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Traumatic Stress Psychology Psy.D. Emphasis

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Specialize your Psy.D. Program with an Emphasis in Traumatic Stress Psychology

Students enrolled in the Clinical Psychology Psy.D. program can choose an emphasis to focus on a specific area in clinical psychology. Students apply to an emphasis of choice during their first or second year of study. During their first year, students interested in pursuing an emphasis should become acquainted with admissions criteria for their emphasis of choice, meet with the emphasis coordinator during the first year in the program, and attend emphasis activities.

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Traumatic Stress Psychology Psy.D. Program

This emphasis—the only such of its kind in the United States—offers students specialized knowledge and training to provide therapy and assessment services for individuals with symptoms of traumatic stress, including people who have experienced combat, disasters, accidents or life-threatening illness, or interpersonal violence.

Student Outcomes

Students learn the practice skills to provide these individuals with research-supported clinical services and the support they need to improve their psychological, physical, social, and vocational functioning. An understanding of the broader structural and systemic factors that impact survivors’ well-being is emphasized.

Students will obtain the knowledge and skills to provide these individuals with research-supported clinical services and the support they need to improve their psychological, physical, social, and vocational functioning. An understanding of the broader structural and systemic factors that impact on survivors’ well-being is also emphasized.

Admission Criteria

Admission to the emphasis after matriculating into the Psy.D. program requires the following:

  • Overall Adler grade point average of at least 3.25
  • Passing all Psy.D. program milestones up to the point of emphasis acceptance
  • An interview with the Emphasis Coordinator

The following requirements must also be met:

  • Students earning the Emphasis in Traumatic Stress Psychology must complete one of their doctoral practica at a site that offers significant experience in working with survivors of traumatic events.
  • Students earning the Emphasis in Traumatic Psychology must complete their dissertation on a topic relevant to traumatic stress or death, dying, bereavement, loss, or life-threatening illness.
  • If the Traumatic Stress Psychology Emphasis Coordinator is not a member of the student’s dissertation committee, the student must submit the dissertation to the Coordinator for review before the dissertation defense takes place.
  • Students should communicate with the Traumatic Stress Psychology Emphasis Coordinator to verify that these requirements are being met.

Curriculum

Successful completion of the following courses is required to complete the emphasis:

Traumatic Stress Psychology Courses

PSY 706 - Trauma Focused Approaches to Interventions (3 cr.)

This course covers the history, etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of trauma-related dysfunction, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress disorder (ASD), and common comorbidities.

PSY 806 - Advanced Trauma-Focused Approaches to Intervention (3 cr.)

This course covers advanced issues concerning the diagnosis and treatment of trauma-related dysfunction, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and common comorbid conditions.

Electives – Special Populations

Select One

PSY 811 - Advanced Issues in Co-Occurring Disorders (3 cr.)

This advanced course builds on foundational knowledge from Introduction to Addictive Disorders (PSY 709) and Trauma-Focused Interventions (PSY 706). The course will explore selected theories and methods for engaging and retaining clients in substance abuse and trauma treatment.

PSY 822 - Death, Dying, Bereavement, Loss-Focused Approaches to Intervention (3 cr.)

This course covers the psychological theories, cultural responses, individual and family system reactions, and treatment relevant to individuals facing death, dying, life-threatening illness, bereavement, other losses, and long-term caregiving.

Electives – Research-Supported Interventions

Select one.

PSY 802 - Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy Approaches II (3 cr.)

This is an advanced course that will cover in-depth applications of cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, and third wave therapies including mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT; Zindel Segal, Mark Williams, and John Teasdale), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT; Steven Hays), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT; Marsha M. Linehan), and cognitive processing therapy (CPT; Patricia Resick).

PSY 803 - Humanistic and Existentialist Therapy Approaches II (3 cr.)

This course builds on the knowledge and skills developed in the introductory course in humanistic and existential approaches by developing a more in-depth appreciation of particular theories and perspectives in this area of practice.

Request Information

      You need a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to enroll in Adler University programs.

      Okay

      By submitting this form, I am giving Adler University consent to contact me by email, telephone and/or text messaging at the address(es) and telephone number(s) provided above, including wireless, even if I am on a corporate, state or national Do Not Call Registry. This consent includes contact via automated means. I understand that consent is not required to attend Adler University. The Adler University Privacy Policy governs our data collection policy.

      legal disclaimer

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