Our Program
We are currently fundraising to support our next training cohort. Please check back at this site or contact info@jtsn.org to find out when JTSN will be accepting new therapist applications.
The JTSN training program launched in 2021 and has been a great success: we have graduated 39 amazing therapists and provided free therapy to 65 journalists in need. We are currently raising funds to add to our growing therapist network and community. Read about our 2023 program below.
(Please note, this program is currently only operating in the U.S.)
Our therapist training program consists of three elements:
Training
Referrals
Community
Tanisha Thelemaque, Ph.D., JTSN training graduate
“This program provided me with invaluable clinical tools... As an early career psychologist, the support from the other providers allowed me to feel like a held member of a compassionate network of trusted and knowledgeable psychologists. I now feel comfortable speaking professionally to the unique experiences of journalists, while recognizing that I have much to learn. This was 100% worthwhile and I would recommend the program to anyone who wants to grow as a therapist and gain life-long connections.”
Madeleine Goodkind, Ph.D., JTSN training graduate
“Participating in this program was incredibly rewarding -- learning about working with the journalism community, hearing directly from journalists in the field, expanding my professional community, and of course working with the client who was connected with me. My client felt grateful to be accepted into this program and as a result worked hard in therapy. This program is an awesome marriage of two groups of professionals who believe strongly in the work they do.”
Training
Core webinar training
Membership in the Journalist Trauma Support Network (JTSN) pilot program begins with the core training: a two-day, live interactive CE webinar on journalism profession, culture, and trauma, delivered by Dart journalists and psychologists.
Participating therapists will learn about:
The culture of professional journalism
Types of trauma that journalists encounter through their work
Key considerations in assessment and treatment of journalists
Data security for telehealth with journalist clients
Tips for growing your journalist-focused practice
Data security consultation
JTSN Staff has partnered with security experts at the Freedom of the Press Foundation to ensure free consultation for any pilot therapist who has a client with heightened digital security concerns.
Continuous learning
After completion of the core webinar training, continuous learning will be available through:
A go-at-your-own-pace curriculum of subject articles and short educational videos, delivered to your email
Referrals
Referrals and Fair Compensation
JTSN members can count on:
Timely referrals of journalist through trusted partner organizations
Fair compensation for therapy hours with training cases
Listing in the JTSN National Therapist Directory (optional) upon completion of training requirements
Community
Expert and Peer Support
To support our members and build community, JTSN will provide:
Free online Learning and Support Groups for the first 6 months of practice, facilitated by a Dart Center-affiliated psychologist
One-on-one spot consultation when you need a little more time and attention
In-person reunions (pandemic allowing)
Newsletter updates to keep you in the loop
Therapist Qualifications
Therapists interested in applying for JTSN training and membership must have the following background requirements:
A license to practice in a mental health field (e.g., clinical psychology, counseling psychology, clinical social work)
At least 5 years of relevant training and clinical experience treating trauma-related disorders
A current psychotherapy practice license in good standing
NO history of disciplinary action taken against you by a professional licensing board
Ability and willingness to practice time-limited therapy
An already-existing practice with the appropriate liability insurance
Competence in teletherapy (i.e., adequate past training, experience and technical preparedness to confidently use telehealth technology)
Trainee Commitments
Participating therapists become full JTSN members (with certificate of training and a listing in the JTSN Global Provider Directory) once they have completed:
1. Training: Two-day live webinar on journalism profession, culture, and occupational hazards, and network logistics on December 1, 2022 (12-5 ET) and December 2, 2022 (12-4 ET). Training completers will receive 9 CEs, accepted by APA, NY State DoE, and most other licensing bodies.
2. Data security measures: Implementation of simple data security improvements within two weeks after the training, with detailed instructions from the Freedom of the Press Foundation.
3. Referrals: Trainees must be available to receive a journalist referral within one month of the initial training. Members will be expected to carry a minimum of one and maximum of 2 (budget allowing) journalist cases, for up to 20 sessions or 6 months (whichever comes first). Members will need to dedicate at least one practice slot to a journalist client for a minimum of six months.*
4. Data Reporting: Trainees must report essential data for quality assurance/program improvement purposes. JTSN will provide training and documents for including data reporting in your informed consent for therapy procedure.
5. Peer Learning and Support Groups: Core group members must participate in a minimum of 5 monthly Learning and Support Groups for 6 months, and present at one group meeting.
* Interested therapists may continue to receive JTSN compensation for a second case for an additional 6 months after meeting these commitments, as program budget allows.
2022-2023 Program Schedule
Participation begins with a required two-part live training webinar from Dec 1 & 2, 2022 (9 CE hours). In the two weeks following the training you will complete a training evaluation (15 minutes), and follow instructions to update your telehealth technology settings to make them secure (up to 1-2 hours if you need our assistance).
Starting in January 2022 pilot therapists will begin to receive journalist referrals through JTSN. We ask that you schedule at least one, but no more than two, journalist clients at any given time (for more information see Referrals).
You will also be required to participate in a monthly 90-minute Peer Learning and Support Group for six months (January – June 2023). Finally, you will report basic quality assurance data to the JTSN Program Director.
After the initial 6-month referral period, you will receive JTSN membership and (optional) listing in our National JTSN Directory. Budget allowing, if you wish to take additional training cases, we may continue to compensate you for JTSN therapy hours for an additional 6 months of therapy with 1-2 journalists at a time (up to November 30, 2023).
In total, you can expect to spend approximately 8-14 hours per month to your JTSN work during the initial 6-month period, based on the following sample schedules:
1 Journalist Case
Weekly therapy + documentation = 6 hours
Monthly Consultation Group = 1.5 hours
Data reporting = 0.5 hours
Total: 8 hours/month
2 Journalist Cases
Weekly therapy + documentation = 10 hours
Monthly Consultation Group = 1.5 hours
Data reporting = 0.5 hours
Total: 14 hours/month