Thanks for your interest in working with us! The Ventura Counseling & Wellness Center (VCWC) is part of the West Valley Counseling Center family, allowing us to help people throughout Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. Our mission is to bring emotional wellness and community resilience to people by providing evidence-based, trauma-informed psychotherapy services. Our approach is tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual and family we serve. We strive to make our services affordable and to deliver them in a comfortable, supportive private practice setting
Equally important to us is providing a traineeship and internship experience of the highest caliber for Marriage and Family Therapists.
Our office
What we offer
Experience
VCWC offers a unique setting for students interested in a traineeship leading to a future in private practice. Trainees gain firsthand experience by working with clients, building a clientele, marketing their services, networking with the community, setting fees, and billing insurance.
Training
The traineeship begins with a 16-hour training program. Classes are usually held on Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm or in the evening, but we will announce our exact schedule as our new traineeship season gets closer.
Our training areas include:
- Intake and assessment
- Office procedures and note-keeping (DAP notes)
- Billing and setting fees
- Learning to “sit” in the room
- Verbal and non-verbal communication
- Trauma, healing, and the resiliency model
- Transference and countertransference
- Boundaries in psychotherapy
- Brief overview of therapeutic models and developing your own style
- Law and ethics in private practice
- Networking and marketing in private practice
Upon completion of training, therapist trainees will begin seeing clients.
Supervision
VCWC provides multiple group supervisions each week and individual supervision as needed. We are dedicated to offering ongoing support and education.
Group/project development
Trainees may take the initiative to start and facilitate a group of their choice or create and run a VCWC program such as a specific marketing campaign or an outreach program.
Community relationships
Trainees have the opportunity to establish professional relationships with local schools, family attorneys, treatment programs, doctors, and others in the mental health community.
Flexibility
VCWC offers trainees the flexibility to work weekend and evening hours to accommodate school and work schedules.
Private practice-style offices
We have a variety of beautifully furnished individual and group therapy offices, as well as a staff meeting room and kitchen.
Potential to grow with VCWC
Upon successful completion of a traineeship with VCWC, graduating students may be invited by one of the supervisors or the Clinical Director to apply for a paid associate position.
What we require
- Current enrollment in an accredited Master’s level program, in good standing with completion of required classes to begin practicum
- Completion of our 16-hour training program
- Malpractice insurance
- Minimum time commitment of one year and 15 hours per week
How to apply
Submit a letter of interest, resume, and two letters of recommendation to:
or
950 County Square Dr, Suite 111
Ventura CA 93003