Major Rotations: Primary Clinical Experiences

Center for Neuropsychological and Psychological Assessment (CNaP) Outpatient Specialty Clinics

Fellows gain experience in psychological assessment by completing four, six-month rotations through outpatient specialty clinics. There are two supervising psychologists per rotation, and fellows spend three months with each supervising psychologist. Additionally, fellows spend the first full year in the Targeted Assessment Clinic, the second full year in the Evaluations for Development, Growth, and Education Clinic (EDGE), and both years in the Follow-Up Clinic. Through involvement in these outpatient specialty clinics, fellows gain experience serving individuals, from toddlers to young adults, with a wide range of neurodevelopmental and/or psychiatric disorders. As part of this experience, fellows offer consultation to medical providers, families and school staff members, and they are exposed to relevant special education law. Each clinic is described below.

Executive Function Clinic:

In the Executive Function (EF) Clinic, fellows participate in evaluations of children and adolescents with known or suspected neurodevelopmental, psychiatric and/or medical disorders that can be associated with executive dysfunction. Many of the individuals seen in this clinic have or are suspected of having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disorders. Participation in this clinic provides fellows with opportunities to learn about the development of executive function skills through early childhood and adolescence, common conditions associated with executive dysfunction across settings, special education law, and other school-specific information. Fellows develop critical research evaluation skills and gain hands-on familiarity with research processes - core competencies for psychologists - through active participation in departmental research initiatives.

• Supervisors: Rashida Barner, PhD and Ashley Kniola, PsyD

Pathways to Young Adulthood Clinic: 

The Pathways to Young Adulthood clinic provides comprehensive evaluation, consultation and progress monitoring for older teens and young adults with developmental and/or or social-emotional needs. The mission of this clinic is to empower older teens and young adults to understand their learning strengths and needs, self-advocate, better manage self-care and know when and how to seek needed supports to work towards independence. Fellows develop critical research evaluation skills and gain hands-on familiarity with research processes - core competencies for psychologists - through active participation in departmental research initiatives. Fellows develop critical research evaluation skills and gain hands-on familiarity with research processes - core competencies for psychologists - through active participation in departmental research initiatives.

• Supervisors: Shalena Heard, PhD and Christine Merola, PsyD

Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Clinic:

In the Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD) Clinic, fellows participate in evaluations of children and adolescents presenting with a variety of behavioral and emotional conditions. Participation in this clinic provides fellows with opportunities to learn about assessment procedures used for clarifying conditions related to mood and behavioral disorders. Fellows develop critical research evaluation skills and gain hands-on familiarity with research processes - core competencies for psychologists - through active participation in departmental research initiatives. Fellows develop critical research evaluation skills and gain hands-on familiarity with research processes - core competencies for psychologists - through active participation in departmental research initiatives.

• Supervisors: Tanisha Drummond, PsyD, ABPP and Judith Trussell, PhD

Development and Early Learning Clinic:

In the Development and Early Learning (DEL) Clinic, fellows participate in evaluations of children 6 years of age and younger. Patients in this clinic present with developmental, and/or behavioral concerns. Participation in this clinic provides fellows with opportunities to learn about assessment procedures used with young children, and evidence-based intervention strategies for supporting young children with developmental disorders. Fellows also develop skills in differentiating between typical and atypical development in young children. Fellows develop critical research evaluation skills and gain hands-on familiarity with research processes - core competencies for psychologists - through active participation in departmental research initiatives.

• Supervisors: Rebecca Lieb, PhD, ABPP and Shelley McDermott, PhD, BCBA-D

Targeted Assessment Clinic:

In the Targeted Assessment Clinic, fellows conduct diagnostic interviews and targeted psychological evaluations with patients who have been identified as requiring less extensive testing. Participation in this clinic provides fellows with experience in constructing an abbreviated test battery to answer a circumscribed referral question. Fellows develop critical research evaluation skills and gain hands-on familiarity with research processes - core competencies for psychologists - through active participation in departmental research initiatives.

• Supervisor: Alison Pritchard, PhD, ABPP

Evaluations for Development, Growth, and Education (EDGE) Clinic

In the EDGE Clinic, fellows participate in interdisciplinary evaluations with developmental pediatricians for patients who are identified as requiring less extensive testing. Fellows and the pediatrician will conduct diagnostic interviews and provide feedback to families together. Fellows will also gain experience in constructing an abbreviated test battery to answer a specific referral question. Fellows develop critical research evaluation skills and gain hands-on familiarity with research processes - core competencies for psychologists - through active participation in departmental research initiatives.

• Supervisors: Danielle Wexler, PhD, ABPP, and Rebecca Lieb, PhD, ABPP

Follow-Up Clinic:

In Follow-Up Clinic, fellows check in with families of patients identified by clinicians as benefiting from follow-up several months after their assessment. In this context, fellows will assist families in identifying and accessing resources, further developing their understanding of their child’s condition and relevant treatment options, and will monitor patients’ progress in targeted areas. Fellows develop critical research evaluation skills and gain hands-on familiarity with research processes - core competencies for psychologists - through active participation in departmental research initiatives.

• Supervisors: Allison Gornik, PhD and second year fellows

Sample Schedule for Incoming Fellows: