Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Psychology Advanced training in cognitive behavioral treatment and applied behavior analysis

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1 Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Psychology Advanced training in cognitive behavioral treatment and applied behavior analysis

2 Excellence in service, training, and research is a critical element of May Institute s philosophy and mission. Our postdoctoral training strongly supports that mission through this intensive, advanced program for May Institute fellows. Deidre L. Donaldson, Ph.D., ABPP May Institute s Chief Clinical Officer About May Institute May Institute is a nonprofit organization that provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare services to individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, brain injury, and behavioral health needs. The Institute also provides training and consultation services to professionals, organizations, and public school systems. Since its founding 60 years ago, May Institute has evolved into an award-winning national network that serves thousands of individuals and their families at more than 150 service locations across the country. Several May Institute schools serve children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities; another school serves individuals with brain injury. Over 90 percent of the Institute s eligible programs have received three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Our programs feature diverse clinical and multicultural client populations including military families. The Institute is an active center of research and training, maintaining affiliations with more than 50 universities, hospitals, and human service agencies worldwide. In addition to the postdoctoral fellowship in clinical psychology, the Institute offers a doctoral pyschology internship program accredited by the American Psychological Association. May Institute is the first nonprofit human services organization in the country to receive top national honors from the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. In response to the tremendous increase in the prevalence of ASD, May Institute founded the National Autism Center in This May Institute Center is dedicated to serving children and adolescents with ASD by promoting best practices and offering comprehensive and reliable information to families, practitioners, and communities. In 2015, the Center s unprecedented multi-year project the National Standards Project, Phase 2 established a set of standards for effective, research-validated educational and behavioral interventions for children and adults with ASD. 2

3 Program Overview The postdoctoral fellowship provides advanced training in cognitive behavioral psychology and applied behavior analysis (ABA). Fellows train at a May Institute service site within the Behavioral Health Services track or the ABA Services track. The fellowship is a minimum, one-year, supervised experience based on a scientist-practitioner training model that requires a trainee to develop interventions utilizing evidence-based and empirically supported clinical methods, reference research literature, collect treatment outcome data, and share findings at professional conferences and through publications. The model supports an integrated approach to science and practice, with the goal of developing skills that foster a career-long process of assessment, intervention, investigation, and dissemination. Fellows develop a written training plan with their primary supervisors and the Director of Training. The plan identifies learning objectives and performance goals that fellows are expected to achieve during the program. The training plan also specifies the activities and associated timelines that fellows will pursue in applying and sitting for the Massachusetts psychology licensure examination. Program Focus and Components The field training component of the postdoctoral fellowship is structured Fellowship Committee: Beth A. Jerskey, Ph.D. Director Deidre L. Donaldson, Ph.D., ABPP Nancy K. Gajee, Ph.D. Jeanne M. Paccia, Ph.D. Jennifer Silber, Ph.D., BCBA-D Valerie Thompson around a primary service site although there may be opportunity to train at a second site depending on interest and supervision availability. Fellows are given a clinical caseload as well as other assignments that allow them to practice and refine their specialization skills. 3

4 Supervisors and other clinicians observe fellows at work, review their reports, and continuously evaluate their progress. Upon completing their training, fellows are expected to qualify for and pass the Massachusetts psychology licensure examination. During the program, fellows receive approximately 2,160 hours of training (45 hours per week x 48 weeks) with at least 1,000 hours devoted to direct service. Other training activities include: Individual and group supervision (4 hours per week) Participation in annual May Institute Professional Continuing Education seminar series Participation in annual May Institute Educator and Behavior Analyst seminar series Teaching and supervision opportunities within the May Institute APA-accredited predoctoral internship program in clinical psychology Implementation of research projects at assigned service sites Regularly scheduled group meetings with the Director of Training Stipends and Benefits Fellows receive an annual stipend and are offered health and dental insurance, basic life insurance, a Training Placements The program is designed around two training tracks: Applied Behavioral Services and Behavioral Health Services. Not all sites are available each year. Postdoctoral placements are described on pages 6 and 7. Applied Behavioral Services placement sites conduct applied research and deliver consultation and direct services, primarily for children and adolescents with severe behavior disorders associated with brain injury, autism, and other developmental disabilities. The primary clinical approach is based on the principles of ABA. Behavioral Health Services placement sites deliver a range of outpatient, consultation, and day services across all age groups and diagnoses. These sites utilize evidence-based clinical approaches primarily founded on the principles of behavioral and cognitive psychology. Clinical populations include adults, adolescents, children, and families with mental health and co-occurring disorders and adults with severe and persistent mental illness. Several placement sites have a large percentage of culturally and ethnically diverse clientele. 403(b) plan, and short-term disability insurance. 4 They also receive 15 days of paid leave and 10 paid holidays each year.

5 Admissions Requirements and Application Process Applicants to the Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Psychology must have [a] attended an American Psychological Association (APA)-approved graduate school program in clinical, counseling, or school psychology, [b] defended their dissertation research, and [c] completed an APA-approved predoctoral internship program. They must demonstrate ethical conduct and interpersonal skills appropriate to the professional practice of psychology. The postdoctoral fellowship committee evaluates applicants based on their academic preparation, practicum and internship experiences, letters of recommendation, and training goals consistent with our program s philosophy and orientation. May Institute considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, sex, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, veteran status, age, or any other protected group status. The application deadline for the academic year is March 31, Applications should be submitted to psychinternship@mayinstitute.org. Postdoctoral fellowship application form (available at Two letters of recommendation Curriculum vita Inquiries to: Valerie Thompson Administrative Coordinator of Clinical Training Tel: psychinternship@mayinstitute.org Applicants will be notified about admissions decisions within 3-4 weeks of the application submission deadline. NOTE: Once an individual has been offered placement in this program, May Institute will conduct a criminal record check (CORI), as required by Massachusetts Law. In addition, we require driving record checks of all employees. A final match is contingent upon the successful completion of the CORI and driving record check with the Department of Motor Vehicles. 5

6 Potential Training Placements Applied Behavioral Services Track May Center School for Autism and Developmental Disabilities 41 Pacella Park Drive Randolph, MA May Center School for Brain Injury and Related Disorders 596 Summer Street Brockton, MA May Center for Evaluation and Treatment 41 Pacella Park Drive Randolph, MA The primary responsibility of fellows at this placement is to conduct applied behavior analysis assessments and interventions with students who have autism and related developmental disabilities. Fellows maintain a clinical caseload, consult to classrooms and participate in peer review. In addition, fellows are expected to complete applied research activities, data analysis, and contribute to peer-reviewed articles, chapters, and/or books. Fellows in this placement provide applied behavioral services to individuals who have experienced brain injury as a result of trauma or illness, and are currently served in a private school, and/or a community-based residential program. Fellows conduct assessments of severe behavioral challenges, develop individual treatment plans, and provide behavioral consultation to support staff working with severely challenged clients. In addition, this placement provides opportunities for fellows to participate in IEP and curriculum development and ongoing research activities. Fellows in this setting conduct comprehensive neurodevelopmental evaluations of individuals suspected of having an autism spectrum disorder. Administration and scoring of the ADOS-2 and other specialized instruments is emphasized. This placement offers experience in supervising interns and practicum students. Opportunities to provide treatment to individuals and families are available, as well as social skills and parent training groups. Fellows may also participate in the National Standards Project and other ongoing research projects. 6

7 Behavioral Health Services Track Fernandes Center for Children and Families at Steward Saint Anne s Hospital 222 Milliken Blvd., 1st Floor Fall River, MA May Institute Behavioral Health Services 2020R Centre Street West Roxbury, MA May Counseling Center 95 West Street Walpole, MA This placement is situated in a community-based outpatient hospital program focusing on pediatric, child,and family psychological services. Duties include participation in an interdisciplinary clinical team; outpatient behavioral treatment of a variety of child disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, behavior disorders, developmental disabilities); management of psychosocial aspects of medical disorders (e.g., family management, school adjustment); and group-based treatments and consultation. Fellows have the opportunity to develop consultation skills in medical specialty clinics and teams. This placement features training in outpatient clinical services with culturally, ethnically, and socio-economically diverse populations including severe and persistent mental illness and complex dual diagnosis. Fellows have the opportunity to work with a culturally diverse caseload and cases of significant complexity within a large outpatient mental health center serving children, adolescents, and adults. In addition, fellows can provide assessment and school-based therapeutic services to children and adolescents in the Boston area. The training focus of this placement is outpatient psychological services to children, adolescents, and adults. These services include individual, family, and group therapy as well as consultation to community agencies. The populations include individuals with psychiatric and behavioral disorders, and a variety of other mental health problems including anxiety and stress-related problems, depression, and eating disorders. Psychological testing experience is also available. 7

8 FOR MORE INFORMATION: inquiries and submissions invited: Valerie Thompson Administrative Coordinator of Clinical Training Beth Jerskey, Ph.D. Vice President of Professional Training and Research Director of Training, Doctoral Internship, and Postdoctoral Fellowship Programs in Clinical Psychology Pacella Park Drive, Randolph, Massachusetts