El Centro de Amistad (ECDA) created its Doctoral Psychology Training Program to help train future psychologists while giving the community access to quality, culturally sensitive mental health care. The program blends learning, compassion, and cultural understanding—values that have always guided ECDA’s work.
Since becoming a training site in 2023, ECDA has welcomed students from universities across Southern California. Now entering its third year, the program continues to grow, offering hands-on experience and professional development through strong university partnerships.
What It Means to Be a Community Psychologist
At ECDA, community psychology means looking at the whole person, not just symptoms. It’s about understanding how culture, environment, and social systems affect mental health.
Trainees learn to:
- Partner with communities and advocate for clients.
- Adapt therapy to fit each person’s culture and background.
- Promote empowerment, healing, and long-term resilience.
Training Through Collaboration
ECDA is a proud member of the Southern California Association of Psychology Training Programs (SCAPTP), which connects training sites across the region to promote excellence in psychology education.
The ECDA team includes psychologists, postdoctoral trainees, therapists, and social workers, all working together to model effective, compassionate care.
Program Highlights
The Doctoral Psychology Training Program offers:
- Seminars on clinical and cultural issues.
- Individual and group supervision to support growth and ethical practice.
- Psychological assessment training — including testing, report writing, and feedback sessions.
- Direct client experience in therapy and assessment.
The goal is to prepare trainees to become skilled, culturally aware psychologists who can work effectively within diverse communities.
Psychological Assessment Services
A major part of the program is providing psychological assessments under the supervision of licensed psychologists. These assessments help families understand emotional, educational, and behavioral needs. Because few community agencies offer affordable assessments, ECDA fills a critical gap—making evaluations accessible and equitable for local families.
Through these experiences, trainees gain expertise while helping families access care and resources that improve their quality of life.
This article was written by Dr. Tiffany M. Ortiz, Licensed Clinical Psychologist.
For more information about the ECDA Doctoral Psychology Training Program or to learn how to apply, please visit www.ecda.org or call us at (818) 898-0223.
