Women’s Health Project Treatment and Research Center

Women's Health Project Treatment and Research Center

Adult Post-Doctoral Clinical Psychology Fellowship
In Trauma and Addiction

The Women's Health Project (WHP) Treatment and Research Center is a clinical and research service at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center (SLRHC), serving the mental health needs of women with histories of trauma or abuse and/or 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 Post-Doctoral Fellowship Experience

The Women's Health Project offers one Adult Post-Doctoral Clinical Psychology Fellowship. The fellowship is designed to provide extensive experience in the treatment and assessment of women with a history of trauma and co-morbid substance use disorders. The Fellow will learn to implement manualized treatments for substance use disorders, PTSD, other anxiety disorders and depression, in individual and group formats. The Fellow may also conduct longer-term psychotherapy, based on patient needs and clinician interests. The Fellowship involves a full-time commitment for 12 months, from July 1 to June 31. The salary is $30,000, including medical/dental benefits.

Outpatient Psychotherapy

Each Fellow carries a case load of individual psychotherapy cases (once- to twice-weekly sessions) and has the opportunity to lead and/or co-lead weekly psychotherapy groups.

Psychological Assessment

The Fellow will be involved in initial clinical assessment of WHP patients, including providing supervision to Psychology Externs and Social Work Interns on clinical interviewing. If interested the Fellow 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 Fellowship 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 trainees present case material. Students also meet for a weekly one-hour group seminar/supervision for group therapy.

In addition, the WHP fellow joins other Post-Doctoral Psychology Fellows at St. Luke's-Roosevelt for two weekly seminars in individual and group psychotherapy.

Supervision

Supervision will be conducted by clinical psychologists and social workers affiliated with St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center.

Therapy. Fellows will have 2 hours of individual psychotherapy supervision per week. Additional supervision is available during clinical seminars and case conferences. There will also be weekly group supervision for each group.

Provision of Supervision. Fellows have the opportunity to conduct clinical and assessment supervision of Psychology Externs, Social Work Interns or other graduate students involved in the treatment program.

Research Opportunities

The WHP continues to pursue assessment and treatment studies related to women with psychiatric and substance use histories, especially where the impact of violence and aggression are at issue. Fellows are invited to become involved in current research as time and interest permit. Opportunities are also available for dissertation research.

Application Procedures

Please email a letter of interest and CV to Dr. Lisa Litt at LLITT@CHPNET.ORG. Please also follow with two letters of reference, including at least one letter from a clinical supervisor. Please submit your applications as early as possible. Interviews are offered on a rolling basis.

Contact Information

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