Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology Fellowship | Curriculum

The Center for ADHD, housed within the Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center announces the availability of a Postdoctoral Fellowship position.

The Center for ADHD is composed of a multi-disciplinary team of researchers and clinicians devoted entirely to improving the care of children and adolescents with ADHD. Center for ADHD faculty are highly productive and hold numerous federal grants from the NIH and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). Ongoing studies focus on sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT), dissemination of evidence-based ADHD care, sleep in teens with ADHD, and mindfulness-based interventions.

Fellows will obtain experience in multiple research designs (prospective longitudinal, intervention, school-based), disseminating research through presentations and publications, and contributing to grant-writing activities.

Fellowships in the Center are typically two years. Fellows receive weekly clinical and research mentoring with the goal of ensuring that they are highly competitive job applicants upon completion of fellowship. For information about these fellowship opportunities, please contact Stephen Becker, PhD or Jeff Epstein, PhD.

Clinical Fellowship in Moderate to Severe Behavior Treatment in Children and Adolescent with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (Inpatient and Outpatient Opportunities)

The Developmental and Behavioral Psychology (DBP) Program within the Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is offering one (1-year) clinical fellowship position. The fellow has the opportunity to tailor their clinical training based on interest. Opportunities include training in the inpatient developmental psychiatry acute stabilization program within the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry serving children and adolescents dually diagnosed with developmental disabilities and mental health disorders (Director: Rebekah Ridgeway, PsyD, rebekah.ridgeway@cchmc.org; Direct supervisor: Rachel Holden, PsyD, rachel.holden@cchmc.org).

In this rotation, the fellow will be actively involved in the behavioral assessment, development and implementation of individualized treatment programs to treat severe problem behavior, parent and caregiver training, as well as participation in daily interdisciplinary rounds and family meetings. This training offers fellows the opportunity to experience a broad range of experiential learning from a multi-disciplinary team who cares for complex children with the goal of developing entry-level professionals with a broad skill and knowledge base to treat a range of severe behavior challenges in children with developmental disabilities.

The fellow also has the opportunity to complete their training within the Brief Intensive Behavior Treatment (BIBT) program (Direct supervisor: Laura Srivorakiat, PsyD, laura.srivorakiat@cchmc.org). BIBT is an outpatient treatment clinic for children/adolescents with developmental disabilities and moderate-to-severe behavior problems who have not been successful in traditional outpatient behavioral treatment or require a higher level of care. The program utilizes ABA methodology, including functional analysis of behavior, to address broad concerns ranging from pica to aggression. Caregivers are directly involved in all aspects of care BIBT and receive assistance from direct support staff. As such, fellows will develop skills working closely with caregivers and staff. Fellows will have the opportunity to collaborate with other multi-disciplinary team members including developmental pediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and social work.

Fellows have the opportunity to select from these two rotations which may include completing both or prioritizing time in one rotation. Further, additional elective considerations include short term behavior treatment for more mild intensity behaviors, group treatment (anxiety, social skills, parent training), and feeding intervention.

Clinical Fellowship in Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

The Developmental and Behavioral Psychology (DBP) Program within the Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is offering two (1-year) clinical fellowship positions which focus on the diagnostic evaluation of children and adolescents (ages 1-22) who present with a variety of neurodevelopmental disabilities within an interdisciplinary, outpatient setting. These clinics are housed within the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

Conditions include developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, discipline and behavioral problems, intellectual and learning disabilities, and internalizing/mood concerns within the context of developmental delays.

Both positions are primarily clinical with the option of some clinical research training if the candidate is interested. The positions are assessment focused with several elective rotation possibilities from which to select, including short-term behavior treatment, group therapy (e.g., social skills, anxiety, parent training), feeding intervention, early intervention / ABA treatment, and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Fellows selecting the PCIT elective have the opportunity to work towards PCIT certification.

For more information, please contact the developmental and behavioral pediatrics training director: Rebekah Ridgeway, PsyD, rebeka.ridgeway@cchmc.org.

Research Fellowship in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Regulating Together Intervention

The Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center announces the availability of a Research Postdoctoral Fellowship focused on intervention research related to autism spectrum disorder, specifically the Regulating Together intervention for emotion dysregulation. This two-year research fellowship position is within the clinical research lab of Rebecca Shaffer, PsyD, whose research focuses on autism spectrum disorder, emotion dysregulation, and fragile X syndrome.

The fellow will work directly on two funded intervention trials focused on Regulating Together, 1) Department of Defense Clinical Trial examining facilitators and barriers to treatment success, and 2) an NICHD R01 examining the additive effects of canine assistance. The fellow will participate in psychological testing, physiological measurement and analysis of heart rate variability, cognitive flexibility computer testing, and intervention implementation including with Regulating Together, canine assisted, and a study skills control group. Other active studies in the lab focus on phenotyping, early diagnosis and intervention, and fragile X intervention. There are many opportunities for additional research and clinical experiences including leading presentations and publications if the fellow is interested. Diagnostic testing and intervention experiences with fragile X are also available if the fellow so desires. Additionally, supervision experience with undergraduate and graduate students and coordinators is available. Responsibilities can be arranged to meet supervised hour requirements for licensure.

The Shaffer lab is very involved in the local autism community through community events and partnerships with local school districts which provides additional event experiences throughout the year. Our lab is part of a larger multidisciplinary group, the Neurobehavioral lab, which is a large team including child psychiatrists, licensed clinical psychologists, social workers and research coordinators.

For more information, please contact Rebecca Shaffer, PsyD.

Clinical Research Fellowship in Fragile X Syndrome

The Developmental and Behavioral Psychology (DBP) Program within the Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center announces the availability of a Research Postdoctoral Fellowship focused on research related to Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) and other neurodevelopmental disorders. This 1-2 year research fellowship position focuses on a combination of clinical training and translational research in FXS. The fellow will work within The Neurobehavioral lab (Director: Craig Erickson, MD), a large team including child psychiatrists, licensed clinical psychologists, social workers, and research coordinators. The Neurobehavioral Lab has multiple federally-funded projects focused on FXS, including phenotyping studies, pharmaceutical clinical trials, and biomarker development. Opportunities within research are extensive, including but not limited to electroencephalography (EEG), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), blood-based molecular measures, eye tracking, neurocognitive measures, and parent-report measures.

Collaborations with internal and external investigators provide additional rich opportunities to be involved in innovative translational projects working across species. Opportunities for dissemination of research through conferences, manuscripts, and oral presentations are plentiful. Clinical training will focus on diagnostic testing for autism spectrum disorders as well as developmental and cognitive assessment within the context of research. Additional diagnostic and intervention experience may be available if the fellow so desires. For more information, please contact the Meredith Will, PhD, and / or Lauren Schmitt, PhD.

Within a year of their completion of the fellowship program, our past clinical research fellows in the lab have all obtained faculty positions at academic medical centers and have demonstrated high success rates of institutional, foundational (Autism Science Foundation), and / or federal funding (NICHD K23 Career Mentored Award).

The Neurobehavioral lab is highly engaged with the broader Fragile X community. Fellows will have the opportunity to take part in FXS family picnics, bimonthly “Table Talks” on specific clinical topics, incorporating key stakeholder feedback from our Family Advisory Council, and other community events. In addition, there are opportunities to work with Dr. Schmitt and her community partnerships to develop and run trainings for autistic individuals and first responders to enhance mutual respect and community safety.

Clinical Neuropsychology/Psychology Fellowship Program

Housed within the Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, the fellowship program in Neuropsychology (Neuropsychology Training Director: Dean Beebe, PhD, ABPP; Associate Training Director: Thea Quinton, PhD) has an opening for one two-year position.

This fellowship conforms to the guidelines established by the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN). Fellows receive broad clinical training with diverse neurologic and medical populations, participate in a variety of didactic activities, and contribute to ongoing research programs. We use an apprenticeship model focused on active mentoring, career development, professional role identity, and development of skills in clinical care and research that ensures success as a scientist-practitioner.

For more information on about the neuropsychology fellowship and a list of needed application materials, please see the link to our brochure.

T32 Research Fellowship in Child Behavior and Nutrition

The Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center announces the availability of one to two positions in the T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Center for Child Behavior and Nutrition Research and Training. Funded by a NIH-NIDDK T32 training grant (T32DK063929; Co-PIs: Meg H. Zeller, PhD, and Scott W. Powers, PhD, ABPP), the Center for Child Behavior and Nutrition Research and Training trains promising clinical researchers in the fields of behavioral medicine, pediatrics, and nutrition science to establish research skills necessary for designing and conducting innovative, programmatic clinical research that will ultimately lead to better nutrition-related health care for youth across the pediatric age range. Fellows in this program engage in specialized research training targeting the improvement of health outcomes and health equity for youth with chronic medical conditions for which nutrition management and/or dietary change are key components of care. Through mentored experiences with NIH-funded faculty, the fellow will gain research training in study design and execution (randomized clinical trials, observational longitudinal outcome studies), manuscript writing, and grant preparation.

For the upcoming cycle, applicants with specific interests in developing advanced skills in the design and execution of research in the following areas are encouraged to apply: novel intergenerational and mHealth approaches to pediatric obesity treatment and prevention, young adult outcomes following adolescent bariatric surgery (meg.zeller@cchmc.org); obesity prevention in children 0 to 24 months in primary care settings (tiffany.rybak@cchmc.org); pediatric migraine, as well as adherence to nutrition treatment in young children with chronic illness (scott.powers@cchmc.org); sleep and circadian rhythms (dean.beebe@cchmc.org).

Additional mentorship is provided through team collaborations with affiliated T32 faculty in pediatric endocrinology (e.g., type 2 diabetes), sleep medicine, gastroenterology, bariatric surgery, pulmonary medicine, allergy and immunology, neurology, as well as nutrition and basic science. These are two-year positions (required). The T32 also includes funds for independent research-related expenses, tuition, and travel to professional meetings.

T32 Fellowship in Adherence and Self-Management

The Center for Adherence and Self-Management has two open research fellowship positions funded by a NIH-NICHD T32 training grant (Directors: Kevin Hommel, PhD, kevin.hommel@cchmc.org and Meghan McGrady, PhD, meghan.mcgrady@cchmc.org) in treatment adherence research and involves all Center faculty. This position affords extensive opportunities in multidisciplinary research with faculty in clinical psychology, pediatrics and biostatistics. Program fellows have opportunities to conduct research in the following areas: measurement of adherence to treatment including electronic monitoring; digital health approaches to self-management; behavioral and pharmacological approaches; statistical methods, including predictive models of influence on adherence to treatment; studies of the relationship of adherence to clinical outcomes; and clinical trials to promote treatment adherence and health outcomes for a range of chronic conditions.

Research Fellowship on Community Engaged Research

Cincinnati Children's CCTST Community Engagement Core and the Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology has a two-year research fellowship position focused on community engaged research (CEnR). In addition to being mentored and gaining research experience, the fellow will be a member of the Core Community Engagement Research Team which involves attending monthly meetings and working with the team on CEnR and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) activities and consultations as part of the experience. The Community Engagement Research Team is led by Lori Crosby, PsyD, Monica Mitchell, PhD, and Farrah Jaquez. Additional information about the core and its activities can be found here: https://www.cctst.org/programs/community-engagement. Questions about the fellowship should be directed to: lori.crosby@cchmc.org.

The fellow will have opportunities to participate in manuscript and grant preparation, and to be involved in multiple ongoing collaborative projects in community engaged research, working with researchers across disciplines, our health equity network, and urban health initiatives, alongside our patient and community partners. The fellow will also receive training on principles and competencies of community-academic partnerships and community engagement and the frameworks for social determinants of health, health equity, and social justice. Projects may include clinical trials and prospective cohort studies, as well as investigations of the health challenges faced by the Greater Cincinnati community. Additional clinical training opportunities are available within this interdisciplinary program to further support hours towards clinical licensure. While this fellowship position is primarily research-focused, applicants with strong research and clinical experience within a scientist-practitioner model are encouraged to apply.

Clinical Fellowship within Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute

The Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology has partnered with the Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute (Director: Ahna Pai, PhD) to offer a clinical postdoctoral fellowship in psychosocial hematology, oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant. This is a one-year clinical fellowship with the possibility of two years based on performance and the availability of funding. This position provides a tailored experience that affords extensive inpatient and outpatient training opportunities in evidence-based assessment, consultation, and intervention to facilitate coping, improve quality of life, optimize treatment adherence, manage acute and chronic pain, and treat psychological co-morbidities. The fellow will fully integrate into multidisciplinary clinical teams that include child life specialists, social workers, school intervention specialists, chaplains, music therapists, neuropsychologists, physical and occupational therapists, nurses, and physicians. The fellow will have the opportunity to participate in seminars and didactics in the Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology as well as the Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute. Other potential opportunities include participation in quality improvement and implementation science projects as well as program development related to screening, treatment adherence, survivorship, and tackling health care disparities. See the Patient and Family Wellness Center for more information.

Research Fellowship in Headache Behavioral Medicine

The Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center announces the availability of a two-year postdoctoral position as part of the interdisciplinary Headache Center. The position is funded by NIH R01 grants (PI: Scott W. Powers, PhD, ABPP, FAHS). Dr. Powers and the team will provide mentorship in clinical care and research. Specific responsibilities will include: supervised training in a telehealth cognitive behavioral therapy manual and then provision of this treatment for participants recruited from 15 sites across the United States; clinical care of new and follow-up patients in the Headache Center; additional clinical experiences individualized to the interests / goals of the fellow; mentoring of clinical research coordinators and summer undergraduate research students; and participation in a number of ongoing research projects. The fellow will have opportunities to write manuscripts from existing data (including first authored papers and collaborative writing with other fellows and faculty). The primary focus will be as a tele-therapist and stakeholder engagement team member for a large comparative effectiveness study that will assess the impact on headache days and disability of a CBT telehealth treatment and a CBT telehealth treatment combined with preventive medication. The comparative effectiveness trial is supported by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). For details, please contact Dr. Powers (scott.powers@cchmc.org).

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Eating Disorders Treatment and Research

The Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center announces the availability of a postdoctoral fellowship in Eating Disorders Treatment and Research. Successful candidates will be committed to evidence-based practice, have prior clinical experience in child and adolescent psychology, and have an ultimate desire to specialize in eating disorders treatment. The fellow will work closely with a multidisciplinary team to provide evidence-based care for youth (aged 8-25) with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, avoidant / restrictive food intake disorder, or binge eating disorder. Training opportunities in complimentary clinical areas will also be provided, based on the fellow’s educational needs and interests, including multidisciplinary feeding team, pain clinic, consultation / liaison service, transgender clinic, weight management clinic, OCD treatment, and / or behavior problems. The fellow will also receive protected time for collaborative research projects, program development, and / or teaching, as determined by their ultimate career goals. The duration of the fellowship will be either one or two years, based on the fellow’s experience and training goals. The primary clinical supervisor of this position is Abigail Matthews Hamberg, PhD, MHA, clinical director of Inpatient Eating Disorders Program, abigail.matthews@cchmc.org, and the primary research supervisor is Claire Aarnio-Peterson, PhD, claire.aarnio-peterson@cchmc.org.

Obesity Prevention Fellowship in Pediatric Primary Care

The Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center announces the availability of a one-year research postdoctoral fellowship position in Obesity Prevention in Pediatric Primary Care. This research fellowship is funded by an NIH grant focused on obesity prevention in infants in pediatric primary care, with a focus on communities of color and economically marginalized families. The postdoctoral fellow would provide a manual-based responsive parenting clinical intervention as a part of the clinical trial, execute study-related tasks, and aid in manuscript writing and presentations. The fellow will learn about various aspects of clinical trial design and execution. Additional research, clinical, and didactic trainings will also be offered. For specific inquiries about this position, please contact Dr. Tiffany Rybak (tiffany.rybak@cchmc.org).

Research Fellowships in Childhood Heart Disease

Cincinnati Children's Center for Heart Disease and Mental Health, Heart Institute and the Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology has a one to two-year research fellowship position focused on childhood heart disease. The fellow will work with an interdisciplinary team of researchers and clinicians, led by Nadine Kasparian, PhD on research investigating psychological, clinical, social, and neurobiological factors associated with mental health outcomes in this population of individuals with congenital heart disease (CHD), their caregivers and other family members

The fellow will have opportunities to participate in study coordination, manuscript and grant preparation, and to be involved in multiple ongoing collaborative projects in childhood heart disease, working with researchers in medical psychology, cardiology, cardiac surgery, developmental psychobiology, neuroscience, radiology, genetics, nursing, and biostatistics, in partnership with our Heart Institute Patient and Family Advisory Council. Projects may include clinical trials and prospective cohort studies, as well as investigations of the effects of early medical adversity on child neurodevelopmental outcomes. While this fellowship position is primarily research-focused, clinical research is a key aspect of the position and applicants with strong clinical experience, research interest, and scientist-practitioner training are encouraged to apply. Additional clinical training opportunities are also available.

Postdoctoral training in psychology occurs under the supervision of licensed psychologists and occurs over a one to two year period. Based upon Ohio state law and the criteria for listing in the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APICC), there are not year-specific objectives for training. Our program has the following goals and objectives that are forwarded to the State Board of Psychology each year when our program reports the individuals under supervision for the upcoming year. Specifically, at the conclusion of training (1 – 2 years), the:

• Fellow will be able to provide clinical care that is based in theoretical and empirical knowledge bases.
• Fellow will be able to provide clinical care in a manner, which is sensitive to individual differences of all persons, is non-discriminatory, and which respects and protects human and civil rights.
• Fellow will be able to provide clinical care only within the context of a professional relationship and according to American Psychological Association Ethical Codes and standards. 
• Fellow will know and apply the rules governing Psychologists under Ohio Psychology Law.
• Fellow may participate in umbrella supervision in accordance with Ohio law.
• Fellow will be able to interact professionally and responsibly with colleagues from other disciplines.
• Fellow will provide professional consultation in a manner, which respects and protects the individual differences of humans.
• Fellow will show a primary obligation and take reasonable precautions to respect the confidentiality rights of those with whom they work or consult.
• Fellow will know procedures for addressing any personal signs of impairment in self, colleagues, and faculty.

Clinical Responsibilities and Lines of Supervision

Each clinical case (assessment, treatment, or consultation) is assigned to a supervisor who is a licensed psychologist. This supervisor meets face-to-face each week with the fellow for supervision and reviews each case and signs all treatment and discharge notes. In addition, in accordance with Ohio State Law, each individual receiving clinical care receives a letter documenting the supervised nature of the services that they are receiving. Evaluation for clinical care will take place by the primary clinical supervisors and will be based on the degree of competence in the specific areas of practice of the fellow, the responsiveness and timeliness of their communications with multi-disciplinary colleagues and family members, and documentation and records.

The clinical training coordinator in Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology manages matching for clinical experiences/shadowing for research-focused fellows, and provides fellows didactic-lead for professional development on clinical training/licensure/transitions to clinical positions. 

Many fellows are expected to take part in research that is significant, empirically sound and ethically appropriate. The degree of involvement and the specific projects will be set between fellow and mentor at the beginning of the fellowship. Several fellowships are heavily research-oriented. Specific goals for research will be set for each six-month period.

Every clinical research fellow will attend the Psychology Research Group and Writer’s Workshop seminars that occur monthly and will have the opportunity to present proposals and manuscripts and to review others’ work. For each session, faculty will provide guidance to the postdoctoral fellow. The presenting fellow will work closely with his mentor during preparation.

Research will be evaluated on the basis of significance, scientific merit, innovation and human subjects’ issues. In addition, many of the focus areas have specific journal clubs pertinent to their subject area; all fellows are invited to attend these journal clubs. Evaluation for research will take place by determining the degree to which the fellow is accomplishing goals.

Each fellow will be expected to participate in providing lectures / presentations to students and colleagues of other disciplines, areas of focus or different levels of training. Some fellows will be involved in “umbrella supervision” of graduate students or psychology residents. It exists when a supervisee supervises other psychology supervisees in hazardous practices.” (ORC) Supervisors will evaluate fellows’ teaching and mentoring by determining whether they have accomplished the specific teaching activities set as objectives. In addition, evaluators will apply formal evaluation forms, faculty observation and informal feedback from participants when assessing fellows.

Each fellow will be expected to work closely with colleagues of different disciplines or areas of focus. Fellows are expected to be respectful of the knowledge base of those from other disciplines or areas of focus, and to provide consultation to those from other disciplines or areas of focus. For all of the focus areas, fellows are automatically part of at least one multidisciplinary activity or team. Evaluation will occur by assessing the fellows’ competence as members of their multidisciplinary teams.

Each fellow is required to participate in a minimum of two hours a week of didactic learning experiences. Most of these hours will be completed in seminars related to the fellows’ specific focus areas. There are three monthly seminars that all postdoctoral fellows are required to attend, and a number of general seminars that each fellow and her mentor can choose. Each fellow will be asked to keep a monthly log of seminars attended that will be submitted to his mentor and the director of training every six months.

Self-Assessment and Initial Goal Setting

We believe it is beneficial for the fellow to assess their baseline skills and experiences via our program’s Fellow Self-Assessment Form. During the first month of training, fellows rate their perceived competence and confidence across specific research and clinical skills. This self-assessment is not meant to be evaluative, but simply to start a dialogue about past experiences and to enhance the goal setting.  By definition, fellows should be entering fellowship training at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center because they have specific skills they wish to further develop.  The Fellow and Faculty mentor/supervisor(s) should formulate specific and individualized goals and objectives for training based on this Fellow Self-Assessment Form. Fellows are set goals and are evaluated across the following areas: Educational, Clinical, Research, Teaching/Mentoring, and Professional Relationships/Development. The Self-Assessment and Goal Setting Forms are reviewed by the Program Director. Feedback will be provided for revisions, if necessary. The final document is signed by all parties.

Evaluation Process

Fellow Evaluation: At 6-month intervals, the primary supervisor and fellow complete a series of evaluations The fellow prefills the Goals and Fellow Evaluation form with their initial (or previous goals) and provides documentation of progress towards each goal.  Fellows are set goals and are evaluated across the following areas: Educational, Clinical, Research, Teaching/Mentoring, and Professional Relationships/Development. The primary supervisor will then add their comments and ratings to this form to ensure both the evaluation and progress towards goals is captured in one document. Fellows ask secondary clinical or research supervisors to provide written feedback to their primary mentor to be integrated into this single document. New goals are also set for the next 6-month period.  The Evaluation forms are reviewed by the Program Director. Feedback will be provided for revisions, if necessary. The final document is signed by all parties.

Ratings: Fellows are evaluated on a 3-point scale to denote current status across Educational, Clinical, Research, Teaching/Mentoring, and Professional Relationships/Development domains. A “Needs Improvement (1)” rating indicates that the trainee does not meet expectations for performance at this point in her/his training. This rating indicates that this is a specific area of relative weakness and that the trainee’s performance needs to be discussed with the Postdoctoral Fellowship Training Director (See Due Process Policy). The narrative needs to describe in detail the problem area and outline a plan for addressing this area. A rating “On Target (2)” indicates that the trainee currently meets expectations for performance at this point in his/her training. Supervisors should be aware that brief behavior changes do not necessarily override previous or overall performance. Additionally, if a Postdoctoral Fellow previously has received a rating of a “Needs Improvement” on a goal, the Postdoctoral Fellow should demonstrate a consistent improvement in performance before a “On Target” is awarded on that goal.  A rating of “Exceptional Performance (3)” indicates the trainee has gone above and beyond in this area of performance. This rating is given rarely, and content should reflect how the trainee has had exceptional performance in this area.

Evaluation of Mentors, Supervisors, and Training Program: Clinical and Research Mentors/Supervisors are evaluated along the same timeline (every six months) using program specific forms. The Evaluation forms are reviewed by the Program Director. Feedback will be provided if necessary. The final document is signed by all parties. Fellows evaluate the training program throughout the year, as well as formally at the end of the training year.  An anonymous online survey is provided for this end-of-year evaluation, which is compiled by the Co-Chiefs and presented to faculty, with a copy forwarded to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Graduate Medical Education Office.

Appeal, Due Process and Grievances: Fellows and training faculty have the right to appeal any evaluation they have received. Fellows and their supervisors are encouraged to work out any difficulties within the context of the supervisory relationship and among focus area faculty. Any difficulties that cannot be resolved or persist should be brought directly to the Director of Postdoctoral Fellowship Training. Procedures for appeal, due process, grievances, and handling professional impairment are reviewed at the annual fellow and faculty orientation and are included on the program website and in the program manual.

Each fellow is provided with a Professional Development Mentor (PDM). To facilitate this process, most fellows will meet with one of the co-director’s to discuss mentoring needs and faculty options. Fellows are responsible to meet with their PDM as frequently as desired.

We have a due process policy and a grievance policy in place. Fellows and faculty receive a copy of these procedures at the commencement of training, with a copy included in the training manual.

Title: Psychology Fellows’ Didactic
Frequency: 2nd Friday of the month
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Organizer: Co-Chief Fellows
Purpose: To provide a forum to discuss issues of professional development such as grant writing, preparing for job talks, interviewing, etc.

Title: American Psychological Association Advanced Training Institute
Time: Check website (https://www.apa.org/science/programs)
Organizer: American Psychological Association
Purpose: Provides training in a variety of areas for research professional development.

DDBP/Autism

Title: Diagnostic Case Conference
Frequency: once per month 
Organizer: Rebekah Ridgeway, PsyD
Purpose: to review upcoming cases returning for their feedback session.  This provides a forum for fellows to develop their case presentation skills and communication with multiple disciplines. 

Title: DDBP Fellowship Didactic
Frequency: once per month
Organizer: Rebekah Ridgeway, PsyD
Purpose: to discuss professional development, clinical supervision, etc. 

Title: Internal Research Case Conference
Frequency: once per month
Organizer: Tanya Froehlich, MD
Purpose: to discuss ongoing faculty research, obtain feedback on research presentation, etc.

Neuropsychology

Title: Neuropsychology Didactic Series and Case Conference

Frequency: once a week

Organizer: Anne Bradley, PhD 

Purpose: A rotation of didactic experiences, including readings, brief and extended case presentations, topical presentations, and mock oral examinations for board certification.

Title: ABPP Neuropsychological Readings Group
Frequency: every two weeks
Organizer: Thea Quinton and Alexander Hinnebusch
Purpose: To review readings in preparation for the ABPP written exam. Intended for fellows, junior faculty, and select graduate students.

Title: Pediatric Neuropsychological Readings Group 

Frequency: every two weeks

Organizer: Thea Quinton and Alexander Hinnebusch
Purpose: To review readings relevant to pediatric neuropsychology, developmental psychology, and child psychology, as they pertain to clinical cases seen through the fellowship.

Adherence T32

Title: Adherence Center Fellowship Seminar
Frequency: 2nd Friday of the month
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Organizer: Kevin Hommel, PhD
Purpose: To discuss topics related to treatment adherence and professional development
Audience: Open to all fellows. Required for Adherence T32s.

Title: Research Seminar
Frequency: 1st and 3rd Friday of the month
Time: 11:00-12:00 pm
Organizer: Kevin Hommel, PhD and Meg Zeller, PhD
Purpose: This is a required (combined) seminar for T32 fellows from Child Behavior and Nutrition and the Center for Adherence and Self-Management to topics related to ethics and research misconduct, skills in manuscript writing and peer review, and grant-writing. Fellows also present a “research in progress” during their second year of training.
Audience: Open to all fellows. Required for T32s.

Title: Writer’s Workshop
Frequency: 4th Friday of the month
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Organizer: Kevin Hommel, PhD and Meg Zeller, PhD
Purpose: To provide a supportive group-based critique of fellows’ manuscripts in progress, revise and resubmit editorial verdicts, grant proposals.
Audience: Open to all fellows. Required for T32s.

Title: Pre-PRG
Frequency: 2nd Thursday of month (additional Thursdays as needed)
Time: 9:15 – 10:00 am
Organizer: Fellowship co-chiefs
Purpose: To allow fellow reviewers and other fellows an opportunity to informally discuss grants to be reviewed during PRG
Audience: Open to all fellows.

Title: Psychology Research Group seminar (PRG)
Frequency: 2nd Thursday of month (additional Thursdays as needed)
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 am
Organizer: Kevin Hommel, PhD
Purpose: To foster the development and review of research projects within the division.

T32: Child Behavior and Nutrition

Title: Research Seminar
Frequency: 1st and 3rd Friday of the month
Time: 11:00-12:00 pm
Organizer: Kevin Hommel, PhD and Meg Zeller, PhD
Purpose: This is a required (combined) seminar for T32 fellows from Child Behavior and Nutrition and the Center for Adherence and Self-Management to topics related to ethics and research misconduct, skills in manuscript writing and peer review, and grant-writing. Fellows also present a “research in progress” during their second year of training.
Audience: Open to all fellows. Required for T32s.

Title: Writer’s Workshop
Frequency: 4th Friday of the month
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Organizer: Kevin Hommel, PhD and Meg Zeller, PhD
Purpose: To provide a supportive group-based critique of fellows’ manuscripts in progress, revise and resubmit editorial verdicts, grant proposals.
Audience: Open to all fellows. Required for T32s.

Title: Pre-PRG
Frequency: 2nd Thursday of month (additional Thursdays as needed)
Time: 9:15 – 10:00 am
Organizer: Fellowship co-chiefs
Purpose: To allow fellow reviewers and other fellows an opportunity to informally discuss grants to be reviewed during PRG
Audience: Open to all fellows.

Title: Psychology Research Group seminar (PRG)
Frequency: 2nd Thursday of month (additional Thursdays as needed)
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 am
Organizer: Kevin Hommel, PhD
Purpose: To foster the development and review of research projects within the division.