URMC / Psychiatry / Education / Psychology Internship & Fellowship / Postdoctoral Fellowship / Cross-Track Learning Activities

Fellowship Cross-Track Learning Activities

Because we are one fellowship, fellows across both tracks engage in multiple learning activities together (currently via Zoom/remote platforms) including:

Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds/Town Hall (1 hour): This weekly forum features research and clinical presentations by local, regional and national experts in selected areas of psychiatry and psychology. In addition, our Office of Diversity, Inclusion, Culture and Equity hosts several town hall presentations to maintain a steady focus on celebrating diversity and engaging in anti-racist activities. Fellows are able to attend Grand Rounds in other departments that are germane to their track/learning goals (i.e., Pediatrics, Public Health, Family Medicine)
Professional Development Seminar (1 hour, twice monthly; some meetings combined with interns): Features a wide range of topics pertaining to both professional and academic development presented by selected psychology faculty and fellows including community-based psychologists. Topics include Psychologists in Medical Centers, Diverse Career Paths of Psychologists, Job Search Strategies, Ethical Issues and Dual Roles, and Psychologists as Administrators.
Multicultural Case Conference (1 hour, monthly): The overall goal of this seminar is to increase cultural awareness and sensitivity of psychology interns and fellows through experiential learning activities. This seminar helps trainees become more aware of their own cultural identities, recognize their own personal biases, better meet the needs of a diverse patient population, and increase awareness of how culture impacts clinical work, research and teaching.
Ethical and Legal Practices for Psychologists (6 sessions, includes court visit): The purpose of the seminar is to provide exposure to, and information about, the types of court-related experiences psychologists may encounter in practice. Each session is facilitated by experts from mental health and legal fields who present their perspectives on a topic, followed by Q&A and discussion. Relevant Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct are discussed. Participants include clinical psychology trainees as well as community attorneys and law students for mutual learning about the ethical and legal issues experienced by both professions.
SafeSide (Suicide Prevention) Workshop, (5 hours) The overall goal of this video-based education is to prepare trainees with the knowledge and skills needed to conduct person-centered, standard-of-care interviews, risk assessments, safety planning, documentation, and decisions with suicidal patients.
Intimate Partner Violence and HEAL Collaborative (1 hour): This self-guided presentation reviews definitions of intimate partner, interpersonal, and domestic violence and summarizes biopsychosocial correlates. It reviews special considerations related to telehealth, confidentiality, documentation, safety, and provider wellness/self-care. Finally, it reviews community and URMC specific resources including the HEAL collaborative, the services provided, and how clinicians can access these services for their patients and themselves.
Scholarly Project (4-8 hours monthly): Each fellow engages in a scholarly project with mentorship based on the fellow's interests and program needs. The goal is to engage in meaningful program evaluation, educational intervention, or a clinical, service-based research project with a scope that can be completed in the time allocated. Examples include but are not limited to: development/modification or evaluation of an intervention; studying an existing or new clinic procedure; conducting an education program and evaluating learning outcomes; manual, webinar, or program material development and evaluation; assessing patient preferences, satisfaction or other factors associated with patient or family-centered care; investigation of interprofessional experiences or a community partnership. Fellows are required to create a poster for presentation at the Department Education Poster Day along with other learner groups such as psychiatry residents, family and marriage Masters students, social work and psychology interns.
Telehealth foundation, practice guidelines and conduct in our setting (1 hour): The goal is to familiarize trainees with foundations and site-specific information for competent telepsychology practice.
Welcome to Rochester & Amplification and Allyship (15 hours): The overall goals of this two-part required learning activity are to: a) enhance trainees' understanding of Rochester's historical context as it relates to racial injustice and how those events and policies impact people of color today; b) appreciate how current structural racism impacts people of color; and c) provide ongoing opportunities for reflection on anti-racist education and action. Video presentations, readings, and podcasts are debriefed with facilitated sharing and reflection circles.
Building and Maintaining Wellness and Resilience Practices (4 hours). This quarterly meeting aims to support fellows and psychology interns in their ability to prioritize and maintain wellness and resilience practices throughout their career path, including burnout prevention. Seminars are trainee-centered, with the presenter leading through inquiry and providing resources. Seminars include experiential mindfulness practices.
Optional: Eating Disorders Workshop (12 hours): Focuses on evaluation and evidence-based treatment of eating disorders, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary treatment team functioning and planning. This optional training experience includes many experiential activities.