Practice Setting
This practice setting is an outpatient mental health clinic providing comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for adolescents and adults across the lifespan. Services include psychiatric assessments, medication management, psychotherapy (as appropriate), and coordination of care with primary care providers and community resources.
The clinical population includes patients with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, psychotic disorders, substance use disorders, ADHD, and other behavioral health conditions. Care is delivered using evidence-based guidelines with an emphasis on patient-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive treatment.
Students in this setting will gain experience in diagnostic interviewing, developing differential diagnoses, formulating treatment plans, psychopharmacology management, risk assessment (including suicide assessment), documentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Opportunities for supervised clinical decision-making, case presentations, and professional development are provided.
The practice emphasizes ethical standards, confidentiality, collaborative care, and the integration of behavioral health within the broader healthcare system.
Preceptorship Description
This preceptorship provides structured, supervised clinical training in psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment planning. Students will progressively develop competence in conducting comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, formulating differential diagnoses, initiating and managing psychotropic medications, and providing patient education.
Emphasis is placed on clinical reasoning, safe prescribing practices, suicide risk assessment, documentation standards, and ethical decision-making. Students will participate in case discussions, review current treatment guidelines, and receive regular feedback to support clinical growth and professional development.
Opportunities are available to observe and engage in interdisciplinary collaboration, care coordination, and culturally responsive, trauma-informed care. The learning environment encourages autonomy while ensuring appropriate supervision and support.
The goal of this preceptorship is to foster clinical confidence, critical thinking, and readiness for independent practice in mental health care.
Specialties
Psychiatric / Mental Health