The Mood Disorders Program at Children's National provides outpatient services to children and adolescents with mood disorders (e.g., major depression, pediatric bipolar disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder) and their families. Externs will gain experience in assessment and treatment of mood disorders through individual, family and group therapy (optional). Additional externship opportunities include working with young children (under 6), children with medical illnesses and histories of trauma.
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children’s National is a Level IV NICU providing the highest level of care for premature and very sick newborns. The Perinatal Mental Health Program offers direct therapeutic services to NICU caregivers who are experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). Externs will gain experience in both assessment and short-term treatment of PMADs at bedside and via telehealth. The NICU has a full range of healthcare providers, including pediatric subspecialists and specialized nurses; and externs may have opportunities for observation and experiences with the interdisciplinary team.
The Anxiety Disorders Program at Children's National Hospital provides care to children and adolescents with anxiety disorders (e.g. generalized anxiety, OCD, tics, separation and social anxiety) and their families. The majority of youth treated are school-aged children (6-18 years), though younger children are sometimes seen as well. Externs will gain experience in assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Experience with group therapy and working with children and adolescents with medical illness may be a possibility as well.
In addition to formal, in-person supervision, externs will also have the opportunity participate in case conferences with child psychiatrists, attend behavioral health grand rounds, and clinical seminars (depending on the day of the externship).