Research training

Our program works on the principle of “learning by doing.” We believe that the best way to train first-rate clinical scientists is to involve students intensively and continuously in doing collaborative research with established, productive investigators. This type of close working and learning relationship with mentors is the keystone of our clinical training program.

You are admitted to the program with the expectation that you will work with a particular mentor on a research program, investigating clinically relevant problems of mutual interest and in the mentor’s area of expertise. This initial participation in research enables you to become proficient in specific research methods, to become knowledgeable about the issues and literature in a problem area, and to develop competence as an investigator.

You may switch primary research advisors at any time, but that is uncommon. However, it is common for our students to become involved in research in more than one laboratory, and they often forge new collaborations between faculty both within the Clinical Science program, across areas of the department, and across departments at Indiana University.

As you gain research experience in a particular area, it is expected that you will evolve into an increasingly independent and original investigator and that by the time of the dissertation research, your relationship to the research advisor will have changed from that of an assistant to that of a research collaborator and colleague.

Our program focuses initially on high quality in-house practicum experiences taught by core faculty who are leading experts in their fields and typically involve ongoing research related to the intervention. For example, one in-house practicum examines sleep training in parent behavior training for oppositional behavior. Another practicum explores the mechanisms of change in cognitive behavior therapy interventions for depression and anxiety. The internal practicum are specifically designed to integrate clinical training with research questions. The in-house practicum also use intensive observation and supervision.

After successfully completing an in-house practicum, our students participate in external practicum taught by adjunct faculty members and close colleagues. These practicum experiences include such experiences as:

• neuropsychological testing with children, adolescents, and adults
• out-patient therapy for children and adolescents
• out-patient therapy for severe mental illness at the Indianapolis VA
• inpatient assessment and therapy for severe mental illness in adolescents or adults

As a reflection of the clinical science orientation that our students bring to external training settings, several students in recent years have published papers or book chapters in collaboration with their clinical supervisors.