Ashley Reno, Psy.D., ABPP-CNThe Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama System recently approved the formal establishment of the Section of Psychology within the Division of Adult Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology. The new section will serve to further strengthen the contributions of psychologists across the Heersink School of Medicine’s three mission areas: clinical care, education, and research.
“By integrating psychological science across all three areas, the section can strengthen clinical services, expand interprofessional training, attract outstanding faculty and staff, and advance the Heersink School of Medicine mission of excellence in patient care, education, and discovery,” said Ashley Reno, Psy.D., ABPP-CN, who was appointed to lead the new section as Vice Chair for Psychology.
According to Reno, the psychology service line within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology has exponentially grown in recent years with the addition of faculty psychologists, LICSW psychotherapists, trainees and support staff. The new section is currently comprised of 13 core faculty, seven affiliate research faculty, eight LICSW psychotherapists, three fellows, five interns, and four psychometrists.
“As the team grew, there was a clear need for a formal psychology section to recognize the expertise and substantial contributions of the team, as all as to strengthen our cohesion,” Reno explained. “The Section of Psychology provides a home for collaboration, mentorship, and professional development, while ensuring psychology has a coordinated voice within the organization in order to expand patient access and care.”
The new Section of Psychology is organized into four units: general and specialty psychotherapy, neurophysiological and psychological assessment, integrated behavioral medicine, and psychology training and education. Each unit reflects numerous subspecialties and clinics.
“Our clinical services span all ages and include approximately dozens of inpatient and outpatient psychotherapy and assessment clinics,” Reno said.
For patients, Reno emphasized that the section will both promote the development of innovative, evidence-based psychological treatment programs while enhancing access to psychological services.
From a faculty, staff, and trainee perspective, the Section of Psychology will serve to reinforce and establish a centralized infrastructure for all, while expanding psychology training programs and attracting and retaining top-tier faculty and trainees.
“The section will play a critical role in advancing health and healing through clinical research, collaborative teaching, and innovative clinical care, Reno said.
In her new role, Reno looks forward to embracing the existing momentum of the psychology service line as its capacity and resources expand with the establishment of the new section.
“As Vice Chair for Psychology, I hope to serve our team and department by building on the incredible foundation that's already in place,” she said. “My priorities are to cultivate a collaborative, inclusive community where each faculty and staff member feels valued and invested in our shared success. I also aim to strengthen our clinical services, improve patient access to care, recruit and retain exceptional faculty and staff, and increase the visibility of our services both locally and nationally.”