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Department of PsychiatryDivision of Clinical PsychologyJFK Partners: University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities RotationJFK Partners is a University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) for interdisciplinary training in developmental disabilities. It offers training to graduate and postgraduate trainees from a number of health, mental health, and educational disciplines in the complex needs of children and adults with developmental disabilities, particularly as their needs interact with family, school and community. Professional disciplines represented at JFK include developmental pediatrics, child psychiatry, clinical psychology, social work, speech and language pathology, occupational therapy, and special education. JFK is affiliated with both the activities of the Child Development Unit and Pediatric Rehabilitation at The Children’s Hospital. JFK is also actively involved with community agencies to address the needs of persons with developmental disabilities. Faculty at JFK hold appointments in the Department of Psychiatry and Pediatrics. The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic, a component of JFK Partners, provides a variety of interdisciplinary clinical services to persons of all ages. The Clinic provides a full range of clinical services, including disciplinary and interdisciplinary evaluation, consultation, therapies, behavioral intervention, social skills groups, clinical research activities, parent guidance, and assistance with educational and vocational preparation. Goals of the Developmental Disabilities TrackJFK Partners is a university based interdisciplinary training program with a commitment to the following goals for psychology trainees:
Objectives of the Developmental Disabilities Track
Specific Training ActivitiesRequired Activities Psychological assessments: Each month, the intern will complete 2-4 (to be set with supervisor) comprehensive psychological assessments of children, adolescents and/or adults referred to the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic of JFK Partners. Psychotherapy: The intern will treat a number of therapy clients, ranging in age from young children to adults, presenting with a variety of problems and generally including persons with mild to severe developmental disabilities. The intern will also participate in group treatment and family treatment. Scholarly activity: Every intern has the opportunity to work with any faculty member or supervisor at JFK Partners on a research activity. The intern also has the opportunity to develop his or her own individual research project. Educational activities: The intern is expected to attend clinic meetings, supervisory sessions, ongoing JFK seminars, and lectures, courses, and special workshops as scheduled. Social skills group: The intern will co-facilitate at least one social skills group. Coping group (CBT approaches to treating anxiety): The intern will co-facilitate at least one CBT group. Optional Activities JFK Partners Grant Projects: There are numerous ongoing JFK grant projects in developmental disabilities in which the intern may participate, depending on time and interest. Developmental Disabilities Research Group: The trainee may participate in this monthly seminar focused on understanding the current research in neuropsychology and neurobiology of autism and other developmental disorders. This group also generates ideas for new research projects and presents findings from ongoing studies of its various members. Additional Courses There are a variety of seminars, courses, and lectures provided by the UCEDD as a whole and available to any of the trainees. Theoretical ApproachesAlthough there is not a single theoretical approach that is utilized exclusively, a major philosophy of JFK Partners is to promote culturally competent, family focused interventions in inclusive settings. The main psychology faculty represents diverse theoretical orientations, including more dynamically oriented clinical child psychology, developmental psychology, and cognitive-behavioral psychology. There is an emphasis on child neuropsychology, as it pertains to autism and other developmental disorders, both in the research programs and in the clinical practice of the center. A developmental orientation and family systems perspective are main ways of understanding persons with developmental disabilities and their families. Each trainee also becomes quite familiar with positive behavioral approaches for behavioral growth and change. Types of Clinical ApproachesThe persons referred to JFK Partners are of all ages, from infancy to old age, with a diagnosis (or a question of a diagnosis) of a developmental disability. There is a particular focus on the diagnosis and treatment of people with autistic spectrum disorders. JFK Partners serves people with disabilities throughout the Rocky Mountain region, both urban and rural settings, from all ethnic groups and from all income levels. Population of ClientsThe persons referred to JFK Partners are of all ages, from infancy to old age, with a diagnosis (or a question of a diagnosis) of a developmental disability. There is a particular focus on the diagnosis and treatment of people with autistic spectrum disorders. JFK Partners serves people with disabilities throughout the Rocky Mountain region, both urban and rural settings, from all ethnic groups and from all income levels. SupervisionThe intern receives supervision for all clinical activities, including psychological assessment, psychotherapy and school consultation. Six psychology faculty members are on site at JFK Partners. Assessment supervision is shared by several primary faculty supervisors. The intern will be supervised for 6 months by two different supervisors. Supervision for assessments averages 1 ½ - 2 hours per evaluation, not including live supervision during the assessment itself. Supervision covers preparation for the assessment, review and interpretation of data, written and oral reporting. Psychotherapy supervision is generally provided by one supervisor for the entire year, 1 ½ hours per week. Live supervision and supervision by videotape are also important components of the supervision. Each trainee may participate in a psychotherapy group supervision. Supervisors Hal Lewis, Ph.D. (Clinical Child Psychology; University of Denver, 1984). Areas of expertise: early intervention, parent counseling, ego developmental approaches, developmental psychopathology (including autism spectrum disorders), ADHD, pediatric TBI, gender disorders, program development and program evaluation. Judy Reaven, Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology, University of Missouri-Columbia, 1985). Areas of expertise/interest: the co-occurrence of anxiety symptoms and other mental health conditions in children and adolescents with ASD; cognitive-behavioral interventions with children/adolescents with ASD. Audrey Blakeley-Smith, Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 2005). Areas of expertise/interest: school based interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders, social and psychological functioning in school aged children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Terry Katz, Ph.D. (Clinical Child Psychology, University of Denver, 1989). Areas of expertise: assessment and treatment of young children, child psychotherapy, diagnosis and intervention in autism. Susan Hepburn, Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology, Vanderbilt University, 2000). Areas of expertise: diagnosis and intervention in autism. |
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