The Behavior Management Clinic (BMC) provides in depth training in caregiver behavior management, behavioral assessment, and evidence based treatment for a broad array of externalizing and internalizing difficulties occurring in early and middle childhood.

BMC offers 12-month postdoctoral fellowships, with the possibility to extend to 2 years. The training occurs within the larger Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins School of Medicine training program.

The Behavior Management Clinic provides outpatient treatment to families and community care providers serving children with common behavior problems, disruptive behavior disorders, and co-morbid disorders. The clinic serves children from 12 months through 12 years of age who present with externalizing and internalizing disorders (e.g., ADHD, disruptive behavior disorders, anxiety disorders, habit disorders, tics, depression, aggression, tantrums, social skills deficits, toileting concerns, sleep difficulties, and school-related issues) and varying functioning levels, including typically developing children as well as youngsters with mild cognitive, speech, and/or motor impairments.

Trainees are provided advanced training in empirically supported treatments such as, applied behavior analysis (ABA), family based behavioral therapy, behavioral parent training (e.g., Parent Child Interaction Therapy [PCIT]), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and habit-reversal therapy based on the needs of assigned cases. Fellows conduct initial assessments that include clinical interviews, parent questionnaires, and structured observations (e.g., synthesized contingency analysis, DPICS) intended to determine the function of problem behaviors and/or baseline parenting skills and child behaviors. Information gathered through the assessment process is used to collaboratively develop an individualized treatment plan designed to reduce problem behaviors and to increase adaptive skills. Ongoing data tracking is integral to the treatment approach in order to inform treatment direction and to verify outcomes. BMC has an interdisciplinary focus and draws heavily from behavioral/cognitive behavioral approaches to assessment and treatment, with treatment modality dictated by presenting concerns. Common treatment modalities may include behavioral parent training, individual therapy, and/or group therapy, as well as an emphasis on collaboration with a variety of community professionals. Treatment may be conducted through a combination of on-site or telehealth services.

In addition to two hours per week of individual supervision, fellows are actively involved in two hours per week of group supervision, clinical skills development seminars, or didactics. There is focus on enhancing competence related to working with diverse families, and fellows attend the Institute’s annual Room to Grow conference focused on cultural competence. Fellows work closely with designated supervisors and may be provided opportunities to co-treat cases. Fellows will also have the opportunity to participate in the Leadership and Education in Neurodevelopmental Disability (LEND) interdisciplinary training program.

Qualified candidates for the BMC fellowship program will have received their doctoral degrees in School, Counseling, or Clinical Psychology and have successfully completed an APA-accredited internship program.

Candidates for BMC’s rotation typically have extensive experience and interest in areas such as the following: 

  • Serving preschool and school aged children and their families and providing early intervention/prevention services.
  • Treating families that present with varied and complex psychosocial stressors in addition to child behavior difficulties.
  • Prior experience with interdisciplinary and/or multidisciplinary teamwork, including school consultation.
  • Treating and working with military-connected families.
  • Emphasis on treatment grounded in evidence-based interventions, data collection across settings, experience with graphing and interpreting data, and providing performance feedback to families, as well as ABA and CBT approaches, including third wave CBT interventions, such as mindfulness and ACT.
  • Functional approach to case conceptualization and familiarity with the principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis.
  • Experience with development and implementation of child and parent groups is highly desirable (e.g., ADHD, social skills, emotion management, anxiety, etc.).
  • Interest in or experience providing Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). 

Fellowship opportunities:

Behavior Management Clinic Fellowship: BMC fellows are encouraged to choose a subspecialty focus for the year and can individualize their training experience depending on their specific training goals. Possible individualizations may include the following:

  • Supervising psychologists are certified Within Agency Trainers in PCIT, and postdoctoral fellows within the BMC are offered clinical and training opportunities to receive PCIT certification during their fellowship year.
  • Fellows who seek to gain expertise working with the unique needs of military-connected families, may have a site assignment that is located near a military installation and serves a large number of military-connected families. Additional training focused on meeting the needs of military-connected youth is also provided.
  • Fellows are also offered opportunities to participate in community outreach and clinic marketing efforts by providing presentations/trainings (e.g., daycares, schools, after-care programs, parent and professional groups, and medical staff) and attending local events/conferences. 
  • Fellows may focus on recruiting and leading group therapy for parents and/or children.
  • Fellows may choose to focus on opportunities in building supervisory skills (e.g., peer supervision, trainings to doctoral interns or externs, etc.). Certification in the parent-focused group, DOCS K-5 ADHD, can also be provided.
  • Fellows may obtain additional assessment experience through conducting brief ADHD diagnostic evaluations.
  • Fellows may participate in a research project over the course of the training year.