The Behavior Management Clinic (BMC) provides in depth training in caregiver behavior management, behavioral assessment, and evidence based treatment for a broad array of externalizing and internalizing concerns occurring in early and middle childhood.

The goal of the fellowship in the Behavior Management Clinic (BMC) is to train future psychologists and leaders to deliver high-quality, evidence-based, and individualized care for toddlers, young children, and school-aged children with a variety of internalizing and externalizing behavioral concerns. 

BMC offers 12-month postdoctoral fellowships, with the possibility to extend to 2 years. The clinic serves children from 12 months through 12 years of age who present with externalizing and internalizing disorders (e.g., ADHD, disruptive behavior disorders, anxiety disorders, habit disorders, tics, depression, aggression, tantrums, social skills deficits, toileting concerns, sleep difficulties, selective mutism, and school-related issues) and varying functioning levels, including typically-developing children and youngsters with mild cognitive, speech, and/or motor concerns.

Fellows are provided advanced training in empirically supported treatments, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), family based behavioral therapy, behavioral parent training (e.g., Parent Child Interaction Therapy [PCIT]), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and habit-reversal therapy based on the needs of their patients. 

Fellows conduct initial evaluations that include clinical interviews, parent questionnaires, and structured observations intended to determine the context and function of problem behaviors and/or baseline parenting skills and child behaviors. Information gathered through the assessment process informs collaborative development of an individualized treatment plan designed to reduce challenging behaviors and to increase adaptive skills. Ongoing data collection is integral to the treatment approach to guide treatment direction and to verify outcomes. BMC has an interdisciplinary focus and draws heavily from behavioral/cognitive behavioral approaches to assessment and treatment, with treatment modality dictated by presenting concerns. Treatment may be conducted through a combination of onsite or telehealth services. There is focus on enhancing competence related to working with a wide range of families.

Additional training activities: In addition to two hours per week of individual supervision, fellows are actively involved in two hours per week of group supervision, clinical skills development seminars, or didactics. Peer supervision is also embedded within the training model. Fellows work closely with designated supervisors and may be provided opportunities to co-treat cases. Fellows may also provide periodic consultation with schools and engage in interdisciplinary communications within and outside of the Institute (e.g., developmental pediatricians and psychiatrists). 

Professional development experiences are integrated throughout the fellowship, including developing focused research projects, leading webinars, delivering community talks, and/or publishing online resources for families. 

BMC fellows can individualize their training experience depending on their specific training goals. Training experiences may include the following:

  • PCIT Certification: Supervising psychologists are certified Within Agency Trainers in PCIT, and postdoctoral fellows within the BMC are offered clinical and training opportunities to receive PCIT certification during their fellowship year. Supervisors are trained and/or certified in PCIT adaptations for anxiety, selective mutism, toddlers, and older children.
  • Providing Care to Military-Connected Families: Fellows who seek to gain expertise working with the unique needs of military-connected families may have a site assignment that is located near a military installation that serves a large number of military-connected families. Additional training focused on meeting the needs of military-connected youth is also provided.
  • Pediatric Anxiety Focus: Training is provided about utilizing parent-focused approaches (e.g., PCIT CALM, PCIT-SM, Supportive Parenting for Anxious Children [SPACE]) to address anxious behaviors in young children. Additional training may focus on treatment for pediatric OCD, Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for children.
  • Parent or Child Group Therapy: Fellows may focus on recruiting and leading group therapy for parents and/or children (e.g., Coping Cat, Unstuck & On Target). Certification in the behavioral parent training group, DOCS K-5 ADHD, can also be provided.
  • Brief ADHD Diagnostic Evaluation: Fellows may obtain additional assessment experience through conducting brief ADHD diagnostic evaluations.
  • Brief Treatment of Common Childhood Problems: Fellows may obtain experiences working with young children with common challenges, such as toileting, sleep, or feeding concerns.
  • Supervision: Fellows may choose to focus on opportunities in building supervisory skills (e.g., peer supervision, supervision of doctoral externs or undergraduate practicum students, etc.).
  • Community Outreach: Fellows are also offered opportunities to participate in community outreach and clinic marketing efforts by providing presentations/training (e.g., daycares, schools, after-care programs, parent and professional groups, and medical staff) and attending local events/conferences.
  • Clinical Outcomes Research: Fellows may participate in a research project over the course of the training year. 

Qualified candidates for the BMC fellowship program will have received their doctoral degrees in School, Counseling, or Clinical Psychology and have successfully completed an APA-accredited internship program.

Candidates for BMC’s rotation typically have experience and interest in areas such as the following: 

  • Serving preschool and school-aged children and their families and providing early intervention/prevention services.
  • Emphasis on treatment grounded in evidence-based interventions, data collection across settings, experience with graphing and interpreting data, and providing performance feedback to families, as well as ABA and CBT approaches, including third wave CBT interventions, such as mindfulness and ACT.
  • Interest in or experience providing Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).
  • Treating families with varied and complex psychosocial stressors in addition to child behavior difficulties.
  • Functional approach to case conceptualization and familiarity with the principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis.
  • Prior experience with interdisciplinary and/or multidisciplinary teamwork, including school consultation.
  • Experience with development and implementation of child and parent groups is highly desirable (e.g., ADHD, social skills, emotion management, anxiety, etc.).
  • Treating and working with military-connected families.