Description of externship setting

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

Adult Clinical Social Work Placement

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 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

WHP began as a grant-funded research program dedicated to the epidemiological assessment of violent trauma, substance use and psychiatric disorders in inner city women, as well as to the development of psychotherapy treatments to meet the specific needs of these women. WHP has expanded to offer psychotherapeutic treatment to women who present with histories of trauma or abuse and/or addiction to substances.

Description of Placement Experience

This placement provides extensive experience in the assessment and treatment of women with histories of trauma and co-morbid substance use. Students learn to implement manualized treatments for substance use disorders, PTSD, other anxiety disorders and depression, in individual and group formats. Students also have the opportunity to conduct longer-term psychotherapies, based on client needs and student interests.

The placement involves a three day/week commitment. The placement begins after Labor Day. Monday is a required day. The placement is most appropriate for students with prior clinical experience.

Outpatient Psychotherapy

Each student carries a caseload of individual psychotherapy and case management hours (once- to twice-weekly sessions) and has the opportunity to co-lead one to two psychotherapy groups per week.

Psychological Assessment

Students will be involved in initial clinical assessment of WHP patients. Interested students 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 placement program offers a weekly seminar in Trauma and Addiction, including training and ongoing supervision in manualized treatments. This seminar meets for one hour per week, and may incorporate a case conference format in which students and staff present case material.

Supervision

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

Therapy. Students 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 be a weekly one-hour group supervision for group therapy.

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 next year. 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. Interested students are invited to become involved in current research, in addition to the clinical placement.

Contact Information

Ann Goelitz, CSW
Social Work Supervisor
Women's Health Project Treatment and Research Center
St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center
411 W. 114th St., 3B
New York, NY 10025
212-523-7693

Lisa Litt, Ph.D.
Clinical Director
Women's Health Project Treatment and Research Center
St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center
411 W. 114th St., 3B
New York, NY 10025
212-523-2990
LLITT@CHPNET.ORG