Graduate Student Training
Pictured: Dr. Julia Buckner (center) during Anxiety and Addictive Behaviors Team clinical supervision with graduate student therapists
Dr. Buckner will accept applications for graduate student admissions for the upcoming academic year.
Graduate students working with Dr. Buckner receive specialized training in research methodologies focused on understanding and treating anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and their co-occurrence. Training follows a clinical scientist model, with a strong emphasis on experiential training in research methodology and dissemination.
Training is provided through three core avenues:
- Didactic instruction in relevant theories and methodologies
- Active involvement in a range of ongoing research projects
- Supervised clinical experience, in which students provide evidence-based assessment and treatment services under Dr. Buckner’s supervision, often in interprofessional settings
Students are encouraged not only to contribute to current projects but also to develop their own program of research. Through these immersive experiences, students receive experiential training in the overall process of clinical research - from conceptualization and study design to data collection, data analysis, publication, and presentation.
Our lab emphasizes the scientific method as a tool for understanding cognitive and behavioral processes central to psychopathology. In addition to research expertise, students are supported in scientific writing, public speaking, critical thinking, and dissemination strategies. The overarching objective is to train students as ethical, competent clinical scientists with a strong foundation in scientific methodology and dissemination. See our lab alumni page for information on our team’s alumni placements.
Clinical Training Sites
LSU Anxiety and Addictive Behaviors Clinic
Graduate students working with Dr. Buckner obtain clinical experience and training in the context of the AABC, a specialty clinic housed within the Louisiana State University Psychological Services Center (PSC). At the AABC, graduate students conduct assessments and empirically supported treatments in this outpatient clinic. Cases seen include patients from the greater Baton Rouge area with primary anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, dually diagnosed patients, and students referred for treatment following violation of campus drug and alcohol use policies. Sessions can be conducted in-person or remotely using video conferencing.
Our Lady of the Lake Hospital
Graduate students working with Dr. Buckner can obtain experiential training in evidence-based clinical work in several units of Our Lady of the Lake Hospital. Graduate students obtain experience working as part of an interdisciplinary team with psychiatry residents and other medical staff. They conduct assessments and empirically supported treatments with adults in the LSU-OLOL Psychiatry Resident Outpatient Clinic. They also conduct MET-CBT for opioid use disorder at the Clinic’s MOUD clinic. Sessions can be conducted in-person or remotely using video conferencing. Students can also lead groups using MET-CBT for substance use disorders at inpatient psychiatry units and conduct brief motivation-based interventions (e.g., SBIRT) in inpatient medical units.
St Christopher’s Addiction Wellness Center
Beginning Fall 2023, graduate students working with Dr. Buckner can obtain clinical experience and training at St. Christopher’s. Graduate students can obtain experience working with patients in an inpatient and/or outpatient center for treatment of substance use disorders. They will conduct evidence-based clinical work with adult male patients with substance use disorders.
More information on the clinical psychology program at LSU, can be found on the Clinical Psychology Training Program page.