George Washington University Program

The George Washington University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health offers a comprehensive and diverse psychiatry residency training program. The program aims to nurture residents to become distinguished, caring physicians through optimal training in humanistic psychiatry based on neuroscience research.

Located in Washington, D.C., the program provides a unique environment for residents to work with national and international organizations on public and global mental health issues. Residents have the opportunity to engage in culturally attuned care for the diverse community of Washington, DC.

The core strengths of the program lie in its diverse faculty and residents who create an exciting learning environment focused on innovative approaches and evidence-based practices in psychiatry. The program emphasizes building human connections with patients alongside scientific knowledge.

The program is committed to fostering inclusion and diversity by recruiting a wide range of residents from various backgrounds. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply to meet the healthcare needs of the 21st century.

The curriculum is structured to provide residents with a strong foundation in psychiatry through a combination of didactic seminars, clinical conferences, and hands-on clinical experiences. Residents have the opportunity to rotate through various affiliated institutions, including Inova Fairfax Hospital, Children's National Health System, and other mental health centers in the region.

The GW Psychiatry Residency Program offers unique opportunities for residents to engage in health policy through a Residency Fellowship in Health Policy. Residents also have the chance to pursue additional training in global mental health, psychoanalysis, and biomedical research.

In the PGY-I year, residents focus on acquiring foundational knowledge and skills in internal medicine, emergency medicine, neurology, and psychiatry. The PGY-II year expands residents' knowledge of psychiatric disorders, pharmacological treatments, and psychotherapy techniques for various patient populations. During the PGY-III year, residents transition to outpatient psychiatry, focusing on long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy, focal psychotherapies, and community mental health services.

The PGY-IV year allows residents to enhance their expertise in specialized areas of psychiatry, including child and adolescent psychiatry, forensics, psychosomatics, addiction, and more. Residents have the flexibility to pursue individual interests and career paths during this final year of training.

Overall, the GW Psychiatry Residency Program offers a comprehensive curriculum, diverse clinical experiences, and a supportive learning environment conducive to fostering residents' growth as compassionate and skilled psychiatrists. Residents have gone on to various fellowships, academic positions, and clinical practices upon completion of the program.