Interns who are selected for the Adult Psychopathology Track will provide outpatient services as part of one of three primary rotations: Mood, Anxiety and Mindfulness, Early Psychosis Intervention Center (EPICENTER), and Suicide and Trauma Reduction Initiative (STRIVE). Interns will spend two days per week for a full year providing clinical services on their primary rotation and one day per week on a secondary rotation. We typically contact interns prior to the start of internship regarding the secondary rotations that are available for the year. One day per week is reserved for research. The remaining day is reserved for didactics and optional elective experiences. Each primary rotation has opportunities for participation in research and there are a variety of research labs outside of the Adult Psychopathology Track that welcome interns.
Each primary rotation on the adult psychopathology track is assigned its own number within the APPIC application system. Applicants may apply to multiple primary rotations on Adult Psychopathology Track as part of the APPIC application process.
The Adult Track intern’s typical schedule is as follows:
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Clinical Rotation | Secondary Clinical Rotation | Didactics and optional electives | Primary Clinical Rotation | Research |
Rotations
Interns will complete a 12-month rotation at the Early Psychosis Intervention Center (EPICENTER) located within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic. EPICENTER provides specialized clinical services to individuals with first-episode psychosis and individuals at clinical high risk for developing a psychotic disorder.
The internship is designed to provide trainees with opportunities to actively engage in the integration of clinical research and practice through a combination of clinical service, didactic training, and research activities. As integral members of our multidisciplinary team, interns will gain comprehensive training and experience in the delivery of interventions (e.g., CBT for psychosis, metacognitive remediation therapy, unified protocol, multifamily group psychoeduation, group social skills training) and assessments (e.g., SIPS, SANS/SAPS, PSP) to individuals with first-episode psychosis and individuals at clinical high risk for a psychotic disorder. Additional clinical training opportunities include inpatient experience, providing psychotherapy to individuals with longstanding psychotic disorders, administering comprehensive clinical assessments to individuals receiving care at EPICENTER, and assisting in the dissemination and delivery of EPICENTER services throughout Ohio.
Interns have a full day of protected, mentored research time throughout the entirety of the internship year, which can involve secondary analysis of existing/archival data or adding a component to an existing project. Current areas of active research include program development and evaluation, social and social cognitive outcomes, translational neuroscience, and suicide assessment and prevention using ambulatory assessment and are supported by grants from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, NIMH, PCORI, SAMHSA, and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
In this full year rotation, interns will have the opportunity to provide comprehensive assessment and evidence-based treatments for individuals who are seeking outpatient psychological care for depression and anxiety. Clinical experiences will have three main areas of focus. First, interns will complete comprehensive diagnostic assessments for patients with difficult to treat cases of depression within our multidisciplinary Depression Recovery Center (DRC). They will also participate in team meetings/case conferences in collaboration with DRC attending psychiatrists. Second, interns will have a dedicated experience providing treatment for individuals with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders, primarily via exposure-based interventions. Interns may have the opportunity to integrate innovative virtual reality technology as part of their work. Third, interns will provide individual and group-based interventions for acute depression and relapse prevention via cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based approaches. While the majority of patients typically are interested in services for depression or anxiety disorders, the range of presenting problems can be quite broad. Because many of the outpatients that are seen in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health have more than one psychiatric condition and frequently present with physical health comorbidities complicating treatment, an emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration and case formulation and adapting manualized treatment to the needs of the patient is also emphasized.
Over the years, the STRIVE team has developed targeted treatments for suicide risk reduction as well as further refined and improved existing, evidence-based trauma disorder treatments. Interns in this rotation will be expected to learn our in house developed suicide prevention treatments, which include Crisis Response Planning (CRP) and Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (BCBT), as well as existing VA/DoD recommended treatments for PTSD (e.g., Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure). The intern will complete a yearlong rotation as an active member of The Suicide and Trauma Reduction Initiative (STRIVE) clinic. Initially established to help military personnel and veterans, STRIVE now provides treatment to all adults who are dealing with trauma and suicidal thoughts. STRIVE researchers and clinicians have pioneered methods to improve treatment outcomes for people with PTSD. Over 70% of people receiving treatment from STRIVE report significant reductions in symptoms and improvements in quality of life. STRIVE’s success comes from its view of PTSD as an injury rather than a chronic disorder.
In addition to their participation in the STRIVE clinic, the intern may have the opportunity to treat participants in ongoing clinical trials research. STRIVE currently has several ongoing clinical trials funded through the Department of Defense, National Institute of Mental Health, and various private corporations. As such, interns will work closely with project coordinators of the various studies to deliver evidence-based care with high fidelity. Interns will have opportunities to conduct eligibility screening and diagnostic assessment to determine the appropriateness of participation in the clinical trial. Interns in this rotation will gain firsthand experience in conducting applied clinical research within a highly active clinical research lab.
The program faculty of the program emphasize a strong interest and background in the delivery of evidence-based care, applied clinical research, and prior experience working with veterans and/or active-duty service members.