Intervention Series

• Intervention: Cognitive-Behavioral
• Intervention: Psychodynamic
• Intervention: Family Systems
• Intervention: Brief Therapy
• Intervention: Supervision and Consultation

The Intervention series begins by exposing students to three major theoretical approaches to psychotherapy: psychodynamic, family systems, and cognitive-behavioral. Students are introduced to the theory and practice of cognitive-behavioral intervention in the first trimester. They explore the therapist's essential tasks and attitude, addressing questions of how to listen, understand, and speak, as well as how to manage the therapeutic relationship.

The second trimester of the first year is devoted to examining the basic theoretical underpinnings of psychodynamic intervention, and introducing students to thinking about patients' symptoms and complaints in a family systems context. In the two courses, students learn to formulate cases along psychodynamic and family systems lines, and study a range of therapeutic approaches.

In the third year, students take coursework in supervision and consultation, as well as brief therapy, enhancing their range of intervention skills. In the first trimester, students learn through a series of structured exercises, readings, and lectures focused on the clinical enterprise from the supervisor's point of view.

Students examine brief therapy in the second trimester of the third year, reviewing the brief therapies of major theorists. They also explore the social implications of brief clinical practice.

Click here to view intervention elective concentrations

Emmanuel Zamora earned his bachelor's degree in psychology at Sonoma State University and worked in public health for three years prior to entering the Wright Institute. After visiting a number of schools, he found that the Wright Institute offered a challenging, progressive environment.

"I was drawn to the mission of serving as a clinician to society. Coursework and clinical experience have allowed me to define what this means for me. Many of my cases have been challenging, yet I have always felt supported by my supervisors, professors, and peers."

Emmanuel's current clinical and research interests include: multicultural psychology, assessment, and neuropsychology. He completed an APA accredited pre-doctoral internship at WestCoast Children's Clinic in Oakland, CA, and will be returning there for a post-doctoral residency upon completion of his dissertation.

Emmanuel Zamora, Current Student