Psychiatry
Psychiatry Clerkship Director
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Secondary Contact
Lia Thomas, M.D.
Professor of Psychiatry
lia.thomas@utsouthwestern.edu
Adam Brenner, M.D.
Professor of Psychiatry
adam.brenner@utsouthwestern.edu
Please contact Mona Reyes to schedule an appointment at 214-648-7312 or mona.reyes@utsouthwestern.edu
About the Specialty
"Psychiatry is the branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders." (American Psychiatric Association, www.psychiatry.org). We will add that psychiatry is a speciality which uses a biopsychosocial framework in order to understand the person as a whole. We psychiatrists listen empathically to the person's life narrative and build a formulation that allows us to tailor evidence-based interventions to their needs. Additionally, psychiatrists use cutting-edge tools to further our knowledge about brain-behavior relationships and advancing treatments for complex psychiatric conditions.
Answers to Common Questions
- Attributes of a Competitive Student
What factors typically make a student competitive for this specialty?
A demonstrated commitment to the field through community service, scholarship, and leadership, as well as strong clinical performance throughout clerkships and electives.
- Research
How important is research experience in your specialty? If important, does it need to be in the specialty itself?
Residency program directors like to see an enthusiasm and commitment to psychiatry. This can take on many forms, including basic or clinical research, educational curriculum development, quality improvement initiatives, advocacy, community service, etc. What is most important is for the learner to demonstrate a longitudinal commitment, productivity, and leadership.
- Shadowing
How can students identify opportunities for shadowing?
Please contact Dr. Chadrick Lane, Psychiatry Clerkship Director.
- Electives
What electives would you recommend to a student who is interested in pursuing your specialty?
During your 4th year, an elective in psychiatry can be an excellent opportunity to both learn more about the field and to secure a strong letter of recommendation for your ERAS application if needed. We have a range of high quality selectives/electives within the department from which to choose. You likely will want to consider electives/selectives in other departments that will prove valuable to a residency in psychiatry, including but not limited to internal medicine, pediatrics, neurology, neuroradiology, toxicology, and many others..
Based on your experience, what tips do you have for students to shine on your electives?
What helps learners shine on electives in psychiatry applies to many other specialties. Demonstrating a strong commitment to patient care, communicating empathy and compassion to patients and their support systems, and being an enthusiastic member of the team. Being prompt, excellent communication, willing to help teammates, and eager to learn from supervisors and other disciplines every step of the way are those qualities that help a learner stand out.
- Away Rotations
Does your specialty recommend doing away rotations?
Psychiatry does not require away rotations for matching and we do not recommend them as necessary for a competitive application. Generally, we encourage students to reflect on what their reason is for pursuing a specific away rotation. Often, this is because there is a geographic region to which a student wishes to move and an away rotation can demonstrate that strong interest. If a student decides to do an away rotation, it is important to consider the pros and cons as the student should prepare to give 110% during the rotation to fully shine.
If your specialty recommends doing away rotations, how many “aways” do you recommend?
N/A
If away rotations are necessary, when should they apply and when should they be completed?
N/A
- Interview Timing
Which month do you recommend taking off to interview?
Typically, the months of November, December, and January are when most interviews take place for psychiatry.
- Letters of Recommendation
How many letters of recommendation are needed to apply to your specialty?
Most programs require 3 or 4 letters of recommendation. We recommend 2 letters from psychiatry, and that the other two can be from a specialty other than psychiatry, a long-term research mentor, etc. Please check program websites for specific information.
Does your specialty recommend that all letters of recommendation be written by members of your specialty?
No
If letters can come from other disciplines, do you have a recommendation as to which disciplines are more highly valued?
We ordinarily recommend this non-psychiatry letter be from internal medicine or pediatrics. If you are applying to a combined residency track, of course you would need a letter from that second specialty, e.g. neurology. If you have a strong letter of support from someone who can speak to other strengths, such as research, leadership, community service, etc, this is also welcome.
Does the academic rank of the letter writer matter?
No.
Does your specialty require a letter from the chairman?
This is quite rare, but if required please reach out to us and happy to discuss.
