Elective Training in Clinical Child Psychology

The Clinical Child Psychology major area of study is devoted to training graduate students to conduct research with and provide clinical services to children, adolescents, and families. Graduate students completing training in the Clinical Child area of study train in the Center for Intervention Research in Schools , which is dedicated to conducting cutting-edge research and providing innovative training experiences for students and professionals. Our current research focuses on the development and evaluation of school-based interventions for youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as other problems such as depression, conduct, anxiety and the impairments (e.g., peer relations, academic problems) that are common for students with these difficulties. Additional research interests include studying ADHD as a risk factor for family conflict and dating violence as well as identifying ways to engage children, parents and teachers in effective therapeutic services. The Center for Intervention Research in Schools is committed to providing high-quality training experiences that prepare graduate students to conduct interdisciplinary treatment outcome research.

Graduate students are also trained to be knowledgeable and effective clinical practitioners. Students in the Clinical Child area of study receive clinical training in evidence-based assessment and intervention techniques for children, adolescents, and families in the context of the Ohio University Psychology and Social Work Clinic. Child-focused traineeship sites provide additional experiential training opportunities that prepare students for research and practice in an interdisciplinary climate. Traineeship sites include schools, community mental health centers, residential treatment centers, and medical hospitals. These advanced clinical training opportunities help students develop the competencies necessary for interdisciplinary assessment, consultation, collaboration, and coordination of service delivery.

Requirements

Training in the Clinical Child area of study is designed to train graduate students interested in conducting sound clinical research as well as learning and applying evidence-based treatments for child and adolescent mental health disorders. Specific goals are as follows:

1. To learn and apply evidence-based clinical assessment and intervention strategies with children and adolescents with mental health concerns across home and school settings.
2. To receive training in school consultation skills and the behavioral management of child classroom behavioral problems.
3. To develop skills to read and critically evaluate the theoretical and research literature in developmental psychology and in developmental psychopathology and intervention.
4. To conduct independent research projects including, but not limited to, thesis and dissertation studies focusing on child or adolescent psychology, or on a topic that has implications for children’s mental health.
5. To develop skills in study design and technical writing sufficient for publication in high quality peer-reviewed outlets and submission of successful grant proposals.
6. To attend and present at national and/or international professional research conferences in child and adolescent psychology.

Required Courses

1. PSY 6712 Psychopathology of Childhood and Adolescence
2. PSY 7732 Child and Adolescent Assessment
3. PSY 7742 Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
4. Complete at least three semesters (9 CR) of PSY 7920 Clinical Child Practicum

Internship

1. Students are required to complete an APA-accredited internship in clinical child psychology or one with a one-half year rotation (or equivalent) in clinical child psychology.

Research Experience

1. Independent research typically done as a thesis or dissertation will focus on topic in child or adolescent psychology, or on a topic that has implications for children’s mental health.
2. A minimum of one first-author poster or paper presentation on a topic in child psychology or at a national or international professional meeting.
3. Collaboration with a faculty member on a submitted or published article or chapter or a submitted or funded grant application.