PMHNP Clinical Practicum I

1 Credit · Level: Graduate

This clinical practicum introduces students to the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental, episodic, and acute psychiatric conditions. The clinical experience provides opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary teams in the context of unique therapeutic structures and processes in the mental health care setting that promote safety, comfort, and stabilization. Through mindful and self-reflective practice, students will develop greater self-awareness and self-confidence in establishing therapeutic relationships with patients and their families. Students will develop skill in psychiatric evaluation and mental status examination, and in synthesizing relevant patient-specific information into integrative biopsychosocial case formulations with differential diagnosis and treatment planning based on patient factors and acuity. Clinical discussions will provide students with opportunities to develop a trauma-informed approach to person-centered care and clinical reasoning, with consideration of cultural diversity, preferences, values, resources, and the impact of social and structural factors on mental health.