Child and Family Therapy (CFT)

The CFT rotation provides advanced training in family-based cognitive-behavioral modalities. Trainees gain clinical experience assisting families to understand issues related to typical childhood development/life cycle changes; and, addressing parent-child conflict, family relationship difficulties, executive functioning deficits (such as those related to ADHD, medical injury, or developmental conditions), behavioral disturbances (e.g., tantrums, aggression, noncompliance), and mood disturbances (e.g., generalized anxiety, depression, trauma, phobias, grief, poor adjustment). In addition, CFT delivers services to assist children who are experiencing school-related concerns (e.g., bullying, poor academic performance) and social skills deficits. Furthermore, there is opportunity to gain experience working with families presenting with many unique stressors, including stressful/difficult living situations, divorce/separation, military-life stressors or other significant adjustment-related events. Clinicians frequently consult with school staff and other professionals inside and outside of the institute (e.g., pediatricians, psychiatrists) to achieve maximum progress in treatment.

The CFT training program aims to prepare students to function as psychologists in a wide range of settings including medical centers, hospitals, private practice, and institutions working with multi-disciplinary teams. Interns trained in our program will develop unique skills in utilizing evidence-based modalities (i.e., cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy) in treating a wide range of childhood externalizing and internalizing difficulties as well as family therapy, individual therapy, and group therapy.

Interns who complete training within the CFT clinic will receive training in the implementation of family therapy modalities, brief therapeutic assessments, and thorough family-based case-conceptualization.

Candidates for the Child and Family Therapy rotation should have graduate level coursework and experiences which include: 

• Family and Individual Therapy
• Behavioral, Family Therapy and Educational Assessment
• Child and adolescent development
• Child and adolescent psychopathology
• Interventions with children and families
• Supervised practica in child and/or family therapy

CFT also offers training for students with varying levels of clinical experience, including:

• Beginning practica for senior undergraduate students seeking a better understanding of the field of psychology or prior to applying to graduate school.
• Advanced externships for students in doctoral training programs in psychology
• Post-doctoral fellowships (ranging from 1-2 years)