Master’s Level or Ph.D. Level Intern Electives
Training in the assessment, management, and treatment of adolescents with depression, anxiety and at high suicidal risk:
Elective Faculty/Staff:
David Brent, MD, Director, Services for Teens at Risk (STAR)
412-246-6124 (Mary Carter)
Kim Poling, LCSW, Clinical Program Manager, Services for Teens at Risk (STAR)
(412-246-5617)
Elective Description:
· Responsibilities—interns join the STAR team of clinicians who assess, manage, and treat these high-risk patients, will participate in assessments and treatment of patients.
· Educational opportunities and objectives: Participants will learn about the assessment and monitoring of suicidal risk, development of a safety plan, psychotherapeutic approaches to the treatment of depressed, anxious, and/or suicidal teens, and the pharmacotherapy of difficult-to-treat unipolar mood disordered adolescents. Participants who were interested could develop and participate in trainings that are part of STAR’s responsibilities.
Description of Services for Teens at Risk (STAR): STAR is a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania supported clinic that is designed to be a laboratory for the development and dissemination of evidence based treatment, a site for the training of professionals, and a resource for the Commonwealth Department of Health with regard to the development, oversight, and implementation of the State Teen Suicide Prevention Plan. We see around 200 new intakes of depressed and suicidal youth a year, and provide assessment, treatment, and maintenance for our ongoing patients. We also see children and adolescents with anxiety disorders, and depressed younger children. Our Outreach partners are responsible for developing educational programs for professionals and liaison to schools.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy training:
STAR Clinic will provide the intern with the opportunity to become specialized in CBT with depressed and or anxious teens. Training is provided via didactic seminars and observation of CBT tapes. All participants will be assigned at least one depressed and or anxious STAR patient. Sessions will be video taped and supervised directly. Participants will be provided CBT training and weekly 1-hour supervision with Kim Poling during the elective.
Education Objectives
1. Masters or Ph.D. level Interns will gain experience treating depressed adolescents with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
2. Interns will develop cognitive behavioral skills and the ability to modify and implement the model with adolescent population, including utilization of “adolescent friendly” techniques.
3. Interns will understand the role of the patient’s primary schema and formulate CBT conceptualization and implement strategy for change.
4. Interns will enhance ability to apply cognitive-behavioral techniques with appropriate pacing, collaboration and interpersonal effectiveness.
5. Interns who have mastered CBT for the treatment of depressed teens will have the opportunity to learn advanced Emotional Regulation skills for teens and family members.
6. Interns will become specialized in assessing suicide risk within an outpatient setting treating depressed teens and families.
Optional STAR Elective:
Survivors of Suicide
This elective will provide the intern with the opportunity to observe and participate in bereavement treatment with children, adolescents and adults who have experienced the loss of a family member to completed suicide. Interns will have the opportunity to observe bereavement groups for adults as well as co-lead groups for bereaved children and teens.
Elective Education Objectives:
1. To become familiar with psychotherapeutic interventions for the bereaved child, adolescent and their families.
2. To develop skills in offering specialized group treatment for children who have experienced a traumatic loss, by co-leading an 8-week bereavement group.
3. To develop diagnostic interviewing skills with children, adolescents and their families, by providing as needed assessment of an individual/family who experienced family member’s completed suicide.
OPTIONAL: Participate in the ADULT Survivors of Suicide (SOS) groups (8-week series Thursday nights).