The Psychological Services Center’s primary research mission is to examine variables that impact the effectiveness of psychotherapy in a naturalistic environment.  Conducting research outside the highly controlled laboratory setting necessarily means that many different variables come into play when trying to understand how psychotherapy can minimize mental health symptoms and promote recovery and wellness.

But while some degree of laboratory control is lost, we gain the opportunity to understand how psychological interventions exert their impact in a “typical” community setting, which is ultimately where most clients will receive services.

As a training clinic associated the the Clinical Psychology Program, the Psychological Services Center is also interested in developing models of clinical training, continuing education, and clinical supervision.  Some research projects examine the role that supervision plays in the treatment process, as well as ways to foster training in this setting.