ACER

Overview

An urgent need exists for well-trained mental health professionals who are able to provide trauma-informed, evidence-based care.

Metrocare’s Altshuler Center for Education and Research (ACER) is the premiere training and research institute for community mental health professionals across the State of Texas. In order to meet the demand for public mental health services tomorrow, ACER offers top-tier training for physicians, advanced practice nurses (APNs), counselors, and other healthcare workers today. ACER is a unique partnership between Metrocare, UT Southwestern as well as dozens of other academic medical institutions that offers a specialized training experience through real-world community mental health experience at Metrocare.

In addition to preparing the behavioral health workforce of the future, ACER’s nationally renowned researchers lead the way in advancing innovative new treatment methods for mental health. Trainees who wish to be involved in community-based clinical research have the opportunity to collaborate with current studies or to develop new ones with the assistance of ACER staff.

Informing and inspiring the next generation of public mental health professionals.

Nurse Photo

Training Programs Include:

In order to meet the demand for the public mental health services tomorrow, ACER offers top-tier and real-world training in a community mental health setting as well as clinical mentorship for professional growth.

Physicians who are training to become psychiatrists are offered experiences in community mental health in the mental health and developmental disability services provided by the Center through our psychiatric resident and fellow program.

The Center is committed to meeting the needs of people with developmental disabilities as well, and offers clinical training in the principles of applied behavior analysis in public sector settings, including practical experience in the design and implementation of behavior intervention programs.

Advanced nurse practitioners who wish to become experts in mental health treatment are offered training in both child/adolescent and adult psychiatry at the Center. Practitioners can receive assistance in preparing for recognition as Advanced Practice Nurses by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners, as well as preparation for the Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner exams.

Evidence-based mental health care is provided by many professional disciplines with a variety of specialized skills. For that reason, the Center offers training programs in a wide variety of disciplines, including clinical psychology, social work, licensed professional counseling, occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, and physical therapy.

Trainees who wish to be involved in community-based clinical research have the opportunity to collaborate with current studies or to develop new ones with the assistance of Center staff. Grant development staff is also available to pursue funding. Learn more about our research training.