Universal Psychology Postdoctoral Directory

Elements of quality clinically focused postdoctoral training

Program Schedule and Training Experiences It is important to note that individual training experiences will look different each year and be based on the needs of the fellow and specific training opportunities at that time. 

Experiences: 

Forensic Assessments: Fellows will be assigned 18-24 criminal defendants for forensic evaluation during the course of the year. Evaluations are typically fitness to stand trial and/or criminal responsibility. Evaluations may at times also include juvenile waiver to adult court, violence risk assessments, culpable mental state and more. Fellows will also participate in the official Arkansas State Forensic Evaluator Training as well as a Mock Trial with local attorneys. 

 Adult Clinical Treatment and Assessment – Fellows will have an assigned unit and work with the psychologist on the unit. Responsibilities of the fellow on the unit include but are not limited to the following: co-leading groups, conducting individual therapy, providing competency restoration, completing psychological assessments, developing positive behavior support plans (PBSPs), leading team-based violence risk assessments, supervising psychology interns, and contributing to treatment team meetings. Therapeutic modalities employed include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Illness Management and Recovery, Sex Offender Treatment, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Competency Restoration, and other process-based cognitive behavioral methods. Opportunities exist for applied research in the areas of treatment development, program evaluation, and staff training. 

Adolescent Services ­–Adolescent Services treats individuals ages 13-17 in need of acute care due to behavioral, psycholegal, or psychiatric concerns. Dr. Aldea and Dr. Jones are the supervising psychologists. The most common responsibilities would be group therapy, individual therapy, PBSP management, and milieu therapy. Unit Echo serves adolescents with sexually-abusive behavior and could potentially provide relevant training experiences. There are opportunities available for minor rotation experiences. 

 Supervision – The fellow will have multiple primary supervisors for the different aspects of the training week. Additionally, the fellow will be assigned a supervisor who is separate from the direct clinical supervisors. The goal of this supervision is professional development, mentorship, and supervision of long-term individual therapy cases. Long-term supervision is scheduled for one hour per week. At least two hours per week of total individual supervision will be provided. Fellows will also regular supervision with the Training Director. The content of the supervision is flexible and will at times include reading articles or presenting information. 

Didactics and Other Training – Fellows are required to attend at least 8 hours of didactics each month. There will be two weekly lectures series: the SMI Lecture Series and the Forensic Lecture Series. Fellows can also meet training requirements from a combination of Intern Seminars, Forensic Psychiatry Lectures, ASH Psychopharmacology Conferences, UAMS Psychiatry Resident Lectures, and UAMS Grand Rounds. Additionally, fellows will be expected to present at the Psychology Department meeting, the Fellowship Lecture Series, State of Arkansas Forensic Evaluator Training, and the ASH Psychopharmacology Conference. Further, fellows will receive other training experiences through co-leading at least one group per week and observing supervisors when opportunities exist. Please contact Training Director for the most recent Lecture Series training schedules.