Postdoctoral Fellowships in Psychology
Psychology and Behavioral Health offers postdoctoral fellowships for psychologists. Fellowships are sponsored by individual faculty members and tailored to meet the specific needs of trainees. Read more about fellowships at Children’s National.
Child Clinical Fellowships
Anxiety Postdoctoral Fellowship
The Anxiety Disorders Program postdoctoral fellowship provides advanced clinical training in child psychology with an emphasis on the assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders. Clinical work during this one year fellowship primarily involves diagnostic evaluations and interventions for a wide range of anxiety presentations such as (but not limited to) generalized anxiety, social anxiety, OCD, selective mutism, PANS/PANDAS, specific phobia, panic disorder and medically-related anxiety. CBT and CBT-ERP are the main modalities with use of other empirically-supported treatments as needed.
Our multidisciplinary clinic offers outpatient services (individual and group treatments) to a diverse population in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia areas. The postdoctoral fellow will be able to participate in team meetings and collaborate with our psychiatry counterparts in clinical care and research endeavors (if interested). Fellows also have opportunities to gain clinical and/or research exposure in other areas of general child clinical or pediatric psychology via mini-rotations throughout the training year. Examples of past mini-rotations (subject to availability) include: research related to anxiety and OCD, supporting projects within the Child Health Advocacy Institute (CHAI) and clinical experiences in Gender Health, Endocrinology, Allergy and Immunology, Burn Surgery and Trauma. Interested fellows can provide umbrella supervision to psychology externs.
Didactics are an important component of the fellowship program and will focus on topics related to anxiety, general clinical child psychology and professional development through participation in the Anxiety Disorders Program team meetings, Behavioral Health Grand Rounds (BHGR) and Fellow Seminar Series. The position will primarily be at the Takoma Theatre location in Washington, D.C., with potential opportunities to go to other locations based on mini-rotations. The position will include telemedicine services. Salary is commensurate with NIH guidelines and funding is provided for professional development activities (e.g., conference travel, clinical workshops, etc.). Candidates with prior clinical experience in pediatric anxiety are encouraged to apply. Anticipated start date in August 2025 (though may be negotiable).
Application Requirements
- Completed APA-accredited internship
- Completed all requirements for their Ph.D. or Psy.D. prior to beginning the position
- Clinical experience with pediatric anxiety
- Obtain psychology associate license in Maryland and D.C. (Please note, you will need to apply prior to fellowship start and the D.C. board considers date of degree conferment as completion date versus when degree requirements may have been completed.)
Across Children’s National, there is a strong commitment to recruit, train and retain trainees, faculty and staff of diverse and underrepresented backgrounds in academic medicine. Applicants from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds in academic medicine are strongly encouraged to apply. Children’s National is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to racial, cultural, gender and sexual orientation diversity.
To Apply
Send application materials to Mi-Young Ryee, Ph.D.
- Letter of interest describing relevant experience and interest
- Current curriculum vitae
- Two letters of recommendation directly from your letter writers
- Please include “2025-2026 Anxiety Fellowship Application” in the subject line of your email
Deadline for applications is Dec. 1, 2024. Interviews are anticipated in January through February 2025 (all virtual). We look forward to your application!
Early Childhood Behavioral Health Postdoctoral Fellowship
Children’s National Early Childhood Behavioral Health Program anticipates two postdoctoral fellowship positions in the Division of Psychology. The goal of this postdoctoral fellowship is to support an integrative early childhood-focused training experience across clinical, research, teaching and advocacy domains and to promote the fellow’s trajectory as an independent clinical psychologist. We have a firm commitment to training within a health equity, social justice framework that promotes an understanding of how sociocultural factors impact child, family and community functioning and strengthens the fellow’s advocacy skills. The position is a one-year fellowship with potential for a second-year advanced fellowship based on the matching of program and fellow interests. Bilingual applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. Additionally, applicants interested in rotations providing ABA-informed treatment to those with elimination disorders (enuresis and encopresis) are also strongly encouraged to apply.
Fellowship Structure
Clinical training will focus on providing outpatient clinical care within the Division of Psychology and Behavioral Health in the Early Childhood Behavioral Health Program, though the fellow will also have opportunities to provide consultation within primary care settings. The fellow will receive training in Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), with opportunities to become a PCIT-certified therapist (or L1 Trainer for those who are PCIT-certified). The fellow can also receive training in Applied Behavior Analysis informed treatment and trauma informed treatments (via Child Parent Psychotherapy or Trauma-Focused CBT). There are also opportunities to co-lead group-based social communication therapy and/or parent support groups. The bulk of clinical training will focus on outpatient prevention and intervention, but the fellow would also have the opportunity to provide young child assessment and diagnostic evaluations for children with developmental delays and autism spectrum disorder. The fellow will work with children experiencing a variety of mental health concerns, including internalizing problems, externalizing problems and autism spectrum disorders. In addition to clinical care, the fellow will have professional development opportunities pertaining to program development/evaluation, education research and advocacy in conjunction with the Child Health Advocacy Institute.
Research/Program Development Training
Approximately 20% of the position can be devoted to protected time for program development, advocacy and/or research projects. Development and completion of independent projects is supported based on the interests of the fellow.
Didactics
Supervision
Interested fellows can provide umbrella supervision to psychology externs.
Additional Information
Start date is generally between July-September 2025. The position will primarily be at the Takoma Theatre Regional Outpatient Center, location in Washington, D.C. (metro-accessible). The position will also include telemedicine services. First year stipends are comparable to NIH standards plus benefits. The fellow will receive financial support to participate in national conferences.
Application Requirements
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Completed APA- or CPA-accredited doctoral internship
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Completed all requirements for their Ph.D. or Psy.D prior to beginning the position
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Candidates with previous clinical and research experiences working with early childhood populations are encouraged to apply
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Obtain Psychology Associate License in Maryland and the District of Columbia (please note, you will need to apply prior to fellowship start and the D.C. board considers date of degree conferment as completion date versus when degree requirements may have been completed)
Across Children’s National, there is a strong commitment to recruit, train and retain trainees, faculty, and staff of diverse and underrepresented backgrounds in academic medicine. Applicants from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds in academic medicine are strongly encouraged to apply. Children’s National is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to racial, cultural, gender and sexual orientation diversity.
The start date will be between July and September 2025. The position will primarily be at Children's National Takoma Theatre, location in Washington, D.C. The position will also include telemedicine services. First year stipends are comparable to NIH standards plus benefits. The fellow will receive financial support to participate in national conferences.
To Apply:
Send application materials via email to Leandra Godoy, Ph.D.
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Letter of interest summarizing clinical/research interests and match of interest/fit
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Current Curriculum vitae
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Two letters of recommendation directly from your letter writers
Deadline for completed applications is Dec. 1, 2024. Email Dr. Godoy to request later application date (latest acceptance of Jan. 1, 2025). Interviews are expected to take place in December 2024 through February 2025 in a virtual format.
Inpatient and Outpatient Mood Disorders Postdoctoral Fellowship
The Inpatient and Outpatient Mood Disorders Postdoctoral Fellowship provides advanced clinical training in child psychology with an emphasis on mood disorders and acute short-term intervention. The fellowship is divided into two parts, with half of the time spent on our Child and Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Units and half the time in the Outpatient Mood and Trauma Disorders Program. In addition to direct clinical care, there is time dedicated for supervision, administrative time and pursuing other clinical, research and program development interests. As part of training, the fellow will also treat families as a part of our comprehensive outpatient Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program providing individual therapy, phone coaching, co-leading multifamily DBT groups (optional) and participating in our multidisciplinary consultation team.
Fellowship Structure
The Inpatient Psychiatry Units are two psychiatric units for children and adolescents ages 5-17 who are deemed a danger to themselves or others for self-injury, suicidal behavior, severe aggression, psychosis or difficulties with emotional and behavioral dysregulation. DBT is the primary mode of treatment implemented on the units. The average length of stay for patients is between 5-7 days. As part of the inpatient portion of the fellowship, the fellow will work closely with a multidisciplinary team (nursing, psychiatry, child life, expressive therapy, child psychiatric specialists and social work) and provide individual and group therapy services as well as crisis management.
The Mood and Trauma Disorders Program at Children's National provides outpatient services to children and adolescents with mood disorders (e.g., major depression, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder), and their families. Fellows will gain experience in assessment and treatment of mood disorders through individual, family and group therapy (optional). Additional fellowship opportunities include working with children with chronic medical illnesses and those exposed to trauma.
Our hospital serves a diverse population in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area. The fellow will be able to participate in team meetings, collaborate with our psychiatry counterparts and potentially gain supervision experience with psychology externs. The fellow will also have opportunities to gain clinical and/or research exposure in other areas of general child clinical or pediatric psychology, if interested. Didactics are an important component of the fellowship program and will focus on topics related to DBT, mood disorders, anxiety, general clinical child psychology and professional development.
Research/Program Development Training
Approximately 20% of the position can be devoted to protected time for program development, advocacy and/or research projects. Development and completion of independent projects is supported based on the interests of the fellow.
Didactics
The fellowship includes participation in a monthly didactic series individualized to the needs of all psychology fellows across Children’s National. Topics include a focus on multiple aspects of professional development.
Supervision Experience
Interested fellows can provide umbrella supervision to psychology externs.
Additional Information
This is a one-year position with a flexible start date between August and mid-September 2025. The position will split time between Children’s National main hospital and the Children's National Takoma Theatre, both located in Washington, D.C. The position will also include telemedicine services. First-year stipends are comparable to NIH standards plus benefits. The fellow will receive financial support to participate in national conferences.
Application Requirements
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Experience with evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy and DBT is preferred
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Applicants should have training from APA- or CPA- accredited doctoral internship programs
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Candidates with previous clinical experience working with mood disorders are encouraged to apply
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Completed APA- or CPA-accredited doctoral internship
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Completed all requirements for their Ph.D. or Psy.D. prior to beginning the position
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Obtain Psychology Associate License in Maryland and D.C. (will need prior to start of fellowship)
Across Children’s National, there is a strong commitment to recruit, train and retain trainees, faculty and staff of diverse and underrepresented backgrounds in academic medicine. Applicants from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds in academic medicine are strongly encouraged to apply.
To Apply
Send application materials via email to: Deborah Zlotnik, Ph.D.
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Letter of interest summarizing clinical/research interests and match of interest/fit
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Current curriculum vitae
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Two letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation can be sent by applicants.
Deadline for completed applications is Dec. 1, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interviews are expected to take place in January and February 2025 in a virtual format. We look forward to reviewing your application!
Children’s National is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to racial, cultural, gender and sexual orientation diversity.
Pediatric Psychology Fellowships
Allergy and Immunology Postdoctoral Fellowship
The Children’s National Division of Allergy and Immunology announces a clinical and research postdoctoral fellow for the 2025-2026 academic year. The Division of Allergy and Immunology at Children's National provides services to a diverse pediatric population who are diagnosed with food allergies, eosinophilic esophagitis, asthma, eczema, urticaria and primary immunodeficiency disorders and live throughout D.C., Maryland and Virginia. All clinical and research activities will be under the direct supervision of Linda Herbert, Ph.D., and Tiffany Kichline, Ph.D. This is a one or two-year position with a summer 2025 start date. Annual salary and benefits are competitive.
Fellowship Structure
- Clinical Training: The fellow will receive training in a wide range of clinical services for this population including consultation-liaison services during oral food challenge and eosinophilic esophagitis clinics and outpatient therapy services for patients and their families. The primary mental health concerns addressed during outpatient therapy are anxiety and depressive symptoms related to food allergies, eosinophilic esophagitis, and primary immunodeficiency disorders, adherence to medical routines, needle phobia and adjustment to new diagnosis. Therapy primarily includes medical psychoeducation and CBT and exposure techniques. Fellows may also engage in feeding therapy for anxiety related to food allergy or mild ARFID cases.
- Research Training: The fellow will participate in a robust research program, including an NIH-funded clinical trial evaluating a behavioral intervention for adolescents with food allergy and an observational study pertaining to food allergy-related health disparities. Other research projects are conducted related to parent adjustment and intervention development. Opportunities exist for the fellow to initiate an independent research project, as well as work collaboratively on manuscripts, presentations and grant writing within CNH and with national and global partners.
- Professional Development: General training within pediatric psychology will be provided through the training program in the Division of Psychology & Behavioral Health, including didactic opportunities (e.g., psychiatry grand rounds, divisional academic meetings, postdoctoral seminars and behavioral research meetings). The fellow will also participate in the Division of Allergy and Immunology’s Health Equity group and have opportunity to supervise psychology trainees.
Application Requirements
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Applicants should have attended an APA-accredited graduate program in clinical, clinical-child, or health psychology
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Completed an APA-accredited doctoral internship
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Completed all requirements for their doctoral degree prior to beginning the position
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Obtain psychology associate license in Maryland and D.C. (will need prior to start of fellowship)
Across Children’s National, there is a strong commitment to recruit, train and retain trainees, faculty and staff of diverse and underrepresented backgrounds in academic medicine. Applicants from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds in academic medicine are strongly encouraged to apply.
To Apply
Send application materials to: Linda Herbert, Ph.D.
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Letter of interest describing relevant experience, fit with the training program and career goals
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Current curriculum vitae
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Two letters of recommendation sent directly from your letter writers
Deadline for applications is Dec. 1, 2024. We look forward to your application!
Children’s National is an equal opportunity employer.
Burn and Trauma Postdoctoral Fellowship
The Psychology team associated with the Burn Surgery and Trauma Care teams at Children’s National Hospital anticipates one opening for a postdoctoral fellow for the 2025-2026 year. The fellow will join a cohort of 8 -10 other fellows in the Division of Psychology and Behavioral Health. The Burn and Trauma service at Children's National is a multidisciplinary program serving youth ages 0-18 and their families from acute inpatient care through rehabilitation. The psychology team specializes in supporting adjustment and coping, including providing trauma-focused psychological services. The position is a one-year fellowship with potential for a second-year advanced fellowship based on the matching interest of program and fellow interests.
Fellowship Structure
- Clinical Training: Approximately 50-80% of the position will be devoted to clinical activities in the multidisciplinary Burn and Trauma service. This work includes consultation/liaison services, brief outpatient brief assessment and intervention in interdisciplinary clinics, as well as outpatient individual, parent-focused and group treatments. Training delivering Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy will be provided.
- Research/Program Development: 20-50% of the position will be devoted to protected time for the fellow to participate in research and program development. The fellow will have the opportunity to contribute to academic products using data from preliminary studies of parent resilience after pediatric burn injury, a pilot intervention promoting parent psychosocial health of young children after burn injuries and clinical research data from systematic screening. The fellow will also have the opportunity to develop a project of their own. Opportunities for grant writing and publications are available and encouraged. Additionally, options exist for providing umbrella supervision of graduate student clinicians for fellows interested in developing teaching skills.
- Didactics: Formal didactic opportunities include multidisciplinary burn rounds, clinical research meetings as well as a Psychology Division Postdoctoral Fellow didactic series which focuses on professional development in a supportive environment of peers.
The fellowship is anticipated to begin on or around September 2025. Salary is commensurate with NIH guidelines and funding is provided for professional development activities (e.g., conference travel, clinical workshops).
Application Requirements:
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Applicants should have training from APA- accredited graduate program in clinical, clinical-child, pediatric or health psychology
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Candidates with prior clinical and research experience in pediatric behavioral medicine and/or trauma are encouraged to apply
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Completed APA-accredited internship
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Completed all requirements for their Ph.D. or Psy.D. prior to beginning the position
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Obtain Psychology Associate License in Maryland and D.C. (will need prior to start of fellowship)
Across Children’s National, there is a strong commitment to recruit, train and retain trainees, faculty and staff of diverse and underrepresented backgrounds in academic medicine. Applicants from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds in academic medicine are strongly encouraged to apply.
To Apply:
Send application materials via email to: Carrie Tully, Ph.D.
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Cover letter describing relevant experience and interest
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Current curriculum vitae
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Two letters of recommendation directly from your letter writers
Deadline for applications is Dec. 1, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interviews are anticipated in December - February with a virtual option. Applications will be reviewed as received. We look forward to your application!
Please direct application materials using the subject line in the email, “Fellowship Application,” or any questions to: Carrie Tully, Ph.D., Pediatric Psychologist, Psychology and Behavioral Health and Trauma and Burn Surgery.
Children’s National is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to racial, cultural, gender and sexual orientation diversity.
Celiac Disease Postdoctoral Fellowship
The Children’s National Hospital Celiac Disease Program is recruiting candidates for a one-year, full time fellowship for the 2025-2026 academic year, with the option to extend for a second year, pending funding and match of interests. The Celiac Disease Program at CNH provides clinical care and research to children of all ages with celiac disease and their families. Established in 2017, the psychosocial health program is a unique resource to the celiac disease community and offers specialized clinical consultations and care, psychosocial research and advocacy. All research and clinical activities will be supervised directly by Shayna Coburn, Ph.D. Start and end dates are flexible, and salary and benefits are competitive.
Fellowship Structure
Clinical Training
Clinical training will comprise 50% of the position and will focus on outpatient consultations and interventions in the Celiac Disease Program’s weekly multidisciplinary clinic. The fellow will receive training in a range of clinical services including health and behavior consultations, brief interventions and long-term therapy with a basis in cognitive behavioral approaches. Psychologists are integrated into clinic visits alongside a physician, nurse, dietitian and education specialist. Common psychosocial challenges in this population include anxiety, depression and behavioral problems in adjusting to the diagnosis, needle phobia, strained family relationships, poor adherence and eating and feeding difficulties. Additional individual therapy appointments will be offered to patients in need of follow-up treatment, with in-person and telehealth options. Broader experiences in the Division of Gastroenterology may be available based on interest.
Research Training
With 50% time devoted to research, the fellow will be an integrated member of a thriving research program, including a NIH-funded clinical trial to evaluate a behavioral intervention for teens and their parents, the GROW Project (Gluten-Free Resilience and Overall Wellness). The fellow will serve as an interventionist for the GROW Project and will assist with conducting interviews and assessments for data collection. Opportunities for training will include intervention delivery, telehealth-based research strategies, and qualitative and quantitative analyses. The fellow is encouraged to contribute to manuscripts, presentations and grant-writing as well as pursue an independent research project based on interest, such as health disparities in screening and access to care, and risk and protective factors for emotional distress and nonadherence.
Professional Development
The training program in the Division of Psychology and Behavioral Health provides didactic seminars for postdoctoral fellows and other optional meetings (e.g., psychiatry grand rounds, divisional academic meetings and behavioral research meetings). The fellow will also participate in the Celiac Disease Program’s clinic and lab meetings, including a journal club. Finally, fellows are encouraged to engage in supervision and mentorship of psychology trainees within the program.
Application Requirements
- Training from APA- or CPA-accredited doctoral and internship programs
- Completed all requirements for their Ph.D. or Psy.D. prior to beginning the position
- Obtain psychology associate license in Maryland and D.C.
Across Children’s National, there is a strong commitment to recruit, train and retain trainees, faculty, and staff of diverse and underrepresented backgrounds in academic medicine. Applicants from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds in academic medicine are strongly encouraged to apply. Children’s National is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to racial, cultural, gender and sexual orientation diversity.
To Apply:
Send application materials to: Shayna Coburn, Ph.D. with the subject line "Celiac Fellowship Application"
- Letter of interest describing fellowship/career goals and fit with the position
- Current curriculum vitae
- Two letters of recommendation sent directly from your letter writers
Deadline for applications is Dec. 1, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we may continue reviewing applications until the position is filled. Interviews are anticipated in December 2024 through February 2025 with a virtual option. We look forward to reviewing your application!
Cancer and Blood Disorders Center Postdoctoral Fellowship
The Children’s National Cancer and Blood Disorders Center anticipates one opening for a postdoctoral fellow in the Divisions of Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation (BMT) beginning August 2025.
Fellowship Structures
The Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s National Hospital provides inpatient and outpatient services for children diagnosed with cancer or hematologic diseases and patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplants. Children's National is ranked one of the top 10 children's hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Our Cancer and Blood Disorders Center sees 300+ new oncology diagnoses each year, and was recently ranked the number 5 pediatric cancer program in the United States. The Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease Program is one of largest in the country, caring for over 1,300 children and adolescents with sickle cell disease. This one year, clinical fellowship consists of training from four pediatric psychologists in inpatient consultation/liaison and outpatient therapy with pediatric populations, with an emphasis on cognitive-behavioral, acceptance and commitment and family systems approaches. Primary training opportunities are listed below.
- Clinical Training
- Conducting initial consultations for patients newly diagnosed with cancer and their families
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Providing follow-up interventions for patients receiving ongoing medical treatment
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Implementing innovative psychosocial screening protocols and brief interventions for patients seen in various multidisciplinary clinics spanning oncology and BMT long-term follow-up clinics as well as for patients receiving chronic blood transfusion therapy
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Implementing a cognitive-behavioral and acceptance-based treatment to enhance pain management in our Sickle Cell Disease Integrative Pain Clinic
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Pre-transplant psychological assessments for patients preparing for stem cell transplant and gene therapy
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Collaborating closely with a multidisciplinary team of more than 10 medical and psychosocial disciplines to address the complex problems faced by patients and their families
- Research/Program Development. Research is available to fellows who are interested, but not required. Development and completion of independent research or program development projects is supported by a primary mentor and based on the interests of the fellow. Ongoing projects include pain assessments during hospitalizations, the impact of pain on returning to school following a hospitalization, neurocognitive and psychological effects of childhood cancer and sickle cell disease, cognitive rehabilitation and evaluating factors affecting readiness for BMT.
- Didactics. The fellowship includes weekly Cancer and Blood Disorders Center psychology didactics that cover various topics through a journal club, skill building workshops, diversity, equity, and inclusion lecture and case series and group supervision. The fellow will have the opportunity to assume a leadership role in Cancer and Blood Disorders Center didactics and receive training in both theoretical and experiential approaches to clinical supervision. Other didactic opportunities include weekly Cancer and Blood Disorders Center multidisciplinary psychosocial rounds and monthly professional development meetings. The fellow can also participate in a Psychology Division Postdoctoral monthly didactic series that is individualized to the needs of all pediatric psychology fellows across Children’s National.
- Supervision. Fellows provide formal and informal supervision to psychology externs. Formal supervision includes taking a lead role in our clinic for survivors of childhood cancer as well as our didactics and group supervision. Informal umbrella supervision about cases, team collaboration, patient care or otherwise occurs based on fellow interest.
The fellowship is anticipated to begin in August 2025; though, start date is negotiable. Funding is provided for professional development activities (e.g., conference travel, clinical workshops). Candidates with previous clinical and research experience in pediatric behavioral medicine are encouraged to apply.
Please note, fellows will need to apply for a D.C. psychology associate license prior to fellowship start and the D.C. board considers date of degree conferment as completion date versus when degree requirements may have been completed. A Maryland psychology associate license may also be required.
Application Requirements:
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Attended an APA-accredited graduate program in clinical, clinical-child, or health psychology
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Completed an APA-accredited internship
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Completed all requirements for doctoral degree prior to beginning the fellowship position
To Apply:
Send application materials via email to: Stephanie Merwin, Ph.D.
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Letter of interest describing relevant experience, fit with the training program, and career goals
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Current curriculum vitae
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Two letters of recommendation directly from your letter writers
The deadline for applications is Dec. 1, 2024. Children’s National is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to racial, cultural, gender and sexual orientation diversity.
Perinatal Mental Health Postdoctoral Fellowship
The Developing Brain Institute (DBI) at Children’s National Hospital is currently accepting applications for postdoctoral fellowships for the 2025-2026 training year in the area of Perinatal Mental Health, with one of the two available positions to be focused specifically on Latina Perinatal Mental Health.
This clinical fellowship experience will include patient care, program development, clinical applied research and advocacy efforts related to the needs of patients seen via the Prenatal Pediatrics Institute (PPI), the DC Mother-Baby Wellness (DCMBW) Program and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU). As part of clinical care, fellows will attend and participate in regular multidisciplinary team meetings, collaborate with colleagues across multiple medical subspecialties, and support patients longitudinally across inpatient and outpatient contexts. The fellow will be located on-site at the main hospital campus in Washington, D.C.
Primary responsibilities include the following:
- Clinical assessment and intervention. Fellows will conduct comprehensive assessments and provide psychotherapeutic interventions to support individuals experiencing perinatal mental health challenges. This can include individual therapy and support groups.
- Research and program development. Fellows may have the opportunity to engage in a range of active research projects related to perinatal mental health. They may also contribute to the development and enhancement of perinatal mental health programs and services within the Developing Brain Institute.
- Supervision and training. Fellows will be supervised by psychologists with expertise in perinatal mental health. Fellows will also take part in didactic training for pediatric psychology fellows across Children’s National, along with didactics and collaborations focused on perinatal mental health within Children’s National and across the D.C. area. Fellows will be supported in receiving advanced training in perinatal mental health, which will allow for eventual PMH-C certification, if desired.
More information about the departments the fellows will be working across is provided below:
- The Prenatal Pediatrics Institute (PPI) provides advanced diagnostic imaging and multidisciplinary care for pregnant individuals and families who have received a prenatal diagnosis of a complex fetal medical condition, including genetic conditions, neurologic conditions and/or cardiac conditions. On the PPI rotation, fellows will participate in screening and intervention to support patients and families navigating significant stress and uncertainty during pregnancy, including patients whose infants are treated in the Children’s National Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and/or Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU), patients who terminate their pregnancies and perinatal palliative care patients.
- The DC Mother-Baby Wellness Program (DCMBW) is an innovative, collaborative community perinatal mental health program involving sites across the D.C. metro area. On the DCMBW rotation, the fellow will work with the multi-disciplinary clinical team to provide longitudinal screening, assessment and treatment of perinatal women.
The fellow in the Latina Perinatal Mental Health track will also receive specific training and focus on:
- Cultural relevance and humility. Fellows will develop a deep understanding of the factors, traditions and beliefs that influence the mental health of Spanish-speaking Latina mothers in the U.S. and will utilize cultural formulation tools and culturally adapted treatments to provide client-centered, culturally humble care.
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Applied, culturally-relevant research. Fellows will have the opportunity to engage in research specifically focused on increasing mental health access for perinatal Latina populations, and on improving the cultural relevance of evidence-based psychosocial interventions.
- Supervision and training. The fellow will receive supervision in Spanish from a bilingual psychologist with expertise in the field of perinatal mental health. Fellows can also choose to complete required and optional trainings in Spanish, such as the Perinatal Mental Health Certification Training. Interested fellows are invited to participate in STEP, the Spanish Training Emphasis Program that is part of Children’s National.
The fellowship is a one-year position starting August 2025, with potential for a second year based on fellow and program agreement.
All applicants should have attended an APA-accredited doctoral and internship program. Preferred qualifications include previous experience with perinatal, pediatric, and/or health psychology, and previous experience with relevant treatments (with an emphasis on CBT, IPT, and/or ACT).
Applicants from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. To apply, please send the following materials to Brie Kohrt, Ph.D., and Ellen Bartolini, Psy.D.
- Cover letter describing relevant experience and career goals
- Curriculum vitae
- Two letters of recommendation
- For applicants to the Latina Perinatal Mental Health position, advanced proficiency in Spanish is required. If you have previously taken a Spanish language competency exam, please include a copy of this. If not, this can be conducted during the interview process.
Questions about the fellowship can be directed to Drs. Kohrt and Bartolini. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Whole Bear Care: Primary Care Behavioral Health Services
Whole Bear Care: Primary Care Behavioral Health Services at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. is currently accepting applications for a postdoctoral fellowship position in Pediatric Primary Care psychology for the 2025-2026 training year.
The Whole Bear Care program is an integrated model of behavioral health in community pediatrics. The Psychology team works closely with multidisciplinary teams to provide behavioral health consultation within the primary care setting. Clinics serve patients from the D.C. metro area including many underserved and marginalized communities. Supervision in case-conceptualization is approached from a culturally sensitive framework with an emphasis on understanding and considering systemic and social determinants of health. The fellow will gain experience working with children experiencing a variety of mental health and developmental concerns, with patients from 0-22 years of age. Clinical training will include direct clinical care of patients and families including consultation, short-term follow up therapy, and multidisciplinary collaboration. As available, the fellow may participate in program development and research. The fellow will attend didactics and supervision to support their development as an independent integrated care psychologist. Additionally, fellows may have the opportunity to supervise psychology trainees if interested. The fellowship is a one -year full-time position with flexibility on the start date between July – September 2025. Clinical hours and supervision for licensure will be provided. Clinical experience working with children and adolescents from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We serve a diverse population of patients and seek to continue to grow a workforce that reflects the communities we serve, thus applicants from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Stipend and benefits are competitive.
Areas of Clinical Training Focus:
- Mood and anxiety concerns
- Behavioral challenges
- Trauma exposure and community violence
- School support (IEP/504 Plans)
- Grief
- Pediatric medical concerns (e.g., medication adherence, needle phobia)
- Potential postdoc site placements:
Potential Postdoc Site Placements:
Anacostia Whole Bear Care
2101 M L K Jr Avenue Southeast, Washington, D.C.
Shaw Metro Whole Bear Care
641 S Street NW, Washington, D.C.
THEARC Whole Bear Care
1901 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, D.C.
Application Requirements:
- Completed APA-accredited internship
- Completed all requirements for their Ph.D. or Psy.D prior to beginning the position
- Clinical experience with children and adolescents
- Obtain Psychology Associate License in Washington, D.C. and Maryland (please note, you will need to apply prior to fellowship start and the D.C. board considers date of degree conferment as completion date versus when degree requirements may have been completed)
To Apply:
Please send the following materials to Emma Whitmyre, Ph.D.
- Letter of interest describing relevant experience and interest
- Current curriculum vitae
- Two letters of recommendation directly from your letter writers
Application deadline is December 1, 2024. Interviews are expected to take place in January-February 2025 via video call.