Free therapist training program
Evidence-based training on journalist occupational culture and mental health needs for experienced trauma therapists.
Please note: This program is currently only operating in the U.S. See FAQs for more information.
2026-2027 training program schedule
Applications open September 1, 2026
Training begins with a 9-CE, live, two-day webinar:
December 4, 2026 (12-4 ET / 9-1 PT)
December 11, 2026 (12-5 ET / 9-2 PT)
Qualifications
Therapists interested in applying for the JTSN training program must have the following qualifications:
U.S. state-licensed mental health clinician
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 existing practice with the appropriate liability insurance
Competence in teletherapy (i.e., adequate training, experience, and technical preparedness to confidently use telehealth technology) and access to HIPAA-compliant telehealth technology
A professional website or page (e.g., Psychotherapy Today profile is acceptable) which highlights your experience working with trauma, PTSD, and/or occupational trauma
Please note: While not required, we may give preference to clinicians who take insurance and to those with PSYPACT credentialing or multi-state licensing.
Requirements & commitments
A leading resource on journalism ethics, safety in reporting, and press freedom, JTSN brings our extensive experience with journalists to offer specific, real-world competency training for mental health clinicians.
Trainees become full JTSN members once they complete the following requirements:
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JTSN membership begins with a mandatory two-part 9-CE* training.
“Treating Journalists in Distress”: This live, interactive webinar, delivered by senior journalism and psychology staff at the Global Center for Journalism and Trauma, will provide a primer on journalism cultural, clinical, and digital security issues relevant to journalists clients.
Video interviews with real journalists and interactive breakout exercises make this course an engaging and effective basic training for your specialization in journalist mental health.
Therapists in the JTSN training will learn:
Journalism profession & culture
Values, traditions, roles and power relationships in professional journalism
Unique demands of modern journalism jobs
Implications for coping styles and attitudes about therapy
Trauma exposure in journalism
Risks involved in crisis and community reporting
The latest research on trauma and resilience in journalists
Mediating factors: ethical dilemmas, moral injury, and organizational dynamics
Bias and harassment at work: risks and resilience for BIPOC and gender minority journalists
Tailored assessment & treatment approaches
Differential diagnosis in the context of a trauma-focused career
Client-centered care planning: balancing structure with flexibility
Psychoeducation tools specifically designed for journalists
Secure telehealth for digitally vulnerable clients
Minimum telehealth data security for working with journalist clients
How to determine if a higher level of security is needed, and where to get help
Completion of the training includes submitting a brief APA evaluation form.
Please note: Training is only open to U.S.-licensed therapists.
*9 CEs recognized by APA, the NY State DoE, and most other U.S. mental health licensing bodies. Must complete both full days of training to receive CEs (no partial credit).
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Trainees must follow instructions to upgrade telehealth technology digital security settings as needed, with support from the Freedom of the Press Foundation (up to 1-2 hours if you need our assistance).
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Attend a 1-hour Zoom training on the protocol for handling case referrals and reporting data in the program.
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Trainees must be available to receive a journalist therapy referral (“training case”) within one month of the initial training. Members will be expected to carry a minimum of one and a maximum of two (budget allowing) journalist cases, for up to 20 sessions or six months (whichever comes first). Members must dedicate at least one practice slot to a journalist client for a minimum of six months.
Referrals are received and screened by the International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF).
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Trainees must participate in at least 4 of 5 monthly 90-minute peer learning & support groups and present one case. Three groups are held at different times for scheduling flexibility, and therapists may jump into a different group as needed to make up a missed session.
Group format and culture
Our monthly 90-minute Learning and Support Groups, facilitated by Global Center psychologists, are designed to be supportive collaborations for members and facilitators.
At each meeting two group members briefly present on an aspect of journalism culture as it shows up in one of their therapy cases. Discussions integrate learning from our continuing education offerings. Members may also use group time to consult on career development issues related to taking journalist cases into your practice.
Our facilitators strive for a gentle balancing of “air time” so we can benefit from all member perspectives.
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The webinar training prepares you to see your first journalist clients, but we have so much more to share with you!
Want a deeper understanding of organizational dynamics in journalism? Need a roundup of the latest original research on journalists and trauma? Want to know more about topics like online trolling, sexual harassment, or peer community resources in journalism?
We’ll provide continuous learning through specific subject articles, tip sheets, and high-quality short videos, delivered monthly to your email, as well as a searchable blog of topics related to journalism and trauma.
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Trainees must report standardized, de-identified background and outcome data for quality assurance and program improvement. JTSN provides training and documents for including data reporting in your informed consent for therapy procedures.
In total, you can expect to spend approximately 7-14 hours per month on your JTSN work during the 7-month program period, based on the following sample schedules:
1 journalist case
Weekly therapy + documentation = 5 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
Please note: This program is currently only operating in the U.S. See FAQs for more information.
Trainee benefits
In addition to 9 CEs and a training certificate, you’ll receive:
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JTSN staff has partnered with security experts at the Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) to ensure free one-to-one consultations for any core member who receives a referral for a client with heightened digital security concerns or who may be under digital surveillance.
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Need more time and attention on an issue related to the journalism profession or culture?
In addition to monthly case consultation groups, trainees are encouraged to consult with JTSN staff psychologists or journalists on issues related to journalism occupational culture and journalist trauma and resilience factors.
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During the training you will receive 1-2 compensated journalist case referrals through our partner, the International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF). A fair fee is paid for one intake session and up to 20 therapy sessions, to be used within six months.
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Trauma therapy is highly skilled and rigorous work. We understand that fair compensation for therapy hours is critical for sustaining services for journalists and ensuring diversity in our network membership.
JTSN Staff has raised the funds to pay trainees a reasonable rate for all therapy hours, on a monthly schedule.
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Trainees who complete all aspects of the 6-month training phase in good standing will be invited to add their profile to the online JTSN National Therapist Directory. This is a tool to help journalists identify trustworthy, compatible, available therapists.
You will also have access to the JTSN Internal Directory — a secure list exclusively for JTSN providers with contact information that your colleagues may not wish to list publicly.
As you develop your expertise in journalist mental health, your professional community will include providers from around the country who share your interests and can offer cross-cultural collaboration.
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To support our trainees and build our clinical community, JTSN provides:
Free online learning & support groups for the first six months of practice, facilitated by Global Center staff psychologists
Individual expert consultations for training case support
Virtual and in-person reunions
Free CE offerings after completion of training
Continuing education newsletters to keep you in the loop
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It takes a community to support agents of truth and justice. JTSN members will receive invitations to annual reunion meetings and free live virtual CE offerings.
Our in-person meetings feature inspiring speakers, forums to interface with news leaders, and time to support and learn from one another.
Become a JTSN-trained therapist
Have a question?
We’re here to help. Visit Therapist FAQs or contact us by completing the form below.
Contact JTSN
For journalists seeking support or for any other inquiries, please fill out the form below, and our team will be in touch shortly. Or, simply email us at info@jtsn.org.