The Behavior Management Clinic (BMC) provides intensive training in outpatient therapeutic approaches for children birth through the age of 12. As a part of the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s APA-accredited training program, BMC offers both full-year and half-year paired tracks. Clinicians trained within the BMC are equipped to work in a variety of settings following their doctoral internship year, including hospitals/medical centers, schools, outpatient therapy clinics, and academic settings. Clinical supervisory staff includes licensed psychologists, nationally certified school psychologists, board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs), and certified Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) therapists.

Doctoral interns who train in the BMC have an opportunity to acquire experience with a wide range of behavior concerns and disorders including, but not limited to, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), disruptive behavior disorders, anxiety disorders, habit disorders, tics, trichotillomania, depression/mood disorders, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), noncompliance, aggression, tantrums, social skills deficits, toileting concerns, sleep difficulties, and school-related issues. Children served within the clinic are typically developing, however patients within the BMC may also present with mild delays. Trainees are provided advanced training in empirically supported treatments including, but not limited to, applied behavior analysis (ABA), family based behavioral therapy, behavioral parent training (e.g., PCIT), cognitive-behavioral therapy, and habit-reversal therapy consistent with case needs. Trainees are also offered opportunities to participate in community outreach by providing presentations/trainings (e.g., daycares, schools, after-care programs, parent groups, professionals, medical staff). Some mentoring and supervisory opportunities exist through involvement with graduate-level externs as well as undergraduate students who rotate in and out of the clinic. Limited opportunities for involvement in research may also exist, including in the development and implementation of innovative function-based assessment and intervention procedures.

Candidates for BMC’s rotation typically have an interest in serving preschool and school aged children and their families and providing early intervention/prevention services to families. BMC families often present with many varied and complex psychosocial stressors in addition to child behavior difficulties. Experience with interdisciplinary and/or multidisciplinary teams is a plus as trainees frequently consult with professionals across settings and disciplines (e.g., schools/daycares, medical professionals, speech pathologists, and occupational therapists). An emphasis on treatment grounded in evidence-based interventions, data collection across settings, and ABA strategies in caregiver training is core within the BMC. Trainees often utilize functional assessment in case conceptualization and should be familiar with principles of learning theory and procedures of behavior modification. Interns will gain experience in graphing and interpreting data and providing performance feedback to families. Skill and experience utilizing a cognitive behavioral therapeutic approach to treat child emotional difficulties and to support caregivers and families is strongly emphasized. Treatment services may be delivered via individual, family, and/or group formats dependent on referral concerns; therefore, candidates with experience in all of these treatment modalities are preferred.

Doctoral interns in the BMC are provided with a structured orientation and training covering clinical and administrative topics before they assume the role of primary therapist for assigned cases. To ensure continued clinical and professional development, interns are provided with ongoing training throughout the year (e.g., didactics, speakers, seminars, etc.). Interns work closely with designated supervisors and may be provided opportunities to co-treat cases. Management of disruptive behaviors in treatment sessions is common and offers trainees the opportunity to acquire advanced skills in direct application of behavioral management strategies and techniques.

BMC also offers training for students seeking additional levels of clinical experience, including:

  • Undergraduate practicum placements for students seeking a unique training experience related to research and clinical service delivery.
  • Advanced externships for students from doctoral training programs in psychology seeking direct treatment   experience.
  • Post-doctoral fellowships (ranging from 1-2 years).