Clinical Psychology Consortium

The Clinical Psychology Consortium provides specialty training in the acquisition and application of evidence-based practice in clinical adult psychology. Clinical training occurs in interprofessional settings with a specialized research emphasis for each fellow. In keeping with the goals of the broader training program, the Clinical Psychology Consortium develops professionals with the specialty training necessary to accurately assess, diagnose, and provide treatment to individuals with a variety of psychiatric challenges throughout their lifespan. Fellows select a preferred primary site (MICHMED or VAAAHS) when applying to the program, although clinical and research experiences can be obtained at either site. Our program prepares fellows to direct clinical programs, educate professional psychologists, and perform programmatic research. Clinical research opportunities are available in the following areas: mood disorders; women’s mental health; sleep and circadian research; health psychology; anxiety and related disorders (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder); substance use disorders; psychotic disorders; bipolar disorder; primary care mental health integrations; and mental health recovery.

Please see attached brochure for available positions starting September 1.

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Rachel Upjohn Building & VA Health System

Clinical Psychology Sections

Michigan Medicine (MICHMED) Clinical Adult Section

The MICHMED Clinical Adult Section provides outpatient assessment, consultation, and treatment services across the range of adult psychiatric disorders.

MICHMED Facilities

MICHMED is a large, academic medical center occupying 128 acres on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor. MICHMED has more than 28,000 employees, including about 3,000 faculty, and provides more than 2.5 million outpatient and emergency visits each year. Major clinical care facilities of MICHMED include the University Hospital; the Rogel Cancer Center; C.S. Mott Children's Hospital; Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital; and the A. Alfred Taubman Health Care Center on the main medical campus, and at outpatient health centers in close proximity, including the East Ann Arbor Health and Geriatrics Center, Commonwealth Neuropsychology Outpatient Facilities, Kellogg Eye Center, Turner Geriatric Center, and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS, with its psychology and psychiatry training programs). The Medical School alone has 25 academic departments, 19 clinical and 6 basic sciences, as well as the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine and Department of Medical Education. MICHMED is highly ranked in the nation and number one in Michigan by U.S. News and World Report (2017-2018). At $1.39 billion, the University of Michigan is the top public university in research spending in the United States, with over half a billion awarded each year to the Medical School, supporting many research strengths. 

VAAAHS Clinical Adult Section

The VAAAHS Clinical Adult Section has a long history of evaluating and treating Veterans in acute and long-term care inpatient, outpatient, and rehabilitation settings.

VAAAHS Facilities

The Ann Arbor VA Medical Center is located adjacent to the main Michigan Medicine Medical campus. The VAAAHS is a 105-bed general medical-surgical hospital, which includes an inpatient psychiatric unit, inpatient consult-liaison psychology, outpatient mental health clinics, substance abuse disorders treatment and extensive medical and other psychiatric outpatient and recovery services. The Community Living Center (CLC) is attached to the VAAAHS and largely provides post-acute rehabilitation for veterans and also serves acute medical needs in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) provide outpatient mental health services and Health Psychology services to Veterans in the VAAAHS catchment area but residing nearer to Jackson, Michigan; Flint, Michigan; and Toledo, Ohio. Mental Health facilities have been fully updated in the past few years. Offices for fellows have modern support facilities, with full computer access to the University of Michigan information systems and library, as well as VAAAHS information systems. 

Teaching/Supervision Experiences

Fellows are provided with the opportunity to perform clinical supervision of predoctoral practicum students and interns. Additional supervision of undergraduate students who work with faculty and fellows on a wide variety of research projects is also available. In addition, fellows may also provide assistance in teaching seminars with faculty members. Fellows also may take part in an annual half-day supervision skills workshop.

Clinical Experiences

Fellows develop individualized training plans comprised of experiences selected by the fellow in conjunction with their primary faculty mentor. Clinical experiences typically account for 50% of the fellow’s experience and may be a combination of experiences at either the MICHMED or VAAAHS site from those described below. The following figure provides an overview of the clinical experiences at the two sites:

 

 

Michigan Medicine Clinical Rotations

Adult Anxiety and Depression Programs

The adult anxiety and depression programs provide individual and group CBT for patients with anxiety, depression, and comorbid disorders. Psychiatry fellows receive training in CBT for anxiety disorders and depression, and psychology postdoctoral fellows, social work fellows, and practicum students may obtain supervised experience treating these disorders.

Behavioral Sleep Medicine (BSM) Clinic

The BSM Clinic conducts initial consultations and follow-up visits (individual and group therapy modalities) for adults 18 years of age and older with sleep disorders amenable to evidence-based sleep treatments (e.g., CBT for insomnia). The primary referrals to the BSM clinic are for insomnia, hypnotic discontinuation, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, and adherence to medical regimens (e.g., Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, CPAP). Many initial consultations are conducted in a multidisciplinary context, where clinical psychologists work side-by-side with sleep medicine physicians. Fellows are additionally encouraged to rotate through other UMHS sleep-related clinics, including the General Sleep Disorders, Pediatric Sleep Clinic, and Alternatives to CPAP Clinic, where they gain exposure to various medical specialties involved in the care of patients with sleep disorders. (e.g., Neurology, Pulmonology, Pediatrics, Otolaryngologoly, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery).

Early Psychosis (PREP) Clinic

The PREP Clinic conducts initial consultations and early interventions for adolescents and young adults 14 years of age and older presenting with early psychosis or symptoms suggestive of increased risk for developing a psychotic disorder (attenuated psychosis syndrome or “prodromal” psychosis). We are the only early psychosis clinic in southeast Michigan. Our treatment focuses on evidence-based psychosocial interventions, including individual CBT for psychosis (CBTp), family psychoeducation, case management, and group therapy. Medication treatments are also available when appropriate. We are a multidisciplinary team consisting of clinicians and researchers from multiple disciplines, including clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers. Fellows have the opportunities to learn and provide specialized assessments and individual, family, and group interventions for this young population. Fellows are also encouraged to participate in local educational outreach activities to help promote early detection and intervention on campus and in the community.

University of Michigan Addiction Treatment Service (UMATS)

The University of Michigan Addiction Treatment Service is an outpatient substance use disorder treatment center located in the Department of Psychiatry, Rachel Upjohn Building. In addition to psychiatric services (medication management, outpatient detoxification, and opioid substitution treatment), psychotherapy services include intensive outpatient programming, aftercare groups, dual diagnosis groups, family/couple’s therapy, individual therapy, treatment for healthcare professionals, and a blended motivational interviewing/psychoeducational group. Fellows will work collaboratively in our interdisciplinary team of psychiatrists, social workers, psychologists, and certified addiction nurses to treat patients with substance use or dual diagnoses. Fellows will conduct individual and group therapies and have the opportunity to receive specialized training in Motivational Interviewing and Behavioral Couple’s Therapy, in addition to cognitive behavioral approaches.

Women and Infants Mental Health Clinic

The WIMHC is an outpatient clinic in the Department of Psychiatry in the University of Michigan Health System. Our clinic is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, nurse-practitioners, psychologists, and social workers. Trainees on the team include psychology practicum students, psychiatry fellows, and social work interns and fellows. As a tertiary care clinic, we specialize in assessment and treatment of mental health conditions in women, primarily during pregnancy, postpartum, and other times of hormonal change (e.g., perimenopause). We also offer dyadic-based psychotherapy services for mothers and their infants and young children. As one of very few clinics in Michigan that specialize in perinatal mental health, we serve a diverse population, often with medical and psychiatric comorbidities. As part of this rotation, postdoctoral fellows complete a mentorship in Interpersonal Psychotherapy.

VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System Clinical Rotations

Health Psychology

The health psychology offerings emphasize functional assessments and brief interventions for patients presenting in ambulatory care settings. Exposure to Interprofessional practice and the “medical home” model are important elements in learning. The fellow can gain experience with chronic pain management, MOVE! Weight Management and other patient education programs, and tobacco cessation services with some additional options. Working with the Pain Clinic and Primary Care (and Brent Coy, Ph.D.), the fellow can learn to provide comprehensive, bio-psychosocial assessments and provide integrated CBT-based chronic pain management services. Fellows can be integral part of the MOVE! Weight Management, Diabetes Education, or Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation, facilitating behavior change enhancement and stress management classes in these programs. Using Motivational Interviewing and ACT principles, the fellow may collaborate with Pharmacy and Nursing to offer tobacco cessation services as well. Integrated care opportunities are also available with Oncology, Women’s Health and the Sleep Clinics. The fellow may also conduct organ transplant and/or bariatric surgery mental health evaluations. Therefore, assessment and consultation skills, and both individual and group intervention modalities are available experiences. We aim to provide the fellow with experience in working as part of medical teams in different parts of the hospital setting, consult with referring providers, and practice serving as a representative of the field of psychology in the broader healthcare setting.

Mental Health Clinic (MHC)

Training opportunities in the Mental Health Clinic include thorough and careful diagnostic assessment and psychotherapy training with a wide variety of outpatient clients. Fellows may learn risk assessment and crisis intervention strategies, interviewing and assessment skills, and other screening techniques. Individual therapy cases and group therapy experiences (e.g., depression and anxiety) are available. The clinic offers opportunities to work closely with a variety of mental health professionals. Treatment approaches include empirically supported strategies, such as CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused/Strategic Therapies. There are opportunities for fellows to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds who present with a wide range of psychopathology. There is flexibility to accommodate individual fellow interests in terms of caseload, development and implementation of treatment groups, and program assessment and evaluation activities.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Clinical Team (PCT)

The PCT functions as an outpatient specialty clinic within the medical center. This multi-disciplinary team provides comprehensive assessment, treatment, and research-based protocols to patients with PTSD. The fellow may attend teaching rounds, perform assessments, and follow cases within this specialty clinic. Fellows will have opportunities for training and practice in specialized PTSD evaluation and empirically supported treatments, including Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy. In addition to weekly individual supervision, fellows participate in weekly PCT staff meetings. This includes clinical case presentations, evaluation presentations, and didactic presentations on topics related to PTSD.

Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Recovery (PSR&R)

The Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery (PSR&R) emphasis offers treatment opportunities across multiple specialty clinics (e.g., Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Recovery Center; Mental Health Intensive Case Management, Acute Inpatient Mental Health, Compensated Work Therapy, etc.) spanning the full continuum of care. The focus of PSR&R is weighted towards improving Veterans’ functioning, and role functioning. This means we work to help individuals develop and pursue their personal living, learning, and socialization goals in an effort to help them move forward in their mental health recovery. PSR&R offers multiple opportunities in initial and diagnostic assessments; recovery action planning; group-based EBPs (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training, Illness Management & Recovery, Dual Diagnosis, , Cognitive Enhancement Therapy, Wellness Recovery Action Planning, etc.); individual therapy (e.g., CBT for Psychosis and Solution-Focused approaches); community-based work helping Veterans apply the skills they’ve learned or developed in groups; program development and evaluation; and working with peer-based services. Additional PSR&R opportunities are also available in the areas of home visits (MHICM), outreach, and working with community partners.

Substance Use Disorders Section (SUDC & SUD IOP)

The SUD experiences include opportunities for training in assessment and diagnosis, treatment planning, participating in multidisciplinary treatment, and training in empirically supported intervention approaches for individuals with substance use disorders with and without comorbidities. Psychological treatment approaches across levels of care include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing/Enhancement Therapy, Behavioral Couples Therapy, Harm Reduction, Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention, and Contingency Management. The clinic provides core therapy groups using CBT, as well as a number of specialty interventions, (e.g., emotion regulation, IMR, behavioral pain management, insomnia treatment). There are opportunities for fellows to work with individuals presenting with a wide range of psychopathology from diverse backgrounds in both inpatient and outpatient settings. There is also flexibility to accommodate individual fellow interests in terms of caseload, development/implementation of treatment groups, program assessment/evaluation, and research activities.

Telemental Health Services

The VA is dedicated to improving access to care for Veterans using telehealth and telemedicine. Telemental health (TMH) is rapidly becoming the wave of the future, with ample opportunity for research and program development. Fellows interested in telemental health services will have the opportunity to conduct evidence-based evaluations and interventions for a wide variety of mental health disorders using clinical video technology (CVT) to the community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCS), community partners, and to Veterans’ homes. Specific evidence-based modalities available include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression and anxiety, CBT-Insomnia, CBT-Chronic Pain, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Behavioral Couples Therapy (BCT). Common presenting concerns include depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, and anxiety disorders. However, the TMH team gets all types of referrals and will work with fellows to assign cases that fit interests or learning needs. In supervision, special attention will be paid to development and maintenance of therapeutic rapport, as well as risk assessment and safety procedures using this modality. Fellows will gain experience developing and navigating relationships with administrative and clinical staff at multiple locations. they will also attend weekly telemental health team meetings, which includes case consultation as well as administrative topics that are important in promoting and disseminating the telemental health service.

Women Veterans’ Mental Health

This experience involves evidence-based care in the outpatient mental health clinics (MHC, SUDC, and PCT) and/or health clinics. The Women’s VAAAHS Fellow may elect to focus in a single clinic or can collaborate with supervisors to incorporate clinical care opportunities from multiple clinics and sites. The focus on women’s mental or behavioral health training may involve participation in both individual and group therapy offerings specifically for women Veterans and training in common intersections between military culture, gender issues, and other aspects of diversity. Options include trauma-focused treatments for PTSD (CPT, PE), DBT, Interpersonal Violence, Wellness Group for Women, Military Sexual Trauma evaluation and interventions for women, and brief interventions within the Substance Use Disorders Clinics. Fellows with interest in providing trauma-focused therapy with Women Veterans diagnosed with PTSD are required to attend the PE and CPT trainings at the beginning of the fellow year. Fellows may be integrated into the Women’s Health Clinic (4 hours per week) to provide consultation/liaison and/or brief interventions to women presenting for specialty medical assessments or care. There are several current research options available throughout the service. Fellows are afforded many opportunities to be integrally involved in administrative activities (i.e., membership in the Women Veterans’ Mental Health Working Group, projects associated with mental health service aspects of the AAVHA Women Veterans’ Programming Committee).

Couples & Family Intervention

Fellows may have the opportunity to see couples utilizing the Behavioral Couples Therapy Model (BCT), Behavioral Family Therapy for SMI, and the Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy model (IBCT). Cases may be referred for numerous presenting problems (marital distress, substance use, SPMI, etc.). Fellows may also provide evidence-based CBT for partner abuse. Opportunities for providing parenting skills training for Veterans and family education are also available. Opportunities for administrative activities are available as well through involvement in the family services work group.

Additional VAAAHS Clinical Opportunities

Compensation & Pension

Fellows have the opportunity to interview, observe, and assess Veterans seeking financial compensation for a broad range of psychological disorders. The central responsibilities of the experience involve psychological and neuropsychological assessment of Veterans across the adult lifespan. These evaluations involve conducting and integrative review of the Veteran's Claims File (service medical records, etc.), computerized records, interview, and administration of psychometric measures. Fellows are introduced to the idea of rendering a “medical opinion” in the context of a medico-legal evaluation.

Psychological Assessment

Fellows may practice and learn our battery of neuropsychological tests at the start of the year in addition to reviewing standard objective and personality test procedures. Psychological testing experience includes not only interpretation of tests, but also organization and integration of interview and historical data.

Research Experiences

We believe that progress in understanding human behavior can come from testing hypotheses generated from clinical observations. Research involvement is a necessary component of the modern clinical psychologist and therefore is a significant emphasis of the Clinical Psychology Consortium training program. Fellows typically select a research component to their training plan ranging from 10-40% of their training time at the VAAAHS. Here, fellows are encouraged to work with a faculty member’s current research or produce a small original study that complements the interest of a faculty psychologist who could serve as a mentor for the project. MICHMED fellows are matched with an academic/research mentor and spend roughly 40% of their time in research activities, with an emphasis on development and execution of original scientific work as well as manuscript/grant writing.

Consortium training faculty are involved in many kinds of clinical research efforts, including VAAAHS and NIH funded projects (often in conjunction with other University of Michigan faculty). These activities provide students with knowledge of psychology's interface with related health disciplines. Faculty is involved with projects in a variety of departments, such as Surgery, Psychiatry, Neurology, Internal Medicine, Neuroscience, the VAAAHS Serious Mental Illness Treatment Research and Evaluation Center (SMITREC), the University of Michigan Addiction Research Center (UMARC), and the Mental Health Research Institute. Fellows also have access to the wealth of research-related resources at the University of Michigan, such as the Center for Statistical Research and Consultation (CSCAR) and Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR). Training faculty is also involved as members of NIH or VAAAHS Research Committees and can introduce the fellow to the elements of good peer research review. In a similar fashion, a number of faculty are active on editorial boards as editors, board members, or regular reviewers of research manuscripts and can mentor fellows on how constructive peer reviews can improve the quality and utility of research.

The training program is accredited by the American Psychological Association. Questions about the accreditation and the accreditation process can be addressed to:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation 
American Psychological Association
750 First Street N.E., Washington DC, 20002
Phone: 202-336-5979