Description of externship setting

Women's Health Project Treatment and Research Center
Training Opportunities in the Treatment of Trauma and Addiction

Adult Psychology Externship Program

The Women's Health Project (WHP) is a clinical and research service at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center (SLRHC), serving the mental health needs of women survivors of trauma or abuse many of whom are also in recovery from substance use. The WHP treatment program is located at the St. Luke's site at 114th St. between Amsterdam Avenue and Morningside Drive.

Agency Mission

The Women's Health Project Treatment and Research Center (WHP) provides a supportive, multi-modal outpatient treatment environment for women in recovery from trauma or abuse, including an integrated treatment approach for women also recovering from addiction. Our clinical work is informed by our research, which has sought to enhance our understanding of the impact of violence and drug and alcohol abuse on women's lives and to develop and support effective interventions for these issues.

Treatment Program

Treatment at WHP is designed to address the issues involved in recovering from trauma and, for women also grappling with substance use, to address addiction in the context of symptoms often related to trauma. The program includes individual and group psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and case management. Clients may present with a range of mental health issues, including posttraumatic stress disorder, other significant anxiety or mood disorders, or dissociative disorders.

Description of Externship Experience

This externship provides extensive experience in the assessment and treatment of women with histories of trauma and co-morbid substance use, through the use of traditional as well as structured treatment modalities. Externs learn to implement manualized treatments for substance use disorders, PTSD, other anxiety disorders and depression, in individual and group formats. Externs also have the opportunity to conduct longer-term psychotherapies, based on client needs and extern interests.

The externship involves a 20 hour, two and a half day/week commitment, from September 1 to July 31. Monday is a required day. The externship is most appropriate for doctoral level clinical psychology students with prior clinical experience. Students with prior externship experience are preferred.

Outpatient Psychotherapy

Each extern carries a minimum of three to six individual psychotherapy hours per week (once- to twice-weekly sessions) and has the opportunity to co-lead one to two psychotherapy groups per week.

Psychological Assessment

Externs will be involved in initial clinical consultation of WHP clients. Interested Externs will have the opportunity to become proficient in the use of several structured and semi-structured protocols widely used in psychiatry and the study of substance abuse.

Seminars and Conferences

The WHP externship program offers a weekly psychotherapy seminar, providing training and ongoing supervision in manualized treatments and in trauma and addictions. This seminar meets for one hour per week, and may incorporate a case conference format in which students and staff present case material. Students also meet for a weekly one-hour group seminar/supervision for group therapy.

Supervision

Supervision is conducted by clinical psychologists affiliated with St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center.

Therapy. Externs have a minimum of one hour of individual psychotherapy supervision per week. Additional supervision is available during clinical seminars and case conferences. There is also weekly group supervision.

Initial Interviewing. Intake supervision is conducted in a group assessment seminar format one hour per week and individually as needed.

Process Group Experience

WHP has been pleased to offer a Process group for Clinical Social Work Interns and Psychology Externs, and we hope to be able to continue this opportunity. Students meet with a senior clinician off site to be able to process the WHP clinical and training experience.

Research Opportunities

The WHP continues to pursue assessment and treatment studies related to women with mental health and substance use histories, especially where the impact of violence and aggression are at issue. Externs are invited to become involved in current research as time and interest permit. Opportunities are also available for dissertation research ,which typically involve an additional research commitment.

Application Procedures

Please email a letter of interest and CV to Dr. Lisa Litt following the guidelines dates set by your school. Please send two letters of reference, including at least one letter from a clinical supervisor. Please submit your applications as early as your school permits. Interviews are offered on a rolling basis and will begin in January. Letters of reference may follow your letter and CV.

Contact Information

Lisa Litt, Ph.D.
Clinical Director
Women's Health Project Treatment and Research Center
St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center
411 W. 114th St., 6C
New York, NY 10025
LLITT@CHPNET.ORG