Program Description
The Child and Adolescent Psychology Track is a specialized, intensive track within the Chicago Campus' Clinical Psy.D. program—equipping students with essential diagnostic, assessment, therapeutic, and consultative sills needed to treat children, adolescents, and their families. Students in our Child and Adolescent Track receive specialized training in child development; child and adolescent psychopathology; physical and neurological health; and child, adolescent, and family interventions. They learn from faculty and guest lecturers recognized as leaders in child and adolescent psychology, and tailored practicum and internship experiences working with child and adolescent populations. Students become informed, critical consumers of scholarship who contribute to the field of child and adolescent psychology in a scholarly manner through a Research Clerkship that consists of two core components: (1) a two-year course sequence that provides a comprehensive analysis of statistics and research design, as well as teaching tools related to all aspects of research, scholarly writing, and program design and (2) four years collaborating with a research mentor on ongoing research.
Sample Courses
Clinical/Diagnostic Interviewing and Observation
Techniques of clinical and diagnostic interviewing and observation will be presented. Students will learn several techniques for interviewing, including listening skills, aids for giving and receiving feedback and establishing a relationship with a client. Students also will learn ways of incorporating theses techniques into models of diagnostic interviewing. Students will be exposed to non-verbal tools methods of interviewing and observation, such as play based interviewing techniques. Techniques for interviewing family members and other collateral sources will be taught. Consideration of cultural differences in establishing a relationship and conducting an interview is integral to this course. (2 credits)
Expressive Therapies with Children
Orients students to the use of Art Therapy, Drama Therapy, Dance/Movement Therapy and Music therapy as therapeutic approach and for children. An essential aspect of this approach is the integration of creative processes to meet client needs. The basic theories and research supporting the creative arts therapies are introduced as well as practical applications. The use of creative art therapies and creative processes are examined in the following areas: as an intervention in therapeutic and educational settings, as an intervention in healthcare and medical settings, as a form of psycho-education and as an approach for group process. The course includes both didactic and experiential components to help students make use of the expressive modalities in their clinical and educational practices.
Child Trauma
Examines the psychological and physiological impact of trauma on children, adolescents, and their families. Particular consideration is paid to issues of acute reaction, adaptations to trauma, memory mechanisms and processes, and practical applications in therapy. Developmental, social, cultural, and multicultural issues in assessment and treatment of trauma and traumatic stress will be considered. Multiple types of trauma and a variety of treatment models are explored.
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