Clinical Psychology Residency

The Psychology Department offers postdoctoral training in adult and child/adolescent clinical psychology.

The mission of Hartford Hospital and The Institute of Living (IOL), Hartford Hospital's Division of Psychiatry, is to promote, restore, and maintain the health of all people we serve. The Institute of Living, a teaching hospital founded in 1822, is one of the nation’s foremost psychiatric facilities. The IOL is comprised of an inpatient psychiatric hospital, a therapeutic day school for children and adolescents, adult and child outpatient clinics, and partial hospital and intensive outpatient psychiatric and substance abuse treatment programs. Specialty programs in the Department of Psychology include the Anxiety Disorders Center, Health Psychology, and Neuropsychology. We are a tertiary care hospital in Hartford, serving a diverse patient population with a range of treatment needs. The setting includes 35 acres of historic and finely landscaped grounds in downtown Hartford, geographically located midway between New York and Boston.

In 1994 The Institute of Living, then functioning as a private psychiatric hospital, was consolidated with Hartford Hospital (a major teaching hospital and long-time neighbor), further enriching our training environment. In 2011 Hartford HealthCare (HHC) became the parent corporate structure for Hartford Hospital. The IOL is part of the HHC Behavioral Health Network, a group of 7 hospitals across the HHC system, including acute care hospitals and freestanding psychiatric and substance abuse facilities. Each BHN facility consists of inpatient psychiatric or substance use treatment as well as a network of ambulatory treatment services. The IOL is the largest of the BHN facilities and maintains a strong commitment to both research and education in its clinical mission. The IOL Department of Psychology is part of the Department of Psychiatry, yet has its own departmental structure and administrative and financial support. All psychologists in the IOL are appointed to the Hartford Hospital medical staff and hold voting privileges within the Psychiatry Department. Currently, we employ over 60 psychologists and 19 interns/fellows and have a number of graduate-level practicum students from the University of Connecticut, University of Hartford, and Yale University. A number of IOL psychologists hold one or more appointments at local universities, such as UConn Health Center, University of Connecticut, Yale University, University of Hartford, and Wesleyan University.

The first psychologists at the IOL were appointed in 1936 and we have had an APA-accredited Internship since 1957 (one of the oldest and longest accredited training programs for psychologists in the U.S.). The Postdoctoral Residency Program was accredited through APA in 2005 as a traditional psychology practice program. It is the mission of the Psychology Department to hire and retain staff and trainees who will provide high-quality treatment and assessment services to all patients as needed in the Hartford HealthCare System, and for the Director of Psychology and the Director of Training to be responsible for providing an exceptional training experience in clinical psychology.

The IOL Training Program

The Psychology Department offers pre-doctoral (internship) training in adult and child/adolescent clinical psychology with four tracks: 1) Adult, 2) Child, 3) Adult CBT, and 4) Child CBT.  Postdoctoral training is offered through a number of programs within the umbrella of the department’s Training Program. The program is led by senior psychologists who adhere to a science-informed model that actively integrates a number of theoretical orientations and empirically supported treatments, including contemporary psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral models.

The Residency in Clinical Psychology

As a tertiary hospital, The IOL specializes in the evaluation and treatment of acute and chronic psychiatric disorders. Stabilization of psychiatric crises using an integrated blend of brief psychotherapy, crisis stabilization, family consultation, psychopharmacology, case management, and contact with community resources has become the hospital's primary mission and those areas of practice are emphasized in the training of the Psychology Residents. The hospital has been successful in establishing a comprehensive network of care for its patients, integrating the use of inpatient, partial hospital, intensive outpatient, and traditional outpatient services in response to a patient's changing treatment needs. We serve a diverse patient population that is representative of our community, with a strong emphasis on the provision of culturally competent care.

Training Philosophy
The Institute of Living/Hartford Hospital Postdoctoral Residency in Clinical Psychology adheres to a science-informed practice model of training. We view this model as being compatible with a diverse array of career paths. Many of our graduates choose clinical areas of practice and research as their career choice, while many also teach and/or supervise. The unifying theme in our Residency is the practical integration of scholarship and psychological science into practice. Toward this end, the Residency emphasizes the use of critical thinking skills and the thoughtful and systematic evaluation of clinical work using a variety of best practices informed by current trends in the science of psychology as they evolve over time.

The Residency training program is structured such that the Resident assumes primary clinical responsibilities within the hospital’s integrated healthcare delivery system. Resident responsibilities are similar to those of a staff psychologist working within the same work site. However, Residents are closely supervised on their work with the goal of helping them to achieve independence in their clinical practice by the end of the training year. Each Resident has a primary supervisor and at least one secondary supervisor, and receives a minimum of 2 hours of individual supervision per week.

APA Residency Program
The APA-approved Postdoctoral Residency (Fellowship) Program is a one-year training program in a traditional psychology practice model with the goals of achieving advanced competency in core skills of health service psychology (HSP). Prospective candidates for the one-year APA Residency in Clinical Psychology can apply to be considered for one or more areas of emphasis within the Adult Psychology and/or Child/Adolescent Psychology specialties.

All Residents participate in supervised research throughout the program (with approximately 4 hours of protected research time weekly), generally focusing on clinical topics relevant to their specific area of training. Residents present their research at the Psychology Department’s annual Psychology Day during the summer.

Current Clinical Areas of Emphasis:

Adult Inpatient Psychiatry – advanced training in brief acute individual, group, and family therapies as well as consultative services

Child/Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatry – advanced training in brief individual, group, and family therapies as well as consultative services for psychiatrically hospitalized children and adolescents

Health Psychology – training in assessment, consultation, and brief interventions for medical patients, with a variety of potential medical areas including surgical and medical weight loss, cardiology, oncology, transplant, neurology, and men’s/women’s health

Lifespan Psychological Assessment- advanced training in psychological assessment across the lifespan, focusing on complex case conceptualization and differential diagnosis, including but not limited to conducting assessments, clinical interviewing, report writing, and providing feedback, while also carrying outpatient therapy cases and having opportunities to develop supervisory skills over the course of the year.

Mentalization-informed/Psychodynamic Psychotherapy- focusing on psychodynamic and mentalization-based approaches for professionals struggling with mental health and interpersonal challenges. Residents will facilitate therapy groups, engage in individual therapy, and have opportunities for additional experiences in teaching, research, and elective clinical work in various settings within a larger hospital system.

Psychosis/Persistent Mental Illness – training and experience in cognitive rehabilitation, intensive outpatient, and inpatient treatment for individuals with schizophrenia and other forms of severe and persistent mental illness

LGBTQ+ Gender Affirmative Care – incorporates a hybrid model including provision of LGBTQ+ gender-affirmative care within the Young Adult Services (YAS) Right Track Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and the newly developed Center for Gender Health Clinic

School-Based Assessment and Treatment – training in assessment and intervention of children and adolescents in a hospital-based special education program


Additional Residency Programs

The IOL Department of Psychology Training Program also offers postdoctoral training programs in Neuropsychology (accredited by APPCN) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  The Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) postdoctoral programs were separated from the traditional accredited program in 2015-2016, but continue to be integrated into the overall Residency program for a variety of clinical learning, didactic, and training experiences. Residents in these programs participate in supervised research (with approximately 4 hours protected for research weekly, often more for CBT Residents) that is typically focused on clinical topics related to their training. All Residents present their research at the Psychology Department’s Psychology Day during the summer.

The Clinical Neuropsychology program focuses on outpatient evaluations conducted in several different clinics, inpatient medical work, and inpatient neuropsychological evaluations within the psychiatry service. This area of training complies with APA Division 40, INS, and Houston Conference guidelines.

The Cognitive Behavior Therapy residency is offered through the Institute of Living’s Anxiety Disorder Center, led by Dr. David Tolin, a robust clinical and research center with a number of extramurally funded ongoing research studies.


Residency Competencies and Program Aims

The program ensures that Residents attain advanced competency in the three APA Level 1 competencies for postdoctoral training as a health service psychologist (HSP), as well as four additional Level 2 competencies.  Competency development is achieved through a number of program elements, including direct clinical experience, structured educational/didactic experiences, and supervision. Upon completion of the program, Residents will demonstrate an advanced level of competency in:

Level 1 Competencies:

1) Integration of Science and Practice

2) Individual and Cultural Diversity

3) Ethical and Legal Standards

Level 2 Competencies:

4) Assessment

5) Intervention

6) Consultation and Interprofessional/Interdisciplinary Skills

7) Professional Values, Attitudes, and Behaviors

Elements of these competencies are represented in the program’s specific aims:

  • Aim 1: Competence in Professional Conduct, Ethics and Legal Matters
  • Aim 2: Competence in Individual and Cultural Diversity
  • Aim 3: Competence in Theories and Methods of Psychological Diagnosis, Assessment, and Interventions
  • Aim 4: Competence in Scholarly Inquiry and Application of Current Scientific Knowledge to Practice
  • Aim 5: Competence in Professional Consultation, Program Evaluation and Supervision
  • Aim 6: Competence in Organization, Management and Administration

Seminar Program

The Core Seminar Series is an important aspect of the Resident training experience. This is a protected time block where Residents come together and engage in didactic learning which is led by some of the department’s most valued content experts. The primary focus of the core seminars is centered in the development of advanced knowledge in the core competencies for Health Service Psychologists. While the Core Seminar Series is the primary didactic modality for the program, additional seminars that support the development of competencies may also be offered.

In addition to the required seminars, all Residents attend the department's monthly staff meeting where both administrative and educational issues are addressed, as well as weekly IOL Grand Rounds.


Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Psychology Training Program, Institute of Living (IOL), and Hartford Healthcare (HHC) are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion among our staff, trainees and the people we serve. Equity is one of our five core values as a system.

We are committed to the fair treatment, access, opportunity and advancement for all. We value the uniqueness of each person and embrace diverse backgrounds, opinions and experiences. We foster intellectual, racial, social and cultural diversity and treat everyone with dignity and respect.

This commitment is reflected on all levels of our healthcare system and trainees have many avenues to pursue continued growth in their own cultural competence in addition to incorporation of diversity and cultural aspects within clinical supervision. Some examples include the core diversity-related seminars for IOL psychology Interns and Residents, our IOL Diversity and Equity Committee (open to all trainees), and the IOL “Let’s Talk” forums (the IOL monthly open forum to discuss aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion).

Who Should Apply

Applications are accepted from graduates of APA-accredited doctoral programs in Clinical or Counseling Psychology who have completed an APA-accredited internship. Residency applicants should have an interest and background in psychological evaluation and psychotherapy, and interest in advancing competencies in providing hospital-based services to patients experiencing both acute psychiatric difficulties and chronic mental health issues.

Applicants need to have completed their doctoral degree or have a letter from their program attesting to the planned completion of degree requirements within the first month of the residency. We welcome applications from trainees from diverse backgrounds. We encourage you to inform us of any relevant life experiences in your cover letter or essays.

Application Process

APA Accredited Residency Program

Our program utilizes APPIC's centralized postdoctoral application system (APPA CAS). Applications and supporting materials, transcripts, and 3 letters of reference must be submitted by January 1 through APPA CAS. Our program will adhere to all APPIC postdoctoral selection standards and Common Hold Date procedures. We welcome applications from trainees from diverse backgrounds, and we encourage you to inform us of any relevant life experiences in your cover letter or essays.

Interviews will be arranged by invitation after a review of all application materials is completed. Virtual interviews will be arranged between early January and mid-February. Inquiries regarding your application can be made by calling 860.545.7167.  Notification of acceptance will follow APPIC selection standards.

Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Programs
Applications for the Neuropsychology Track are submitted via APPA CAS and have a deadline of December 20, 2024. Applicants should also enclose 2 sample reports demonstrating their skill sets in different settings. Applicants are required to participate in the APPCN match process and should include their APPCN Match Number (if available) with their application. Questions are welcomed and can be addressed via email to Dr. Kristin Slyne, PsyD at Kristin.Slyne@hhchealth.org, or consultation with our Administrative Associate, Ms. Paula Snedeker 860.545.7167.

Applicants for the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Track should send application materials directly to Dr. David Tolin.  Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. Email a cover letter, curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, and representative reprints/preprints (if applicable) to: David F. Tolin, Ph.D., ABPP at david.tolin@hhchealth.org. For questions, please reach out to Dr. Tolin via email or call 860.545.7685


Statement of Nondiscrimination

The Institute of Living/Hartford Hospital is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from various racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, religious and cultural backgrounds as well as those with physical disabilities.


Substance Use/Screening and Background Checks

In response to recent nationwide trends among both corporate businesses and hospital communities, the Institute of Living/Hartford Hospital has recognized the need to establish clear drug use policies for its employees. In light of this concern, the hospital has instituted a confidential drug testing procedure for all new employees. Similarly, the hospital also requires all employees, including predoctoral Interns and postdoctoral Residents, to go through a standard background check including legal history and a DCF (Department of Children and Families) check. Drug testing via urinalysis and the standard background check will occur prior to the Residency start date with employment contingent upon the results.


COVID and Flu Vaccination Requirements

For healthcare providers and workers, being vaccinated against the COVID-19 and flu viruses is one of the most important and responsible actions we can take to demonstrate our commitment to ensuring the safest possible caring and working environment.

Based on the latest guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), colleagues are considered up-to-date for their COVID-19 vaccination when they have received all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended for them, when eligible. Please see CDC website regarding up-to-date vaccination status. Employees may be eligible for vaccine exemption based on medical or religious reasons – these exemptions are reviewed by a hospital committee on a case-by-case basis and cannot be guaranteed prior to employment.

Orientation, Onboarding & Training Format

Orientation Period

During the first week of the Residency, trainees can expect to spend time as a cohort while they meet with psychologist leaders from the various programs and begin to orient to the training opportunities within the department and their specific primary clinical training sites. Residents will also be trained on the Electronic Health Record and various key administrative and clinical procedures within the healthcare system.  Caseloads are kept to a minimum during this initial period so that Residents can become familiar with the medical record and specific requirements existing in each unique training site.


Stipends/Benefits

Resident stipends are $56,000

Additional benefits include:

  • Employee-chosen health and dental plans
  • 15 vacation days
  • 7 paid hospital holidays
  • 5 sick days
  • Visit our Benefits Website for more information

Training Format

Trainees will work 12 consecutive months, 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday. A total of 1960 hours will be spent in direct service, indirect service, didactic training, and supervision. Out of the 1,960 total hours, trainees are required to provide a minimum of 40% on direct service.


Evaluation of Residents

Training occurs within an apprentice/mentor model where open discussions between supervisors and trainees are fostered. At the beginning of training each Resident will meet with their primary supervisor and discuss the goals for the Residency year. Areas of strength with regard to Health Service Psychologist professional competencies are discussed, as well as areas of opportunity for development. The primary supervisor and Resident jointly complete the Post-Doctoral Resident Entry Competency Rating and Individualized Training Plan (ITP) form, which captures all program aims and the specific Level 1 and 2 competencies captured by each aim. The ITP serves as a guide for Resident experiences throughout the training year to facilitate attainment of an Advanced Level of Competency (the minimum level of attainment/MLA) for the specified competencies. The Individualized Training Plan includes educational activities, clinical activities, and focus of supervision to promote successful attainment of an advanced level of competency and to prepare the Resident for independent practice upon completion of the program.

Residents are provided immediate feedback about their work on a regular basis from on-site supervisors, and Residents and primary supervisors meet weekly for formal supervision, which includes a discussion of progress toward training goals. Furthermore, designated monthly Training Committee meetings are held to review Resident progress, with the ITP serving as a basis for identifying areas of priority and monitoring progress. Formal evaluations completed at 6 months and 12 months (end of Residency) allow for formal rating and monitoring of Residents’ progress towards attaining these goals.  At the end of the training year, 85% of the program competencies must be rated at the highest level, reflecting the achievement of advanced competency and autonomous functioning.

Residents are also asked to provide feedback regarding supervision throughout the program and at the completion of the Residency. A formal program evaluation is completed by each Resident at the end of the training year.

Requirements for Completion of Residency

Successful completion includes:

  • Completion of all paperwork, including reports, consultations, and progress notes
  • Completion of research project as established with primary supervisor
  • Attendance at weekly didactics/seminars
  • Completion of 1960 hours; a minimum of 40% of time in direct services
  • Attainment of minimum level of achievement (MLA) on evaluations, specifically 85% of all competency ratings must be a rating of “5” (Advanced Competency) at the end of Residency. No competency areas will be rated as Entry Level, Remedial, or New Skill.

Remedial Instruction
In the rare situation when it is recognized that a Resident needs remedial work, a competency assessment form will be completed, prior to any deadline date for evaluation, and shared with the Resident and the Director of Training. In order to allow the Resident to gain competency and meet passing criteria, these areas must be addressed proactively and a remedial plan needs to be devised and implemented promptly.

Remediation and Termination
The program’s minimal levels of achievement are linked to the evaluations that directly correspond to the program’s competencies and aims. Residents, supervisors, and the Training Director can easily track progress through the year and identify areas where a Resident might be in jeopardy of not meeting the program’s minimal levels of achievement. Should a Resident not achieve minimum thresholds for achievement at any six-month evaluation, a developmental or remediation plan will be collaboratively developed by the Resident’s supervisor(s) and the Director of Training. This plan will be presented to the Resident and the Resident will be given the opportunity to present feedback and suggestions. The resulting remedial plan will serve as a training contract between the Resident and the program staff, and adherence to this plan will be closely monitored on a weekly basis. The Resident will be required to sign the training plan. Due Process Guidelines will also likely be implemented.

A Resident failing to comply with the remedial plan due to lack of motivation or gross deficits in skills will be scheduled for a performance review. The Resident will be notified of the impending review and concerns to be addressed. This performance review may be requested by the Director of Training, medical director, current rotation supervisors, or the Resident. The Resident will have the opportunity to respond to concerns.

A written report of the performance review will be presented to the Training Committee, who will determine the need for further action, such as continued monitoring, revision of the remediation plan, and/or probation. The Resident will be notified in writing of the Training Committee’s decision and will be required to review and sign the new training plan. Residents wishing to appeal any aspects of this remediation plan will submit a written request to the Director of Training within 14 days of being presented with the new plan.

The Resident failing to comply with the remediation plan, failing to improve while on probation, violating ethical and professional codes, or transgressing official policies, may be recommended for termination from the Residency after a meeting of the Training Committee. In such a case, the Director of Training will provide the Resident with written notice of the Training Committee’s decision to recommend to the hospital that the Resident be terminated from employment. The Resident will have the opportunity to appeal the decision through the hospital’s Human Resources Department and request consultation with APPIC and/or APA.

Overview of Residency Areas of Emphasis

A prospective resident may apply to one or more areas of emphasis within the APA-accredited Residency program. An area of emphasis is defined as a placement setting in either child/adolescent or adult psychology which serves as the primary site(s) of training for the Resident for the training year. The areas of emphasis are described below. Residents training in the specialty areas of Neuropsychology and the Anxiety Disorders Center are under the direction of the Director of Training and participate in the seminars with all Residents, although they are not currently part of the APA-accredited Postdoctoral Training Program.

The Institute of Living currently offers 6 APA-accredited positions, with 8 potential areas of specialty: (1) Adult Inpatient Psychology; 2) Child and Adolescent Inpatient Psychology; 3) Psychosis/Persistent Mental Illness; 4) Child and Adolescent School-Based Assessment and Treatment; 5) Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine; 6) LGBTQ+ Gender Affirmative Care; 7) Psychological Assessment; and 8) Psychodynamic and Mentalization-Informed Psychotherapy.

Please note, we will be interviewing and accepting applications for all of these specialties, with 6 positions available. Decisions regarding admission will be determined based on goodness of fit with the applicant’s training goals and experience.


APA-Accredited General Clinical Psychology Area of Emphasis:

Adult Inpatient

The focus of the inpatient fellowship is on the delivery of brief, intensive treatment with patients admitted to our general adult inpatient psychiatric units in the role of Psychology Consultant. Within the inpatient hospital at IOL, there are 4 adult units and 3 child and adolescent units which are all serviced by the Inpatient Psychology Consultation Service. The Hartford area is richly diverse, allowing for advancement of cultural competence at the forefront of both patient and systemic interactions. Diversity and Equity are a focus within case formulation and treatment planning, while also being openly discussed in meetings and councils throughout the healthcare system. The consultation service acts as an adjunct and complement to the current treatment plan and can include the provision of individual psychotherapy, targeted interventions, individualized behavior plans, case conceptualizations, risk assessments, and treatment recommendations. The fellow acts as expert and consultant to the requesting treatment team.

The fellow works across all adult and older adult units and becomes part of the requesting interprofessional team which includes, Psychiatry, Social Work, Nursing, Recreation Therapy, Recovery Support Specialists and Mental Health Technicians. The requests typically involve assistance with highly complex, high risk, or high needs patients. The fellow is a key member of this consultation service and will be expected to quickly assume an independent level of functioning; therefore, applicants with psychiatric inpatient experience are highly desired. Applicants should also be comfortable with psychodynamic theories and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Fellows will facilitate both process-oriented and skills-based groups across multiple adult inpatient units. At times, these groups will be run independently and intermittently co-facilitated with interns and practicum students. This will provide in-vivo supervisory experience for the Fellow in addition to 30 minutes per week of supervised supervision of the inpatient Intern. Fellows participate in supervised research (4 hours reserved/protected weekly) that has generally focused on clinical topics related to their fellowship. Fellows present their research at the Psychology Department’s Research Day during the summer.

Child/Adolescent Inpatient

Child/Adolescent Inpatient Training is science-informed and will focus on the preparation for advanced practice competence in provision of brief inpatient treatment with children and adolescents presenting with a wide range of acute and severe psychopathology. The treatment model integrates empirically supported interventions, contemporary psychoanalytic object relations perspective and systems/family work. 

Residents will develop advanced skills and experience in rapid psychodiagnostic and risk assessment, case formulation, and assessment with DSM-V diagnosis. In addition, Residents will develop advanced competency in consultation, treatment planning, and case management (when appropriate). Interventions used/developed during training include individual psychotherapy, group therapy, psychopharmacology, family therapy, milieu therapy, and behavioral/cognitive-behavioral/DBT techniques. 

Residents will provide consultation through the Inpatient Psychology Consultation Service to the child and adolescent units throughout the duration of their training year. Depending on the consultation question and the clinical need, the resident will carry up to 3-5 consultations at a time. The consultation service acts as an adjunct and complement to the current treatment plan and can include the provision of individual psychotherapy, family therapy, specialized treatment interventions, individualized behavior plan and staff support plans, complex case conceptualizations, risk assessments, and treatment recommendations. Residents will work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary treatment team to identify treatment needs and provide consultation. There is also the opportunity to provide consultation to the adult units when there is a need and interest. 

Residents will receive extensive training in group therapy; facilitating/co-facilitating around 8 groups per week across the child, pre-adolescent, and adolescent units. Training will focus on process-oriented and skills-based group psychotherapy with adolescents. Social-skills and process-oriented group therapies are provided for child units. 

The amount of direct service will vary considerably based upon individual patient needs but on average, each patient will require a minimum of 30 minutes daily of direct contact individually and involve multiple family meetings (when doing a family therapy consultation) during the week. Additionally, an integral aspect of the Resident’s training is developing experience with and competence in milieu therapy; the Resident will support the Unit Psychologist in milieu management, crisis intervention, and staff education/training. There will be many opportunities to develop leadership skills through involvement in program development and implementation, unit-wide initiatives, and Trauma-Informed Care staff training.

Health Psychology

The Health Psychology program includes training in assessment, consultation, and brief interventions for medical patients, with a variety of potential medical areas including surgical and medical weight loss, cardiology, oncology, transplant, neurology, and men’s/women’s health.

The Department of Psychology at the Institute of Living/Hartford Hospital is pleased to accept applications for one, one-year postdoctoral residency positions in clinical psychology with an emphasis in health psychology, to begin in fall of 2025. The residency follows the scientist-informed model of training and is an area of emphasis of the one-year APA-accredited postdoctoral residency program at the Institute of Living. The intent of the training program is to further the resident’s growth as a clinical psychologist and to develop advanced competency within the area of clinical health psychology. While the residency will emphasize evidence-based practices, the resident will receive training from various theoretical models, providing a unique perspective on the integration of mind and body problems.

The primary aim of the residency is to provide experiences in clinical assessment and intervention to adult patients experiencing a wide range of medical and psychological problems. The position is outpatient-based and includes consultation and diagnostic interviewing, pre-surgical psychological evaluations, short-term psychotherapy and behavioral interventions, and group therapy. The resident is provided ample didactic experiences and opportunities for teaching and supervision. There is also a requirement for a research project to be completed during the course of the year. There is flexibility in terms of primary clinical area of focus, with possible opportunities in the following areas:

  • Headache
  • Orthopedics/Sports Psychology
  • Men’s Health
  • Women’s Health

Applicants must have completed all requirements for the doctoral degree, including the completion of an APA-accredited predoctoral internship in clinical psychology. Preference is given to candidates with prior training and experience in health psychology, but this is not a requirement.

Lifespan Psychological Assessment

This position involves advanced training in psychological assessment across the lifespan with emphasis on complex case conceptualization and differential diagnosis. Fellows would be expected to complete 2 to 3 psychological assessments each week. For each case, the Testing Fellow will be responsible for record review, clarifying the referral with the interdisciplinary treatment team, test battery selection, clinical interviewing with patient (and family when applicable), administration of an integrated test battery, scoring, interpretation, report writing, and interactive feedback to referring interdisciplinary treatment team, patient, and/or family. Supervision is provided for all aspects of the assessment process; however, the Testing Fellow is expected to function with increased independence and autonomy as the year progresses. For each case, the Testing Fellow will receive approximately 1 to 2 hours of supervision.

The Psychological Testing Service receives referrals and consult requests from nearly all programs within the Institute of Living, including our six inpatient units, our many Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP), and outpatient programs. For every assessment case, you will be serving as a specialized consultant to interdisciplinary treatment teams across different levels of care and program specializations. We also receive referrals from specialty programs, such as the Center for Gender Health and Medical Weight Loss clinic. The Testing Fellow will assess patients across the lifespan with a wide range of presentations. Our test batteries are individualized based on referral questions, but generally include a clinical interview with the patient (and parent, if applicable), a brief cognitive and intellectual battery, a wide range of self-report (and parent-report) measures, and projective assessments. There is a strong emphasis on personality assessment measures (PAI, MMPI, Millon) and projective measures (Rorschach and CAT/TAT). Prior experience with the Rorschach is required. Batteries can often include neuropsychological measures, depending on the referral question.  There are also opportunities for autism assessment training, including the ADOS-2, if interested. Referral questions and needs are varied, but often focus on suicide risk, violence/threat risk, complex differential diagnosis, presence of a psychotic-spectrum disorder, personality pathology, nature of mood disorder (e.g., depression versus bipolar), ongoing impact of trauma, concern for malingering, and/or determining cognitive or intellectual functioning.

In addition, the Testing Fellow would also carry at least two outpatient therapy cases throughout the training year. Cases are assigned based on the needs and interests of the fellow. As the training year progresses, the Testing Fellow has the option to grow their supervisory skills through tiered supervision with interns and practicum trainees, as well as holding group didactic sessions.

LGBTQ+ Gender Affirmative Care

The training program adheres to a science-informed model that actively integrates contemporary psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral models. The focus of the LGBTQ+ fellowship will be a hybrid model where the fellow will provide LGBTQ+ gender-affirmative care within Young Adult Services (YAS) the Right Track Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in addition to helping with a Center for Gender Health Clinic that will initially run 2x/month with efforts to expand throughout the year.

The requests typically involve assistance with highly complex, high risk, or high needs patients. The fellow will become a part of the interprofessional team which includes Psychiatry, Social Work, Vocational Counseling, Case Management, and Recovery Support Specialists. The Right Track/LGBTQ Specialty Track IOP is a group-based therapy model that focuses on LGBTQ young adults (ages 16-26) who struggle with mental illness. The goals of the program are to help patients develop the ability to identify and modulate stress and stigma, strengthen family and family-of-choice connections, expand individual positive and creative coping skills, and capitalize on personal strengths. This is an IOP where the fellow will be expected to sit in/help with group programming 3 days per week, 3 hours per day (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 1-4pm). At times, these groups will be run independently and are intermittently co-facilitated with interns and/or practicum students. In addition, the fellow will be involved in intake assessments and team meetings. During the training year, the fellow will help design and run groups within the IOP group setting. In the past, topics have included: Process Groups related to LGBTQ+ issues/concerns, Mindfulness Series, Self-Compassion Series, and CBT/DBT Skills Training.

The Center for Gender Health Clinic will initially be a 2x/month specialty clinic for LGBTQ+ patients to receive several services which includes Psychology, Psychiatry, Primary Care/Infectious Disease, Endocrinology, and Case Management. The fellow will be expected to help assess patient’s readiness for gender affirming treatments, alongside a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. The fellow will also have opportunities to share their own voice and help be an essential part in building the Center for Gender Health here within Hartford HealthCare.

Treatment of Psychotic and Persistent Mental Illness

The Psychosis/Persistent Mental Illness fellow is integrated in the greater fellowship cohort through meetings and seminars but focuses on psychosis across levels of acuity and throughout the lifespan.

The focus of this fellowship is to immerse the fellow in work that focuses on treating individuals with psychosis across levels of acuity presenting with heterogeneity in symptom and at varying levels of onset (e.g., high-risk, first-episode, chronic).  As such, the fellow will work with individuals with serious and persistent mental illness/psychosis in a variety of settings, such as our Schizophrenia Rehabilitation Intensive Outpatient Program, our Young Adult Potential track for First Episode intervention, and/or our Adult Inpatient units. The fellow will also have the option to carry an outpatient caseload of individuals suffering from psychotic illness across the lifespan.

Work at the Schizophrenia Rehabilitation Program (SRP) focuses on individual, group and family therapy, case management, cognitive remediation and psychoeducation for participants with chronic psychosis. The SRP also conducts and incorporates the latest research on the treatment and rehabilitation of schizophrenia to develop a best practice model for assessment and intervention. Research in the program includes vocational and cognitive interventions and outcomes, behavioral interventions and psychopharmacological interventions.

Work at the Potential track of the Young Adult Intensive Outpatient Program offers the opportunity for individual and group intervention for young adults in their first episode of psychosis. Both SRP and Potential programs offer the opportunity to conduct diagnostic and functional assessments in support of research and clinical interventions.

Work in the inpatient unit will include provision of consultative services to inpatient multidisciplinary treatment teams, individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and case management.

There will also be opportunities to work with our adolescent psychosis program (ASAP) wherein the fellow will be exposed to those individuals presenting with at-risk or prodromal symptomology, or our Adult Day intensive outpatient program, where patients have a wider range of serious and persistent mental illness. Across settings, the fellow will facilitate both process-oriented and skills-based groups, be involved in individual and family treatment modalities, consult and work as part of various interdisciplinary teams, and be exposed to clinical research with these populations.

The Hartford area is richly diverse, allowing for advancement of cultural competence at the forefront of both patient and systemic interactions. Diversity and Equity are a focus within case formulation and treatment planning, and are openly discussed in meetings and councils throughout the healthcare system. 

Psychodynamic and Mentalization-Informed Psychotherapy

The Professionals’ Program at the Institute of Living (IOL), Hartford Hospital (HH) is pleased to offer a full-time position in Psychodynamic and Mentalization-Informed Group and Individual Psychotherapy Fellowship. The Fellowship is housed in the Professionals Program which aims to offer an inclusive treatment space for adults who may be struggling to balance the demands of work, interpersonal life, and mental health. The Professionals’ program has a substantial emphasis on improving self-understanding and interpersonal functioning across multiple settings (e.g., family, work, friendships) to support symptom reduction and increase psychological insight and change. The program’s theoretical framework draws on aspects of insight-oriented treatment including interpersonal and psychodynamic therapy, mentalization-based therapy, family systems, as well as other treatment modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The programming in both the Intensive Outpatient Program and Partial Hospitalization Program includes a range of treatments with both skills-based and interpersonal process groups. Treatment typically includes eight weeks of intensive group therapy and medication management with a multidisciplinary team, three to five days a week.

The focus of the fellowship is on the delivery of group psychotherapy within the Professionals’ Program, which includes individuals presenting with severe mood disorders, characterological and personality syndromes, and trauma. The fellow will individually or co-facilitate interpersonal, psychodynamic-oriented process groups, mentalization-based psychotherapy groups, and skills-based groups. The fellow will also be involved in individual sessions with patients to help support them to fully utilize group and identify interpersonal and mentalization-based goals for group therapy. The fellow will also have the option to carry a caseload of individuals within the IOP/PHP and/or an outpatient basis. One of the many benefits of training within a larger hospital system includes availability of many elective experiences. Some of these experiences may include: work with severe and persistent mental illness, including schizophrenia or psychosis from a MERIT treatment lens, psychological and neuropsychological testing, engagement in the community-based radical recovery and DEIB initiatives, program development, leadership development, among a variety of other exciting opportunities.

In addition to clinical care, the fellow will have opportunities to engage in teaching and research experiences that align with their interests (i.e., co-teaching psychodynamic seminars for our internship training program, co-writing grants/research papers that align with mentalization-based or psychodynamic care, etc).

School-based Psychological Assessment and Psychotherapy
The Grace Webb School is our on-site therapeutic school that provides elementary, middle, and high school programming.  The school and the outpatient clinics serve the regional and local community, which includes very ethnically, racially, and socioeconomically diverse populations. In addition to providing academic programming, Grace Webb School also provides individual and group psychotherapies to the students, and a broad spectrum of psychiatric diagnoses (mood; anxiety; psychosis, autism; trauma-related; personality) is represented. 

The Resident working in the Grace Webb School will have the opportunity to carry child and adolescent cases in school and provide individual, group, and family psychotherapies.  The Resident will also engage in crisis intervention, develop consultation skills, and conduct cognitive and personality testing to children and adolescents.  The Resident will complete an average of two to three comprehensive assessments each month. Testing referrals include psychodiagnostic evaluations for school planning and placement team meetings. Residents work closely with psychiatrists, other psychologists, teachers, and social workers within the service.  Students are typically enrolled for the full academic year, and as such the Residents have the opportunity to provide longer-term therapy.  There is also the option of the Resident becoming involved in elective training opportunities throughout the IOL's outpatient clinics.

Cases are conceptualized in supervision from contemporary psychodynamic and behavioral perspectives.  Integration of psychodynamic, family systems, and cognitive- behavioral conceptualizations with DSM-V diagnosis is emphasized.  Training focuses on advancing the Resident’s skills in case conceptualization, intervention, assessment, and consultation, as well as professional development goals. Residents also participate in supervised research (4 hours reserved/protected weekly) that has generally focused on clinical topics related to their training. Residents present their research at the Psychology Department’s Psychology Research Day during the summer.

Applicants should have clinical experience with children and adolescents with significant mental health issues, preferably with some experience in milieu-based settings.  Applicants should have competence in psychological testing, including at least some training or experience with projective testing.


Non-Accredited Specialty Tracks 

Clinical Neuropsychology Fellowship

The Clinical Neuropsychology Residency is a member of the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN) and is structured to meet Houston Conference and APA Division 40 Guidelines for training in neuropsychology with a goal of preparing fellows for board certification. The program collaborates with the Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology at Hartford Hospital and the Institute of Living, as well as the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery at Hartford Hospital.

In accordance with Houston Conference guidelines, the Resident receives intensive training in the science and practice of clinical neuropsychology including opportunities for assessment, intervention, and research. We carry two postdoctoral Residents, starting on alternate years. Training differs across the two years in content, population, autonomy and to a degree, complexity, though the training program will flex to meet each fellow’s individual training needs.

Areas of emphasis include inpatient medical work, with referrals from neurology and PM&R, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, and brain tumor, as well as referrals of medically complex patients from other hospital departments (e.g., internal medicine, cardiology); outpatient evaluations in a general clinic, a movement clinic, and a memory care center; and inpatient neuropsychological evaluations within the psychiatry service, with questions related to differential diagnosis (often of dementia), ongoing impact from an established CNS insult (often TBI or CVA), or to acquire a cognitive profile in individuals who have serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Trainees also are involved in our late career assessment service, neurosurgery, clinically focused research, and interact with Residents from across the campus.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The Anxiety Disorders Center (ADC) at the Institute of Living/Hartford Hospital invites applications for a one-year postdoctoral fellowship (with an option for a second year, to be determined mutually) beginning in Fall 2025.  The ADC is a combined clinical and research unit specializing in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and mood-related problems, and applied research on the nature and treatment of these disorders.

We are inviting applications for a postdoctoral fellow who will spend approximately 75% time providing clinical services, and approximately 25% time participating in research activities. We are recruiting for two fellow positions: one focusing primarily on work with adult patients and another on work with adolescents and children. Clinical duties will include assessment and outpatient cognitive-behavioral therapy, including intensive (daily) behavior therapy. 

Research activities may include serving as a study therapist or independent evaluator, writing articles, or conducting data analyses.  Numerous opportunities exist for independent basic or applied research as well.  Although extensive research experience is not required, the ideal candidate will demonstrate adherence to the scientist-practitioner model, enjoys working in a research-rich environment, and seeks opportunities to connect clinical and research activities. All postdoctoral fellows at the Institute of Living complete and present on a year long research project. Other duties may include supervision of graduate clinicians and conducting workshops and trainings.

Qualifications include a doctoral degree in clinical psychology (APA accredited) and experience with cognitive-behavioral interventions for anxiety-related disorders. 

 

Accreditation Status

The IOL Postdoctoral Residency in Clinical Psychology Program (adult and child/adolescent program tracks) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association.

Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202.336.5979 / Email: apaaccred@apa.org
Web: https://accreditation.apa.org/

Clinical Psychology Residency Program Tables