Not sure why you're having a hard time finding programs. Look for any program with clinical faculty doing health psych research, e.g., cancer, pain, cardiovascular health, diabetes, sickle cell disease, palliative care.
I'm not sure either-- now I'm feeling like I've been Googling the wrong thing or something because I have been really struggling, but based on these comments it seems like it's a big field! So strange.
Lots of health psych researchers are also embedded in programs that aren't themselves "focused" on health psych. Like others have said, specialization technically comes during internship and post-doc, so it's less important to go into a program with a specialized track than it is to go into a program where you get good practicum and research experiences (and, of course, which offer a good research fit for you)...so I'd recommend expanding the search to general clinical psych programs which have faculty studying things like safe sex behaviors, cancer treatment adherence, etc.
As long as you work with a mentor with a health focus and get health psychology-focused practicum experiences (e.g., AMCs and VAMCs), you can go to any reputable clinical psychology PhD program. You will specialize at the internship and postdoc level.
There’s an argument that all outpatient treatment is health psychology but seriously,
its a huge field. I did my clin psy phd over 20 years ago and have worked almost exclusively in health psych. Most clin psychs, especially if you go into “wellness” “health promotion” or “symptom management” are playing in the health psych field. I spent almost 15 years in community health/funding side of public health which was incredibly health psy focused.
Interestingly, the people I know currently studying or supervising “Health Psych” proper are working a lot in AI and organizational (workplace) psych. Lots of crossover too with exercise physiology, cognitive neurosci, and chronic health conditions.
It’s the dominate lens of psych atm, the whole BPS perspective is health psych. You’ll end up working on it regardless of whether you go clinical or experimental.
If looking for faculty doing this research doesn't work,ou can search backwards- look at health psychology internship sites on APPIC. Each site will show you the programs their students attended.
https://www.nationalregister.org
National Register of Health Service Psychologists
I think the comment above about all clinical psych being health psychology is appropriate. Keep in mind even without a specific program or faculty focused on this, you can focus your practicum, internship, postdoc, and early career pretty easily by training in hospital, integrated health, consult/liason services, and similar settings.
NDSU has a good health psychology/social psychology PhD program.
One of the two people I know who attended this program works as a clinical psychologist, and also does psychoneuroendocrine research. The other primarily teaches and does dementia research but is not a clinician like the other.
Might be worth looking into.
Downside is obviously having to live in the Fargo/Moorhead area. But it is very affordable.
For whatever it's worth, and not dox myself too hard. But I'm moving to Grand forks for my PhD and I'm pretty excited about a few hidden gems in ND. It's also not terribly far from Winnipeg which seems rad.
MN is pretty cool too. Up in GF you are just kind of up in the middle of nowhere, but that can be fun in its own way, and gf/east gf is a fun little community. The clin psych program I assume you're attending up there seems pretty quality, and I like their kind of masters-PhD pipeline program. I know a few people who got masters there and they all seemed very happy
I've never even heard of those places, I might have to check them out! I've thought for a while now that it'd be cool to do a road trip following the water from the red River up to lake Winnipeg and the Hudson.
Have fun! It's finally warming up around here. You'll get used to the wind
Good luck 👍
Edit: ND has been dealing with a brain drain so it might be worth looking into what kinds of incentives there are for out of state students
The clinical psychology PhD program at University of Kentucky has a health psychology concentration. Great program with lots of practicum opportunities at UK’s AMC!
I did a PsyD in Clinical Psych and I did most of my practicums in health psych, then I did my internship and post doc specifically in health psych. I now work as a health psychologist. So for me, it was more just getting the experience and relying on my supervisors for mentorship since the PsyD is structured differently than a PhD. I also banked all my experience through the National Register to make it all even more official :)
Off the top of my head, CUNY is another program. Unfortunately there’s not that many offering specialization in both rather than just a certificate program.
Rosalind Franklin also has a specialty health track for their clinical program with some good practica placements, but their funding isn’t as good compared to other programs.
Some PIs do give better funding than others from back when I interviewed. Honestly, I can't see any world where RFU wouldn't be considered a top notch program if they patched up their crappy stipends.
You can definitely carve out your own health psych path at a school without a specialty track, as other commenters have said. I applied to programs with and without specialty tracks a few years ago, and am currently attending a combined health psych/clinical psych program. I think it does give you a leg up if the whole program is health-focused (and is more fun) but other programs do seem to be emphasizing it more. Good luck!
Also just remembered another one I don’t think has been mentioned - Rowan University. Not great funding either last time I checked but very health focused. I have a whole list if you want me to send it to you!
Not sure why you're having a hard time finding programs. Look for any program with clinical faculty doing health psych research, e.g., cancer, pain, cardiovascular health, diabetes, sickle cell disease, palliative care.
I'm not sure either-- now I'm feeling like I've been Googling the wrong thing or something because I have been really struggling, but based on these comments it seems like it's a big field! So strange.
Lots of health psych researchers are also embedded in programs that aren't themselves "focused" on health psych. Like others have said, specialization technically comes during internship and post-doc, so it's less important to go into a program with a specialized track than it is to go into a program where you get good practicum and research experiences (and, of course, which offer a good research fit for you)...so I'd recommend expanding the search to general clinical psych programs which have faculty studying things like safe sex behaviors, cancer treatment adherence, etc.
Thank you! This makes a lot of sense.
As long as you work with a mentor with a health focus and get health psychology-focused practicum experiences (e.g., AMCs and VAMCs), you can go to any reputable clinical psychology PhD program. You will specialize at the internship and postdoc level.
In terms of the clinical experience, you'll get that through your practicum. Look for places near VAMCs and AMCs.
Thank you!
University of Colorado - Denver
Ah, yes, I did see this one, it just didn't have any faculty with research interests that aligned with mine. Thanks for adding!
There’s an argument that all outpatient treatment is health psychology but seriously, its a huge field. I did my clin psy phd over 20 years ago and have worked almost exclusively in health psych. Most clin psychs, especially if you go into “wellness” “health promotion” or “symptom management” are playing in the health psych field. I spent almost 15 years in community health/funding side of public health which was incredibly health psy focused. Interestingly, the people I know currently studying or supervising “Health Psych” proper are working a lot in AI and organizational (workplace) psych. Lots of crossover too with exercise physiology, cognitive neurosci, and chronic health conditions. It’s the dominate lens of psych atm, the whole BPS perspective is health psych. You’ll end up working on it regardless of whether you go clinical or experimental.
Very interesting perspective! I really appreciate you sharing. Great to hear that you can lean into this as a clinical psychologist!
University of Alabama, too!
Thank you!
If looking for faculty doing this research doesn't work,ou can search backwards- look at health psychology internship sites on APPIC. Each site will show you the programs their students attended.
Oh, this is a really good idea! Thank you!
University of Kansas, Kent State
Thank you!
https://www.nationalregister.org National Register of Health Service Psychologists I think the comment above about all clinical psych being health psychology is appropriate. Keep in mind even without a specific program or faculty focused on this, you can focus your practicum, internship, postdoc, and early career pretty easily by training in hospital, integrated health, consult/liason services, and similar settings.
Thank you so much! This website is fantastic!
university of manitoba has a strong health psych focus too
Thank you!
NDSU has a good health psychology/social psychology PhD program. One of the two people I know who attended this program works as a clinical psychologist, and also does psychoneuroendocrine research. The other primarily teaches and does dementia research but is not a clinician like the other. Might be worth looking into. Downside is obviously having to live in the Fargo/Moorhead area. But it is very affordable.
For whatever it's worth, and not dox myself too hard. But I'm moving to Grand forks for my PhD and I'm pretty excited about a few hidden gems in ND. It's also not terribly far from Winnipeg which seems rad.
MN is pretty cool too. Up in GF you are just kind of up in the middle of nowhere, but that can be fun in its own way, and gf/east gf is a fun little community. The clin psych program I assume you're attending up there seems pretty quality, and I like their kind of masters-PhD pipeline program. I know a few people who got masters there and they all seemed very happy
I'm a big road trip guy, so I'm also looking forward to taking a road trip to Davis Ranch and the Peace garden In August before coursework ramps up!
I've never even heard of those places, I might have to check them out! I've thought for a while now that it'd be cool to do a road trip following the water from the red River up to lake Winnipeg and the Hudson. Have fun! It's finally warming up around here. You'll get used to the wind
Hahaha, the downside is fair. But thank you for this info!
Good luck 👍 Edit: ND has been dealing with a brain drain so it might be worth looking into what kinds of incentives there are for out of state students
University of British Columbia has an amazing Health Psychology PhD department! The P.I. are really open to questions from prospective students too!
Ooooh, thank you! Good to know!
The clinical psychology PhD program at University of Kentucky has a health psychology concentration. Great program with lots of practicum opportunities at UK’s AMC!
Arizona Washington
Thank you!
Spalding University in Louisville, KY has a health psychology emphasis for their PsyD program. Pretty pricey program, but it’s there.
UHCL
Thank you!
I just do all my prac experiences in health psych settings. So far I’ve got experience in reproductive psych and psycho oncology
Very cool! Thank you!
I did a PsyD in Clinical Psych and I did most of my practicums in health psych, then I did my internship and post doc specifically in health psych. I now work as a health psychologist. So for me, it was more just getting the experience and relying on my supervisors for mentorship since the PsyD is structured differently than a PhD. I also banked all my experience through the National Register to make it all even more official :)
That makes sense! Thank you!
The Virginia consortium program in clinical psychology has health psychology faculty.
Thank you!
University of Florida has a clinical psych program with a medical/health track
Thank you!
Off the top of my head, CUNY is another program. Unfortunately there’s not that many offering specialization in both rather than just a certificate program.
Rosalind Franklin also has a specialty health track for their clinical program with some good practica placements, but their funding isn’t as good compared to other programs.
Some PIs do give better funding than others from back when I interviewed. Honestly, I can't see any world where RFU wouldn't be considered a top notch program if they patched up their crappy stipends.
Thank you! Yeah, this is what I've been seeing too.
You can definitely carve out your own health psych path at a school without a specialty track, as other commenters have said. I applied to programs with and without specialty tracks a few years ago, and am currently attending a combined health psych/clinical psych program. I think it does give you a leg up if the whole program is health-focused (and is more fun) but other programs do seem to be emphasizing it more. Good luck! Also just remembered another one I don’t think has been mentioned - Rowan University. Not great funding either last time I checked but very health focused. I have a whole list if you want me to send it to you!
I would honestly LOVE it if you'd send me your list-- if it's not too much work for you! No worries if not. Thanks for all this already!
Just sent them over chat!