Client Assignments
Your expected caseload during your internship will be a minimum of 10 client hours a week. This will include 6 individual clients and 4 hours on the crisis line. You will also be asked to co-facilitate one group during the year.
Learn how to use Apricot to access your caseload.
Older Adult and Grief Client Assignments
Clients are referred to our programs from a variety of sources; however, our intake process is the same across programs. Referrals are screened by the Clinical Coordinator and then assigned to interns. All client and caseload information is in Apricot.
All referrals should be called within one to three business days. During an outreach phone call, the assigned therapist will introduce themselves as a therapist with Crisis Support Services and assess if the referred person is interested in receiving services. If the service is fee-based, let them know that the fee will be determined during the intake. Clinicians will schedule a session based on each party's availability. Please keep sessions scheduled to business hours.
If the person being referred for services does not answer, leave a message stating who you are trying to reach, let them know you are calling from Crisis Support Services, and leave a call back number.
Document all outreach calls in Apricot. If you have not received a call back after three attempts, return the referral to Mimi Tsang, Clinical Coordinator.
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School Based clients are referred to CSS through a variety of sources within their specific school system. Referrals are screened by the School Based Services Coordinator and then assigned to the appropriate intern. The School Based Services Coordinator will send an email to the intern with the referral information and contact information. In addition, client information will be entered into Apricot as well.
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Once an assignment has been made:
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Within one to three business days, contact the person (guardian, teacher, administrator) who referred the student to CSS for therapy to introduce yourself as the student's assigned therapist and to consult with them about their concerns
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Let them know you will meet with the student to do an assessment
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If you haven't already, also call the student’s parent/guardian and introduce yourself as the student’s assigned therapist
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If the person you're attempting to contact does not answer, leave a message stating who you are trying to reach, let them know you are calling from Crisis Support Services, and leave a call back number.
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Document all outreach attempts (phone calls, emails, classroom visits) in Apricot. If you have not heard back or been able to meet with the student after three attempts, return the referral to Kathryn Ward, School Based Services Coordinator.
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CSS offers therapy groups 3-4 times a year. Our groups meet at CSS for 2 hours a week, for 8 weeks. All groups are co-facilitated by either two interns or one staff and one intern. Each group has a curriculum, and we encourage facilitators to adapt the curriculum to best fit the needs of that particular group. Our current groups are closed groups, meaning that new members are not allowed to join after week 2. Our drop-in groups are open groups and members may join at any session. Group fees are on a sliding scale, from $5-$35 per session.
Interns will sign up for at least one session of group co-facilitation at the beginning of placement.
Below are descriptions of the groups that we will offer this upcoming year:
Survivor of Suicide Attempt (SOSA) Group:
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This group is designed to offer support and a place of connection for anyone who has survived a suicide attempt.
General Loss Grief Group:
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This group is for any community member who has lost a significant person due to death.
Suicide Loss Grief Group:
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This is a closed group for community members who have lost loved ones to suicide.
Tending Your Grief:
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This drop-in grief group is offered every spring for any kind of loss: death or symbolic and/or anticipatory at the Oakland Public Library 81st Ave. Branch.
Older Adult Drop-In Grief Group:
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This drop-in grief group is held at the Downtown Oakland Senior Center.