented psychotherapist and psychotherapy researcher. The clinical training focuses on receiving intensive supervision in the practice of Integrative Psychotherapy (Breunlin, Schwartz and MacKune-Karrer, 1992; Pinsof, 1995) with individuals, couples and families. The research training focuses on using and analyzing data from two new instruments: the Systemic Therapy Inventory of Change (STIC®) and the Integrative Therapy Session Report (ITSR). The STIC® tracks client change and the ITSR tracks therapist behavior (ITSR) over the course of therapy. A STIC® feedback website has been developed and provides therapists and supervisors with patient change feedback during therapy. The Fellowship also provides some protected time to develop individual research interests. This Fellowship aims to train scientist-practitioners who will become clinical and scientific thought leaders.

Preferred applicants will have completed a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, as well as an APA approved internship. The applicant should have strong interests in psychotherapy research, family systems theory and therapy, and statistical procedures for analyzing and aggregating change profiles. Applicants with a background and/or strong interest in working with parent-child relationships are encouraged to apply. Furthermore, The Family Institute has a very strong research and clinical program devoted to couples relationships, and therefore individuals with a background and/or strong interest in working with couples are especially encouraged to apply. Prospective applicants who are primarily interested in clinical training are encouraged to visit our Postgraduate General Clinical Fellowship in Marital and Family Therapy.

Clinical Experience

• Caseload

Each fellow maintains a clinical practice through The Institute’s Bette D. Harris Family and Child Clinic and/or Community Outreach Program.  The caseload includes individual, couple and family modalities of therapy with clients from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.  The Clinic offers psychotherapy on a sliding-fee basis, so clients pay what they can afford; the Community Program provides no-fee mental health care in low-income, underserved neighborhoods.  Hours accumulated during the fellowship can be used toward licensure.

• Group Supervision

Senior staff clinicians meet with each cohort of Fellows for two hours per week of supervision in a small group format.  The focus of supervision is on case presentation, video and live interviews and clinical application of The Family Institute model of systemic therapy.  Fellows are required to do at least two observed clinical interviews during the academic year.

• Individual Supervision

Fellows meet with an individual supervisor for one hour per week.

Education

• Teaching Opportunity in Marital and Family Therapy

Family Institute faculty present weekly lectures to our Northwestern University graduate students on the basic concepts and methods of systems theory.  Fellows have the opportunity to be a Teaching Assistant for some of our courses.

• Couples Seminar

Fellows meet on a bi-weekly basis with a senior member of the faculty for a seminar on treating couples.

• Grand Rounds

Fellows participate in monthly grand rounds meetings, where a case is presented and discussed in a theoretical context.  Each Fellow is required to present once per year.

• Additional Opportunities

Clinical training is supplemented by a variety of workshops, seminars, colloquia and professional conferences offered throughout the year.  Fellows may also participate in one or more of The Institute’s specialized areas which focus on children and adolescents, adoptive families, family business, midlife and aging, psychological assessment, anxiety and panic, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.

Professional Development

• Marketing

The Bette D. Harris Family and Child Clinic generates case referrals for Fellows.  In addition, Fellows are expected to market their own practices as well as other clinical services offered at The Family Institute.  Initiatives may include speaking to community groups, meeting with representatives from local schools, social service agencies, hospitals or corporations and representing The Institute at professional conferences and public health events. 

• Administration

Professional skills are developed through practical experience with the internal operations of The Institute.  These activities include maintenance of schedules, ongoing communication with staff, clients and community, financial and clinical record-keeping, and attendance at staff meetings and ancillary functions.

• Mentors

Fellows meet with individual mentors for one hour a week to focus on issues of professional development.

Career Paths

• Those who have completed The Family Institute at Northwestern University Fellowship have accepted positions in hospitals, universities, government policy/research positions or private practice.  Several former Fellows have become valued members of The Family Institute’s highly regarded clinical staff.

Benefits

• Benefits include: a $32,500 stipend, access to Northwestern University Libraries and Northwestern University Wildcard benefits, paid holidays, 4 weeks of vacation, attendance to professional conferences when presenting, paid membership to one professional organization, health insurance and paid professional liability insurance. The fellowship position offers teaching opportunities, mentorship, and career development. Upon completion of the fellowship, fellows will have the supervised clinical hours required to become licensed in the state of Illinois. 

The Fellowship is based at The Family Institute on Northwestern University's Evanston, Illinois campus.

How to Apply: Click on Postgraduate Fellowship Application

The Family Institute actively seeks applicants from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups so that our body of students, fellows, faculty and staff will more closely reflect the diversity of American society. Furthermore, The Institute is committed to broad inclusiveness and affording equal opportunity to all without regard to age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation or physical ability.