Curriculum
Child and Adolescent Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Curriculum
The fellowship program is structured to be a full-time, one-year training experience. Each fellowship year begins on July 1, but exceptions may be made for an August 1 start date to accommodate variation in predoctoral internship end dates. Postdoctoral fellows work five days per week between the hours of 8am and 5pm, including the possibility of one late evening per week. Hours worked per week generally range from 40-45. There is no "on-call" coverage. The fellowship program has an emphasis on clinical child and pediatric psychology and focuses on evidence-based services. Postdoctoral fellows work with a range of clinical presentations, as well as largely underserved patients and families. Clinical services and training activities are conducted in-person, following safety guidelines, and via virtual/telehealth platforms.
Both brief and longer-term outpatient and day treatment interventions, in group and individual formats, are available. Measurement-based care is emphasized. Postdoctoral fellows work collaboratively with a team of providers (e.g., medical residents/fellows, nurses, pediatricians, social workers, licensed professional counselors, psychiatrists, etc.), and are actively involved in clinical teaching and supervision.
- Postdoctoral fellows dedicate time to direct service activities related to assessment, intervention, consultation, and inter-professional collaborations.
- Postdoctoral fellows may gain experience and expertise with a range of clinical child-presenting problems, including disruptive behaviors, anxiety, depression, trauma, and suicide and self-harm.
- Postdoctoral fellows may gain experience and expertise with a range of pediatric psychology presenting problems, including pain, adolescent medicine, eating disorders, hematology/oncology, and inpatient consultation/liaison.
- The amount of time that is devoted to direct service delivery varies, with a range of 12-16 hours of face-to-face services per week.
- Supervision of junior trainees and colleagues is also a critical part of clinical service requirements.
- Upon successful completion of the fellowship program, requirements are expected to be met for licensure in the state of Texas.
- Postdoctoral fellows are expected to take the EPPP by the end of their first year of fellowship.
- Postdoctoral fellows can spend 10-15% of their time in research activities.
- Postdoctoral fellows will be expected to complete a scholarly activity (e.g., poster or manuscript submission, conference talk, quality improvement project, program development proposal, etc.).
- Postdoctoral fellows participate in a monthly scholarly seminar to support them in meeting their scholarly requirements and receive mentoring by faculty who are engaged in similar scholarly activities.
- TTUHSC Lubbock is a part of two state-wide research networks that may be of interest
to postdoctoral fellows:
- Texas Childhood Trauma Research Network
- Texas Youth Depression & Suicide Research Network
Didactics focused on evidence-based assessment and intervention:
- Assessment/Intervention Seminar: deep dive into child and adolescent evidence-based assessments and interventions, with focus on learning and application
- Case Conference: discussion of cases, biopsychosocial case formulations, assessments, differential diagnoses, interventions, and video review of sessions
- Disease Specific Topics: a 4-part series focused on one mental health disorder. The first two weeks of the month focus on diagnosis and treatment. On the third week, learners engage in a Problem-Based Learning assignment, where they work in groups to solve an open-ended vignette. The last week of the series is an additional “special topic” related to the mental health disorder.
- Morbidity and Mortality Conference: a critical examination of system processes related to assessment, treatment, and overall care to plan for or avoid trouble-spots in the future
- Invited Speaker/Grand Rounds: in depth discussion regarding a special topic of expertise and clinical cases
Didactics focused on scholarly inquiry:
- Journal Club: critical examination of research articles, conclusions, and clinical implications
- Research Seminar: accountability and support for completion of scholarly requirements
- Scholars Symposium: learner presentations of scholarly activity
Didactics focused on general competencies related to health service psychology:
- Professional Development Seminar: discussion of professional development topics relevant for advanced learners and early-career psychologists
- Ethics Seminar: study and application of ethical principles and decision-making
- Supervision Seminar: development of skills related to consultation, supervision, and teaching
- Training Director Meeting/Program Evaluation Retreat: reflection on program strengths and growth areas and time for shared governance
- Team Building/Volunteering: opportunity for engagement with the local community
- Connections Curriculum: discussion of individual and cultural factors in thoughtful ways to increase connections with others
- Book Club: dive into literature to allow for individual and group reflection and perspective sharing
- Wellbeing Activity: activity to enhance individual and group wellness and wellbeing
- State of the Department: learn about departmental growth, vision, and finances
Additional Unstructured Didactic Opportunities:
- Additional scheduled orientations to clinics, policies, curriculum, and basic therapeutic skills are scheduled in July during onboarding.
- American Psychological Association: https://www.apa.org/education-career#cetrain
- FIU Center for Children and Families: https://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/
- TTUHSC Events: https://events.ttuhsc.edu/
- Learners are encouraged to participate in workshops and conferences.
Postdoctoral fellows receive at least two hours of individual face-to-face supervision per week from licensed psychologists. Supervisors will review documents, review video/audio taped sessions, and engage in live observation. Further, fellows have access to consultation and supervision during times they are providing clinical services. Supervision is provided by licensed psychologists who carry professional practice responsibility for the cases being supervised.
Core Supervisors:
- John Cooley, Ph.D.
- Tarrah Mitchell, Ph.D., ABPP
- Natalie Scanlon, Ph.D., LP
- David Trotter, Ph.D.
- Laurel Wolfe, Psy.D.
Informal evaluations are conducted throughout the year. Formal evaluations are conducted at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months of the fellowship. Evaluations are based on core competencies and serve to identify strengths and growth areas. Each clinical supervisor rates the fellow’s knowledge base and professional practice on structured rating forms. Evaluations are shared with the fellows so that goals can be defined and refinements can occur. There will also be regular opportunities for fellows to provide feedback on supervisors.
Postdoctoral fellows will receive and review a document outlining the rights and responsibilities of the program and the fellows related to due process and grievance procedures.