WE BELIEVE IN THE TEAM

 
 

POST-MASTERS FELLOWSHIP

Allow Wellness invites applications for a two year, full-time, 24-month position as a Post-Master’s Fellow. The position is on a year-to-year basis and can be renewed for a second year if the Fellow and Training staff are in agreement. The Post-Master’s Fellowship at Allow Wellness is designed to prepare individuals for a staff position in private practice, clinic, and college counseling center settings, with particular emphasis on social workers or counselors wishing to work as part of a multidisciplinary team. The Post-Master’s Fellowship requires graduation from a master’s program in Counseling, Clinical or Social Work and completion of a clinical internship or clinical field placement. The program is designed to meet requirements for licensure in the state of Illinois. 

Degree Requirements: Graduation from accredited Master’s Program in Counseling or Social Work and completion of a Clinical Internship or Clinical Field Placement. Also, demonstrated progress in application for licensure within applicant’s discipline. Initial licensure is required within 6 months of employment.

Compensation: $42,000 salary for 1-year; compensation is paid on a monthly basis. This position is not eligible for supplementary compensation throughout the training year. At the end of year one, Fellows are eligible for compensation at a salary of $45,000 for the training year.

Description:

The program is rooted in Allow Wellness’ mission and clinical tradition of providing high-quality training and supervision. 

Designed for those who are specifically seeking a post-master’s employment with a site interested in, and passionate about, their training and development. 

Fellows will develop skills in assessment, case management, crisis intervention, case conceptualization, therapy intervention, medical documentation, medical staffing, and professional collaboration. The primary focus of the fellowship is the consolidation of generalist clinical skills, to prepare Fellows for licensure and independent practice. Fellows will spend the majority of their time in General Services, where they will have the opportunity to provide individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, triage, and intake assessments. There will also be opportunities for parental coaching and couples therapy. 

Fellows also are expected to commit to the development of cultural humility and anti-racism through self-examination and participation in outreach and prevention services for both the general population and underrepresented groups. Allow Wellness has a strong commitment to cultural humility and anti-racism. The training of clinical skilled, ethical, self-aware, and culturally competent mental health professionals is central to the mission of Allow Wellness. 

In the first year of the fellowship, Fellows will focus on gaining additional training in the mental health field as well as gaining clinical experience and supervision as a generalist clinician. Our staff are dedicated to providing a robust learning environment and clinical supervision to facilitate professional growth. In the second year of the fellowship, Fellows will have the the opportunity to function effectively as part of the team in a large, fast-paced outpatient practice and have some opportunity for additional training in areas of specialization. 

Allow Wellness’ Post Master’s Fellowship Overview of Training

Training at Allow Wellness begins with the idea that learning is developmental, and that Fellows have different needs that change with time and experience. Fellows will be encouraged to continually seek awareness of self and use this information to define strengths and areas for development. Fellows’ examination of personal values will help them to discover the impact of their beliefs on professional functioning. Increased personal awareness should also assist Fellows in understanding their role in interpersonal dynamics and their role in personal and professional interactions.

Diversity is a core value at Allow Wellness. Fellows are encouraged to explore their beliefs, attitudes, and skills in order to assess and increase their cultural awareness, cultural humility and anti-racist practices. Furthermore, the emphasis placed upon personal understanding as part of professional development may require that Fellows be asked to consider issues that are somewhat personal in nature and seek personal therapy. Every effort is made to provide a safe and nurturing environment which respects disclosure and protects Fellows’ confidentiality. We are looking out for your best interest as a developing professional.

In support of the desire to foster cultural awareness, cultural humility, and anti-racist practices, Allow Wellness is committed to developing training for staff. Allow Wellness recognizes that factors such as race or ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, range of ability, political affiliation, and educational status affect our clients’ lives (and you as a therapist in the room) and sometimes present unique challenges. Allow Wellness values each client’s individuality and commits to welcoming all people with respect and sensitivity. Allow Wellness staff also attends to their own professional development by participating in training and programs designed to enhance their understanding of the needs of diverse people. 

A core part of Allow Wellness’ mission is to promote the success of the whole person - part of our holistic mission. Honoring individual and cultural identities, strengths and differences, core personal values, and the complexities of human life, our multidisciplinary mental health team uses compassionate, professional interactions to support emotional balance while encouraging clients to reach their potential. 

Direct Services Experiences

  • Individual Therapy 

Allow Wellness’ training staff consider counseling of individuals the primary direct service practice. Fellows will have the opportunity to work with clients with varying presenting concerns, backgrounds, and ages. Fellows may have the opportunity to do some couples counseling work either individually or in a co-therapy situation. 

  • Group Therapy

Allow Wellness has a variety of groups offered at any given time, with a combination of closed therapy groups, open therapy groups, drop-in groups, and psycheducational groups and workshops. We are a busy center and find groups to be an excellent opportunity to provide support while clients are waiting to be assigned for individual therapy, in between sessions, to supplement individual therapy, as individual work is finished, or in some cases instead of individual therapy. Typically, Fellows will co-lead a group with a permanent staff member. Fellows typically meet with their group co-leader on a weekly basis while planning and running the group. During the second year, fellows have the opportunity to develop their own groups, co-lead with a masters trainee, and/or co-lead with another Post Masters Fellow or staff member if that is appropriate. 

  • Triage

Our center uses a triage model to assist in determining a client’s level of risk and urgency for which they need to be seen. Triage is used as a screening and referral tool. While the New Client Coordinator (also known as Intakes Specialist) does the bulk of Triage, we include this experience as part of the Fellowship as it is a valuable skill that may be expected in future positions. Training for Triage and opportunities to observe Triage occur in the first year of the Fellowship. Our Triage system offers backup for consultation and support in crisis situations. 

  • Career Counseling

Allow Wellness provides career exploration counseling and assessment for clients. Fellows will use the Meyers Briggs Type Indicator and the Strong Interest Inventory with students when suitable. Training in the career exploration process as well as in the use of these instruments is provided. 

  • Outreach

Allow Wellness provides outreach programming via multiple, creative avenues. This includes online social medial education, online screening opportunity events, professional educational presentations, healthcare provider educational presentations, as well as in-house programs. For those who have a special interest in outreach, there is an opportunity to work closely with staff tied to prevention services and outreach to gain further experience. If there are special populations a Fellow would like to work with, Outreach is another way to gain this experience. We welcome creative ideas. 

Training Activities

  • Orientation

Fellows will be introduced to Allow Wellness’ modes of service delivery via an orientation process. This orientation will be completed within a two-week period. Orientation will consist of sessions in which Fellows will learn more about policies and procedures regarding Allow’s functions, and will be given time and space to process any questions they might have. Fellows will be introduced to the Allow’s electronic record system (PracticeQ - formally known as IntakeQ), will engage in orientation to available benefits, will have an “Onboarding” session in which important personnel information is entered into our systems (i.e., banking information for direct pay deposit), and will have a chance to meet with Leadership and Administrative/Assistant Team members. 

Orientation is also a very important piece of training in that Fellows will be exposed to the many different staff members at Allow; thus, beginning the process of integration into the team through learning about staff interests and areas of expertise. 

  • Supervision

    • Individual Supervision

      Fellows receive 1-2 hours of individual supervision per week with their primary supervisor. During the first year of the Fellowship, the Fellow will have one primary supervisor. For the second year of the Fellowship, the Fellow will switch to a new primary supervisor to allow the Fellow to seek supervision in a specialty content area. 

      Fellows will also receive supervision for their triage, intake, and case management work by our New Client Coordinator. There will also be a triage and intake seminar during the first three months, which focuses on providing a space for continued training regarding intake interviewing, diagnosing, and determining treatment recommendations including supplemental services and level of care needs. Fellows will be expected to provide coverage for triage and intake services and will learn how to engage clients in timely and effective assessment of their risk and needs. Triage at Allow is the manner in which clients enter the system, and is generally a short session focused on assessing current symptoms and directing clients to services they need (whether that is at Allow or otherwise). Fellows will also learn how to complete comprehensive intake assessments and fulfill case management responsibilities for clients seeking ongoing therapy assignments at Allow. Intakes are scheduled off of triage and are longer and more involved than a triage session. Training regarding an intake interview will occur through live observation and through viewing video tapes. These sessions allow the trainee to gather more information regarding the client’s history and general well-being.

    • Group Supervision

      Group Supervision meets 1 hour weekly to discuss clinical issues including challenging cases, disposition issues, professional concerns, multicultural issues, or ethical issues salient to a particular clinical situation and various treatment approaches. Fellows are encouraged to participate in discussions and informally present cases throughout the year. 

      Fellows will engage in case presentations during group supervision. The intention here is to continue to provide an opportunity to hone the intentional use of theory to guide treatment. Most two-year masters programs do not provide in-depth training on the use of theory, so more training on this important aspect of clinical work will occur. Additionally, most job interviews will require a case presentation/knowledge about how to intentionally use theory to guide treatment, so more training here is especially important. 

      A format will be provided regarding case presentations.

Didactic Training Opportunities

  • Didactic Training Seminar

Fellows will attend a 90-minute weekly seminar during which topic-focused subjects are covered. The seminar will be organized by the Director of Training & Assistant Director of Training.

  • Triage & Intake Seminar

This seminar will occur during the 1st year, 1 hour weekly for 6 weeks and then biweekly for another 4 weeks. 

  • Post-Master Quarterly Meeting

This meeting opportunity is led by either the Assistant Director of Training or by a recently licensed LCPC clinician. Licensure requirements, study tips, and interviewing tips will be discussed.

Professional Training & Conferences

There is a budget set aside for Fellows to attend off-site training or conferences. The amount available may vary depending on budget allowances each year. All requests need to be made directly to the Training Director. 

For further details please email our Training Director, Dr. Plamena Daskalova, at pdaskalova@allow-wellness.com