This position provides a unique opportunity to join a new, thriving program unified by its mission to further our understanding of effective interventions for early psychosis. The Program for Early Assessment, Care, and Study (PEACS) is a clinical research program that provides intensive assessment and treatment of individuals approximately ages 12-30, who are showing signs of clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-p) and is one of few specialty CHR programs in the US. The primary objective of this training program is to develop expertise in the early identification, assessment, and treatment of young people showing signs of clinical risk for psychosis spectrum diagnoses (which has at times been called the “prodrome”). Our unique center integrates specialized clinical care, innovative research, and education, as part of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, often with comorbid concerns (e.g., mood, anxiety, trauma, substance use, personality). PEACS offers a range of treatments, including specialized evaluation/feedback, individual and family therapy, psychiatry, care coordination, and school/work “coaching.” This externship provides a unique opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team to collaboratively conceptualize, plan, and provide treatment for young people with complex and evolving diagnostic presentations, as well as develop the ability to provide consultation to other providers in the community, including schools, other clinicians and psychiatrists, and families. Externs become an integral part of our multidisciplinary team (psychiatry, psychology, licensed social workers, research assistants, and undergraduate volunteers). 

For more information, please visit the PEACS Education & Training page.

Externs will be asked to commit to a 12-month placement beginning in July or August 2023. Six-month placements may be available in special cases. Schedules will consist of 16-20 hours per week.

Track 1: Health Psychology Consultation 

Psychology externs will be integrated multidisciplinary team members in the outpatient specialty service Psychiatric Consultation for the Medically Complex (PCMC). Opportunities include foundational training with the specialty adult population of complex medical patients focused on individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, and psychological testing. This externship is designed to offer opportunities for students to receive specialized training in clinical health psychology, behavioral health, and integrated care in preparation for internship, fellowship, and an eventual career in academic medicine and other professional paths.

 

Track 2: General Psychological Testing 

The general psychological testing service within CU SMHC provides opportunities for pre-doctoral psychology externs to gain foundational training experience in psychological testing within an interdisciplinary mental health service. This externship is designed to offer opportunities for students to develop competencies to select, administer, and interpret psychological testing as part of clinical treatment for a diverse population of adult patients with a range of physical and mental health conditions.

For more information on the clinic, please visit the UCHealth Outpatient Psychiatry Services Page!

 

Externs will be asked to commit to a 12-month placement beginning in July or August 2023. Schedules will consist of 16 hours per week.

UCHealth offers a psychology externship training program in the PROMISE Clinic in the Department of Ob/Gyn. The PROMISE Clinic supports pregnant and postpartum women who are patients of UCH’s five obstetric and midwifery practices and are currently experiencing mental health symptoms. Combined, the obstetric and midwifery practices deliver approximately 3,000 babies annually and it is estimated that 10%-20% of these mothers have mental health symptoms. Patients are referred by their provider due to a wide range of medical and mental health diagnoses such as gestational diabetes, hyperemesis gravidarum, miscarriage/fetal loss, preterm labor/delivery, adjustment to pregnancy, mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. Patients are also identified for integrated behavioral health consultation by the PROMISE team based on a variety of risk factors (adolescent pregnancy, history of fetal loss, mental health history, high risk pregnancy, psychosocial stressors). PROMISE offers integrated behavioral health services, co-located psychotherapy and psychiatry, and pregnancy and postpartum support groups. PROMISE utilizes a multidisciplinary approach and is staffed by providers from psychology, psychiatry, obstetrics, midwifery, and nursing.

Unique qualifications: Psychology doctoral students who are in their 3^rd or 4^th year of training who have completed coursework in adult assessment and treatment and have an interest in perinatal mental health. Trainees from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

Unique schedule requirements: 16 hours per week on site.

Unique roles:

• Increase knowledge and competence in treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
• Learn to effectively communicate and coordinate patient care on a multidisciplinary team within busy obstetric and midwifery practices
• Provide brief mental health consultation to perinatal women within the context of obstetric visits.
• Co-facilitate virtual support groups, therapy intake and return visits, and mental health consultation (Supervising psychologists will be on site in clinic with patient for the duration of patient's time in the rotation).
• Attend weekly staff meetings in which case presentation and article discussions will occur.
• Collaborate with nurses, MAs, OBGYNs, midwives, medical residents and fellows, and psychiatrists, psychiatry residents and fellows in vivo.

For more information, please visit the PROMISE Clinic Page.