Johnson Depression Center Outpatient Psychotherapy

The outpatient psychotherapy minor rotation is offered through the University of Colorado School of Medicine in the Johnson Depression Center. The primary objective of this program is to teach interns how to evaluate, diagnose, and treat psychological disorders, form case conceptualizations and implement evidence-based psychotherapies with adults. At the completion of this rotation, trainees will be able to:

1. Conduct diagnostic evaluations of psychological conditions taking into account psychosocial and medical factors 
2. Develop psychotherapy case conceptualizations 
3. Implement evidence-based psychotherapies for mood and anxiety disorders 
4. Document clinical visits 

 

Through this rotation trainees will have the opportunity to:

1. Attend JDC Monthly Didactic 
2. Attend JDC Weekly Team Meetings 
3. Consult with multidisciplinary members of care team

Interns will be responsible for conducting clinic intakes, which includes a review of intake questionnaires, diagnostic interviewing and assessment of relevant psychosocial and medical factors.

Interns will carry a caseload of 3-6 individual outpatient psychotherapy cases. Client visits are typically 50-60 minutes. Differential diagnoses, treatment formulation and treatment plan will be developed and refined over time in collaboration with the supervisor. Telehealth psychotherapy will likely be a large portion of the rotation.

Interns are expected to complete documentation for initial evaluations within 1 week and all other documentation within 48 hours of client visits.

Evidence-based psychotherapies are emphasized in the JDC. Depending on a client’s presenting concern and diagnosis and the Intern’s interest, approaches may include elements of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Activation, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Family Focused Therapy for Bipolar Disorder. The use of psychosocial and CBT-based case conceptualization is used to integrate components of these various evidence-based treatments into a treatment plan.

Clinical activities include diagnostic interviews, standardized screenings for depression, and conducting evidence-based psychotherapies individually and in groups.

Due to the clinic specialization in mood and anxiety disorders, the JDC attracts many clients with treatment-resistant mood and anxiety difficulties. Although the JDC sees the range of ages from early childhood to older adults, in this minor rotation, Interns will focus on adults aged 18 and up.

Interns will receive supervision with a Licensed Psychologist for at least one hour every week. Supervision will typically focus o formulating diagnoses, case conceptualizations and treatment plans, discussing next steps for follow-up and ongoing patients, discussing issues of professional development and other relevant issues as needed. 

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