Professional Development

Training Program: Licensed Clinicians

Crisis Support Services (CSS) began as a nonprofit, volunteer-based crisis intervention and suicide prevention agency in 1966. Since then, CSS has grown to provide a variety of mental health services to a wide range of persons in varying degrees of crisis. Our primary mission is to assist people in emotional distress, to offer supportive counseling to those in crisis and to prevent suicide. CSS has been a training agency for students for over 40 years. During that time we have developed a unique training program as well as opportunities for students, trainees and professionals to work with a variety of client populations. From lay persons to seasoned professionals, CSS offers a range of dynamic training and professional growth opportunities.

Learn Through Mentoring

Professionals gain skills and experience at CSS by volunteering to supervise an intern, provide counseling to seniors and work with low income homicide survivors. CSS provides training, support and CE's as compensation (cookies and Peets coffee too).

As a supervisor, you will have wonderful support and training which typically begins with a tutorial, our comprehensive manual on supervision and regular consultation. Dr. Nancy Fuller Hebble Ph.D facilitates our supervisors' meetings where clinicians receive training, support and consultation regarding our trainees. Many of our supervisors have been with us for many years while others started at CSS as practicum students and have returned to supervise. Our monthly meetings satisfies the requirement for 2 hours of continuing education credit of the BBS (Provider # PCE 3171) and the MCEP Accrediting Agency (provider # CR1007). to sponsor continuing education for psychologists, licensed marriage family therapists and licensed clinical social workers. Crisis Support Services of Alameda County maintains responsibility for this program and its content. If you are interested in exploring this wonderful opportunity to gain supervisory skills, please contact CSS at your earliest convenience.

CSS is a training agency. For nearly 40 years, CSS has provided training, experience and supervision to students from over a dozen bay area colleges and universities. Over the years we have developed a unique training program as well as opportunities for students, trainees and professionals to work with a variety of client populations. CSS offers a range of dynamic training and professional growth opportunities. Professionals are also afforded the opportunity to gain skills and further develop expertise in crisis intervention, assessment, gerontology, grief counseling, critical incident stress debriefing and supervision. CSS provides training, support and CE's to licensed individuals affiliated with the agency. As a licensed mental health professional, you have developed the knowledge, experience and expertise to treat those who are suffering a wide range of emotional and psychological maladies. Sharing your wisdom with a student trainee or intern is a very interesting a rewarding experience; one that can also positively impact your own professional development.

Licensed mental health professionals make a one year commitment to supervise an agency mental health intern working in any combination of 5 clinical areas: 24-hour crisis line; grief counseling; school based counseling; in home senior counseling and drop in stress counseling. Training and consultation in supervision, along with CE's are provided in monthly consultation meetings held the first Wednesday of the month.

For more information on our training program for supervisors contact Chrissy Brewer at 510-420-2471 or visit our contact page.