Metro Pavia Health Services Systems

Metro Pavia Health Services Systems (MPHSS) is a private psychiatric hospital system in the metropolitan, west and central region in Puerto Rico.  Its central administration is located in the Municipality of Guaynabo. MPHSS is a for profit organization organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico hereby represented by Olga Colón, MBA/HCM.  The Hospital provides a full spectrum of behavioral health services to acute inpatient treatment for adults and older adults with psychiatric and dual diagnosis (psychiatric and substance abuse) disorders.

The Hospital provides intake interviews, preparation of a treatment plan, clinical assessment and diagnostic services, emergency treatment, suicide and homicidal assessment, and consultation. Treatment modalities include adult, group and individual therapy, crisis intervention, orientation family services, and specialized treatment programs. This treatment services are available for patients who are diagnosed with a range of serious mental illness.  The Hospital staff is multidisciplinary and is represented by psychiatrists, physicians, clinical psychologists, nursing and clinical social workers.

The Hospital provides the interns the opportunity to develop clinical skills in individual and group therapy and clinical assessment.  The training includes seminars in diagnosis and treatment, emergency procedures and management and family orientation. The multidisciplinary team conducts weekly case discussions. Two hours of individual supervision per week are provided to the intern by a licensed doctoral level psychologist.

In addition, two hours of group supervision per week are provided by the Carlos Albizu University under the supervision of a licensed doctoral level psychologist.  Finally, three hours of didactic training per week are offered to all interns at CAU.

Clinica de la Albizu, Inc., Mayagüez 

Clínica de la Albizu, Inc, Mayaguez (CAM) is a community mental health clinic. The clinic emphasizes on meeting the needs of the community and providing training experience at both the doctoral practicum and doctoral internship levels.  Over the past 3 years, the Clinic has served more than 2,000 persons.  It is ascribed to Carlos Albizu University.

This internship site provides experiences of ongoing psychotherapy with outpatients, crisis interventions, assessments, psychological and psychodiagnostic testing, individual, family psychotherapy, and consultations to community based programs. Assessment procedures include various measures of stress, anxiety, depression and standard psychodiagnostic batteries. Interns have the opportunity to engage in psychotherapeutic work with outpatients within a wide spectrum of clinical complaints.  A minimum of two hours per week of supervision is provided to each intern.

In addition, two hours of group supervision per week are provided by the Carlos Albizu University under the supervision of a licensed doctoral level psychologist.  Finally, three hours of didactic training per week are offered to all interns at CAU.

Iniciativa Comunitaria, Inc.

Iniciativa Comunitaria, Inc. (ICI) is located in the metropolitan area and offers integrated services to substance abuse patients and families.  The goals of the program are directed to offering patients and their families integrated care in the areas of physical, spiritual and emotional health.  This program serves a population of out patients/clients, groups and families. ICI is a for profit organization organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico hereby represented by Juan Nazario, Psy.D., who is the Clinical Director.

ICI arises from the educational needs regarding the HIV/AIDS treatment alternatives available during the 1990’s decade.  During this decade AZT was the only treatment alternative available.  Dr. Vargas Vidot, along with a group of HIV/AIDs patients and community representatives, recognized the need of having more information and action to benefit these patients. With this purpose in mind, they decided to develop a project to educate the patients and the community about non-traditional treatment options and additional research protocols related to AZT.

Following its incorporation in 1992, ICI began to develop and implement health services programs for the prevention of HIV/AIDS in high risk groups: sex workers, high risk women, drug addicts and homeless people.  Since 1998, ICI began to offer rehabilitation services for drug addicts through integrated services programs that range from detoxification to re-entry to daily life.

An integral part of ICI’s efforts and services is its clinic for drug users known as Clínica Pitirre and Compromiso de Vida.  The clinic offers integrated physical and mental health services for adults who are active drug users and for their relatives.  More than 800 patients, from all over the Island, receive services from the clinic each year.  The Pitirre Clinic staff is multidisciplinary and is represented by psychiatrists, physicians, clinical psychologists, nursing and clinical social workers.

At Clínica Pitirre and Compromiso de Vida UCA’s Interns offer clinical assessment, individual, family and group psychotherapy to patients and their families.  It is also required to participated seminars and conferences related to prevention and therapeutic interventions and support groups.  The psychotherapeutic models used include psychosocial interventions, cognitive therapy and family and group therapy.  The training program is supervised by licensed doctoral level psychologists for a minimum of two hours per week individual supervision.  Two hours of individual supervision per week are provided to the intern by a licensed doctoral level psychologist.

In addition, two hours of group supervision per week are provided by the Carlos Albizu University under the supervision of a licensed doctoral level psychologist.  Finally, three hours of didactic training per week are offered to all interns at CAU.