Psychological Trauma Program

Los Angeles County + University of Southern California
Medical Center


323-226-6312
 

NOTE: Due to reorganization and relocation of LAC+USC Medical Center psychiatric services, we are temporarily unable to receive trauma referrals. Please check this site for updated information

Program Description and Patient Acceptance Criteria

Description:  An outpatient program for adult residents of Los Angeles County who have experienced a significant psychological trauma and who lack sufficient financial resources or insurance for private mental health services, but qualify for Los Angeles County funding. 

The Psychological Trauma Clinic provides dynamically-informed cognitive-behavioral therapy, using methods that have been shown in treatment outcome studies to be helpful in resolving post-traumatic stress. The clinic is directed by John Briere, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology, along with Medical Director, Catherine Scott, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry.  The clinic  is staffed by 3rd Year psychiatric residents and by one or more 4th year specializing residents.  Click here for a short article on this clinic.

Appropriate referrals are individuals who have experienced:

bullet physical or sexual assaults
bullet shootings or stabbings
bullet motor vehicle accidents
bullet disasters, severe storms (e.g., hurricanes), or earthquakes
bullet being present during the violent death or injury of others
bullet kidnapping, torture, or hostage situations
bullet serious burns (e.g., recently discharged burn patients)

Symptoms:

Eligible individuals should be experiencing clinically significant flashbacks or other intrusive symptoms, hyper-arousal, numbing, or trauma-related distress (e.g., post-traumatic depression or fears, dissociation). A full diagnosis of PTSD or ASD is not necessary for admission to this clinic.

Exclusion criteria, based on the shorter-term focus of this clinic:

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Current involvement in a battering relationship (i.e., a relationship in which the patient has been assaulted by his/her partner within the last three months).
bullet Substance addiction (including alcohol)
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Current involvement in the judicial or law enforcement system for criminal (including non-violent) behavior.
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Those who are existing patients (i.e., have an "open" case) at another Los Angeles County mental health center, unless a transfer to LAC+USC outpatient psychiatry can be effected.
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In many cases, only English- or Spanish-speaking patients will be accepted - contact the Trauma Clinic in case there is a psychiatric resident who speaks the language of someone who you want to refer.

Referral procedure:

Clinicians: Call 323-226-6312 , briefly describing the patient and trauma exposure, and leaving your name, position, and phone/pager number.

Self-referrals: If you need trauma services, and believe you meet the eligibility criteria outlined above, call 323-226-6312 and leave a message. A clinic staff person will call you back. Be sure to clearly state your phone number .

 

Please note: The Psychological Trauma Clinic is not an emergency service, and operates from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. Call-backs from the Trauma Clinic line may take one or more days. Please refer patients to a local emergency room or trauma center if emergency treatment or crisis intervention is needed.