CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOTHERAPY PROGRAM
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2022!
The Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Program is a 2-year postgraduate certificate program for mental health professionals.
Child psychotherapy and concurrent work with parents differs greatly from adult psychotherapy. Postgraduate training, focused on the inner and interpersonal world of the child, deepens the clinician’s understanding of the unfolding dynamics. Working with the whole child requires working with parents and understanding the school and community context. The scope of the coursework and the broad experience of our faculty offer clinicians in both public service agencies and private practice a unique opportunity to enhance their professional lives.
Active student participation, and the relationships students establish with each other and the faculty, are essential parts of the learning process.
Program Information
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy Program, students will be able to:
- Deeply understand psychodynamic concepts.
- Apply psychodynamic concepts to their clinical work with parents and their children.
- Work with children at different developmental stages.
Curriculum
Topics include principles of child development, psychopathology, assessment, parent work, and psychotherapy of children and adolescents from a primarily psychodynamic orientation.
Curriculum at a Glance
First year classes teach topics and concepts that will help students conduct thorough assessments and include:
- Establishing a therapeutic frame with parents and children
- Awareness of diversity during assessment
- Child development from infancy through late adolescence
- Forming a good alliance with parents and gathering a developmental history
- Concepts including attachment, object relations, transference, defenses, and temperament
- Psychopathology
- Explaining the importance of play therapy to parents
- Writing a case formulation
Second year classes focus on therapy with children and adolescents and conjoint work with parents and include:
- Awareness of diversity during treatment
- Therapy with different developmental stages
- Working with issues including trauma, depression, anxiety, autism, substance abuse
- Ongoing work with parents
- Interventions
- Play therapy
- The process of terminating treatment
Schedule & Structure
WSP classes begin the week of September 19th. Our classes will be on Wednesdays, 6:30p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Classes combine lectures, discussion, case presentations, and clinical examples. In addition to the lecturer, each class includes a coordinator from the steering committee whose job is to integrate the classes, stimulate discussion, and monitor students’ development.
The learning process is enriched by weekly, consultative clinical supervision from senior child therapists.
Instructional Format
The Child & Adolescent Program will be 100% virtual and classes will be held synchronously via Zoom.
Students will need to ensure that their computer/laptop and web browser works with Zoom. Click here to learn more about Zoom compatibility requirements.
Students will be able to access course readings and syllabi via their program's Microsoft OneDrive. To successfully participate in courses, students need the following:
- Computer/Laptop with audio and visual capacity
- Basic technology skills (e.g., familiarity with powering the computer; typing; browsing the internet)
- Access to internet and Word Processing Software
Students will not need to have a Microsoft or Zoom account to join class meetings or access course files. However, faculty may require a password to access meetings or files. Please consult with your faculty to obtain access.
For technical assistance, please contact your faculty or you may contact the WSP Administrative Office by email at washschool@wspdc.org or by phone at 202-237-2700.
Supervision
First year students must pay $75 per session for 30 weekly sessions per academic year. Supervision sessions are held in the supervisor's office.
Second year students must pay $75 per session for 30 weekly sessions per academic year. Supervision sessions are held in the supervisor's office. Note: There will be a different supervisor for the second year.
Continuing Education Credits
Pending approval, 150 CE credits will be available for the two-year certificate program.
The Child & Adolescent Program consists of 30 classes throughout each academic year. Credits are awarded on a class-by-class basis with full attendance required for each class. Partial credit is not possible.
Students must provide "proof of presence" by ensuring that their camera is on during class.
A certificate of attendance will be awarded for each class attended.
*Continuing education requirements vary from state to state. Many state boards grant reciprocity with national accrediting organizations and other state boards. It is the responsibility of each professional to understand the requirements for license renewal or check with the state or national licensing board and/or professional organization to become more familiar with their policies for acceptable continuing education credit.
Course Materials
Syllabi and Readings (password protected)
Faculty
Chair
Jane Nielson, MSW
Steering Committee
Gavin Behrens, MSW
Karen Garman, MSW
Randall O'Toole, MSW
Faculty
Caroline Ba, PsyD
Mimi Blasiak, MSW
Mauricio Cortina, MD
Ben Forman, PhD
Tom Holman, PhD
Liz Miller, MSW
Bruce Pickle, PhD
Crystal Taylor-Dietz, PsyD
Admissions
If you have any questions about the admissions process, please contact Dr. Elia Tamplin via email (etamplin@wspdc.org) or by phone 202-237-2700.
Admission to the Program is by application and interview.
Application Deadline
Fall Only - Extended to September 10
*After this date, admission will be considered on a space-available basis and is up to the faculty of each program.
Please note that it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all materials are received by the deadline. Applicants are encouraged to confirm receipt of their materials by contacting the WSP Administrative Office by phone 202-237-2700 or via email (washschool@wspdc.org).
An incoming class is composed of a maximum of 10 students.
Admissions Requirements
The program is open to psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, professional counselors, and other licensed mental health professionals.
Applicants should have interest, education, and/or training in psychodynamic psychotherapy and:
- An advanced degree in a mental health field
- Current child and/or adolescent psychotherapy patients in treatment to discuss in supervision
A license is not required for application to the Child & Adolescent Program.
Applicants will be contacted to arrange 2-3 interviews with the program chair and steering committee.
How to Apply
1. Apply for admission to the Washington School of Psychiatry with an online application.
2. Submit the following documents as separate pdf files in ONE email to application@wspdc.org.
- Current CV/Resume
- Statement of Interest & Experience (1 page max)
- Two Professional References
*To learn more about requirements for the CV, Statement of Interest & Experience, and Professional Reference documents, including formatting, visit our admissions page.
Note: Applicants should include (YOUR LAST NAME)-(YOUR FIRST NAME)-(CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PROGRAM) in the subject line. Please attach all items as PDFS.
3. Pay 50$ non-refundable fee at https://wspdc.org/home under the Make a Payment section.
The program is committed to fostering diverse, inclusive, and respectful environment for students from various mental health professions and other fields.
Application Fee
$50 (non-refundable)
Program Deposit
$300 (applied towards tuition)
Tuition
$1,950 per year
*Tuition payment installments may be arranged through the administrative office.
We are proud to present the Vivian Boul Scholarship for African American students interested in pursuing education in the WSP Child and Adolescent program. To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must currently working with children and adolescents. Click here to apply.
Fees
Supervision fees are paid directly to the supervisor.
First year students must pay $75 per session.
Second year students must pay $75 per session for 30 weekly sessions.
Need more information?
To learn more about the Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy Program, please contact our Chair, Jane Nielson, MSW, via email at janenielson75@gmail.com or by phone at (301) 770-7977.
Child & Adolescent Class Site
The Washington School of Psychiatry
5028 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 100 Washington, DC 20016-4118
Call us at 202-237-2700 or 202-537-6050
Celebrating its 85th year, the School is an accredited provider of post-graduate continuing education.
The Meyer Treatment Center provides low cost access to mental health services. It is an out-of-network facility for insurance purposes.
The Washington School of Psychiatry is an independent non-profit organization. It is not affiliated with the government of the District of Columbia or the government of the United States.
Copyright © 2020 The Washington School of Psychiatry - All Rights Reserved.
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