Clinical Training

Clinical training is an integral part of our clinical science program and is attained through a combination of resources on campus and in the Los Angeles community. In conjunction with coursework, first year students participate in an assessment placement conducting cognitive, personality, and behavioral assessments with a variety of clients seen through the on-campus clinic. Our diprac (didactic-practicum) model of training for second and third year students provides an integrated educational and application model with in-depth supervised clinical experience. We offer year-long dipracs on the following populations: adults; older adults; and children, couples and families. External clinical placements may be arranged during a student’s fourth or fifth year, depending on the student’s specific interests and training needs. Such placements have included the Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Harbor-UCLA, outreach parenting programs, and The Help Group. Students also have the opportunity to work at a local school, conducting both assessments and therapy.

Students complete an APA-approved year-long clinical internship prior to being awarded the Ph.D. in clinical science. They typically complete this internship during the sixth year of training but it could be done during the fifth or seventh years. USC students have done well in the nationwide match process for highly regarded, fully funded internships.

Psychology Services Center

    Who is the PSC?

    The clinical science program established the Psychology Services Center (PSC) to provide cutting-edge, empirically supported, low-cost outpatient services to the individuals in Los Angeles and the USC community. The Older Adult Counseling Center, housed within the PSC, provides services for problems related to aging. The PSC is an integral part of the clinical science Ph.D. program, where students receive advanced, research-based instruction in psychological assessment and interventions. The PSC embodies the mission of the program to train students in the integration of science and application.

    As the PSC is a teaching clinic, services are provided via a team approach in which students work closely with a supervisor who is a Ph.D. psychologist – either a faculty member in our program or a clinical supervisor in the community. Sessions with clients are video-recorded and viewed by the student’s supervisor, so that collaborative, evidence-based supervision can enhance the student’s training and ensure high quality services for all clients. Students also have the opportunity to view their own sessions to further develop their training and learning.

    What services are provided?

    The PSC provides a wide range of assessment and therapeutic services, for example:

    – Psychological assessment for children with emotional and educational challenges

    – Psychological assessment for adults with a wide variety of emotional, cognitive, or educational concerns

    – Individual therapy to address a variety of emotional problems (for example, anxiety and depression) as well as to cope with complicated life circumstances (bereavement, divorce, and other life stressors)

    – Couples therapy for conflict, mistrust, and problems in communication

    – Parenting and family therapy to foster family and individual adjustment throughout the family life cycle and with particular focus on children’s behavioral, emotional and school difficulties

    Commitment to Diversity

    The PSC is committed to providing services to traditionally underserved populations, historically marginalized communities, individuals who identify as LBTQ+, older adults, individuals with physical illness, and children and families with a history of violence exposure. Students typically see a wide range of presenting concerns via their training in the PSC.

    The Director of the Psychology Services Center is Dr. Lauren Shapiro.

    The Program Administrator of the Psychology Services Center is Erika Quinly.

    Contact Info

    Please visit the clinic website for more information. To make an appointment, please call 213-740-1600.