The HAFC-WH Mental Health Training Program

The Mental Health Training Program at HAFC-WH. provides specialized training in the treatment of dual diagnosis for students in Master’s and Doctoral degree programs in psychology and social welfare from many graduate programs in the Bay Area. Students learn evidenced-based treatment models, which include, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavior Skills training, and Seeking Safety to effectively treat our clients in both outpatient and residential treatment settings.

What will the students do?

Students provide psychological testing, individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy and skills-based groups to clients in early recovery from co-occurring disorders. They assist the counseling staff in determining and addressing issues of potential self-harm; thus, they are able to intervene in crisis situations. They participate in clinical case conferences and consult regularly with our Agency psychiatrists about medication referral and course of treatment. For the most part, they assume the same clinical responsibilities expected of the mental health staff. They receive both weekly individual and group supervision.

The need for Mental Health Students/Interns

HAFC-WH has been very successful in treating clients with combined addiction and moderate to severe psychiatric disorders. Statistics demonstrate that these clients frequently respond well to a combination of enhanced mental health services in a highly structured setting that emphasizes development of social and life skills. Group interaction and frequent contact with therapists and caseload counselors offer dually diagnosed clients the safety and resources so critical for success.

That said, because of the limited availability of mental health staffing due in large part to fiscal restraints, the psychology students are able to provide much needed mental health services to individuals who might otherwise be denied. The Mental Health Training Program provides essential help to our dually diagnosed clients and trains the next generation of psychotherapists in the specialized principles and application of treatment for a very significant segment of the mental health population.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for the HAFC-WH Mental Health Training Program, please mail an application packet which includes a cover letter, curriculum vita and two letters of recommendation to:

Lisa Zaslove, Ph.D.
Haight Ashbury Free Clinics - Walden House
890 Hayes Street
San Francisco, CA 94117

If you have any questions regarding the Mental Health Training Program, please click here. Do not send your application packet via email.

At this time, we are only accepting applications for San Francisco programs.