NYIPT Template

The Growth of a Program Through The Eyes of Some of Its Students and Graduates

compiled by Susan Caputo, LCSW

I am forever grateful for the knowledge, and confidence I gained as a psychotherapist from my involvement in New Hope Guild, now NYIPT child program. None of it is more endearing to me than the guidance and mentoring I received from my third year supervisor, the late Dr Carol Brod. She was my third supervisor and I remained in supervision with her for several years after that. Through her I got my first private patient. She guided me through the process of what to do and say when you have a patient and no office space. She had such optimism about people, change, and life in general that she infected it into all those who came in contact with her. I was so anxious and confused about what to do at the time that I am quite positive it would not have happened at that time without her. That was thirteen years ago, and I have remained in private practice since then, still infected with her enthusiasm and her belief that there is a solution for every problem.

Winslow Carrington, LCSW, class of 1994

In thinking about how the program has helped me grow as a child therapist the first thing that comes to mind are the many mentors whose voices I internalized over the years and continue to carry with me to my office every day. Even after so many years of practicing I often pause when I am working on a difficult case and wonder how Phyllis would respond in this type of situation, or Carole, or Maggie... My teachers and supervisors throughout my training were the cream of the crop, and I am forever indebted to them and to the program for allowing me to take from their wisdom and experience and hopefully apply it in the work I continue to do today with all my wonderful patients. I am proud to say I am a child therapist and that I graduated from the former New Hope Guild Training Program, now NYIPT.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to express my appreciation for the excellent clinical training I received at NYIPT. My career has blossomed in ways I could never have imagined. I have specialized in working with children with severe trauma histories at a large city hospital in NYC. I have been afforded the opportunity to train other clinicians and to be recognized by my supervisors as a valued resource regarding the clinical treatment of children and their families. I sincerely feel that NYIPT helped set me apart in terms of providing me with a sub-specialty that has served my career well. Thank you NYIPT! And thank you to all my teachers and colleagues as well!

The study and practice of psychotherapy is a journey that never ends. The challenges to personal development and integrity are immense and the "good enough" mentoring that is a necessary part of that process is the most important aspect of what NYIPT does. If it were not for the wise, experienced and encouraging nature of the people who are the program, I would have not taken those first baby steps towards the practice of being a child therapist that continues today.

After I graduated from the program, I was better able to handle children’s problems. I was not guessing or trying to figure out what was going on in the child’s mind. The program also helped me get in touch with my own feelings, and to understand myself and others. I am able to care for children better and therapy is becoming part of me in my daily interaction with others. I am always trying to help other professionals to get into the program to better the quality of service to our needy populations.

I was reminded very recently of the significance of being trained by a community of therapists whose passion for helping children and sharing their wealth of knowledge is uppermost in their hearts. Developing as a child therapist while working with a growing child is an amazing journey. When you continue to work with a child who was a training case, well beyond graduation, it is powerful and enriching. Only one month ago, all the supervision, teaching, workshops, and collaboration with fellow candidates came flooding back, as I watched the young 13-year-old girl with a brain tumor, now 18 years old, attend her session on her own for the very first time. Continuing supervision with Karen Cadwalader, who helped me through the most difficult and scary times with this case, has helped me feel confident and excited every time I start working with a new child. I especially want to thank my supervisors, Karen Cadwalader and Regina Monti, teachers, fellow candidates who heard so much about my patient, and, of course, Dr. Phyllis Cohen who helped me untangle the confusion related to “gift giving” when my client was having brain surgery.

My NYIPT education has helped me grow as a clinician in many ways. I have gained confidence as a child therapist. As a clinician, I am able to stay with the child and work with their timetable instead of that of an agency or the parents. In my experience, often clinicians are placed in the role of a child therapist despite limited understanding of child development and psychotherapy. My NYIPT education has helped me in both of those areas. Additionally, I still continue to work with a number of classmates. My colleagues continue to provide me with peer supervision and support that I hope will be available for years to come. In my present role at Park Slope Center for Mental Health, I now work with some of the NYIPT candidates. It is great to see them grow as clinicians and be a part of their education.

The NYIPT program has provided me with psychotherapeutic skills that allow me to work more effectively with children and their caregivers. The workshops and seminars reinforced clinical techniques and prepared me to work as a confident child therapist. The supervision I received for the duration of the program was a tremendous source of guidance and support.

NYIPT is an extraordinary program. Candidates are provided with a wealth of knowledge and experience working in the field, putting the theories into practice. Candidates are also provided with experienced supervisors who offer guidance, knowledge, and understanding of the work. I would definitely recommend the program to others.

My first year at NYIPT was eventful, filled with manifold frustrations at the beginning and ultimately it came to a wonderful rewarding end. Working through my frustrations, struggling with believing that I made the right choice in my mission to become a child clinician was in itself part of my learning process. I am thankful to Mary Tirolo and Ruth Price for being unfalteringly supportive, generous and understanding. I have learnt a tremendous amount from both and it is with their help that I can celebrate and reap the rewards of my 1^st year’s learning while already waiting impatiently for the learning to come in the next two years.