The Anxiety Disorders Program at Children’s National Hospital provides specialized care to children and adolescents with anxiety and related disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, specific phobia, OCD, tics). The extern will gain hands-on experience in the assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders in school-aged children (5-18 years old). This experience offers the opportunity to strengthen clinical skills in evidence-based interventions including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP) and supportive parenting for anxious childhood emotions (SPACE) with children, adolescents and their families. The extern will also have opportunity to participate in group therapy.
The Pediatric Medical Outpatient Program at Children’s National Hospital provides specialized care to children and adolescents with acute and chronic medical conditions between the ages of 4-18 years old whose diagnoses or treatments impact daily functioning, mood or behavior. Common concerns include:
- Coping with chronic illness
- Adherence to complex medical treatment regimen
- Needle or procedure-related distress
- Pain
- Fatigue
- Adjustment difficulties
Externs will gain hands-on experience in the assessment and treatment of these concerns in an outpatient setting. Training goals focus on building skills in evidence-based approaches, including CBT, ERP/desensitization, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and parent management training with children, adolescents and their families. The extern may potentially have the opportunity to participate in medical inpatient consultation services.
Additional Experiences
Externs will have the potential opportunity to attend behavioral health grand rounds, externship didactics and group supervision (depending on the day of the externship).
