Externship Training Program Overview

Program Details

Externs are placed within our partnering school systems, each of which are well-experienced at utilizing and valuing the important role of doctoral externs. These schools serve students ages 3 to 18, most of whom live in communities of poverty and experience chronic adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). As a result, the WISE Center utilizes a trauma-informed approach to the services we provide to schools and the training we provide to externs.

This externship is intended for advanced doctoral students (e.g., rising 3rd year or above) in clinical psychology. Supervised by an attending psychologist via The WISE Center, doctoral externs will provide school-based services, including:

Evidence-Based Psychotherapy

• Psychodiagnostic Assessment

• Consultation and Teacher Wellbeing

• Parent Engagement

• Psychoeducational Testing

Supervision, didactics will be provided to externs on a weekly basis.

Postdoctoral Training Fellowship Overview

WISE seeks to expand access to our high-quality, multidisciplinary school-based experts in direct clinical service and trauma-informed whole-school programming; train the next generation of mental health practitioners, skilled in the application of evidence-based clinical knowledge to individuals, families, and systems; and provide a deeper evaluation of programmatic outcomes and disseminate knowledge in the wider educational and mental health communities.

Postdoctoral fellows will have opportunities to engage in the following:

• direct mental health care with students and their families;

• mental health consultation with educators, leaders, and staff;

• educator wellbeing initiatives, such as staff wellness groups;

• professional development on healing-centered practices;

• partner with multidisciplinary teams comprised of school-based mental health providers, social workers, and psychiatrists;

• caregiver training/wellness groups;

• WISE and departmental committees, including involvement in research/advocacy efforts;

WISE’s postdoctoral fellowship is a full-time, paid position. Applicants should have completed their PhD or PsyD in Clinical, Counseling, or School Psychology and Pre-Doctoral internship prior to the start date of the fellowship. Applicants are eligible to apply while completing their internship. Completion of an APA and/or APPIC accredited internship is strongly recommended. Child based clinical experience is preferred; however, school based mental health experience is not required.

Fellows will participate in weekly individual supervision sessions for a minimum of one hour with a licensed clinical psychologist. Additional supervision may occur (on site supervision/live supervision, group supervision, supervision with contract based supervisor). Fellows will also participate in didactic trainings, monthly departmental Grand Rounds, and peer supervision. Additional opportunities are available, depending on research/clinical interests. The fellowship program is designed to assist fellows in obtaining licensure and faculty appointment. 

Applications are reviewed as received, and early submission is highly encouraged. Offers will be extended on a rolling basis. The application period begins on November 15 and ends on March 13. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.  To apply, please submit the following materials to training@medstarwise.org:

• Letter of Interest

• CV

• (3) letters of recommendation from current or previous clinical supervisors or faculty advisors; It is highly recommended that one of the three letters of recommendation is from a current supervisor (ie. Internship training director, primary or secondary supervisor)