Clinical Training Program

History

And Still We Rise has been partnering with local mental health training programs since the 2022-2023 academic year when we began supporting MSW trainees from Smith College in Northampton, MA. We expanded our training experience to include doctoral trainees in 2023-2024 when we began a partnership with William James College in Newton, MA. 

Goals

The mission of ASWR is to provide therapeutic services to individuals and communities who, historically, are overlooked or marginalized by the mental health field — women, BIPoC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), queer, and trans individuals.

Our trainee program is grounded in this mission and the goal of providing culturally affirming, liberatory training experiences for new and developing clinicians, especially those who are entering this work holding marginalized identities. We believe that strong clinical training for students is critical, especially training based in liberation work.

Structure

  • Individual and group supervision based in a framework of strengths-based, trauma-informed, relational, and liberatory care

  • Trainee cohort seminar, which includes didactic training, discussion spaces, case presentations, and other forms of learning

  • Engagement in practice wide collective spaces, including but not limited to case consultation, critical consciousness, and more

  • Therapeutic experiences, including individual, family, and/or group therapy services

  • Partnership with educational programs in order to facilitate meeting programmatic requirements

Length of program

The training year begins in late August with a robust clinical orientation and introduction to the ASWR community. MSW and doctoral trainees onboard as a cohort and remain a trainee cohort throughout the year. 

MSW trainees complete their time at ASWR in mid-May and doctoral trainees complete their time in mid-June, with the ability to extend as needed.

Schools/Expectations

MSW: Smith College second year and advanced standing students have the following service hour requirements: 

  • 24 hours per week (Approx. 1536 hours through placement year)

Doctoral: William James advanced placement students have the following service hour requirements:

  • 3rd year students: 24 hours per week/minimum of 960 hours per year (25%-60% of weekly hours must be in direct service) 

  • 4th year- 20-24 hours per week/minimum of 800-960 hours per year (25%-60% of weekly hours must be in direct service)

Services

All ASWR trainees are able to provide a variety of direct services to clients including: individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, and gender affirming assessments/letter writing. 

Doctoral trainees are able to engage in ADHD assessments.

Testimonial

  • My time in the ASWR Trainee Program offered me an unparalleled space to integrate and deepen my learning while also developing my practice and identity as a therapist. Unlike many practicum placements where students have a single point of contact in their clinical supervisor, I had the deeply supportive experience of a whole community of people (from clinical and process supervisors, to Brittany and Traice who ran the trainee seminar, to myriad consultation groups and clinical spaces) who contributed guidance, encouragement, and insight. It was a delight to be in community with clinicians who offered both a font of knowledge and expertise as well as a welcoming and collegial approach to working alongside trainees. In short, I couldn't have asked for a better experience.

    - Catie Crandell, LCSW

Frequently Asked Questions

    • Potential candidates will work with their educational institution to identify placement opportunities. 

    • Candidates will complete an application and submit supporting materials. Strong candidates will move forward in an interview process with ASWR clinical leadership.

  • Yes! ASWR provides a stipend to all trainees. The amount varies annually and can be confirmed by connecting with our Team Experience team.

  • No. Outside of required gatherings that primarily are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays, trainees are able to make their own schedules that align with their needs and lifestyle. This includes the times of the day and the days of the week.

  • Our practice is a hybrid workplace and we have physical offices available. Trainees are able to work completely remotely or schedule some in-person office hours.

  • Please reach out via hr@andstillwerise.us for more information.