Clinical-research practicum

We offer a year-long practicum for clinical psychology doctoral students. The position is ideal for students who are interested in pursuing a blend of clinical work and research at academic medical centers or similar healthcare settings. The overall goal of the practicum is to provide strong clinical and research training to promote health, well-being, and equity across the lifespan. Practicum training primarily occurs in the context of clinical trials for medically and diverse patients with acute and chronic illness and their family caregivers, in both hospital and community settings. Practicum students receive hands-on training to deliver evidence-based mind-body and lifestyle interventions in individual, dyadic, and group formats. Practicum students also learn to administer and inform treatment with brief cognitive and psychosocial assessments. There are ample research opportunities through team presentations, didactics at CHOIR and MGH, journal club, office hour consultations (quantitative, mixed-methods, writing), posters, and manuscript preparation. Additional information can be found below.

Requirements: 

• Clinical psychology graduate student (2nd year and above)

• At least 1 year commitment

• Minimum of 20 hours/week

Opportunities:

• Deliver lifestyle and mind-body interventions on clinical trials

  • Individual, dyadic, and group

  • In-person and remote

• Administer brief cognitive and psychosocial assessments

• Attend clinical research didactics and resources

• Co-facilitate qualitative interviews and focus groups with patients and medical stakeholders

• Assist intervention development (e.g., improve treatment manuals)

• Receive frequent individual and group clinical supervision

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary research and clinical teams

• Optional: assisting and leading manuscripts and posters

Potential Rotations for 2024-2025:

• Adult patients and caregivers in the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (e.g., stroke, tumors, TBI) with comorbid depression, anxiety and PTSD (Recovering Together program).

• Adults with chronic pain and comorbid psychiatric illness enrolled in a pain specific intervention that targets physical activity; some will wear a Fitbit (GetActive program).

• Older adults with chronic pain and early cognitive decline enrolled in a mind-body activity program (Active Brains program).

• Older adults with subjective and objective cognitive decline interested in improving brain health (My Healthy Brain program).

• Preventing persistent symptoms following uncomplicated mild traumatic brain injury among college-age individuals with anxiety (Toolkit for Optimal Recovery after Concussions; TOR-C).

• Delivering individual and group therapy to patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their caregivers.

• Delivering a novel resilience intervention for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and their caregivers.

• Shadowing an embedded clinical psychologist at Spaulding Rehab and Mass Eye and Ear. 

• Patients suffering from nontraumatic painful upper extremity conditions and co-occurring risky substance use (TIRELESS: TookkIt for Resilient Life bEyond pain and SubStance use program)

• Cardiac arrest survivors and their caregivers (RT-CA: Recovering Together after Cardiac Arrest program)

Please contact Alex Presciutti at apresciutti@mgh.harvard.edu for more information

How to Apply:

We are accepting applications for the 2024-2025 academic year. Diverse students are encouraged to apply. Please email a CV, cover letter, and 1-2 references to Dr. Alex Presciutti (apresciutti@mgh.harvard.edu).

Current Practicum Student

Past Practicum Students