Practicum Opportunities at CIFT

Forming Clinicians. Caring for the Whole Person.

At CIFT we offer practicum placements within a Christ-centered, clinically rigorous, and relationally rich training environment. As one of the leading faith-integrated training sites in our region, we are intentional and discerning about who we invite into this work.

As a Christian nonprofit counseling organization, we are committed to forming therapists who provide thoughtful, evidence-based care while learning how to integrate faith with humility, wisdom, and integrity when the client desires it.

For students seeking more than a clinical placement, CIFT offers a mentoring community where professional growth, spiritual formation, and collaboration are central to the training experience.

Learn more
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Who We Are

CIFT is a 501(c)(3) Christian counseling organization serving Orange County and the South Bay through multiple outpatient offices. Our mission is rooted in hope, healing, and growth through counseling, ministry care, and training for individuals, families, churches, and ministry leaders.

Our clinical team includes licensed MFTs and psychologists, as well as a large cohort of pre-licensed associates and practicum-level trainees, nearly half of our clinical staff. All pre-licensed clinicians work under licensed supervisors who are on staff at CIFT and deeply invested in the development of our therapists.

Spiritual integration is not peripheral to our work. It is thoughtfully woven into our clinical framework and supported through training and supervision. While not every client seeks faith integration, you will be well prepared to respond with clinical skill and spiritual sensitivity when they do.

Who We Are

What It’s Like to Train at CIFT

Many students describe their practicum experience at CIFT as deeply forming both clinically and personally rather than simply a placement.

What It's Like

  • Trainees work with individuals, couples, and families seeking Christian counseling for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, relational conflict, trauma, ministry stress, and family dynamics. Many clients are actively engaged in church life and may bring spiritual questions into the counseling room.

  • CIFT values growth, curiosity, and collaboration. Trainees receive structured supervision and participate in weekly training that covers both clinical and integrative topics. Friday trainings often include expert guest speakers and seasoned clinicians who bring depth, experience, and practical insight to the learning process.

  • Prayer, Scripture, and theological reflection are not required in every session. Trainees are expected, however, to be comfortable integrating faith when clinically and spiritually appropriate, and to conceptualize cases through both psychological and theological lenses with care and discernment.

  • Caseloads typically build gradually and are designed to support learning, sustainability, and practicum hour requirements rather than high-volume productivity. The emphasis is on depth, formation, and quality of care.

“CIFT’s mission and values are clear and create an environment that increases learning and encourages growth. The intentional structure with weekly training, alongside consistent and compassionate supervision, provides the necessary support for us as clinicians working towards licensure. I am grateful for the quality, integrity, and wisdom that CIFT provides as a pre-licensed staff member. ”
— Denise Neff, AMFT at CIFT
Understand Our Application Process
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Supervision & Support

All practicum students and trainees work under licensed supervision.

Supervision and support are foundational to the CIFT training experience and include:

  • Weekly supervision and clinical consultation

  • Weekly training and Group Supervision held in our Santa Ana office on Fridays

  • Ongoing feedback from experienced supervisors who are part of CIFT’s clinical team

  • A dedicated administrative team that supports scheduling, systems, and clinician care

You will be known, supported, and guided as you grow.

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Who we’re looking for

Because CIFT is committed to excellence in training and care, we are thoughtful and selective in our practicum placements.

A strong fit includes:

  • An active Christian faith and involvement in a local church

  • Enrollment in an MFT, LPCC, or MSW graduate program seeking practicum or trainee placement

  • Comfort integrating faith and clinical practice with appropriate boundaries

  • Openness to supervision, feedback, and collaborative learning

  • Relational maturity, humility, and a desire to grow

  • Availability to see clients during evenings and weekends

The Application Process

The Process
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CIFT welcomes applications for practicum placements through our clinical employment process.

  • Applicants should be prepared to submit:

    • A completed application

    • CV or résumé

    • A brief narrative describing your faith background and approach to integrating faith and clinical practice

    • Graduate program and degree track information

    • Confirmation of practicum or trainee status

  • Provide our simple reference form to 3 of your references and ask them to submit on your behalf.

    Please copy and email the link below to 3 separate references and ask them to complete the reference questionnaire form and submit it on your behalf.

    ➝CIFT Applicant Reference Questionnaire

    Please choose 1 academic, 1 practicum site (If you’ve not had a practicum site, please use 2 academic) and 1 pastoral

    If you have further questions, or would like to check on the status of references submitted on your behalf, please email us at info@ciftcounseling.com or reach out at 714-558-9266.

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  • As soon as we receive your application and 3 completed references, we’ll review your application. Selected applicants will be invited into an interview process focused on mutual discernment of fit.

What the Interview Process Is Like

Interviews at CIFT are relational, thoughtful, and discerning. We will explore your clinical readiness, experience with supervision, and understanding of faith-integrated care.

Applicants should expect conversation around:

  • Christian faith and church involvement

  • Integrating faith with evidence-based clinical practice

  • Openness to training, feedback, and growth

  • Readiness to serve within a collaborative, team-oriented environment

Ready to apply?

Apply

If CIFT feels like a place where you could grow both professionally and personally, we invite you to apply.

CIFT primarily brings on practicum students during spring and fall practicum site windows. If you are exploring placements early or find yourself between cycles, you are still welcome to apply. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as training opportunities become available.

Complete an Application
Applicant Reference From

  • CIFT offers placements for graduate students in MFT, LPCC, and MSW programs seeking practicum or trainee-level clinical experience within a faith-integrated outpatient setting.

  • Yes. CIFT is a Christian counseling organization, and spiritual integration is an intentional and valued part of our clinical work. Trainees are expected to be comfortable integrating faith and psychology with care, wisdom, and appropriate boundaries.

  • Yes. Applicants should have an active Christian faith and ongoing involvement in a local church. Many of our clients are connected to churches and ministries, and familiarity with church life is important for this work.

  • Trainees work with individuals, couples, and families seeking counseling for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, relational challenges, trauma, ministry stress, and family dynamics. Clients may bring both emotional and spiritual concerns into counseling, and integration is always guided by client choice.

  • All trainees work under licensed supervision. In addition to supervision, trainees are required to attend weekly training and group supervision on Fridays at CIFT’s Santa Ana office. These gatherings are a central part of the training experience.

  • Trainees are expected to:

    • See clients during evenings and weekends

    • Attend weekly training and Group Supervision on Fridays in Santa Ana

    • Gradually build a caseload appropriate for their program requirements and level of training

    This structure allows for meaningful clinical growth with strong support.

  • Hours vary based on availability, caseload, and program requirements. Caseloads typically build over time. Trainees typically carry between 5-10 clients per week.

  • CIFT is best suited for students seeking a training-oriented, faith-integrated outpatient experience rather than a high-volume community mental health setting.

  • Faith integration is approached thoughtfully and ethically. Prayer, Scripture, and theological reflection may be used when clinically appropriate and aligned with client goals. Trainees are supported in developing discernment around when and how to integrate faith.

  • Applicants may apply directly through our online application. A reference form is also required. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis based on placement availability.

FAQs

Choosing a practicum site is an important step in your journey towards licensure. Here are some of the more common questions we receive to help you when deciding to apply.