Education and Training

Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology Student Training Options

Center for ADHD

The Center for ADHD Graduate Student Training Program at Cincinnati Children's offers psychology doctoral-level graduate students the chance to deepen their clinical skills in the assessment and treatment of ADHD and commonly co-occurring diagnoses. This is done through a science-practice partnership in the Center for ADHD, involving assessment and treatment of clinical patients and trainee involvement on federally-funded research protocols. Students engage in multi-informant assessments, develop integrative reports, conduct semi-structured diagnostic mental health interviews and provide integrated feedback to families. They also have the opportunity to co-lead groups teaching behavioral strategies and / or academic skills to both caregivers and students, aimed at improving ADHD management.

Students are integrated into the clinical workflow, learning to apply the latest evidence-based practices while presenting complex cases at the monthly ADHD Case Conference. This program fosters the development of case conceptualization and presentation skills, preparing students for careers in clinical practice and research.

Several students have gone on to join the Center for ADHD as faculty members, furthering their research and clinical careers.

Contact Information: The program has typically accepted 1-2 trainees per year. Students typically apply in early spring in conjunction with their university placement procedures, but those interested in an ad hoc experience may reach out at any time. For more information or to apply, please contact Stephen P. Becker, PhD (stephen.becker@cchmc.org) and Leanne Tamm, PhD (leanne.tamm@cchmc.org).

Center for Adherence and Self-Management

The Center for Adherence and Self-Management at Cincinnati Children's offers training opportunities for graduate students, providing invaluable experience in pediatric adherence and self-management research. Students work closely with staff and faculty to develop clinical research programs and participate in studies focused on improving patient and family management of chronic conditions in pediatric populations.

The Center for Adherence and Self-Management has trained numerous undergraduate and graduate students, residents and postdoctoral fellows. Trainees have gone on to become leaders in the field. Many alumni are now faculty at top institutions, contributing to groundbreaking research and clinical innovations. The Center is proud to offer the only NIH-funded T32 post-doctoral fellowship in pediatric adherence and self-management research in the nation, furthering the development of future experts in the field.

Contact Information: Applications are accepted year-round. For more information or to apply, please contact Kevin Hommel, PhD (kevin.hommel@cchmc.org).

Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Psychology (NDBP)

The NDBP Graduate Student Training Program at Cincinnati Children's offers psychology doctoral-level graduate students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with children with neurodevelopmental and behavioral differences, including autism spectrum disorder. Students receive training in conducting diagnostic interviews, assessments and evidence-based cognitive-behavioral interventions. As part of the training, students gain experience with cognitive testing, academic screening, autism testing (including exposure to the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2) and parent/teacher rating forms. With additional opportunities for individual and group intervention, students develop a well-rounded understanding of clinical care.

This program provides an in-depth look at the neurodevelopmental and behavioral field, and students learn to assess a wide range of developmental conditions, including autism, ADHD, and intellectual or developmental delays. Students also work under the guidance of expert faculty and staff members, receiving mentorship that prepares them for internship.

Students have gone on to join Cincinnati Children’s as faculty and staff psychologists or hold successful careers at other leading institutions.

Contact Information: The NDBP Graduate Student Training Program accepts 3-5 graduate students per year. Applications are typically accepted through mid-February. For more information or to apply, please contact Ashley Luebrecht, PsyD (ashley.luebrecht@cchmc.org).

Additional opportunities for graduate student training in the area of neurodevelopmental disabilities are also available through the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) program. These applications are accepted each year through mid-February.

Neuropsychology

The Neuropsychology Program at Cincinnati Children's offers psychology doctoral-level graduate students a unique opportunity to develop skills in neuropsychological evaluation of children and adolescents with a wide range of neurological and medical conditions. Working alongside an attending neuropsychologist, the student participates in all aspects of the neuropsychological evaluation process. This includes clinical interviews with patients and families, administration and scoring of neuropsychological test batteries, writing integrated reports and providing verbal feedback to patients and families. They also attend weekly neuropsychological didactics along with neuropsychology fellows and attendings. At least 50% of the student’s time is dedicated to the provision of clinical neuropsychology services.

Contact Information: The program accepts 1 trainee per year. Students apply in early spring in conjunction with their university placement procedures. For more information or to apply, please contact Thea L. Quinton, PhD (thea.quinton@cchmc.org).

Center for ADHD

The Center for ADHD Undergraduate Training Program at Cincinnati Children's offers undergraduate students the opportunity to gain valuable research and clinical experience in an ADHD outpatient setting while also earning valuable course credit (e.g., field study). Students participate in data collection, implementing research protocols, assisting with various group interventions (e.g., fidelity coding), and other research and clinical tasks. Students have the chance to work closely with full-time clinical research coordinators and faculty on research studies and gain exposure to the clinical side of ADHD care, as well as critical skills in clinical research. Dozens of undergraduate students have completed this program. Many of them continue their education in graduate programs in psychology, medicine or related fields, and several have advanced to roles such as Clinical Research Coordinators or Behavioral Specialists at Cincinnati Children's.

Contact Information: Students typically apply late summer or early fall for the 2-semester undergraduate research assistant opportunity. For more information or to apply, please contact Stephen P. Becker, PhD (stephen.becker@cchmc.org) and Leanne Tamm, PhD (leanne.tamm@cchmc.org).

The Center for ADHD also often hosts students through formal programs such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. These applications are accepted each year in late winter / early spring.

Center for Adherence and Self-Management

The Center for Adherence and Self-Management at Cincinnati Children's offers training opportunities for undergraduate students, providing invaluable experience in pediatric adherence and self-management research. Students work closely with faculty to develop clinical research programs and participate in studies focused on improving patient and family management of chronic conditions in pediatric populations.

The Center for Adherence and Self-Management has trained numerous undergraduate and graduate students, residents, and postdoctoral fellows. Trainees have gone on to become leaders in the field. Many alumni are now faculty at top institutions, contributing to groundbreaking research and clinical innovations. The Center is proud to offer the only NIH-funded T32 post-doctoral fellowship in pediatric adherence and self-management research in the nation, furthering the development of future experts in the field.

Contact Information: Applications are accepted year-round. For more information or to apply, please contact Kevin Hommel, PhD (kevin.hommel@cchmc.org).

Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Psychology (NDBP)

The NDBP Undergraduate Student Training Program at Cincinnati Children's provides undergraduate students (typically juniors and seniors) with a unique opportunity to gain exposure to clinical psychology in an outpatient children’s hospital setting. Students observe diagnostic interviews and psychological evaluations and learn about treatment options for children with neurodevelopmental and behavioral differences, such as autism, ADHD, and intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Students work closely with multidisciplinary teams and have the chance to review and score assessments, interpret questionnaires and engage in weekly didactic sessions for professional development. This program offers a comprehensive introduction to the day-to-day functions of a psychologist working with children in a clinical setting, with students completing 9 hours per week of interactive learning activities.

Students are eligible to apply to one of two options: Summer program (May to August) or Academic Year program (September to April). The practicum involves spending one full day per week at Cincinnati Children's, as well as attending weekly didactic sessions . The program will typically accept up to 10 trainees per session. Many students have gone on to pursue graduate training in psychology and related fields, with several joining our NDBP Graduate Student Training Program or staying on as Clinical Research Coordinators at Cincinnati Children's.

Contact Information: For more information or how to apply, please contact Valerie Rice, PhD (valerie.rice@cchmc.org) and Teresa Farmer, PsyD (teresa.farmer@cchmc.org).