The training department – with loving thanks to Dr. Rebecca Davis Merritt, Dr. Betsy Hoza, Dr. Dale Crowder, Dr. David Rollock, Dr. Keith Magnus, Dr. Claire Wittels, Dr. Ann Lovko, Dr. Ken Lovko, and Dr. Bill Kronenberger.

Therapy is a science, but it is also an art. A good therapist needs a strong research base, and lots and lots of book learning, in order to make sure that the therapy interventions that he or she is using are ones that will actually be effective in making a difference in a client’s life. But a good therapist also needs a strong base in “soft skills” – learning how to connect, how to see and honor the whole person, how to be present, how to listen, and how to gently hold grief and anger and sadness and fear. There are countless books that attempt to quantify and teach these “soft skills.” But ultimately, you can really only learn them by watching how someone who has mastered them practices them, and then practicing yourself. At this practice, we have had the honor of learning from some of the best, and while this is a debt that can never be repaid, we want to give our time and talent to help raise the next generation of therapists in our turn.

Therapy and Testing Practicum

Over the past five years, we have been lucky enough to work with some of the finest clinical psychology and marriage and family therapy graduate students in the Chicagoland area as they complete their diagnostic and therapy practicum years. Some of them have even stayed on as therapists after graduation!

Our supervisory team for practicum students is comprised of Dr. Quinn, Dr. Oganovich, Dr. Cobb, Dr. Cusack, and Dr. Michel. Each student clinician receives an hour of individual supervision with Dr. Quinn, an hour of individual supervision with their secondary supervisor, and two hours of group supervision with the staff as a whole, per week.

There are two practicum tracks offered at the practice – a testing track and a therapy track. Students on the testing track typically spend a full day each week conducting testing for the Department of Health and Human Services, another full day conducting neuropsychological testing, and one full day (if desired) seeing clients for therapy. Students on the therapy track generally spend two to three days per week seeing clients for therapy.

Postdoctoral Training

We offer two postdoctoral positions at a time. These are full-time, W2 positions with excellent health, vision, and dental insurance as well as an option for an employer-matched 401(k) and on-site childcare. Specialized training in assessment and PCIT are available.

Dr. Quinn serves as the supervisor for all postdocs, who generally spend 3 – 4 days per week seeing clients for therapy, while receiving an hour of individual supervision and two hours of group supervision per week.

The training year typically begins mid-August and ends mid-August of the following year. Applications are accepted from January 1 until March 15 of each year, and may be submitted to Dr. Quinn at [email protected] for review.