Psychology Department:  About The Institute of Living

A teaching hospital founded in 1822, The Institute of Living is one of the nation's foremost psychiatric hospitals. Formerly one of the largest private mental health facilities in the country, the hospital now contains 110 beds for inpatients, adult and child outpatient clinics, evening alcohol and substance programs and four partial hospitalization programs. The diversity of its services offers an extraordinary opportunity for psychologists in training seeking a broad based training program in Clinical Psychology. The Institute of Living's integration with Hartford Hospital, a major teaching hospital and long-time neighbor has broadened the role and functions of the Psychology Service and made available additional training opportunities.

The Donnelly Building houses The Institute's inpatient programs.

The hospital setting includes 35 acres of finely landscaped grounds less than a mile from downtown Hartford; a proximity that affords recreational opportunities for both patients and staff. The Institute is a fully accredited teaching hospital with residency programs in adult and child psychiatry for physicians and internship positions for nurses, psychologists, social workers, and occupational therapists.

The Institute has long held that the most important source of knowledge about human behavior is derived through patients.

Individuals who seek treatment at the Institute suffer from a wide variety of emotional disorders, are of all ages and backgrounds, and are referred by private therapists and other hospitals throughout the Connecticut area. Length of stay has followed recent trends in mental health delivery systems with the move toward brief treatment and evaluation with transition to partial hospitalization programs. Inpatient and outpatient services also accept children, adolescents and adults, and geriatric patients. In addition, the hospital has expanded its commitment to provide preventive and treatment services to the local urban community and as a component of Hartford Hospital, serves a culturally diverse population. In addition to individual psychotherapy sessions conducted by therapists, broad programs of group therapy and family therapy are also offered.

The hospitals therapeutic school programs provide services to elementary, middle, and high school students while providing individual and group psychotherapies.

Finally, a consultation service brings together the collective wisdom of staff in evaluating and treating patients who present with complex treatment challenges.

The oldest building on The Institute's grounds, Center Building, was constructed in 1822-23.

The 35 acre grounds at the Institute were landscaped by architect Fredrick Olmstead, designer of New York Central Park. Scattered statuary, stately trees, fountains, and the brick and beam of English Tudor buildings speak of continuity with the past and hope for the future. The geographic location of the Institute makes possible a wide choice of recreation facilities, as well as being located almost midway between New York and Boston.

The administrative organization of the psychology staff assures that interns have access to senior psychologists and other professional staff who have a thorough knowledge of their patients. The Institute places great importance on the responsibility of each intern for his/her patients and deems equally important that the intern have experienced professionals to call upon for guidance. Clinical supervision is a crucial element of the internship program because it allows for the development and refinement of the skills of psychotherapy. The average ratio of therapy hours to supervision is 2:1. Didactic courses with required reading are an important part of the internship program.

The internship program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association.

For more information about The Institute of Living, click here.