The Practice: A UNLV Community Mental Health Clinic Michelle G. Paul, Clinic Director ---- Spring 2014 Gala A Resilient Partnership The story of the PRACTICE is one of resilience, or the ability to thrive despite challenges. In the wake of the budget crisis were three mental health training programs peppered across campus each struggling to fulfill its mission alone. One way to be resilient in the face of struggle is to make connections. In other words, reach out, have empathy for the other, look for common ground, pool resources, and build networks of support. In 2012, thanks to the leadership of the Deans & Associate Deans of 2 colleges and Chairs of 3 departments, such connections were made and an idea of partnership was sparked. Along with Provost office support, facility and staffing resources were pooled to create a unique technologically sophisticated training clinic in the Carlson Education Building, 2nd floor, for students who will eventually join the mental health and behavioral workforce. THE P R A C T I C E Committed to Training & Research The PRACTICE boasts 19 treatment rooms & the newest training technology Electronic medical records and administrative system networked to computer workstations in every treatment room Digital video & recording capability for live supervision and later session review stored on a separate, secure server LANDRO software for video tagging, labeling, and coding Therapy research tells us that outcomes are enhanced when clinicians receive regular feedback about how their clients are doing, Therefore, we collect data at every session to teach our student clinicians to be responsive to client feedback and to use data to inform their work. Clients complete short questionnaires regarding their progress. Therapists use the weekly scores to determine how best to proceed with treatment. Our Services Individual & group psychotherapy Tele-counseling Psychological testing & assessment Our Clients Since opening in the Fall of 2012, we have Served 500 community clients, ages 2 to 76 Provided 6000 hours of on-site & tele-counseling service Partnered with Community In Schools UNLV’s Child School Refusal & Anxiety Disorders Clinic UNLV’s Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders The Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Clinic Clients range in age from 2-76 years & represent diverse groups 9% African American/Black 49% Caucasian 7% Asian American/Pacific Islander 12% Hispanic American/Latino 1% Native American 22% Mixed Race or Other Clients present to us with complex & serious concerns including Depressive and anxiety disorders Major Depressive Disorder, 33% Generalized Anxiety Disorder, 37% Psychotic disorders Schizophrenia; 2.5% Bipolar Disorders, 7% After 10 sessions, this client’s scores suggest something’s not working. After 10 sessions, this client’s scores reveal significant progress. Our Trainees At The PRACTICE we train students at virtually all developmental levels: 11 clinical psychology (Ph.D.) 8 school psychology (Ed.S. or Ph.D.) 9 mental health counseling (M.A.) 1 social work (M.S.W.) 2 undergraduate field interns 2 postdoctoral fellows (1 sponsored by the Kagi Foundation and 1 by The Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders) Special thanks also go to former Provost, Michael Bowers, Dean Kim Metcalf, Associate Deans , Cyndi Giorgis & Jennifer Keene, and faculty members, Katrina Harris, Shannon Smith, Noelle Lefforge, Jason Holland, Christopher Kearney, Scott Loe, & Paul Jones, & office manager, Patricia Bighem, for the role each played in making this collaboration a success.