Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center (DSCFMHC) is located adjacent to the Boston Medical Center, on the Boston University Medical campus.

DSCFMHC provides inpatient psychiatric evaluation and treatment to adult patients (60 patients, male and female, age 19 and above) sent by Boston area courts. Forensic evaluations are provided by a staff of five forensic psychologists addressing issues such as competence to stand trial, criminal responsibility, assessment of risk and sentencing concerns. Patients are also assigned to a multidisciplinary treatment team (psychiatry, psychology, social work, occupational therapy, nursing) that provides clinical evaluation, treatment planning, treatment from various modalities, and aftercare planning. The orientation is one of multidisciplinary treatment, with psychopharmacological, psychodynamic, and cognitive behavioral orientations predominant. Three clinical psychologists in conjunction with psychology practicum students/interns provide clinical treatment services in the form of initial psychological assessment, psychological testing (including neuropsychological), group therapy, and individual therapy as needed. All the psychologists are licensed and carry faculty appointments with Tufts School of Medicine.

The patient population is diverse culturally and diagnostically, however individuals with severe and persistent mental illness predominate. A wide range of diagnoses emphasizing psychotic, severe affective, and neuropsychological disorders are represented, as well as co-occurring substance abuse problems, and personality disorders. The length of stay is variable, including patients who are discharged after a 20-40 day evaluation period to those who are committed for longer treatment.

This site will provide students with an opportunity to develop both a knowledge base and clinical skills relevant to the practice of clinical psychology in adult inpatient settings. The student will also gain an understanding of law-mental health issues.

Interns will be provided didactic seminars, supervision (individual and group), opportunities to observe psychology staff in their work including working alongside them, the experience of being part of a multidisciplinary treatment team, and direct patient contact. The student will also be afforded opportunities to observe court hearings and visit other sites that are part of the forensic mental health system. The student will develop competencies in: establishing a role in the multidisciplinary team approach, gathering and integrating psychosocial data to assist with diagnostic assessment and treatment planning, administering and scoring a variety of psychological tests ( i.e. cognitive/neuropsychological, personality inventories, projective, malingering), co-leading psychoeducational and psychotherapy groups, and understanding the general principles and methods of forensic practice.

Metro-Boston Inpatient Services, located at the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital on the grounds of picturesque Franklin Park, is comprised of 125 beds managed under the auspices of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH). This program provides services to individuals living with severe and persistent mental illnesses and determined to be eligible for DMH services. These services offer comprehensive diagnostic, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitative psychiatric services for these individuals referred through the acute care psychiatric system and from other institutions. Additionally, DMH patients utilize the Ambulatory Care Center's Goldfarb Primary Care and Behavioral Health Clinic with comprehensive medical services, counseling and psychopharmacological management. Additional work will be done with the forensically involved clients including Mandatory Forensic Reviews.

The training provided is focused on specific competency areas that enhance skill acquisition and use. The training is focused on helping trainees attain competency in seven specific domains: Clinical Assessment, Forensic Assessment, Intervention/treatment, Rehabilitation, Diversity, Clinical Research and its Practical Application, and Professional Skills and Ethics. The task of helping you attain competence in the seven domains is shared by you and your supervisors. Interns will be assigned to a primary unit on the psychiatric service, Metro Boston Mental Health Units and the psychologist on that unit will be the primary supervisor.

A range of clinical assessments and treatment modalities will be offered inclusive of individual and group treatment; evaluations, and standardized cognitive and personality testing. A broad range of clinical psychology experience will be offered in a context of a multicultural/multiracial population, a team model of treatment, and a psychiatric/ rehabilitation model of care. An emphasis on Forensic Psychology is part of the training experience. Accommodations will be considered if students wish greater emphasis in certain treatment areas or treatment modalities.

The Forensic Internship Placement is located at Bridgewater State Hospital (BSH). BSH is the state hospital for the criminally insane and run by the Massachusetts Department of Corrections. The forensic track is designed to provide a broad range of experiences with the correctional population, including evaluation, individual and group psychotherapy, psychological testing, case management, and pre-trial forensic evaluations. Designated forensic psychologists will supervise interns. This internship is affiliated with Forensic Health Services Inc.