The foundation of our training curriculum is a year-long, two-hour, weekly health psychology seminar and case conference led Dr. Jeremy Bornstein, Director of Psychology Training, and an experienced health psychologist and rehabilitation neuropsychologist. The seminar reviews various foundational topics in health psychology, incorporating the scientific literature, practice guidelines, and clinical issues relevant to our major and minor rotations.
The training goals for the health psychology seminar are as follows: (1) to become familiar with the primary concepts, theories, research, and applications in the field, (2) to recognize the importance of scientific research, including our current understanding of psychological intervention with medical patients, and (3) to receive focused training in the delivery of effective clinical approaches with medical patients via didactics, case presentations, and experiential learning opportunities.
Seminar topics are often related to the clinical material presented in case conferences, in order to fully integrate health psychology theory and research to clinical practice. Fellows are able to request trainings in particular areas of interest and guest speakers are invited to present on special topics throughout the year. Seminars topics, include:
- Psychology and interdisciplinary care
- Consultation-liaison psychology
- Models of brief psychotherapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Stress, coping and adaptation
- Behavioral change theories
- Health beliefs, perceptions and attitudes
- Health promotion and disease prevention
- Socio-cultural issues and health behavior
A wide range of classes are offered through our psychiatry residency and psychology internship programs and fellows and fellows may choose to attend some of these additional training opportunities. Fellows not only attend Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds, but will be invited to give a case presentation or a lecture on a health psychology topic.