APA Accredited Doctoral Internship

ACTW Core Values and Training Philosophy

This psychology practice and training culture is grounded in a deep commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and social justice, recognizing that meaningful clinical work must be responsive to the full complexity of clients’ identities and lived experiences. It fosters an environment where differences are not only respected but actively valued as essential to learning, growth, and effective care. Relationships are at the center of the work—between clinicians and clients, among colleagues, and within supervision—emphasizing mutual respect, trust, and collaboration.

Authenticity is encouraged at all levels, with trainees and staff supported in bringing their full selves into their professional roles. The culture prioritizes openness and curiosity, inviting ongoing dialogue, self-reflection, and accountability around power, privilege, and systemic inequities. Supervision and training are approached as relational, dynamic processes that promote both clinical excellence and personal development. Overall, the practice seeks to cultivate clinicians who are not only skilled, but also socially aware, culturally responsive, and grounded in genuine human connection.

Training Provided

This specialized training program offers comprehensive, developmentally attuned preparation in working with individuals and relationships across a wide range of presenting concerns and identities. Core areas of focus include Gottman and Emotion Focused couples therapy, premarital counseling, sex and sex therapy, and work with LGBTQ+ populations, as well as affirming and knowledgeable care for clients engaged in kink/BDSM and varying relational structures. Trainees also develop depth in treating relational trauma and supporting clients through pregnancy and the postpartum period, with attention to the complex emotional, physiological, and relational transitions involved.

All clinical work is grounded in a multicultural and relational framework that centers context, identity, power, and systemic influences. Trainees are supported in developing cultural humility and responsiveness, with ongoing reflection on how sociocultural factors shape both client experiences and the therapeutic relationship. Emphasis is placed on de-pathologizing diverse identities and relationship structures while maintaining a strong ethical and clinically rigorous foundation.

Training is supported through a robust supervision model that includes weekly individual and group supervision, creating space for in-depth case conceptualization, skill-building, and reflective dialogue. In addition, biweekly didactic seminars led by experts in the field provide exposure to current research, emerging practices, and specialized topics, further enriching trainees’ clinical competence. This integrated approach fosters the development of thoughtful, attuned clinicians who are equipped to engage complex relational dynamics with sensitivity, confidence, and authenticity.

Specialty areas of training available include:

  • Couples Therapy

  • Sex Therapy

  • Gender, Sexuality, and Relationship Structure Diverse Populations

  • Divorce and Break-Ups

  • Relational Trauma

Ideal Candidate

An ideal candidate for this practice is deeply aligned with its relational, multicultural, and socially conscious values, bringing both strong clinical potential and a genuine commitment to ongoing growth. They are motivated and engaged, approaching their work with curiosity, initiative, and a desire to meaningfully contribute to both client care and the broader training community.

This individual demonstrates authenticity and genuineness in their relationships, showing up with openness, humility, and a willingness to be known. They are highly self-reflective, able to thoughtfully examine their own identities, biases, and emotional responses, and to use that insight to deepen their clinical work. They welcome feedback and actively integrate it, viewing supervision as a collaborative and generative process.

Organization and reliability are also key strengths, as the candidate is able to manage clinical responsibilities, documentation, and training expectations with care and consistency. At the same time, they are collaborative by nature—valuing teamwork, contributing to group learning spaces, and engaging respectfully and thoughtfully with colleagues and supervisors.

Finally, the ideal candidate brings an innovative and creative spirit to their work. They are flexible in their thinking, open to new ideas, and interested in adapting their approach to meet the unique needs of diverse clients and relationship systems. Overall, they are someone who is not only clinically capable, but also relationally attuned, socially aware, and committed to practicing with integrity and intention.

Application Requirements

  • APA accredited doctoral program

  • Dissertation has been proposed and approved

  • 400 intervention hours and 30 assessment hours

  • AAPI, CV, Cover letter and three letters of recommendation

  • Application Deadline: November 4th

Benefits

  • Stipend – $40,000

  • 4 hours of sick leave earned for every 30 days worked

  • 10 days of PTO plus University of Denver holidays

  • 1 day for dissertation defense and 1 day for commencement

  • Internship runs August 1st through July 31st

ACTW internship is a part of the University of Denver graduate school in professional psychology's internship consortium. To learn more about about the consortium and the participating sites you can learn more here.