DCT Corner

Letter from the Director of Clinical Training

JASON SCHIFFMAN, PHD

It takes no more than a glance at our statement of purpose (shown on page 1) to realize that we have big dreams for our fledgling clinical program.

Being a new faculty member to UCI and the Director of Clinical Training, I didn’t know what to expect in this endeavor or how far we could go towards reaching these goals. With a world-renowned reputation for scientific distinction in basic psychological science, I knew our program would be ensconced within a department of the highest academic caliber. However, excellence in science is necessary but not sufficient in building a great program. The true mettle of a clinical program derives from the spirits and hearts of those who compose and support it. Fortunately, upon meeting the faculty (clinical and not clinical alike) and staff here, I knew instantly that our community was replete with the quality of character needed for us to flourish. I quickly learned that UCI’s Department of Psychological Science is a model of excellence and kindness, with everyone here leading with compassion and competence, and being wholly dedicated to the vision of creating something more than any one of us could on our own. As just one of countless examples, our Chair, Susan Charles, tirelessly advocates for the program, doing so since its inception. Susan’s dedication is contagious, with the entire department fully committed to lifting the new clinical program on its collective shoulders. This is the spirit and foundation from which the clinical program grows.

Although optimistic, given the tremendous support of UCI and its faculty and staff, it wasn’t until the fall, when I met our first cohort of students, that I realized our program would exceed even the most ambitious aspirations. From the prevention of serious mental illness, to addressing the impacts of early life adversity and trauma, to understanding the mindbody connection in the process of aging, to disseminating scientific knowledge to the community, Aru, David, Emily, Fatemah, Kit, Lychee, Madeline, Miranda, and Rosa made it immediately apparent that this group is tackling some of the most challenging and mysterious aspects of the human condition. Notably, each of these burgeoning scholars recognizes the importance and power of equity, emphasizing diversity and inclusivity in their work and thought, and leveraging science to raise the floor for the most vulnerable and marginalized among us. Brilliance, compassion, inclusivity, and difference-making were on full display every day from these students during the first quarter.

In addition to classes in stats and assessment, the cohort has been busy changing the community for the better. They are pursuing a service project intended to broaden and diversify the future of the clinical psychology workforce through an outreach and

"The true mettle of a clinical program derives from the spirits and hearts of those who compose and support it. "

mentorship program to undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds. They also spearheaded a suicide prevention training with the UCI Counseling Center attended by faculty, staff, and students throughout the Department; made meaningful contributions to their research labs; and have progressed on their clinically relevant individual master’s projects. If a program is only as good as the students it attracts, then there simply is no ceiling for us.

We’ve gotten off to a strong start and are excited to continue to ride that momentum into the new year. We are recruiting a full-time Clinic Director for an in-house training, research, and services clinic housed in Social Ecology and serving the community through low-cost intervention and assessment. (If you or someone you know might be interested in this position, please let me know). We are also excited about recruiting our second cohort of students, with nearly 400 incredibly qualified applicants applying from around the world for just 6 coveted spots. We look forward to a lecture series centered around inclusive excellence, hope to host a Clinical Psychology oneday symposium in the fall, and will explore opportunities for collaboration and training with our many community mental health partners in the area. Additionally, Social Ecology is welcoming a new Dean, Jon Gould, who has already expressed strong support for the program. Dean Gould will undoubtedly provide vision and creativity, as we transform the program into a crown jewel within the university and beyond.

All of our endeavors to date, and our plans moving forward, point us towards reaching our goals of generating new and diverse knowledge in the service of improving the lives of others. We have a community of warmth and excellence in place to support an indescribably talented and driven class of students. These students are eager to continue growing into tomorrow’s leaders and recognize their potential to bring tremendous good into the world if done in partnership with others.

The success of our program will be dependent on the support of like-minded people who aren't already connected to it. If you believe in our goals and feel that together we can make a difference, we would love to connect with you. Our program is looking for mentors from the mental health field who can provide practicum opportunities for our students and enrich their training. No matter your background, UCI's Clinical Psychology program is a sound investment if you view the urgency of developing leaders to improve our community and beyond. Ultimately, we know we can go further together, and are grateful for your support on this journey.