The Eating and Weight Concerns Clinic provides care to youth ages 6-22 who are referred from either the Donald Delaney Eating Disorders Program in Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine or the Improving Diet, Energy and Activity for Life (IDEAL) Clinic. Common presenting concerns include restrictive eating, loss of control or binge eating, compensatory behaviors, body image disturbance, difficulties due to weight-based stigma, and weight-related medical concerns. Externs will gain experience in assessment and treatment of disordered eating utilizing a variety of evidence based tools (CBT-E, CBT-AR, FBT, IHBLT) and via group therapy. In addition to formal, in-person supervision, externs will also have the opportunity participate in case conferences with the multidisciplinary team (physicians, the family-based therapist, dietitians, advanced care providers), attend behavioral health grand rounds and clinical seminars (depending on externship day).
The Division of Allergy and Immunology at Children's National Hospital provides services to a diverse population of children and adolescents who are diagnosed with food allergies, eosinophilic esophagitis, asthma, eczema, urticaria and immunodeficiency disorders. The primary mental health concerns among this population are anxiety related to allergen exposure, adherence, adjustment concerns and feeding problems. The allergy and immunology team is multidisciplinary, so externs will routinely interact and consult with physicians and nurses. This externship offers experience with consultation/liaison services and procedural support during oral food challenge clinics, outpatient therapy services with an emphasis on cognitive/behavioral approaches and psychosocial program development.
