PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

For this elective, interns serve as co-leaders alongside social work to provide various psychoeducational and skills-based groups (1 group per week) on the child and adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit. The goal of the training is to provide the psychologist with an introductory experience in brief intervention and behavioral management in a group setting of youth presenting to inpatient psychiatric level of care. Patients may have several psychiatric and/or medical comorbidities.

DURATION OF ELECTIVE: 4 months

FACULTY:

Krista Tabuenca, Ph.D.

TRAINING PROVIDED:

Trainees gain exposure to working with youth ages 5-17 years with serious mental illness in a high acuity setting. Common presentations include high risk behaviors, suicidality, depression, anxiety, psychosis, aggression, school problems, family discord, and developmental disability. All patients are admitted on our high acuity units (Unit B & C) for brief psychiatric stabilization, which vary in lengths, but are on average 7-14 days. Psychoeducation and brief intervention are primary topics of groups, which will be co-led alongside clinical social workers. Any additional impressions of patients from groups will be communicated to the interdisciplinary team, which includes psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, recreational therapists, speech pathologists, educational consultants, and nursing. Trainees will receive group supervision to review approaches and hear about general presentations from their colleagues. 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.

For more information and to sign up for this elective, contact Krista Tabuenca, Ph.D., at ktabuenca@mednet.ucla.edu

DIVERSITY TRAINING:

Patients admitted to the inpatient unit range in age from 5-17 years old and present with serious psychiatric concerns, including but not limited to suicidality, aggression, psychosis, substance use, and other mental illness. The patients represent various socioeconomic backgrounds and are members of both public and private insurances. 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 person

Format: Group

Hours Per Week: 2.5 (1.5 hours for group/prep/documentation, 1 for supervision)

Days and Times: Groups: Mondays at 4-4:45pm, or Tuesdays 2:15-3pm

Supervision: Fridays 8-9am

Names of Supervisor(s): Krista Tabuenca, PhD