Tracks and Rotations

In order to provide both depth and breadth of training, the CPMC Health Psychology Fellowship is comprised of both 12-month specialization tracks and clinical rotations. For depth of training, Fellows complete a year-long training concentration in either Psycho-Oncology or Women’s Mental Health, spending approximately three days per week on their primary track.

For breadth of training, Fellows complete elective rotations in Behavioral Cardiology, Neurogastroenterology and Palliative Care Communication Skills Training.

Specialization Tracks

Psycho-Oncology Track (12 months). Fellows provide psychological services to cancer patients and their families immediately following diagnosis, throughout active treatment, and during transitions to survivorship or palliative care. We have established collaborations with the Breast Cancer Recovery Program, Chemotherapy Infusion Clinic, Radiation Oncology, and Palliative Care Clinic to offer services across the entire continuum of care. Fellows provide on-site consultations, deliver short- and long-term psychotherapy, and lead breast cancer support groups. Our well-developed oncology distress screening program enables us to identify at-risk patients and connect them to our psychosocial team, including nurse navigators, social workers and health psychology staff.

Women’s Mental Health Track (12 months). Working closely with obstetrics specialists, fellows offer a range of psychological services for women and their partners facing challenges with postpartum anxiety and depression, miscarriage, infant loss, and pregnancy termination. Fellows are integrated into the Women’s Clinic at our CPMC Mission Bernal Campus and provide on-site consultation, short-term psychotherapy, targeted behavioral interventions, educational classes, and post-partum support groups. Our Women’s Clinic serves a diverse patient population and emphasizes the delivery of community-based perinatal care. Fellows also provide consultation on our Labor and Delivery Center, Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit (MFM), and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and carry a caseload of outpatient psychotherapy cases through our Perinatal Health and Wellness Program.

Clinical Rotations

Behavioral Cardiology Rotation (6 months): As part of our interdisciplinary Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, Fellows work closely with cardiology physicians, nurses, and exercise physiologists to improve psychological adjustment and help patients make significant behavioral and lifestyle changes. Following an acute cardiac event or procedure, fellows offer consultation, short- and long-term psychotherapy, and support groups. Opportunities exist for providing neurocognitive testing, developing health promotion and disease prevention programs, and providing educational classes for the local community.

Neurogastroenterology Rotation (6 months): Fellows provide psychological assessment and targeted behavioral interventions as part of an interdisciplinary Neurogastroenterology and Motility program focusing on the treatment of functional GI disorders.  In close collaboration with physicians and nurses, our team performs pre-procedure evaluations for patients being considered for implantation of a gastric stimulator.  Due to the complexity of brain-gut interactions, our fellows have an opportunity to develop expertise working with a patient population with chronic pain, somatoform disorders, and complex trauma.

Palliative Care Communication Skills Training (4 months): Fellows provide communication skills training to first-year CPMC Internal Medicine Residents as part of their two-week rotation with the Palliative Care Service. Based on direct observation of simulated patient encounters, the fellow evaluates the resident’s communication skills, provides direct feedback about areas of improvement, and leads a series of one-to-one trainings on giving bad news and facilitating difficult conversations about end-of-life issues.

Collaborative Assessment Training (3 months): Psychological assessment is a core competency for professional practice and considered an integral component of psychology training programs. Fellows will complete a three-month Collaborative Assessment Rotation, completing at least one comprehensive battery during their rotation, although additional assessments (e.g., screening batteries), can be completed based on interest and availability. Assessment cases are generally selected from the Assessment Fellow’s current caseload or by other Fellows from their Tracks/Rotations.