Practice

Our innovative programs are dedicated to bridging critical mental health care gaps for communities. Through telepsychiatry, primary care integration, and trauma-informed approaches, we provide timely, culturally responsive support to children, families, and rural populations. By training the next generation of providers and delivering evidence-based care, we are transforming behavioral health access and improving outcomes across South Carolina and beyond.

SC Safe Seniors

Theresa Skojec, PhD, LPC
Program Director

The SC Safe Seniors program focuses on addressing the mental health needs of South Carolina’s seniors. This innovative program provides evidence based mental health counseling to trauma affected older adults and strives to educate and increase awareness of the prevalence and symptoms of elder abuse and trauma. Since 2017, SC Safe Seniors has served thousands of South Carolina older adults through our community-based services, healthcare provider trainings, and direct mental health counseling. In 2020, SC Safe Seniors began a clinical training program for future mental health providers to support the development of a behavioral health workforce prepared to address the unique needs of older adults and elder abuse survivors.

Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Technology Enhanced Residency (PARTNER)

Terri Fowler, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, FAAN
Associate Dean for Practice, Innovative Partnerships, and Advocacy

This groundbreaking telepsychiatry program expands access to behavioral health care for rural and systematically disadvantaged communities. Under expert supervision, newly board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) complete a year-long residency while providing vital mental health services within primary care across South Carolina. Since 2020, PARTNER has delivered over 5,500 visits to 1,700 patients, 30% of whom are children and adolescents, significantly bridging the mental health treatment gap in South Carolina.

Next Steps Behavioral Healthcare Program

Amy Williams, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC
Associate Dean for Graduate Studies

This evidence-based initiative integrates behavioral health care into the primary care medical homes of children and adolescents. By keeping patients connected to their primary healthcare provider, Next Steps ensures seamless, culturally appropriate care, with a focus on first-generation Latin American children and families. Services include psychiatric support, behavioral counseling, and community health outreach to meet the unique needs of pediatric populations.

Trauma Resilience and Recovery Program (TRRP)

Tatiana M. Davidson, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist (SC#1309)

Developed at MUSC, TRRP is a life-changing program for children recovering from serious injuries such as crashes, burns, and firearm injuries. Many trauma survivors face PTSD and depression, but TRRP ensures they don’t face these challenges alone. Combining bedside screening, digital health tools, and telehealth-based treatment, TRRP provides essential support to hundreds of patients annually. It has become a national model, adopted by 16 trauma centers, improving behavioral health outcomes for those most in need.