Austin PD Seeks To Hire Counselors

AUSTIN, TEXAS — The Austin Police Department has secured grant money to provide free training to counselors, officials said Monday.

The department has $25,000 on hand to train local counselors within the non-profit and private sectors to provide counseling to survivors of trauma. The goal being to train said counselors in utilizing a psychotherapeutic treatment known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, (EMDR). EMDR focuses on the disturbing emotions and symptoms that result from a traumatic event and assist the brain’s information processing system so that it can organically move toward natural healing and positive mental health.

Fees for this training are in the range of $2,000-$4,000, plus textbooks and consultations. However, if selected this project would allow interested parties to obtain this training free of charge in exchange for an agreement to partner with APD Victim Services and provide survivors of trauma 50 pro bono sessions within the next three years, officials said.

Also included as an added benefit for the selected counselors is lifelong access to the trainers and staff for EMDR consultation purposes. Those interested should review the following information to begin the application process. EMDR training consists of 2 weekends of in-person training and a series of consultations sessions after each weekend. Participants will be expected to participate in all of the required consultations.

Training will be provided by Rick Levinson, LCSW http://www.ricklevinson.com and Christie Sprowls, PsyD https://www.drchristiesprowls.com. Training dates are May 17-19, Aug 16-18 and July 12-14 and Sept 20-22.

REQUIREMENTS

• Licensed as an LPC, LMFT, LCSW (or pursuing licensure)
• 3 years’ experience working with survivors of trauma in some capacity is preferable
• Letter of commitment to waive waitlists and session limits for clients referred by the project from your agency (if not in private practice)
• Commitment of 50 sessions pro bono within the next 3 calendar years

PROCESS

1. Submit the following to: APDemdr@gmail.com

• Letter of interest detailing how you meet the requirements, which training you prefer to attend, and contact information
• Resume
• 3 letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your capacity to work with survivors of sexual trauma

If selected for the project, you’ll be contacted by someone from APD Victim Services.

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