@UI&U Newsletter - July 2010

UI&U’s Psy.D. Program: Preparing Learners to Make A Difference in the Lives of Individuals, Families, and the Community

Michael Fitzpatrick performs at New Thought
Unity Center, May 2010 On May 21 in Cincinnati, more than 150 people gathered at the New Thought Unity Center near Union Institute & University’s main campus in Cincinnati. They were there, not only to hear renowned cellist Michael Fitzpatrick, but also to celebrate the launch of UI&U’s Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation, a component of the university’s Doctor of Psychology program in clinical psychology.

Afterwards, concertgoers – including learners and faculty from the Psy.D. program, members of New Thought Unity, as well as people from the Cincinnati community  - joined UI&U President Dr. Roger H. Sublett and Fitzpatrick, a longtime collaborator with the Dalai Lama, for a spirited reception.

“The evening was a reflection of what the Psy.D. program is all about,” says Dr. William Lax, dean of the program. “It wasn’t just about music or about teaching people about mindfulness. It had multiple aspects. It touched people, and it brought together people from the larger community with a wide range of experiences and interests.“

Three years since its inception, UI&U’s Psy.D. program is attracting a diverse group of learners who are inquisitive, creative, and ready to make a difference in the world around them. “They are sophisticated learners, interested in posing questions and finding solutions . They are concerned with the future and how to address injustices on individual, family, and societal levels,” says  Lax.  The program aims to integrate scientific study with real-world practice, so learners become excellent therapists, able to perform a wide array of assessments and consultations. The program’s blended delivery model also makes it attractive to adults who need to balance their family, career, and social responsibilities.  But what sets it apart from a number of other Psy.D. programs is its goal of educating learners to become leaders in the promotion and advancement of social justice.

Dr. Jennifer Ossege leads a discussion during the May 2010
Psy.D. residency in Cincinnati, Ohio

This is well-reflected in the Psy.D. academic meetings that take place both in Cincinnati or Brattleboro, Vermont, twice each year, when learners and faculty gather for a week of intensive study. For example, at the last academic meeting, held in Cincinnati, Psy.D.,  learners and faculty gathered for a banquet held at Cincinnati’ s National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. At every academic meeting, guest speakers and faculty encourage learners to engage in dialogue about important social issues. Not all share the same theoretical approach or point of view, says Lax, but “they all share an interest in how our work can have an impact on the larger picture.”

The Psy.D. department is constantly seeking ways to incorporate new approaches to clinical psychology into its program. The new Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Mediation, for example, will provide a forum through which professionals and the public can share information, link resources, and provide networking opportunities. It was spearheaded by Psy.D. core faculty Dr. Richard Sears, who plans to use the center to sponsor workshops and meetings, host a book and video library, and to assist in the creation of a peer-reviewed journal. Dr. Sears has also formed an advisory board with members from within UI&U, other colleges and universities, and from the professional community.

“The field itself is being embraced by psychologists now more than ever,” says Sears, of mindfulness therapy and practice. “It’s wonderful to be a part of an institution that is at the forefront of mindfulness research.”

Psy.D. department staff and faculty are also currently working on a program called the Latino Family Studies Initiative, with the goal of offering a concentration that focuses on serving the Latino/Hispanic  population.  The program will also serve as  a resource for other scholars and practitioners seeking guidance for their own work with this population.

“In the next 20 years, the Latino population in America is going to grow significantly, and yet currently, there is  a very small number of psychologists in the States trained to work with this population,” says Lax. “There is an opportunity now to reach out to the community to fill an important need.”

The Psy.D. program is also approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists, and is looking forward to expanding these lifelong educational opportunities for psychologists in the greater Cincinnati area.

“What is unique about the Psy.D. program is that we employ a scholar/practitioner model that creates a very dynamic and supportive environment,” says Dr. Sears. “We’re attracting learners who want to make an impact, who want to make things better.”