Visiting Scholars Program

The Visiting Scholars Program at the UTHealth Houston Center for Interventional Psychiatry offers short-term, immersive educational experiences for psychiatrists, researchers, trainees, and allied mental health professionals seeking focused exposure to interventional psychiatry, treatment-resistant mood disorders, and complex psychiatric care.

The program is designed for individuals interested in observing and learning from a comprehensive academic center with integrated clinical care, research, and education missions.

Program Overview

Visiting scholars participate in customized observational experiences tailored to their professional background, interests, and duration of stay. Experiences may range from several days to several weeks, depending on availability and program goals.

The Visiting Scholars Program emphasizes:

  • Exposure to advanced interventional psychiatry practices
  • Observation of care across the full continuum of treatment
  • Engagement with faculty, fellows, and trainees
  • Academic exchange and collaborative discussion

Areas of Exposure

Depending on scheduling and clinical appropriateness, visiting scholars may observe:

  • Interventional psychiatry services, including:
    • Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
    • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
    • Ketamine-based therapies
    • Esketamine (SPRAVATO®) treatment
  • Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) Program, across outpatient, IOP, PHP, and inpatient settings
  • Inpatient psychiatric care on DCB 4C at the John S. Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center
  • Multidisciplinary case conferences, rounds, and didactic sessions
  • Research meetings and discussions related to mood disorders and neuromodulation

All experiences are observational and conducted in accordance with institutional policies, patient privacy regulations, and clinical safety standards.

Eligibility

The Visiting Scholars Program is open to:

  • Psychiatrists and psychiatry trainees
  • Clinical psychologists and researchers
  • Fellows and postdoctoral scholars
  • International visitors with appropriate institutional sponsorship

Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis based on professional background, objectives, and program capacity.

Academic Exchange and Collaboration

In addition to clinical observation, visiting scholars are encouraged to:

  • Participate in academic discussions and educational activities
  • Share perspectives from their home institutions
  • Explore opportunities for future collaboration in research, education, or program development

The program supports bidirectional academic exchange and the dissemination of best practices in interventional psychiatry.

Program Limitations

The Visiting Scholars Program:

  • Does not provide hands-on clinical responsibilities
  • Does not confer clinical privileges or certification
  • Is not a pathway to licensure or employment

Participation is strictly observational and educational.

How to Apply / Request Information

Individuals interested in the Visiting Scholars Program should submit an inquiry including:

  • Curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Institutional affiliation
  • Proposed dates and duration
  • Specific areas of interest

Contact for Visiting Scholars Program:
📧 [email protected]
📞 (713) 486-2621

Requests are reviewed on a rolling basis, subject to faculty availability and institutional approval.