Clinical Social Work Training

Clinical Social Work Post Graduate Fellows 2024

 

Video: Melissa Webster, LMSW, Director of the Clinical Social Work Post Graduate Fellowship Program and the 2023 Fellows talking about the program and answering questions during the 2024 Informational for recruitment for trainees on September 14, 2023.  

 

We are integrally involved in the teaching mission of the Department of Psychiatry providing teaching, supervision and collaborative team experience to Child Psychiatry Fellows and Post-Doctoral Psychology Interns.

Social Work Post Grad Training

Click here to apply!

The Social Work Post Graduate Program provides a 1 - 2 year post Masters graduate training with extensive clinical experience, supervision and educational opportunities in clinical social work while working towards full licensure.

For the 2025 training year, we are anticipating 6 positions:

  • 2-3 within Child/Adolescent Services
  • 2-3 within Adult Services (including an Anxiety Program 2-year position)
  • 1 within Addiction Treatment Services (Adolescent through Adult)

Philosophy of Training

The Clinical Social Work Post Graduate Training Program is a leading program through which trainees attain strong clinical skills and obtain licensure. We are committed to providing cutting-edge clinical training, challenging work, and dynamic experiences at the interface of science and practice. Fellows have opportunities to work closely with faculty, staff, and trainees from a variety of disciplines in order to best facilitate both personal growth and professional development. 

Goals

Our postgraduate training program aims to prepare each Fellow to meet the challenges and embrace the exciting opportunities for the delivery of social work services and advancement of knowledge in our field.

Program Design

Fellowship Term: Our postgraduate training program is generally a two-year program.  Appointments are made initially for one year, with a second year re-appointment being at the discretion of the Department, Section, and Fellow of interest.  Appointments extend from January 1st to December 31st.

Time Commitment: Approximately 40 hours/week

Expectations of Fellows:

  • Develop a personal program of self-directed study and professional growth with guidance from the teaching staff
  • Teach and mentor other Fellows, interns, and students as assigned or required
  • Adhere to the established practices, procedures, and policies of the institution as well as published ethical and service standards of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
  • Participate on one or more of the outpatient interdisciplinary teams for 6 months to 1 year intervals. Fellows select their team based on their clinical interest and our availability.
  • Obtain state licensure and adhere to state licensing laws and regulations
  • Conduct clinical diagnostic evaluations and provide evidence-based psychosocial treatments for clients in an outpatient setting (Palliative is inpatient).
  • Participate in additional training seminars and individualized educational experiences and research

Components of Core Curriculum:

Grand Rounds/Invited Lectures

Weekly attendance at Grand Rounds/Invited Lectures in the Department of Psychiatry is highly recommended.  These provide current, state-of-the-art presentations and discussions of research finding and clinical controversies in the field as a whole. Fellows have the option of presenting at Grand Rounds.

Didactics/Mentorship

Each postgraduate Fellow will participate in or more formal didactics or seminar series in their area of specialization.  This will be determined by the Fellow and his/her Clinical Supervisor. Some possibilities include the following:

  • CBT Mentorship for Anxiety
  • CBT Mentorship for Depression
  • Couples Mentorship
  • DBT Mentorship
  • IPT Mentorship
  • MI Mentorship
  • Group Psychotherapy (DBT, CBT, Social Skills, etc.)
  • Child Psychotherapy Training Clinics:
    • Parent Management Training
    • CBT
    • IPT/FFT
    • Trauma and Grief
  • Child-Parent Psychotherapy Agency Mentorship Program (CAMP)

Eligibility Requirements

  • Completion of a Masters of Social Work degree at an CSWE-accredited institution

  • US Citizenship required

Stipend/Benefits

  • First year Fellows receive $44,000, and second year Fellows receive $48,000.

  • Medical benefits

  • 20 days paid time off per year

How to Apply

For Fellowship in Adult, Adult Anxiety Program 2-year Position, Child/Adolescent, Comprehensive Gender Services Program, UMATS, apply by 8/29/2025

For More Information

For more details, contact Melissa Webster, LMSW

2025 PGF Cohort

Lydia Farina

Lydia Farina is a 1st year post-graduate fellow in the Child OCD & Anxiety Program and Infant and Early Childhood Clinic. Lydia received her Bachelor of Arts in International Studies with a minor in Spanish from the University of Michigan. After graduating, she pursued interests in law and completed a post-baccalaureate certificate in Pre-Clinical Psychology at Northwestern University. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete a Master of Social Work. During her master's, Lydia interned at Michigan Medicine in Child/Adolescent Ambulatory Psychiatry where she primarily provided Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder and Comprehensive Behavioral Interventions for Tics (CBIT). She completed additional training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP). 

Lydia is thrilled to continue her clinical training at Michigan Medicine. As a fellow, she has participated in further training in DBT, CPP, and Parent Management Training (PMT). Lydia's clinical interests include anxiety disorders, tics, trauma, and attachment theory. She strives to provide a warm and supportive environment for patients and families to pursue their goals. Outside of the clinic, Lydia enjoys running, baking, and spending time with family and friends.

Anna Forest

Anna Forest is a first-year post-graduate fellow working in adult outpatient psychiatry with the depression team. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Michigan State University with minors in Youth and Society and Leadership of Organizations. During this time, she also worked as a research assistant in MSU’s Close Relationship Lab and as a home management instructor for youth with disabilities. These experiences sparked her interest in social work and providing psychotherapy.

Anna went on to obtain her Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan in 2024 with a focus in interpersonal practice in Integrated Health, mental health, and substance abuse. In her MSW internship, Anna worked in Michigan Medicine’s Office of Decedent Affairs, providing resources and brief grief counseling interventions for families of patients who died in the hospital system. Through her coursework and internship experience, she has received training in several therapeutic modalities such as CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy. Her clinical interests include depression, OCD, anxiety, and adjustment to major life transitions.

Ethan Getchell

Ethan Getchell is a first-year Post Graduate Fellow working with the Depression Clinic in Adult Outpatient Psychiatry at Michigan Medicine. He obtained his Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan in December 2024, specializing in interpersonal practice with a focus on mental health. During his MSW program, he completed his internship at Michigan Medicine with the Adult Outpatient Psychiatry Perinatal Clinic, where he worked primarily with individuals experiencing post-partum depression, anxiety, and complex mood disorders.

Ethan earned his undergraduate degree from Hope College, where he majored in business and communication. His undergraduate studies laid the foundation for his interest in men’s mental health, suicide prevention, and the impact of societal expectations on emotional well-being.

In his current role, Ethan provides individual therapy to adults struggling with depression, anxiety, and other mood-related conditions. He has completed mentorships in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and is currently engaged in advanced clinical training focused on suicide prevention and evidence-based interventions for mood disorders.

Ethan’s clinical interests include men’s mental health, suicide prevention, grief work, and the intersection of masculinity and mental health treatment. Outside of his clinical work, he is passionate about mental health advocacy and education. He writes a weekly newsletter, Hey Man, focused on providing accessible mental health tools, and is currently working on his book, Hey Man, We Need to Talk, which explores men’s mental health, grief, and suicide.

Originally from Michigan, Ethan enjoys spending time rock climbing, writing, and engaging in community-based mental health initiatives. He is excited to continue expanding his clinical skills and deepening his work in the field of adult mental health.

Kareem Isaac

Kareem Isaac is a 1st year Post Graduate Fellow in Child and Adolescent Services. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in communications from Howard University in Washington D.C. in 2023. While completing his undergraduate studies, he worked at a non-profit building community and teaching social skills to middle and high school students on the autism spectrum. He continued his education, earning his MSW from the University of Michigan School of Social Work in December 2024, where he specialized in Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse. As a graduate student he interned at both the School of Social Work’s Flourish Office and the Curtis Center for Health Equity Research and Training where he trained to be a counselor in a study looking at Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as part of a wraparound treatment plan for Black men over the age of 60 with Type II diabetes and depression.

As a Post-Graduate Fellow, Kareem is currently a part of the General Team and is participating as a provider in the Parent Management Training clinic and the CBT clinic. He is excited to continue learning and growing his therapeutic skills at Michigan Medicine. His clinical interests include working with neurodivergent children and their families, CBT for depression and anxiety, and providing culturally relevant therapy for patients of all backgrounds.

Kayla Jablonski

Kayla Jablonski is a 2nd year post-graduate fellow in the adult psychiatry clinic, working with the anxiety team. She spent her first year of her fellowship as a clinician on the perinatal and reproductive team where she worked as a therapist for the perinatal population. She also dedicated her time during her internship to learning within the perinatal psychiatry clinic. She earned her undergraduate degree from Grand Valley State University in 2021 where she majored in psychology and minored in criminal justice and Spanish. She went on to complete her master’s in social work from the University of Michigan, focusing on interpersonal practice in Integrated Health, mental health, and substance abuse. She has completed mentorships in Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, substance use, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. She is very excited to continue to learn the complexities of adult mental health and expand the clinical care she provides.

Cryssy Miller

Cryssy Miller is a first-year social work fellow at the University of Michigan working in the perinatal clinic. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in the Social Sciences Joint Program, concentrating in psychology, before obtaining her Master of Social Work (MSW) in 2024 with a focus on interpersonal practice, substance abuse, and mental health.

Committed to advancing her clinical expertise, Cryssy immediately enrolled in the University of Kentucky’s Doctorate in Clinical Social Work (DSW) program, where she is currently pursuing advanced training with an expected graduation in June 2026. Her doctoral research focuses on misogynoir, examining the unique intersections of race and gender-based discrimination that impact Black women’s mental health, access to care, and overall well-being. Additionally, her work explores the systemic barriers in mental health that disproportionately affect all BIPOC communities, advocating for equitable and culturally responsive care.

With over six years of service through AmeriCorps and FEMA Corps, Cryssy has extensive experience in crisis intervention, problem-solving therapy (PST), and interpersonal practice, assisting communities affected by natural disasters. During her MSW program, she worked at Michigan State University, supporting individuals struggling with substance use disorders amid the opioid crisis in East Lansing.

As a social work fellow, Cryssy is passionate about integrating evidence-based interventions into clinical practice, particularly in perinatal mental health, substance use treatment, and trauma-informed care. She remains committed to advocating for accessible, high-quality mental health services for diverse populations, working to dismantle systemic inequities that impact historically marginalized communities.

Jayce Plantenberg

Jayce Plantenberg is a second-year Post Graduate Fellow with a dual appointment in both the Adult Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic’s Depression Team and the Comprehensive Gender Services Program (CGSP). Within CGSP, Jayce works closely with gender diverse individuals considering or pursuing gender-affirming medical care by providing evaluations, letters of support for surgery, and individual gender-affirming psychotherapy. They are the first Post Graduate Fellow to inhabit this new dual appointment. Jayce’s current clinical interests include the intersections of gender roles and mental health, trauma-informed therapy practices, neurodivergence, and the power of human relationships.

Jayce received their Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Theatre Arts from the University of Northern Colorado in 2022, then completed their MSW at the University of Michigan in 2023. Before their master’s degree, Jayce worked as a Behavioral Health Counselor at Eating Recovery Center in Denver, CO providing direct care for patients in inpatient and residential treatment as they recovered from severe eating disorders. They completed their graduate internship within the Department of Psychiatry in the Perinatal and Reproductive Psychiatry Clinic, where they completed mentorship training in Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Child-Parent Psychotherapy. As a fellow they have participated in further training in both IPT, CBT, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Lauren Wohltjen

LLMSW

Lauren Wohltjen, LLMSW, is a second-year Post-Graduate Fellow in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic at Michigan Medicine, specializing in the treatment of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and depression. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Michigan State University before completing her Master of Social Work at the University of Michigan in 2023, focusing on Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse.

While completing her MSW, Lauren interned at Michigan Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry, where she provided psychotherapy to children and adolescents using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). She also gained experience in several other evidence-based psychotherapies. Since joining the fellowship program, she has completed mentorship training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), and Parent Management Training (PMT), further strengthening her clinical expertise. Lauren also co-leads the DBT Multifamily Group for Adolescents. She is excited to further explore her clinical interests in anxiety-related disorders, trauma-informed therapy practice, and parent/family-focused therapy.

George Whiteley

George Whiteley is a second-year Post-Graduate Fellow working and training with the Anxiety Disorders Program in Adult Outpatient Psychiatry. He obtained his MSW from the University of Michigan in December 2023 after completing an internship in Adult Outpatient Psychiatry, working primarily with the MPACT Clinic. In his current work with the Anxiety Disorders Program, George works primarily with individuals coping with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and trauma- and stressor-related disorders. He also facilitates a weekly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) group for adults with OCD. Through his training within the department, George has completed mentorships in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety, CBT for depression, motivational interviewing (MI), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and is currently engaged in mentorships on dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and psychodynamic psychotherapy.

George currently serves as Chief Fellow for the post-graduate fellowship. His responsibilities include working alongside the program director on program initiatives, running the educational speaker series, and acting as the liaison between the fellowship and outside parties.

In his pre-MSW life, George obtained a BA in economics with minors in philosophy and art from Hamilton College in 2010. He then worked in private wealth management for 11 years, starting at Barclays Wealth and Investment Management, where he left in 2015 as an Assistant Vice President, and later at Merrill Lynch Wealth and Investment Management as a Registered Client Associate. While exploring his career change, George worked at Tier NYC providing trauma-informed tutoring services to New York City foster care youth. He also volunteered with Crisis Text Line providing crisis counseling to adults across the US. 

George lives in Ann Arbor with his partner and three cats: Kiwi, Leo, and Luna. He loves the outdoors and enjoys mountain biking, hiking, camping, and canoeing through the upper and lower peninsulas.