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Clinical Practicum Opportunities

UK Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student and UK Consortium Intern Elizabeth Riley consults with supervisor Dr. Lindsey Jasinski regarding program development for the Supportive Medication Assisted Recovery and Treatment (SMART) Program for patients with substance use disorders in the UK Department of Psychiatry

The clinical psychology graduate program is devoted to training clinical scientists who are competent in both science and clinical practice and to the promotion of an integration of science and practice. As part of our doctoral training, all graduate students works as therapists at the Jesse G. Harris, Jr. Psychological Services Center under the supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist. Graduate students also serve as center coordinators at the Harris Center for one year during their training. Additional practicum placements are assigned based on funding, student training goals, experience, and placement supervisor preferences.

In addition to the Harris Center, practicum sites often include the following:

  • Veterans Affairs Medical Center (health and primary care, assessment, outpatient therapy, PTSD clinic)
  • University of Kentucky Counseling Center
  • Orofacial Pain Center - Kentucky Clinic
  • Department of Neurosurgery at Norton Neuroscience Institute
  • Kentucky Neuroscience Institute - UK HealthCare
  • Bluegrass Health Psychology
  • Eastern State Hospital
  • Louisville Center for Eating Disorders
  • Good Samaritan Hospital Inpatient Psychiatry Unit
  • Dr. Heather Risk, Psy.D. and Associates
  • Department of Psychiatry, University of Kentucky Healthcare
  • Be Well Kentucky
  • Clinic for Emotional Health (CEH)

There are many factors that determine the placement of each student during their training, but all of our students are expected to master the clinical competencies needed for the clinical internship in professional psychology and eventual licensure at the Psychologist (Health Services Provider) designation. Practicum placements may vary from year to year.  

UK Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student Caitlyn Hood (Bottom Left) and supervisor Dr. Charles Carlson (Top Right) with the interdisciplinary team at the Health Psychology practicum placement within the Orofacial Pain Clinic in the UK Department of Dentistry