Overview
The core training experiences for fellows emphasize leadership, advanced clinical decision-making and multidisciplinary care coordination across diverse mental health settings.
Multidisciplinary Consultation
Fellows will become part of a multidisciplinary team for which they will complete psychological consultations for patients across multiple settings. Consults will focus on assessment and treatment planning for patients with complex mental health profiles. Consults may be requested by any department within the hospital, including the Emergency Department, Inpatient Units, PHP Units and Crisis Center. Additional consults may be requested for patients on the medical floor with co-occurring medical and mental health needs, as well as affiliated partners such as school-based wellness clinics, primary care centers and addictions clinics. Fellows will develop and conduct a comprehensive assessment to inform diagnostic impressions and a treatment plan to be communicated to the patient’s team within the hospital, family/outside supports and allied professionals within the community. Collaboration with PCPs, special education teams within the school system, social services and other practitioners will be facilitated by the fellow, promoting continuity of care. This core rotation advances time management and leadership skills while also balancing the need for comprehensive clinical decision-making.
Professional Liaison/Care Coordination
Upon completion of consults, fellows will develop a care coordination treatment team and disseminate results and treatment recommendations appropriately. For children, teams may consist of parents, teachers, special education teams, therapists, psychiatrists and pediatricians. For adults, this may include PCPs, psychiatrists, family, outside support groups and therapists. Fellows will not only offer comprehensive treatment plans and communicate these appropriately to the patient’s team to optimize successful outcomes, but also have the opportunity for longer-term follow-up to ensure the patient’s success.
Supervision/Training
Fellows will offer didactic trainings pertaining to a wide range of mental and behavioral health topics. Attendees may include behavioral health providers in the hospital, the greater community at large, and providers/residents across the hospital. Fellows will also mentor new clinicians and clinicians in training. Fellows will learn how to foster the development of new clinicians while also offering constructive criticism, effective evaluation methods, and handling challenges experienced by mentees.
Outpatient Therapeutic Services
Fellows will carry a small caseload throughout the year of both short-and long-term clients. Advanced training in working with complex mental health needs, co-occurring disorders, and complex medical histories will be emphasized, as will evidence-based treatment modalities including CBT, TF-CBT, DBT and play therapy. Fellows will have the opportunity to select cases that enhance their previous training and for which they have special interest. Unique opportunities include working with first responders, individuals with autism, individuals with chronic mental health needs, individuals with complex medical and psychiatric needs, and attachment-based parenting groups.
