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Internship in Professional Psychology |
Department of
Psychiatry (Adult Psychiatry)
Vanderbilt School of Medicine
Setting and Population
Served: Training in the provision of
outpatient psychological services is conducted in
Adult Psychiatry primarily through the Vanderbilt
Mental Health Center (VMHC). The clinic is
staffed by a team of multidisciplinary professionals
from the fields of psychology, psychiatry, nursing,
education, and social work. Adults with chronic
mental illness, a history that makes obtaining private
insurance difficult, and the working poor with mental
health needs are eligible for treatment regardless of
race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or
ethnic origin. Adult Psychiatry offers services
to a broad spectrum of mental health clients ranging
from those with mild impairment to severe
disability. Co-morbid Axis I, Axis II, and Axis
III diagnoses are common for this population.
Training Objectives:
Fostering professional development is emphasized as a
primary goal of training. Interns are encouraged
to obtain enhanced competence in the following
areas: evidence-based psychological
interventions, forensic assessment, and consultation
with multidisciplinary treatment team
members. Additional objectives include
proficiency with intake procedures, clinical
diagnosis, and community referrals.
Training Program/Experiences: The weekly schedule
for the intern whose primary placement is in Adult
Psychiatry consists of three and one-half days at the
Adult Psychiatry outpatient clinic, one day of
placement at a secondary site within the consortium,
and one-half day of didactic training.
The primary focus of
training during the three and one-half days at the
Adult Psychiatry outpatient clinic is on conducting
individual and group psychotherapy. Delivery of
Cognitive-Behavioral and other evidence-based
psychotherapy techniques is emphasized. The
intern will also have the option to co-lead one of
several ongoing psychotherapy groups. Intake
assessment and forensic assessment are experiences
that supplement the overall training
experience. The internship experience takes place
in a clinical setting and the intern will gain
valuable experience with managed care (primarily
The intern whose primary placement is in Adult
Psychiatry will receive supervision from multiple
sources, including: Weekly individual supervision with
the primary therapy supervisor, Dr. Kirsten Haman, to
discuss psychotherapy cases seen through Adult
Psychiatry; weekly supervision for group therapy
experiences, depending upon which group the intern
chooses to co-lead; individual and group supervision
(alternate weeks) for the forensic assessment
experience with Dr. Kimberly Brown; and additional
weekly individual supervision from the supervisor of
his or her secondary placement site.
Didactic training occurs weekly with all interns
throughout the consortium. Half of the weekly meeting
is spent participating in a case conference that is
facilitated by a Vanderbilt, VA, or community
psychologist. Each week a different intern presents a
case and a different facilitator is present. The
second half of the meeting consists of a guest speaker
or intern who presents on topics pertinent to the
science and practice of psychology. There is also
an open invitation for interns to attend
additional training opportunities, such as psychiatry and
general medical center Grand Rounds and psychiatric
resident psychotherapy trainings, throughout the year.
Research Possibilities: There are active research
programs ongoing in the Department of
Psychiatry. Involvement in clinical research is
an option for the intern; however, research
participation will require a commitment of additional
time on the part of the intern. Before accepting
any invitations to conduct research, the intern is
expected to discuss the matter with the internship
site director (Dr. Haman) and the coordinator of the
internship program (Dr. May).
Constraints on Secondary Placement Selection: The intern
collaborates with his or her supervisor to accommodate
scheduling needs of both primary and secondary
placements.
Secondary placement experiences available: The intern whose
primary placement is in Adult Psychiatry will
interview for a secondary placement at one of the
other sites in the consortium. For an intern
whose primary placement is at one of the other sites
in the consortium, Adult Psychiatry offers several
potential secondary placement options. Specific
options are determined each year based on supervisor
availability but may include experiences in forensic
assessment, behavioral medicine, and outpatient
psychotherapy.
Additional Criteria for Acceptance: Successful candidates
will have experience conducting therapy and
psychological assessment as well as having an attitude
of cooperation and motivation. Note: All
interns with primary placements in the Vanderbilt
Department of Psychiatry must pass a background
check. This will be performed after match day.
Match results and selection decisions are contingent
on passing the background check. No
prospective TVHS intern has ever been refused
employment as a result of the background check, but
it is a possibility. Several have had
difficulty, in all cases because of past legal
problems they chose not to reveal during the
application process. Department of Psychiatry interns
performing a secondary placement in the VA must also
complete a VA background check.
Potential for Change: There
are no current indications for change.
Positions: 1
Salary: $25,000
Starting Date: July
1, 2012
Ending Date: June 30,
2013
Faculty Contact:
Kirsten L. Haman, Ph.D. (Ph.D.,
Assistant
Professor of Clinical Psychiatry
Email: kirsten.haman@vanderbilt.edu
Phone: (615) 343-2572
Affiliated
Faculty: Abbe Boeka,
Ph.D. (Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Areas of Clinical Expertise: Obesity,
weight management, eating disorders, health psychology
Kimberly Brown, Ph.D. (Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor of Forensic Psychiatry and
Psychology
Areas
of Clinical Expertise: Forensic psychology;
Competency evaluations
Tobi Fishel, Ph.D. (Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology,
and Pediatrics
Areas of Clinical Expertise: Behavioral and
integrative medicine
Linda Manning, Ph.D. (Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Areas of Clinical Expertise: Trauma; Chronic illness
Steven Passik, Ph.D. (Ph.D., New School for
Social Research)
Professor of Psychiatry and Anesthesiology
Areas
of Clinical Expertise: Psycho-oncology, palliative
care, chronic pain
Gary Solomon, Ph.D. (Ph.D.,
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Areas of Clinical Expertise: Traumatic brain
injury, memory disorders,
neurodegenerative disorders
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Areas
of Clinical Expertise: Forensic psychology;
Personality disorders; PTSD
08-09-11