7 - (3MIN 3) Training Future Psychologists on Evidence-based Treatments to Support Equitable Health for All

Training in evidence-based treatments (EBTs) has become an important part of predoctoral psychology internship programs. Tailored training and supervision becomes especially important when working with historically underserved populations. It is important that medical systems recognize and actively work to address disparities in mental health to integrate EBTs into practice in culturally meaningful and sustainable ways. One way is by ensuring that future psychologists receive specialized training on how to incorporate these practices into their work during internship, while also understanding how to adapt this work flexibly in the future. This writer has been implementing two EBTs with psychology trainees over the last several years (2022 - present). The setting is a safety net hospital in a large metro area, serving a diverse population, majority Latine, many of whom are struggling with multiple systemic factors impacting physical and behavioral health disparities. The EBTs offered for group supervision and training with this writer include Alternatives for Families: A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT) and Trauma-Focused Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). AF-CBT focuses on families with a history of physical abuse or harsh discipline, child physical aggression, and/or high level of conflict causing communication rupture. TF-CBT focuses on children and adolescents who may have experienced one or more traumatic events and working with a supportive caregiver to improve emotion regulation and strengthen safety. Both models have research supporting use with diverse populations. However, many trainees shy away from working with these cases, and particularly struggle with implementing EBTs when families may be experiencing multisystemic factors contributing to overall dysregulation. By providing supportive supervision and training, the hope is that a greater number of trainees will feel confident providing these important services in the future, thereby increasing the availability and accessibility of high-quality care for all children and families. In addition to providing training at the beginning of the year with a particular focus on how to adapt these models to the populations served, biweekly consultation groups are held for trainees working on these models. This is an addition to what is required within the models (monthly), providing extra support for those at the trainee level. Surveys have been administered to trainees throughout each year, looking at how confidence levels and future intent to deliver the service improved throughout the year. Reflections and directions for future training will be discussed.