Practicum Training

Psychological Services Center

The Psychological Services Center (PSC) is located on the SHSU campus and operated by the doctoral program. Services are provided by doctoral students under the supervision of Doctoral Program Faculty and Staff Psychologists. The PSC has a dual mission of providing general clinical services to the community and providing forensic services to the criminal justice system.

The PSC provides assessment and treatment to adults, children, families, and couples. The facility provides services to clients with an extremely wide variety of psychopathology ranging from adjustment disorders to severe mood disorders to active psychosis. All second year students are placed here for their initial therapy and assessment experience. Two advanced students are assigned as clinic coordinators to assist the Clinic Director with administration and engage in peer supervision of junior students. A number of more senior students generally pick up therapy and assessment cases.

In addition to the aforementioned clinical services, many students conduct numerous forensic assessments under faculty and staff supervision through the PSC. These evaluations address a wide range of psycholegal issues, including assessment of various competencies, criminal responsibility, juvenile transfer, and risk assessment with both adults and juveniles.

Each student assigned to the PSC participates in the monthly supervision and consultation seminar in clinical supervision conducted by the Clinic Director. This includes completing assigned readings and participating in class discussions. All students will additionally serve as peer mentors for at least one semester.

Austin State Hospital

This is a large inpatient hospital serving populations throughout the state. This allows students to experience a wide variety of severe psychopathology, as well as familiarizing them with interdisciplinary practice within a hospital setting. The hospital provides a range of forensic and general clinical assessment and treatment training opportunities.

Montgomery and Harris County Juvenile Probation

These agencies serve incarcerated and probated juveniles in the Houston area. Student clinicians conduct a wide range of assessments and some therapy, and are able to participate in some forensic evaluations. Clients come from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Montgomery County Jail

Students at this site provide individual and group psychotherapy, including brief intervention and short-term therapy as needed. Group treatment topics include psychoeducation, coping skills, substance use treatment, and psychopathy related to depression, anxiety, personality issues, traumatic experiences, etc. They work closely with both medical and correctional staff, as well as other mental health providers, to assure that mental health needs are met.

Private Practice

Optimal Center for Brain Health. This practicum site is a group private practice located in the city of Houston. Under the supervision of Dr. Andres Tapia, students take part in all aspects of neuropsychological assessment with a diverse population. The site places emphasis on providing differential diagnoses to referring treatment providers, generally in the domain of neurocognitive disorders.

Jennifer Rockett, Ph.D. Dr. Rockett maintains a solo private practice in Brazos County, Texas. She provides therapy services to the general public, particularly to those dealing with trauma and anxiety. She also has a substantial forensic assessment practice. In addition to the services provided by SHSU, she also works in areas of family law and public safety evaluations. This practicum site provides students the opportunity to learn about establishing and maintaining a private forensic practice.

Rusk State Hospital

Rusk State Hospital is a JCAHO accredited inpatient psychiatric hospital serving most of east Texas. Patients are both civil and court ordered; there is both chronic and acute care (length of stay ranging from a week to 30 years). Students may participate in both treatment and assessment.

Texas A & M Telehealth
Counseling Clinic

This is a unique operation offering services to distant sites throughout southeast Texas via telehealth technology. Students have the opportunity to provide psychotherapy services to a variety of clientele at a distance using telemethods. In addition to experience providing therapy services, students will learn about the unique challenges and ethical issues of providing services via teleconferencing.

UT Harris County Psychiatric Center

This is a University of Texas teaching hospital that provides comprehensive inpatient care to individuals with serious mental illnesses (including schizophrenia, severe mood disorders, and behavioral and adjustment problems). There is a rotation exclusively working with adults that is generally very short term. There is also a rotation working with children and adolescents who generally have longer stays. Students may be involved in both assessment and treatment.

Walker County Department of Community Supervision and Corrections

Students at Walker County have the opportunity to provide both therapy and assessment services to adults who are currently on probation. They also give crisis intervention assistance to those who may require medical referral or hospitalization. In addition, they provide consultation to officers in the department, both in terms of individual clients and the overall streamlining and improvement of the operation.