State Probation-Specialize Substance Abuse Supervision Unit (SSAS)

Patients admitted to the SSAS unit are individuals with current felony drug charges that are at a high risk for substance use and criminogenic recidivism. As the primary psychological consultant at the SSAS unit, advanced graduate students work closely with SSAS officers regarding client problematic behaviors and possibly correspond with substance abuse treatment facilities within the community. Advanced graduate student externs also provide empirically-based individual psychotherapy for individuals with a range of co-morbid substance use and mental health problems. Clients include both men and women of varying ages and typically represent a diverse population of ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Other responsibilities include conducting semi-structured diagnostic interviews and scoring and interpreting SCL-90's as baseline assessments for individuals screened for the program. The extern is expected to co-facilitate anger management and trauma-focused groups with the possibility of performing other groups if deemed necessary. Junior lab members have the opportunity to co-lead the group treatment.