25-26 Availability: 1 intern per trimester to complete 4-month elective July-Oct, Nov-Feb or March-June
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
For this elective, interns serve as the primary mental health professional integrated within a primary care clinic for adolescents and young adults. The goal of training is to provide the psychologist with an introductory experience in evaluation, brief intervention and triage of transitional age youth presenting to an outpatient adolescent medicine clinic. Patients have a range of medical conditions, developmental abilities, and co-morbid psychosocial and/or mental health problems.
DAY, TIME AND LOCATION:
Clinic: Thursdays 9:00-12:00pm
200 Medical Plaza, Suite 265
In Vivo Supervision
HOURS PER WEEK: 4
DURATION OF ELECTIVE: 4 months
FACULTY:
Krista Tabuenca, Ph.D.
TRAINING PROVIDED:
Trainees conduct brief evaluations to target presenting symptoms, which can include symptoms of medical trauma, depression, anxiety, psychosis, aggression, grief, high-risk behavior, obesity, school problems, family discord, medication compliance and behavioral problems associated (or not associated) with a developmental disability. All patients are post-transplant and ages range from infancy to 25 years old. Psychoeducation and limited skills building may be provided. Recommendations and referrals for further care are provided to the GI physicianand patient/family. Trainees receive in vivo supervision to review clinical approaches as well as interfacing with an interdisciplinary team composed of physicians, nurses, social workers, and dieticians. Trainees will also receive guidance in documentation of mental health concerns in a medical record, as well as culturally sensitive approaches to the diverse populations in clinic.
For more information and to sign up for this elective, contact Krista Tabuenca, Ph.D., at ktabuenca@mednet.ucla.edu
DIVERSITY TRAINING:
Patients seen in clinic range in age from infancy to young adulthood (~1y to 25y) with medical, social, or emotional concerns are seen in the adolescent medicine clinic. The majority of patients seen in this venue have public insurance (predominantly MediCal/CCS). Interns are asked to adopt an exploratory model approach to understanding the unique experience of their patients and families. Additionally, interns are encouraged to ascertain patient information related to gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, level of acculturation, language ability and preferences, educational background, financial burdens, spiritual beliefs, disabilities, family constellation, trauma and discrimination history, quality of the relationship and communication with the health care team, and potential barriers to health care (transportation, work or child care responsibilities, disability, etc.) if relevant to the clinical presentation. They are provided access to a curated website that includes resources related to the provision of culturally sensitive psychological care. Discussions in supervision include the review of diversity and cultural factors that may impact a patient’s clinical presentation, level of trust of and congruence with health care team members, and the development of sensitive treatment plans or referrals.
SUPERVISION PROVIDED:
Method of Supervision: In vivo
Format: Individual
Hours Per Week: 4 (3 hours in clinic, 1 for supervision)
Days and Times: Thursday: Thursday 9am-12pm (clinic), Individual sup TBD
Names of Supervisor(s): Krista Tabuenca, PhD