A 12-Month Practicum in Out-Patient Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Stuart J. Ozar, MD, Schiele Clinic Director    Phone: 314-725-2828

Mary Anne Boston, Schiele Clinic Operations Manager    Phone: 314-361-7075 ext 321

The Schiele Clinic of the St Louis Psychoanalytic Institute, located next to the Institute, at 7700 Clayton Road St. Louis, MO 63117, offers a twelve-month practicum/internship for graduate or post-graduate level students who are enrolled in or have completed clinical programs for masters and doctoral degrees in social work, psychology or counseling. 

The practicum/internship is an intensive learning experience in the theory and practice of individual and couples psychodynamic psychotherapy with adolescents and adults. The length and frequency of treatment are determined by the clinical needs of the patient. Patient fees are set on a sliding scale based on the patient’s economic and social circumstances. Patients treated in the clinic present with a wide range of diagnoses. The practicum/internship is a 12-month commitment with the option to apply for a second year. 

Through a collaboration with KIPP St. Louis Public Schools, we are also seeking students interested in child therapy, school-based counseling and/or providing therapeutic services to children. The students in this School-based Clinical Practicum program will also treat adult patients through the Clinic at the Ladue office. “The practicum experience I have had with the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute has offered me a well-rounded opportunity to learn the inner workings of the counseling profession. Not only have I learned the practical side, I have also had amazing collaborations with other professionals that have taught me to have confidence in my abilities to be of service to others.” – Amanda Carr, M.Ed., former practicum student

• In response to the growing need of the St. Louis immigrant community to have culturally sensitive, low-fee, mental health treatment from bilingual therapists, the Schiele Clinic — as a partner with the Mental Health Collaborative at Casa de Salud — offers a Bilingual Clinical Practicum.  Eligible applicants must demonstrate fluency in Spanish and have completed one or more years of a clinically based master or doctoral program in social work, psychology, or counseling.  

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The Practicum Components

1. Patient Contact
Students begin with a small number of patients and build up to 8 or 10 hours per week of scheduled appointments. Most of these will be with patients seen individually, but some couples and/or family therapy may be included. Frequency of treatment is once per week for most patients, but if clinical needs dictate more sessions, patients may be seen 2 or 3 times per week. In addition to providing therapy, students gain experience conducting initial evaluations of new patients.

2. Supervision
One hour of individual supervision per week is scheduled.

3. Conferences
Students attend a weekly one-hour clinical conference, a monthly administrative supervision and other meetings of importance that address ongoing therapeutic and program topics. Students also are invited to attend the scientific meetings of the St Louis Psychoanalytic Society, and receive complimentary admission to Institute Lectures and Seminars.

4. Facilities
Each student will be provided with office space, a private voice mail number, and administrative support. The St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute Library resources are available as well as assistance from the Librarian with search and research projects.

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Eligibility

Basic Program:

Individuals who are currently enrolled in, and will have completed by the start of the practicum, one or more years of a clinically based masters or doctoral program in social work, psychology, or counseling. Two other experiences, while not required, add significantly to maximizing the educational opportunities of the practicum: (a.) participation in the Institute’s Window into the Therapy process and (b.) personal therapeutic experience. In addition, students are strongly advised to enroll in the Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (APP) program of the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute. The APP program is a highly acclaimed 2-year, 30-week per year series of seminars (3 hours per week) and small group supervision (2 hours per week). The curriculum provides a thorough presentation of the theoretical, developmental, and clinical basis of psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Advanced Program:

Additional practicum opportunities are available to individuals who have completed a clinically based masters or doctorate degree program in social work, psychology, counseling, or related disciplines and have also completed, or are currently enrolled in, the 2-year St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (APP) Program.

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How to Apply

Please email, Mary Anne Boston, Clinic Operations Manager at maryanneboston@stlpi.org to learn more about the practicum/internship opportunity and to schedule a screening. Following the screening, you will be asked to submit a letter of interest, resume/curriculum vitae, and two letters of recommendation.  

Deadlines

Our practicum program has rolling start dates. In order to have time to process your application, we suggest you apply at least 6 months before your intended start date.

Start date Window/ Suggested Application Date / Interview & Decision
June – Sept/ Jan. 15 / February 15
Oct – Nov/ June 15 / End of June
Jan – Feb/ Oct 1 / End of Oct

Qualified applicants will be personally interviewed.  Background checks will be performed on all who are accepted into the Schiele Clinic Practicum.