Pre-Doctoral and Post-Doctoral
training opportunities

Steven Phillipson, Ph.D. Clinical Director
Ivy Marcus, Ph.D., C.D.E. Administrative Director
read about the staff

General Information

CCP is a group practice located in midtown Manhattan. Dr. Phillipson, whose specialty is cognitive-behavioral interventions, almost exclusively provides supervision. Predominant treatment specialties entail a focus on anxiety disorders, sexual dysfunctions and depression. Dr. Marcus acts as an adjunct supervisor and provides referrals for cases pertaining to behavioral medicine (diabetes, and the full spectrum of eating disorders). Other staff at the center have specialties in substance abuse, couples counseling and dynamic psychotherapy. Currently three externs are accepted each year from local APA approved doctoral programs in the New York metropolitan area. Interviews are scheduled and conducted during the month of February

Site Experience

• Conduct intake sessions
• Work in conjunction with senior staff for home-visits, and in vivo exposure exercises.
• Provide individual psychotherapy (short and long term)
• Co-lead Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder support/behavior therapy group
• Participate in peer supervision with fellow externs
• Consult with other mental health professionals (psychiatrists, previous therapists)
• Formulating a diagnostic impressions
• Psychological evaluation (intellectual & personality)
• Participate in public speaking anxiety group

Training Experience

• Case load of 5 to 12 individual clients
• Augment clinical time with literature reviews pertaining to novel clinical topics or co-authoring articles by Dr. Phillipson or Dr. Marcus
• Research opportunities using center’s clientele (General topics include anxiety disorders, behavioral medicine and depression)

Clientele

The center serves a wide variety of problems for patients, on an outpatient basis, living in the New York metropolitan area. Typically the ages range from early adolescence to senior citizens from mid to upper income families. The majority of clients have some subclassification of anxiety disorders. Dr. Phillipson has a very specific clinical specialty working with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Therefore the majority of anxiety disordered clientele will have this diagnosis. Dr. Marcus’ specialty is in treating clients with eating disorders and relationship issues. Additionally, she maintains a certification in diabetes education (C.D.E.), and works extensively with the issues related to living with diabetes. Working with persons who have both Axis I and Axis II diagnoses is common place. Depression and social skills deficits are also common areas of focus. The most common Axis II categories include borderline personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, dependent personality disorder and avoidant personality disorder.

Site Objectives

Students can anticipate achieving a proficiency in individually-administered cognitive-behavioral interventions for the full spectrum of anxiety-related disorders, depressive disorders, health-related disorders, Axis II diagnoses, and a wide variety of DSM IV diagnostic categories. A working knowledge in both group interventions and group dynamics will also be provided. Additional priorities and goals for the students are the development of sharp and accurate diagnostic skills, utilizing the DSM IV. The application of ethical standards will always be stressed, and education with regard to therapist-client boundaries will be expounded upon. Constructive feedback will be provided in regard to staff relations and students are continually guided with respect to the development of a strong sense of professionalism.

Basic Requirements

1. Graduate students in at least their second year in a doctoral program in clinical psychology. Some previous clinical experience is highly desirable.
2. Time commitment of approximately 16 hrs each week for the academic year, September through May. ( The options of starting in mid summer and or remaining on through the following September are considered)
3. Having an easygoing disposition and an ability to take the initiative are characteristics that are priorities and thus highly valued.