By combining basic and applied mental-health sciences and clinical practice, we at NijCa²re seek to optimise the treatments for anxiety disorders, mood disorders and associated conditions, while psychology students can participate in our research efforts and contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of patients. We have three reasons for this approach. First and foremost, we are committed to the transfer of scientific knowledge and to help students apply classroom knowledge to gain practical experience. Secondly, by linking hands-on experiences with an academic mind, students learn to look critically at themselves as well as to reflect on the actions of consulting psychologists and psychiatrists. Thirdly, our researchers and clinicians all benefit from the presence of students; they are inspired by having to explain how and why they do what they do. The supervision of internships and Master’s and PhD theses improves the quality of their research as well as their diagnostic techniques, treatments and treatment delivery, while treatment units learn from teaching practical skills.

NijCa²re provides internships for Master’s students reading Psychology at the Radboud University in terms of clinicalwork placements for students completing the one-year Health Psychology Master’s programme (MHP) and research internships for those attending the two-year Behavioural Science Research Master’s programme. NijCa²re further offers students the opportunity to gather data for their Master’s theses during their clinical psychology internships. In addition, we arrange internships for motivated, high-achieving Bachelor of psychology students doing an RU honours programme to deepen their knowledge of a particular topic. Members of NijCa²re also offer training courses within the framework of the so-called post-master’s training programmes for health psychologists, psychotherapists, clinical psychologists or psychiatrists. We, moreover, invite PhD students to do their research projects with us. Finally, but by no means least, NijCa²re members contribute to the dissemination of knowledge and professional development by giving talks, participating in and staging symposia and conferences on new scientific and clinical insights in their fields of expertise for colleagues and other (health) professionals.