Programs of Excellence in Scientifically Validated Psychosocial Treatment
NAMHC Concept Clearance — September 21, 2007
Presenter
Michael Kozak, Ph.D.
Chief, Adult Psychopathology and Psychosocial Interventions Branch
Division of Adult Translational Research
Goal
This initiative will support curriculum development to train clinician-scientists who can develop, test, and translate into practice innovative psychosocial treatments for addictive and mental disorders. The goals are to recognize and enhance current clinical training programs that teach and develop research-based clinical practices, and to provide a model for clinician education nationwide.
Rationale
Scientifically validated psychosocial treatments are an important resource for the amelioration of mental and substance abuse disorders. Ideally, research and clinical practice are mutually informative in the clinical training environment. However, the number of clinician-scientists who are able to contribute the development, testing, and dissemination of scientifically validated interventions does not meet the need for effective care. In addition, important research findings on effective treatments are typically not translated promptly into clinical training programs, and treatments with little scientific validation continue to be emphasized in the clinical setting. Resolving these issues is a difficult task that might be facilitated by training curricula specifically dedicated to producing clinician-scientists with up-to-date clinical and research skills.
This initiative would support the development of curricula in science-based psychosocial interventions for addictive and mental disorders. A prerequisite for these awards is a strong research training program in clinical behavioral science, with active research projects that have NIH support. Successful applications must demonstrate increased integration of science and practice, and near-term improvements in the competence of graduates to work in the area of psychosocial treatment practice and innovation.
