We are a psychology practicum training site operating under an agreement between the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) Student Professional Development Program and various local educational programs. Local educational programs with current training agreements in place with LACDMH are designated as Affiliated Training Partners. Our practicum program only accepts students from programs that are identified as LACDMH Affiliated Training Partners.
Application to our practicum program is facilitated through the respective training directors’ offices at the educational institutions of our Affiliated Training Partners. Only training director approved students may submit application materials for review. Upon receiving approval from their training directors, students may submit an application directly on our website.
All students undertaking practica with LACDMH at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center are required to be cleared by the LACDMH Human Resource Bureau, which involves but is not limited to successful Live Scan clearance. Students are also required to have a National Provider Identification (NPI) number prior to beginning their training at Harbor-UCLA.
The program year starts at the beginning of September and ends in mid-August of the following year. Hours on site are either 16 or 20 hours per week; the specific days and times vary by track. Please scroll down to view details of the specific tracks we offer.
Practicum Track
Adult Outpatient Program (AOP)
2026-27 Training Year: OPEN TO NEW APPLICATIONS
The AOP practicum track aims to familiarize student with evidence-based treatments, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Trainees will spend at least 50% of their time on service in direct care to clients and lead one outpatient DBT skills training group. As the AOP provides comprehensive DBT, students may also be asked to field after hours crisis phone coaching calls at times determined by the student and supervisor.
Practicum students will also complete weekly intake assessments to inform the diagnosis of mental health disorders, determine medical necessity and appropriate level of care, and guide treatment planning for clients. Students will be part of a multidisciplinary treatment team that includes psychology, psychiatry, social work, nursing, and case management
Practicum students will provide individual and group psychotherapy to adults in the AOP Clinic. The client population includes various demographic groups presenting with moderate to severe psychiatric diagnoses ranging from, but not limited to: mood and anxiety disorders, emotional dysregulation, substance use disorders, trauma, psychotic disorders, and personality disorders. Additionally, the client population may also present with multiple social determinants of health that impact their overall functioning, such as food insecurity, housing instability, and limited service access.
Required HOURS/Days
On Service: Mondays & Wednesdays
UCLA and USC students: 8:30am-5:00pm*
All other students: 8:00am-5:30pm*
*These times include a 30-minute lunch break
Assigned Supervisors
Janice Jones, PhD
Lynette Lau, PhD
Astrid Reina, PhD
Dorit Saberi, PhD (until Nov 26, 2025)
More Information
Click here to download a PDF with more detailed information about the AOP practicum track.
Required Materials
Cover Letter
2 Letters of Recommendation**
Unofficial Transcripts
CBT Case Conceptualization
** One letter required from a clinical supervisor
Practicum Track
Behavioral Medicine
2026-27 Training Year: CLOSED TO NEW APPLICATIONS
The Behavioral Medicine practicum provides training in treatment delivery to patients presenting with co-morbid medical conditions, particularly HIV/AIDS and complex pregnancy, postpartum, and gynecologic presentations. Opportunities for brief psychodiagnostic evaluation and consultation/liaison experiences may be available based on patient census/need.
Practicum students provide psychological treatments to medical patients presenting with primary psychiatric conditions and/or psychiatric sequelae impacting their medical illnesses; presenting psychiatric conditions range in severity from adjustment disorders to severe and persistent mental illnesses.
The Behavioral Medicine practicum serves safety-net medical patients representing the rich diversity of Los Angeles County. Students will train and provide psychological treatments on a service steeped in the social determinants of health, reproductive justice, and inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accountability.
Required Hours/Days
16 hours/week
Mondays & Thursdays
8:30am – 5:00pm
(half hour allocated for lunch)
Assigned Supervisors
Lynette Lau, PhD
Astrid Reina, PhD
More Information
Click here to download a PDF with more detailed information about the Behavioral Medicine practicum track.
Required Materials
Cover Letter
2 Letters of Recommendation*
Unofficial Transcripts
* One letter required from a clinical supervisor