Fellowship Training

The Interventional Psychiatry Fellowship at the UTHealth Houston Center for Interventional Psychiatry is a year-long advanced clinical and academic training program designed to prepare psychiatrists for leadership in the emerging field of interventional psychiatry and the comprehensive care of treatment-resistant and complex psychiatric disorders. Fellows gain hands-on experience managing a broad spectrum of conditions using evidence-based procedural and neuromodulation-based therapies.

Program Overview

The fellowship provides a dynamic, immersive learning environment that integrates intensive clinical exposure, interdisciplinary collaboration, and scholarly development. The program emphasizes mastery of advanced treatment modalities and clinical decision-making in complex settings.

Length: 1 year (e.g., July 1–June 30)
Accreditation: Texas Medical Board (program is not ACGME-accredited)
Positions: Typically 1 per academic year
Eligibility: Completion of an ACGME-accredited psychiatry residency; qualification for Texas medical licensure; USMLE Step I and II, with Step III by the start of the fellowship (ECFMG certification required for international graduates).

Clinical and Procedural Training

Fellows rotate through comprehensive clinical settings, gaining expertise across the full continuum of psychiatric care, including:

  • Outpatient evaluation and management at the UT Physicians Interventional Psychiatry Clinic
  • Inpatient care at the John S. Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center
  • Structured program involvement in treatment-resistant depression, bipolar disorder, catatonia, and other refractory conditions
  • Procedural training in advanced neuromodulation and interventional therapies such as:
    • Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
    • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
    • Intranasal esketamine and intravenous ketamine therapies
    • Exposure to investigational approaches such as Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST), Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) when clinically and ethically appropriate

The fellowship emphasizes competent, safe, and evidence-based delivery of these modalities, with graduated clinical responsibility and close faculty supervision.

Scholarly Development

Fellows are supported in engaging with research, quality improvement, and educational projects. The program offers opportunities to:

  • Participate in clinical trials and translational research
  • Present at academic meetings
  • Contribute to peer-reviewed publications
  • Engage in interdisciplinary case discussions and journal clubs

This scholarly focus reflects the Center’s commitment to advancing the science and clinical practice of interventional psychiatry.

Mentorship and Collaboration

Training is conducted under the guidance of experienced faculty and program leadership:

  • Program Director: Joao L. de Quevedo, MD, PhD
  • Fellowship Coordinator: Courtney Liddell, MPA

Fellows benefit from a collaborative environment with opportunities for multidisciplinary interaction with neurology, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, psychology, and rehabilitation specialists.

Application and How to Apply

Candidates are selected through a competitive process. Application materials typically include:

  • Personal statement
  • Curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Three letters of recommendation

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates are encouraged to contact the program leadership for submission details.

Program Mission

The Interventional Psychiatry Fellowship seeks to cultivate clinician-scholars who are equipped to:

  • Deliver advanced treatments for complex psychiatric illness
  • Drive innovation in clinical practice and research
  • Educate colleagues and trainees
  • Lead initiatives that expand access to high-quality psychiatric care

Through this rigorous, integrated training experience, graduates are positioned to become leaders in interventional psychiatry, contributing to improved patient outcomes for those with the most challenging forms of psychiatric illness.

Contact for Fellowship Information

For additional information about the Interventional Psychiatry Fellowship, including program structure, eligibility, and application details, prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the fellowship team:

Fellowship Coordinator
Courtney Liddell, MPA
📧 [email protected]

General inquiries may also be directed to the
UTHealth Houston Center for Interventional Psychiatry
📞 (713) 486-2621

Applicants are welcome to reach out with questions regarding training experiences, application timelines, or program expectations.