History

• The Psychological Services Center was founded in the fall of 1976.
• In September, 1979, the center moved to a small house at 441 Pennsylvania Avenue. Evening hours were added at this time.
• In 1980, the center began year-round operation, and began seeing child clients.
• Psychological assessments were done for the first time in 1982.
• Research projects by clinical faculty and graduate students which involved clients as participants were begun.
• Undergraduate psychology majors began working as clinic assistants.
• In the mid-80’s, local psychologists became the first “community supervisors".
• Following his death in 1988, the center was renamed the Jesse G. Harris, Jr. Psychological Services Center, after the former Department chair and faculty member.
• In October, 1989, the department obtained a new facility in a larger renovated house at 644 Maxwelton Court.
• A series of continuing education workshops, conferences, and symposia were sponsored by the center and the Department of Psychology.
• In 1992, the first childrens’ social skills groups were offered.
• An emergency pager system and crisis intervention training was instituted, providing 24-hour emergency coverage for PSC clients.
• An arrangement with the UK Department of Psychiatry allowed the center to offer psychiatric consultation services, beginning in January, 1994.
• New services included groups on social anxiety, parenting, assertiveness, panic disorder, interpersonal therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
• Contracts to provide psychological assessments for local agencies and companies were begun.
• A programmatic emphasis on using evidence-based treatments was enhanced by acquiring treatment manuals and resource materials.
• In 2000, the center instituted a Scientist-Practitioner Award for graduate students demonstrating excellence in the provision of empirically-supported clinical practice.
• In 2002, the center launched its own website. Center services, fees, and other general information may be found on the site.
• In 2004, new programs began including a relationship-focused group conducted at the Hope Center womens' substance abuse recovery program, and a childrens' anger management group.
• Graduate students have opportunities to conduct outcome research with center clients and have participated in standardization trials of revisions of well-established psychological assessment instruments.
• The clinic funds therapists’ memberships in the Kentucky Psychological Association and actively supports KPA conferences and programs.
• One of the "heads" from KPA's award-winning "Heads Up Kentucky!" public art and education project is displayed in the clinic's foyer.
• In early 2006, the center received a very favorable review during the clinical program’s accreditation site visit from the American Psychological Association.
• In 2008-09, the clinic underwent extensive interior renovation, with new furniture, artwork, child therapy materials, and a digital video recording system.
• The center remains committed to its primary missions of providing excellent training and research opportunities to clinical psychology doctoral students, and affordable high quality mental health services to the Lexington community.