The Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior is an internationally-reknowned teaching and research facility dedicated to the study of human neuroscience and related fields. As an integral part of the UCLA Health System, the Institute offers education and training at both undergraduate and graduate levels and supports an active and varied program of basic and clinical research.

The Semel Institute is closely integrated to the 75 bed Resnick Neurospychiatric Hospital, housed within the recently-opened Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, which features the most advanced medical technology in the world. The Resnick Hospital includes adult and geriatric beds, and separate areas for adolescents and younger children - all in reconfigurable spaces. In addition, there are multiple specialized Outpatient Clinics in various areas of psychiatry, as well as facilities for neuropathology, electroencephalography, rehabilitation therapy, etc.

300 Medical Plaza is an ambulatory care teaching/clinical facility located across the street from the Semel Institute, which is a major site for ambulatory care, education and research. The University Affiliated Mental Retardation Center is also a part of the Semel Institute. The aim of the Center is the acquisition of new knowledge, the training of personnel, and the provision of service to patients. The Center emphasizes basic as well as clinical, biomedical, and behavioral research. The Center includes an inpatient service for children, outpatient clinics, and an after-care program.

The Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, which features the most advanced medical technology in the world and 520 large, private rooms for patients, was officially dedicated at a ceremony attended by former first lady Nancy Reagan, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Gov. Gray Davis, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, UCLA Acting Chancellor Norman Abrams, architect and UCLA Medal recipient C.C. Pei, and other dignitaries. The center is the biggest construction project in the history of the University of California and opened in June 2008.

The new center, which houses the UCLA Medical Center, Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA, and the Stewart and Lynda Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA, is a technological and architectural masterpiece designed to meet the evolving needs of a 21st-century patient care and research center. It was built with more than 3 million pounds of travertine marble imported from Tivoli, Italy, and features the latest technology, including wireless access to reports, lab results, clinical imaging and patient vital signs; audiovisual communications; diagnostics; robotics; imaging systems; and advanced audio and high-resolution video conferencing capabilities.

The new building also features 520 large, private patient rooms, sun-filled views, daybeds to accommodate family members, wireless internet access, room service with customized meals, outdoor play areas for pediatric patients, gardens and more. In addition, the entire facility is surrounded by green spaces, natural light, high-quality woods, carpeting, fountains and open terraces to inspire and welcome patients, guests and staff.

** Watch promotional video of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on iTunesU **

The West Los Angeles VA Medical Center is a 500-bed hospital complex (not including the nursing home and domiciliary) affiliated with the UCLA School of Medicine. Over 230 residents are currently completing training in 20 specialties. The Psychiatric Section is a 125-bed service, with emphasis on acute intensive care, which offers a wide range of treatment and investigative approaches for patients with acute and chronic illness. The diverse inpatient, partial hospital, and outpatient services include both general and specialized (for patients with schizophrenia, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, alcoholism and substance abuse, family problems, geriatric mental disorders, neurobehavioral disorders, and mixed medical-psychiatric disorders) treatment units.

Extensive rehabilitation services are available for patients with chronic illness. Community psychiatry outreach programs are also available. The resident has the opportunity to gain experience with all of the major psychiatric syndromes, to learn to work within a team structure, and to gain exposure to a full variety of clinical treatment modalities. We encourage residents to collaborate with faculty on research projects as time and other resources allow.

Dr. Robert Rubin is Chief of Psychiatry and Dr. Robert Ely is Director of the Mental Health Service line.

• Harbor UCLA Medical Center: http://humc.edu/
• Edelman Mental Health Clinic
• Venice Family Clinic: www.venicefamilyclinic.org
• Beit T’Shuvah: www.beittshuvahla.org

• New Center for Psychoanalysis: http://newcenterforpsychoanalysis.org/
• Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis: http://icpla.edu/
• LA Institute and Society for Psychoanalytic Studies: http://laisps.org/
• Jung Institute: http://junginla.org/

• Clinical faculty members form the core of our psychotherapy education. Every resident works intensively with volunteer supervisors, usually two per resident, during the third and fourth year of residency. As psychodynamic psychotherapy can only be learned experientially under the tutelage of experienced supervisors, the supervision experience is essential to our learning. And our supervisors do more than teach us about psychotherapy. By meeting with us in their offices and being present for us as mentors and advisors, they expand our horizons and provide an invaluable source of insight into life after residency.
• In addition to supervising our development as therapists, clinical faculty members also volunteer their time as our own individual therapists through the resident psychotherapy program. This program is an invaluable part of both our personal and professional growth. Professionally, we develop as psychotherapists by experiencing treatment from the perspective of a patient. Personally, we learn about ourselves and have a valuable source of support during a time in our lives that is both exciting and challenging.
• The combination of personal and professional development continues in our class process groups. Each residency class has the opportunity to meet for a weekly process group, facilitated by a clinical faculty member. These groups serve as a forum both for understanding group processes and for supporting each other through the ups and downs of residency.
• Clinical faculty members also attend in our medication clinics, providing expert clinical supervision. Being able to work with both full-time faculty and volunteer faculty in a clinic setting, we are able to benefit from a variety of viewpoints and experiences.
• In addition to these experiential learning opportunities, clinical faculty also play a vital role in our didactic curriculum by giving lectures and seminars. A series of lunchtime talks given by distinguished members of the clinical faculty has introduced us to a broad range of clinicians. Annually, the Clinical Faculty Association hosts the Distinguished Psychiatrist Seminar Series. In this series, an internationally renowned psychiatrist acts as discussant for a resident case. It is an unparalleled opportunity for residents to receive direct supervision from leaders in the field.
• Clinical faculty also play a crucial role in mentoring residents. In addition to the informal mentoring that occurs in all of the different settings described above, the residency has also implemented an organized mentorship program, in which small groups of residents are paired with faculty members. These faculty members serve as a resource for residents at all stages in their training, sharing their wisdom about career planning, lifestyle questions, and the options and choices available to early-career psychiatrists.