Florida Tech Renews Partnership Integrating Mental, Physical Health Training for Psy.D. Students

After five years of implementing integrative mental and physical health training for Florida Tech Psy.D. students, the School of Psychology is renewing its partnership with the institutions that made these learning experiences possible: Winter Haven Hospital Foundation and Florida State University’s (FSU) College of Medicine.

The partnership, established by Florida Tech alumnus Joel Thomas M.B.A. ‘97 and assistant professor of clinical psychology Patrick Aragon in 2020, fosters collaboration between Psy.D. students and students in FSU’s medical residency program. It gives doctoral students from both programs a chance to gain unique clinical experience while helping expand access to mental health services in Polk County.

“It is very important for patients to have their mental health addressed alongside their physical health,” said Lisa Steelman, Interim Dean of Florida Tech’s College of Psychology and Liberal Arts. “The students on both sides learn a lot from each other.”

Thirteen Florida Tech students have taken part since the program was established. Thomas, who retired this year, said the program has “dramatically” increased access to care in the community as Florida Tech students have served more than 2,000 patients since the program began.

In addition to the renewed partnership, the foundation is also working with Steelman to add new initiatives, such as a scholarship for Winter Haven Hospital employees to pursue a behavioral health certificate in applied behavior analysis (ABA) at Florida Tech.

The foundation is also implementing an ABA and Autism Spectrum Community Education Program through Florida Tech’s Scott Center for Autism Treatment. This initiative will equip families and health care professionals with skills to help children with developmental disorders and to better navigate the healthcare system.

These programs will ideally help reduce patient anxieties about healthcare interventions, especially routine treatments such as dental and annual physical checkups and promote more positive patient outcomes, Steelman said. She’s excited about the positive impacts they could have on families affected by autism and other developmental disorders.

“At Florida Tech we are committed to both training students and serving the community,” Steelman said. “These collaborations not only strengthen vital community support but also provide training for future behavior analysis therapists. Together we are building a more inclusive and compassionate network of care for individuals on the autism spectrum.”