Loretta Br axton, Ph.D. The Acute Mental Health rotation provides training in an outpatient emergency care clinic and on an acute inpatient psychiatric unit. The full spectrum of psychopathology and functional decline is treated in both clinical settings. In addition, challenging ethical, social and legal issues are confronted. This rotation is particularly suited to residents interested in developing and enhancing their proficiency in psychological and neuropsychological assessment, and exposure to acutely and chronically disturbed patients. Through this experience residents learn to make rapid assessments and dispositions under pressure.
Residents also learn to deliver brief solution-focused therapy when appropriate.
Psychological services are provided on a consultation basis. Residents assume a significant role as members of the multidisciplinary treatment team, which provides many opportunities for growth and development of competence and professional identity. Residents participate in interdisciplinary case conferences with patients and their families. With this training, residents learn to identify a rationale for the assessment, construct a test battery, organize and report data, and answer referral questions. Residents generally find their experience on the acute mental health rotation to be challenging and intense.