The Neurobehavioral Unit Outpatient (NBU-OP) Clinic offers postdoctoral clinical fellowships in Psychology and in Applied Behavior Analysis as part of Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Behavioral Psychology Postdoctoral Training Program.

The NBU-OP Clinic offers assessment and treatment services to children, adolescents, and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities who display severe problem behavior such as self-injury, aggression, property destruction, pica, and elopement. Our continuum of care includes day treatment, intensive outpatient, follow-up, and consultation services. Our mission is to provide clinical care, conduct research, provide specialized training, and to advocate for persons with severe problem behavior and their families. The NBU-OP Clinic utilizes a data-driven approach to assessment and treatment based on an evidence-based model informed by the principles of applied behavior analysis. Each client participates in a series of intensive assessments, including functional analyses and reinforcer assessments. Based on assessment results, individualized behavioral interventions are developed and systematically evaluated to determine their effectiveness in decreasing severe problem behavior and increasing appropriate replacement behavior. Critical components of our treatment approach are collaboration with the client’s family and service providers, and provision of education and training.

Postdoctoral fellows have the opportunity to participate in a range of training experiences including clinical services, research, supervision, administrative activities, and community advocacy and education that are representative of the mission of the Neurobehavioral Programs. Fellows work at one of our two clinic locations in Baltimore, MD or Columbia, MD and carry a core clinical caseload. Fellows receive at least 2 hours per week of individual and group supervision from a licensed psychologist.

Specific opportunities within this fellowship track may include:

  • Conducting behavioral assessments, treatment evaluations, and caregiver training
  • Providing education and training to parents and providers
  • Providing services in home, school, and community settings
  • Assisting with clinical case supervision
  • Consulting and collaborating with Kennedy Krieger Psychiatry on shared clients
  • Collaborating with other professionals (physicians, BCBAs, teachers) within and outside of Kennedy Krieger on assessment/treatment of severe problem behavior
  • Participating in weekly peer review, journal club, and staff training meetings
  • Developing and implementing clinically relevant research protocols
  • Participating in ongoing research studies
  • Collaborating with faculty on research activities and manuscript preparation for possible co-authorship
  • Attending and/or presenting research data at local and national conferences
  • Receiving licensed supervision and/or BCBA supervision
  • Training, supervising, and mentoring practicum students, interns, and clinical staff
  • Participating in evaluation of clients referred to the NBU Inpatient/Outpatient Programs
  • Attending and participating in meetings with the NBU interdisciplinary team
  • Assisting with requesting authorization for inpatient and/or outpatient behavioral services
  • Collaborating with Kennedy Krieger and community-based advocacy groups
  • Consulting with schools, local agencies, and residential programs

Emphasis is placed on developing an individualized training opportunity, with participation in the above listed activities based on the specific training goals and previous experience of the fellow. To further individualize the fellow’s training experience over the course of the fellowship year, each fellow will choose a sub-specialty area of training that is in line with their career goals. The fellow’s specialized training will be supervised by the Program Director and Faculty to develop and refine their skills and expertise in one of the following areas:

Clinical Care. For fellows seeking a career focused primarily on clinical services, training opportunities may include: advanced training in applied behavior analysis and its application to the assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior; clinical care within various treatment models; focus on generalization of treatment gains; specialization in caregiver/staff training; ongoing evaluation of clinical services; providing staff supervision and training

Clinical Research. For fellows seeking a career that includes research, training opportunities may include: development of individual research projects; program support for data collection, analysis, writing, and submission; guidance on developing specialty line of research; presenting research at clinic/program meetings and local/national conferences; assisting faculty with grant writing and/or data collection for large scale studies

Program Leadership. For fellows seeking to develop or lead a treatment program, training opportunities may include: training in program assessment, needs, and development; hiring, training and supervising staff; training in best practices; assisting with program administration, clinical authorizations, and appeals; participating in administrative meetings; reviewing financial models; participating in program evaluation.

Qualified candidates for the Psychology Fellowship positions in the NBU Outpatient Clinic will have received their doctoral degree in psychology and have successfully completed an APA-accredited internship program and have experience with individuals with intellectual disability and severe behavior disorders.

Qualified applicants to the Applied Behavior Analysis Fellowship positions in the NBU Outpatient Clinic must have received their Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis and have experience with individuals with intellectual disability and severe behavior disorders.