Department of
Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry

Didactic Courses/ Seminars

The didactic program is a key element of the internship-training year. The seminars listed below are provided to broaden exposure to the fundamentals of psychology practice, current state-of-the-art assessment and treatment methods, and new or emerging scientific knowledge.

Cultural and Individual Diversity

This seminar aims to advance the intern's knowledge, awareness, and sensitivity to issues relevant to the practice of psychology with individuals from diverse groups. Interns will gain advanced knowledge of issues of cultural and individual diversity relevant to clinical practice, supervision, and research. To this end, guest speakers present information and lead discussions related to personal awareness in multicultural counseling, along with topics on race, ethnicity, cultural background, religion, sexual orientation, rural status, and age. Throughout the seminar, interns are expected to integrate examples from the assigned readings and their own clinical practice and experience into the theoretical discussions.

Research Outcomes

The goal of this seminar is to ensure interns are good consumers of clinical outcomes research. To accomplish this, interns learn the outcome literature regarding the treatment of the major psychiatric disorders, review and critique existing studies, and design an outcome study. Guest speakers and the interns serve as presenters.

Professional Development

This seminar discusses important issues in professional development designed to advance the skills and knowledge base of clinical psychology interns in a range of areas particularly important to their continued professional success after completion of internship. Issues relevant to the practice of psychology will be covered including, but not limited to, financial practice management, obtaining licensure and board certification, practicing professional self-care, obtaining professional positions and negotiating salary. In addition, interns will demonstrate advanced understanding of the APA ethical principles and legal standards affecting the practice of psychology. 

Supervision

The goal of this seminar is to provide an advanced level of knowledge of theoretical principles, methods, and models of supervision. Ethical/legal issues related to supervision and the impact of cultural diversity on supervision will be discussed. Interns will be expected to integrate examples from clinical practice and professional experience into the discussions.

Psychopharmacology

This lecture is led by an attending psychiatrist and is designed to cover critical information regarding major psychotropic medications. Content includes drug classes, names, basic mechanisms of action, and general prescription strategies for treating psychiatric illnesses.

Program Evaluation

Psychologists are increasingly called upon to perform program evaluations. The goal of this seminar is to provide an introduction to the purpose, goals, and function of program evaluation. Methods for collecting, analyzing, and using information to answer questions about interventions and programs and policies will be discussed.

Psychiatry Ground Rounds

Research and clinical topics are presented throughout the year by faculty, interns, residents and visiting guest speakers. Interns are encouraged to attend when topics are relevant, and are required to present in this venue once during the course of their internship year.

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Clinical Psychology Didactic

The overall goal of the seminar is to increase to an advanced level the interns' knowledge and skill in the practice of professional psychology, specifically in reference to the evaluation and treatment of individuals in a medical setting. The seminar also aims to enhance interns' professional development and understanding of issues critical to the field. The seminar is designed annually to supplement the interns' experience and to meet intern training needs. Interns are expected to be active discussants in the seminar, integrating theory with practice. Interns present in the seminar several times per year.

Other topics covered within the Didactics/ Seminars include:

  • General topics in Health Psychology (i.e., Suicide Screening and Assessment)
  • C&L and Medical Services (ie., Compassion in Cancer Care, Consultation in Pediatrics, C&L Service)
  • Behavioral Medicine Topics (i.e., IBS, Bariatrics, Primary Integrated Care, Pain Psychology, Epilepsy, Capacity Assessment, Sleep Medicine)
  • Addiction Medicine
  • Consultation and Interprofessional/ Interdisciplinary Systems
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Psychotherapeutic techniques
  • Current issues in the field of psychology/ Future of psychology

Meeting with Training Director

Interns will also meet with the training director for 1 hour per week to discuss any training concerns and for ongoing professional development throughout the year.       

Neuropsychology Rotation:

Neuropsychology interns also attend track-specific didactics during relevant rotations.

Neuropsychology Case Conference

This 1.5-hour weekly seminar is attended by neuropsychology faculty members, post-doctoral residents, psychology interns, graduate students and undergraduates. The goal of this seminar is to increase to an advanced level the knowledge and skill of the participants in issues relevant to the practice of clinical neuropsychology. This includes, but is not limited to, various neurobehavioral syndromes, critical review of research regarding brain-behavior relationships, and integration of research into clinical practice. Each seminar session includes reading and review of 1-2 relevant articles from the literature and discussion of 1-2 clinical cases representing the topic. Interns are expected to present at least once during each rotation.

Neurology Grand Rounds

Clinical case presentations occur on a weekly basis. Often, the patient is present and participates in a live examination conducted by a faculty neurologist. Neuroradiologic, neuropathologic, electrophysiologic, and medical laboratory findings are presented and reviewed. A didactic presentation regarding the disease process and treatment course also occurs. 

Note: As we are an ever growing program all didactics and rotations are subject to change.