Trauma and Health Specialty Fellowship (Outpatient Health Focus)
Description (1 position available): This fellowship in trauma and health psychology with an outpatient focus at LSU Health Sciences Center will be responsible for providing clinical consultation, screening, and assessment of mental and behavioral health concerns. Fifty percent of the fellow’s clinical time will be spent working with the Trauma Recovery Team in the UMCNO Level 1 Trauma Center where primary duties will include providing pro-active assessment and screening, brief inpatient intervention, and short- and long-term outpatient psychotherapy services. The other 50% of the fellow’s clinical time will be dedicated to providing services with an emphasis on behavioral medicine and health psychology. Additional details of the clinical rotations are described below.
Clinical Experiences:
Trauma Inpatient Clinical Services (up to 25% of clinical time)
- Conduct proactive screening/assessment of trauma-related distress for individuals hospitalized for traumatic injury
- conduct screening for risky alcohol use and provide brief intervention using Motivational Interviewing techniques for all trauma activated patients with an elevated blood alcohol level (BAL)
- provide appropriate, brief, and evidence-based interventions to address inpatients' psychological needs
- provide brief supportive psychotherapy and relevant resources to patients' family members
- collaborate with interprofessional treatment team members (e.g., case management, psychiatry, trauma surgery, nursing) regarding treatment planning to address psychological needs
- (depending on weekly schedule/training goals) attend weekly multidisciplinary rounds/meetings
Trauma Recovery Outpatient Clinic (up to 25% of clinical time)
- provide short- and long-term psychotherapy using evidence-based treatments, including Prolonged Exposure Therapy, to address posttraumatic stress symptoms and other psychological sequelae of traumatic injury
- maintain steady caseload of approximately 5-7 patients
- work with other TRC providers and staff to coordinate patient care using a trauma-informed approach
- (depending on weekly schedule/training goals) co-facilitate Trauma Survivors Support Group meetings, participate in interprofessional activities/trainings and community outreach efforts
Bariatric Medicine (up to 40% of clinical time)
- Conduct pre-surgical evaluations of bariatric surgery candidates
- Based on screening information, provide appropriate, brief, and evidence-based interventions to address inpatients’ psychological needs
- Collaborate with case management, dietitian, and surgery staff regarding treatment planning to address psychological needs
- Attend multidisciplinary rounds
- Lead and develop programming with faculty psychologist for monthly bariatric support group
Psycho-Oncology Clinic (up to 20% of clinical time)
- Conduct individual therapy with individuals suffering from mental health concerns comorbid with cancer diagnoses
- Learn about the psychological issues associated with chronic and life threatening illnesses including: depression, anxiety, grief, existential issues, side effects to medical treatment, quality of life, suicide evaluation
- Attend multidisciplinary rounds
- Lead and develop programming with faculty psychologist for monthly cancer center support group