Kaiser Permanente is recruiting for its Mental Health Training Program

To help strengthen and diversify the mental health care workforce and meet a growing demand for mental health care, Kaiser Permanente Northern California is currently recruiting for its Mental Health Training Program.

The Mental Health Training Program provides comprehensive clinical training in adult and child behavioral health, chemical dependency treatment, and multiple specialty training tracks to more than 250 doctoral- and master's-level trainees in Kaiser Permanente’s 21 Northern California medical centers.

Trainees are taught clinical skills that follow evidence-based guidelines. They receive supervised training needed to graduate and become licensed clinical psychologists and therapists, which are in high demand throughout the United States.

“Kaiser Permanente is committed to growing the mental health workforce, and programs like this one help us provide the experience and training needed in a supportive environment,” said Jennifer Thom, PhD, assistant regional director of Mental Health Training Programs for Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “There is a national shortage of mental health provider. We want to invest in building a pipeline for new mental health professionals while increasing the diversity and representation of the workforce.”

A recent survey by the American Psychological Association found that six in 10 psychologists reported they are unable to accept new patients right now because of the demand for care. It also found that nearly half (46%) said they have been unable to meet the high numbers of patients seeking treatment, and 72% have longer wait lists than before the pandemic.

Kaiser Permanente Northern California Community Health is supporting the Mental Health Training Program as part of an ongoing commitment to expand the mental health workforce.

As part of the program, Kaiser Permanente mental health trainees also work in the community, providing mental health education, mentoring, and resources to local schools and community organizations.

Trainees come from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.

Taylor McKneely, PhD, is receiving her training with Kaiser Permanente Roseville Adult Mental Health Department.

McKneely, who is in the post-doctoral training program, will take her licensing test in June.

“It’s important to have these types of programs because the training experiences that you get along the way lay the foundation for work to come after that,” she said.

Ann Nguyen, PhD, is also getting her post-doctorate training at Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center. She is finishing her program in September.

“I’ve trained in so many different settings, but the culture here is very much a collegial warm team-based culture, and that’s what I like.”

For more information on the Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Training Program visit: https://mentalhealthtraining-ncal.kaiserpermanente.org/