Post-Graduate Fellowship Training Program
The Full Time Clinical Fellowship
The Fellowship at MDCC is designed as a two year fellowship where recent graduates gain professional experience towards their mental health licensure (LCSW, LPC, LAC, LP, LMFT). While they are accumulating hours and experience, we train fellows for advanced practice and supervision. Positions are 2 years in length, 40 hours per week, and typically start each summer.
Please note: Current openings AND the post-graduate fellowship program application are at the bottom of the page in the FAQS.
The Fellowship is a newer training program than our long standing internship, but is founded on the same principles of providing an atmosphere where trainees feel both challenged and supported. In support of your training MDCC provides; weekly individual supervision, a twice monthly process/case conceptualization group, routine check-ins with our Director of Clinical Training that include goal setting and learning plans, and advanced training courses. Our Fellows are trained to be reflexive, self-aware practitioners with a deep understanding of relational therapeutic approaches. Our advanced training includes a Psychodynamic module and an EMDR module. We contract certified EMDR trainers to complete basic EMDR training leading to the designation of “EMDR Trained.”
Our learning and support structure is complemented by a high level of independence as a practitioner. Fellows are held accountable for maintaining their caseload and providing a certain number of therapeutic services monthly. Fellows are expected to complete timely and ethical documentation and billing for services. Fellows also have a role in supporting and guiding our interns. In the first year of Fellowship, Fellows co-facilitate intern process or case consultation groups, and in the second year of Fellowship, Fellows receive training and support through our supervision of supervision to be an individual supervisor for an intern.
Fellows are employees of MDCC and are offered the same benefits package as other employees and the same access to support spaces and development opportunities as other employees.
Fellowship Tracks
Fellows may apply for different “tracks” of The Fellowship based on their interests and what positions are available.
All of these tracks include work with clients across the lifespan – MDCC does not have an “adult clients only” track. We offer training and support in play therapy for those new to this form of therapy.
Combined/Children First Track
These Fellows split their time between one or more Children First schools, which include a variety of Denver Public Schools and private schools, and seeing outpatient clients via telehealth and in-person at MDCC.
Combined/Integrated Care Track
These Fellows split their time working on-site at partner locations through our Integrated Care Program, including partner agencies that support domestic violence survivors, older adults, and folks who are experiencing housing and job insecurity. Integrated Care Fellows also see outpatient clients via telehealth and in-person at MDCC.
Substance Use Disorder Fellows
These Fellows have an added training component in working towards a SUD credential. These fellows split their time between an Integrated Care site (see above) and seeing outpatient clients via telehealth and in-person at MDCC – however more of their clients will have questions or concerns around substance use as a presenting issue.
Split Admin Fellows
These Fellows spend half of their time with direct client services at a partner site or at MDCC, and they spend the other half of their time supporting administrative and training functions within MDCC. These roles often support partner sites, training planning and implementation, and intern support.
Application Information
Fellowship opportunities at Maria Droste are generally 2 years in duration, beginning in June. Opportunities will be posted every April and as they become available at other times.
Apply for opening through our career page.
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Who may apply?
The post-graduate fellowship program is an opportunity for pre-licensed mental health clinicians who have completed a master/doctoral degree in counseling or clinical psychology, social work, school counseling, or marriage and family therapy. Fellows must be working toward licensure in Colorado in their fields.
Candidates should be especially committed to our mission of aiding the underserved community. They should exhibit a strong desire to continue their learning and professional and career development within a community of like-minded professionals. They should demonstrate a professional attitude, a high ethical standard, an ability to work independently, take initiative, and exhibit self-awareness and a commitment to personal growth. Fellows who have not had their own counseling are asked to complete a minimum of 6 sessions prior to starting the fellowship.
Beyond direct service to clients/patients, fellows are provided opportunities for developing further experience and skills in the areas of consultation, supervision, training and presentations, and program administration.
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What is supervision and training like?
Fellowship supervisors are members of The Therapist Group, a collective of therapists highly experienced in a wide variety of modalities, and are enthusiastic about training future therapists. Due to increasingly specialized placements, we also hire field supervisors and employ clinical staff with specific expertise. All of our supervisors have tremendous respect for the important role that fellows play in our mission of providing quality services to the community, and they receive training and consultation specifically related to their supervisory roles. Further, supervisors receive feedback semi-annually via a competency based evaluation process.
Our fellows receive individual and group supervision. We make every effort to provide high quality and diverse supervision opportunities, however it is the fellow’s responsibility to communicate their needs based on their licensure requirements and their individual needs.
In addition to receiving supervision, 1st-year fellows typically co-facilitate supervision or case consultation groups for interns, along with a licensed and experienced supervisor.
Fellows seeking a second year of training at Maria Droste may apply to be a Senior Fellow, where they will have an opportunity to assume individual supervision of a graduate intern whilst obtaining training, peer support, and supervision of supervision by a licensed supervisor.
All fellows attend quarterly trainings specifically prepared for the fellowship. Fellows are also encouraged to take advantage of weekly in-service trainings. While most in-service trainings are prepared for interns and geared toward more fundamentals, some trainings are provided on more advanced concepts. In-service training occurs each Friday morning from 8:30 to noon.
Fellows receive experience in the following areas (depending on their placement sites):
Individual Therapy
Counseling for Clients of All Ages
Medicaid documentation and billing
Group Therapy
Couples Counseling and Family Therapy
Integrated Care
Fellowship opportunities at Maria Droste are generally 9-24 months in duration, beginning in June or August. Weekly hour commitments vary, depending on the placement site.In their applications, fellowship candidates are asked to choose a posted position that aligns with Maria Droste programs (Children First, Options, Integrated Care, Rural Behavioral Health). Positions vary in weekly hour commitment. For fellows, some variation in hour commitment and start date may be available for some positions. Read about the tracks above.
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What are the program requirements?
The following are requirements for our post-grad fellowship program:
- Has completed a master’s or doctoral degree in a mental health field recognized by DORA
- 20-40 hours/week commitment, depending on position (see position descriptions); full-time, benefited options may be available on a limited basis
- Understanding of that the fellowship is a 2-year program, with review by fellow and agency at the end of year one
- Strong interest in supervising/consulting/training junior colleagues
- Ability to respond to client emergencies such as risk assessments and abuse reports as needed
- One hour individual supervision, either weekly or every other week depending on position
- Two hours of group supervision monthly
- Quarterly trainings
- Timely completion of all clinical and agency paperwork & billing
- A minimum of two audio/video recordings per year
- Agency key & building entry deposit (currently $25)
- Child Abuse Record & Background Check fee (currently $35)
Maria Droste Counseling Center is an approved field placement site for several graduate programs, however, our fellowship program is not accredited.
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Is there compensation available?
Participants of the post-graduate fellowship program typically receive a stipend of $1,250 for each month worked (part-time position). Variations in hour expectations, duration, and compensation may exist for some tracks. See the current openings below.
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Are there any current openings?
Current openings are listed above.
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Where do I apply?
Please complete the Post-Graduate Fellowship Application. We request the completion of the application, as well as a cover letter and resume/CV to be emailed to recruitment@mariadroste.org. Detailed instructions are on the application form.
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If I have more questions, who do I contact?
Please send questions to recruitment@mariadroste.org Attn: Ryan Bittinger.