The EBP Mission is to address the behavioral healthcare shortage in Nevada by:
Providing evidence-based behavioral healthcare for children, adolescents, adults, and families
Providing instruction and supervision in empirically-supported behavioral health practices to trainees of all levels
The EBP is dedicated to improving the face of behavioral healthcare in Nevada through clinical training and community activism. Experienced licensed providers oversee clinical training and supervision for trainees who are working toward licensure in a behavioral healthcare profession.
Our Story
The EBP grew from Dr. Zimring’s desire to synthesize the best aspects of university medical centers, research-based programs and agencies, non-profit treatment centers, and for-profit educational companies and private practices into an integrated behavioral healthcare clinic and training program.
Nevada faces a mental health crisis. Our state is ranked 51st in the country for mental health services and availability according to Mental Health America. The EBP team believes it is not enough to provide high quality behavioral healthcare. We must actively work toward improving the availability and quality of skilled providers in our community, so that everyone who needs care can access it. The EBP is a sustainable training model in evidence-based services for current and future providers in the greater Las Vegas valley. In other words, The EBP is helping to grow evidence-based practitioners where none existed.
What is “Evidence-Based Practice”?
For therapy, the phrase “Evidence-Based Practice” refers to behavioral healthcare treatment based on three crucial elements:
Patient Needs
Each individual patient’s unique behavioral health goals are the primary focus. It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Science
Evidence-based psychotherapy uses behavior change strategies that are developed and tested by researchers and are found to be effective. These treatments are often referred to as treatment protocols, manualized treatments, or empirically-supported treatments (EST).
Clinician Expertise
The psychologist (or other licensed provider) takes the time to understand each patient’s unique perspective and goals, identifies the empirically-supported treatment approach that is most likely to be effective, considers ways that treatment could be modified to best help the patient, and acts as a teacher and mentor throughout the treatment process.
For evaluations, the phrase “Evidence-Based Practice” refers to psychological testing and assessment which includes three crucial elements:
Patient Needs
Each individual patient’s unique concerns, diagnostic questions, and personal history and experiences are the primary focus of the evaluation.
Science
Tests and measures are developed and evaluated by researchers. Evidence-based practice only uses those tests and measures which are found to be valid and reliable, meaning they accurately and consistently measure what they intend to measure.
Clinician Expertise
The psychologist takes the time to understand each patient’s unique perspective, identifies the most appropriate battery of tests and assessments, and acts as a consultant, examiner, and guide throughout the evaluation process.
If you want to discuss “Evidence-Based Practices” with children try one of these metaphors:
The Toolbox, The Apprentice, and The Carpenter
The toolbox is packed full of tools and skills (best available scientific research) that the apprentice (the patient) can use to build a life and achieve goals. The carpenter (clinician) is an expert in knowing how to use the tools, and which tools are best for which jobs. The carpenter mentors and teaches the apprentice how to use the tools in the toolbox as the apprentice builds a life.
The Three Pillars
The mantle or roof of the house balances on three pillars (best available research, clinical expertise, and patient characteristics, culture, and preferences). Each pillar must be just as long and sturdy as the other pillars in order for the house to stand.