Sharper Future - Los Angeles

(323) 232-2874

Current Training/Cohort

# of Half-Time PREDOCTORAL INTERNS in current training cohort: 0

# of Full-Time PREDOCTORAL INTERNS in current training cohort: 2

Number of current Predoctoral Intern Positions Filled Listed By Doctoral Program of Enrollment:

Half-Time Full-Time
Program 1: The Wright Institute 0 1
Program 2: Alliant/CSPP-SD 0 1
Program 3: Alliant/CSFS-LA 0 0
Program 4: The Chicago School-Southern California 0 0
Program 5: None 0 0
Program 6: None 0 0
Program 7: None 0 0

Other Trainees in Current Training Program:

Postdoc, or Practicum Number
psychology practicum students 3
psychology postdocs 3
MSW 0
MFT 0

Agency Description:

Our program was created in 1995 and began offering services in San Francisco in response to community need. Two psychologists, Dr. Mary-Perry Miller and Dr. Tom Tobin, drew upon their many years of public-sector experience providing administration and direct services in forensic settings to create SHARPER FUTURE. The Los Angeles clinic was opened in 1999, the San Diego clinic in 2002, and the Inland Empire clinic in 2003. We have since opened other clinics in California. In 2004, we created a residential substance program for women in Long Beach. We are a private-sector forensic psychology agency incorporated in 1999 as Pacific Forensic Psychology Associates, Inc., (PFPA, Inc.). SHARPER FUTURE is a forensic treatment center specializing in sex offender specific assessment and treatment, substance abuse treatment and dual diagnosis treatment. The Los Angeles area clinics currently support contracts for clients on federal pre-trial services for an arrested sexual offense; federal probation for convicted sexual offenders; and a state High Risk Sex Offender Contract. The Los Angeles clinic primarily provides services for state High Risk Sex Offender parolees. These services include assessment and treatment for High Risk and Non-High Risk sex offenders who are referred by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Agency Mission:

At SHARPER FUTURE, we believe that every individual is entitled to live in a safe community and to have opportunities for a satisfying life. To assist in attaining these goals, we strive to be Expert Resources in providing Social Habilitation And Relapse Prevention services to a diverse population, including individuals involved in the criminal justice system. In close collaboration with relevant agencies, we provide intensive, research-based assessment and treatment programs to manage, contain, and reduce anti-social, abusive and self-damaging behavior. We are a team of inter-disciplinary, licensed mental-health professionals and associates who treat substance abusers, sex offenders and others involved with the criminal justice system, individuals with mental health issues and associated behavior problems, and others at risk of engaging in activities potentially harmful to other persons or to themselves and in need of improving their capacity for self-management. While there are no cures for many of the conditions we address, our containment and treatment approaches use techniques proven to increase accountability, improve self-control, and reduce criminal and other undesired behavior.

Theoretical Orientation(s) of Staff:

Bio-psychosocial, Cognitive behavioral, Family Systems, Humanistic/Existential, Integrative, Jungian, Narrative, Other: Cross-cultural, Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic, Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Transpersonal

Comments Regarding Theoretical Orientation of Staff

The staff come from diverse theoretical orientation backgrounds. All staff utilize CBT interventions, because they are evidenced-based in working with sex offenders. However, our staff are encouraged to utilize their diverse theoretical orientation backgrounds as needed and to routinely conceptualize clients from various perspectives in an effort to provide the best and most well-rounded care for our clients.

AGENCY ACCESSIBILITY AND DISABILITY ISSUES

Are you familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990? Yes
If not, would you like information? No
Is the agency wheelchair accessible? Yes
Do trainees have access to computers to do their paperwork? Yes
Has there been a student/intern/trainee with a disability at the agency within the last five years? No
Are there any training staff with disabilities at the agency? No
Has the agency provided in-service training on disabilities in the past five years? Yes

Comments on agency accessibility:

  • County - Los Angeles
  • Contact Person Title - Training Director
  • Contact Person - Stacey Samaro, Psy.D.
  • Dir. of Training Title - Clinical Director
  • Dir. of Training - Tony Angelo, Psy.D.

  • Last Updated - 18 January 2019

  • Number of Applicants Last Year - 44

  • Participating in CURRENT Match process - Yes

  • CAPIC Program ID - I-247
  • CAPIC Member Since - 2000
  • Region - So. Cal
  • Internships Status - Half/Full
  • Statuses approved by CAPIC
    • Half-Time 1 Year - Yes
    • Half-Time 2 Years - No
    • Full-Time 1 Year - Yes
  • CAPIC Internship Types Available:
    • Half-Time 1 Year - Yes
    • Half-Time 2 Years - No
    • Full-Time 1 Year - Yes

Primary Location

  • Executive Director - Tony Angelo, Psy.D
  • 1706 S. Figueroa St.
  • Los angeles, CA 90015
  • Phone - (323) 232-2874
  • Fax - (323) 232-2874

Training/Clinical Services Offered

  • Assessment
  • Crisis
  • Group
  • Individual
  • Long Term
  • Outpatient
  • Psych. Testing