INPATIENT ADULT POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Program Overview
The primary goal of
the Inpatient Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is for the Psychology
Resident to develop the knowledge base and skill level needed to assess, care
for, and treat seriously and persistently mentally ill adults. Most Residents
take the Psychology licensure exam during their Postdoctoral Fellowship year and
are able to practice independently after they have completed the Program.
The Adult Inpatient Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship Program provides a
wide range of training experiences and opportunities for in-depth, comprehensive
learning. Patients’ presenting problems include psychosis, suicidal behavior,
affective disorders, substance abuse, and severe personality disorders. Psychology
Residents function as members of a multi-disciplinary treatment team and, under
supervision of a licensed, doctoral-level, Psychologist, provide a full range
of Psychological services on an adult inpatient unit and on an off-unit treatment
program. Residents will participate in didactic offerings through readings, seminars,
case conferences, and grand rounds presentations addressing topics such as Psychotherapy,
Psychological Assessment, Supervision, Ethics, Forensic Issues, and Psychopharmacology.
Residents will also have opportunities to become involved in supervision of Psychology
Interns and Practicum Students, training allied staff in a variety of subject
areas, and providing consultation to group home staff. The Psychology Department
at Center for Behavioral Medicine offers an APA accredited 12 month Psychology
Internship Program.
Program
Information
At the beginning of the training year, Psychology
Residents will be assigned to one of two inpatient adult units. They will complete a six month rotation on each unit. In addition to offering Psychological services
to patients on their assigned unit, the Psychology Resident will lead inpatient
groups in the Wellness Program. The Wellness Program is an off-unit treatment
program which, among other rehabilitation activities,
offers the following groups: Emotional Regulation, Co-occuring Issues, and Symptom Awareness.
Didactics
Psychology Residents will attend, and occasionally present at, weekly hospital-wide
Grand Rounds and Case Conferences, monthly Psychology Department In-services,
and a monthly readings seminar.
Supervision
Residents receive at least two hours of individual weekly supervision from
a licensed doctoral level Psychologist. Residents also receive a minimum of one
hour group supervision each week. Specifically, they meet with the Postdoctoral
Fellowship Program Director on a weekly basis for an hour. The Postdoctoral Fellowship
Program Director and the Psychology Resident’s supervisor provide a formal evaluation
of the Resident after six months and again at the completion of the Postdoctoral
Fellowship. The Psychology Resident’s supervisor and the Postdoctoral Fellowship
Program Director also evaluate the Resident throughout the year so feedback and progress
can be closely monitored and communicated in a timely fashion.
Unit Assignments
Currently there are two
24-bed adult inpatient units. Presenting problems may include psychoses,
suicidal behavior, affective disorders, severe personality disorders, and substance
abuse.
The Psychology Resident serves as a member of a multi-disciplinary
treatment team. In addition to the Psychology Resident, each team consists of
the patient, a social worker, a psychiatrist, psychiatric residents, rehabilitation
staff, registered nurses, and psychiatric aides. Other allied professionals including
pharmacists and dieticians may also participate in treatment team meetings.
Under supervision, the Psychology Resident performs such activities as psychological
assessments, designing /implementing individual behavior modification plans, individual
therapy, and group therapy.
By the end of the year, the Psychology Resident
will have acquired the training, knowledge and skills to function as an independent
practitioner and be particularly well versed in the care and treatment of severely
and persistently mentally ill adults.
Additional Training
Time permitting,
and with the permission of the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program Director and supervisor,
Psychology Residents may receive supervision and experience in offering outpatient
therapy to group home residents; training/consultation for hospital staff and
group home staff; Dialectical Behavior Therapy training; and conducting forensic
evaluations.
Police Training
in Crisis Intervention. This training occurs three or four times per year,
and Psychology Residents have the opportunity to attend lectures and/or observe
crisis reenactment role plays which focus on effective strategies in dealing with
crisis.
Outpatient Psychotherapy
Group Home Residents. WMMHC operates seven group homes in the greater Kansas
City metropolitan area. Psychology Residents have the opportunity for experience
in providing outpatient individual therapy for referrals from these group homes.
Consultation/Education of Hospital
and Group Home Staff. The Psychology Resident may provide consultation
and training for understanding and caring for inpatients and group home residents.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Training. Center for Behavioral Medicine has a DBT program which
consists of a multidisciplinary consultation team, skills groups, and individual
therapy. Psychology Residents may participate in this program throughout the year.
As part of the DBT training program a resident would have the opportunity to become
involved in facilitating groups and providing individual therapy for one (1) or
two (2) inpatients throughout the training year. A resident who chooses to have
DBT as a training experience would be asked to make a commitment to attend a weekly
2 hour DBT consultation team meeting. Supervision would be provided by a licensed
psychologist who is also on the DBT consultation team. In addition, the team receives
consultation and support from the statewide DBT training coordinator.
Forensic Services. Staff in this
program performs court ordered pretrial evaluations on defendants that address
issues of competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility. Additionally
they conduct evaluations to offer an opinion as whether and individual should
be classified as a Sexually Violent Predator. Forensic Services also offers two
one (1) year Postdoctoral Fellowship positions specializing in Forensic Psychology.