Early Childhood Behavioral Health

Externs will gain experience working with children experiencing a variety of behavioral and mental health disorders including internalizing and externalizing problems. Externs will have opportunities to conduct initial intake evaluations and facilitate ongoing therapy/treatment.

This year, the Early Childhood Behavioral Health Program will offer two externship tracks:

General Early Childhood Track

The extern will gain exposure to a variety of evidence-based individual and group-based interventions, such as:

• Individual Therapy
  • Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
  • ABA-informed therapy
  • Anxiety treatment
  • Behavioral parent training
• Group Therapy
  • RUBI Parent Training for Disruptive Behavior
  • We Thinkers (for social communication challenges)
  • Unstuck and On Target for Preschoolers (for executive function challenges)
  • Group for families with children recently diagnosed with autism

Intensive Behavioral Therapy Track

The extern will gain exposure to Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) -- short-term, intensive behavioral therapy for disruptive behaviors. Families attend 2-hour treatment sessions twice weekly over a 5-week period, totaling 20 hours of therapy. During this time, children and their caregivers undergo a behavioral therapy “boot camp” with the goal of acquiring more adaptive behaviors, building tolerance for challenging situations (e.g., restricting toys/TV/iPad, leaving preferred places, complying with commands, not having parent’s attention) and reducing maladaptive behaviors. There is an option to gain exposure to 1-2 therapies in the general track, depending on extern’s time and interest.

In addition to formal in-person supervision, opportunities for didactics include case conferences with child psychiatrists and clinical social workers, psychiatry grand rounds and clinical seminars.

Applicants must have completed:

• At least one practicum experience in child/adolescent therapy or assessment outside of their university training program
• Formal coursework in child development and treatment

Preference will be given to advanced doctoral students with a strong interest or experience in early childhood behavioral health.

One to two externs will be recruited for this externship.

Please email a letter of interest, CV/resume and two letters of recommendation to: 

• Robin Han, PhD | Email

Interested applicants should also complete this survey one time, regardless of how many externships you are applying for.

• Children's National Takoma Theatre - 6833 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012

Some of the work may be done via telehealth.

Sixteen hours/week (2 full days). The Early Childhood Behavioral Health Externship options for days include Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays. It is anticipated that this will be a one-year externship from July 2026 to June 2027.