Broad Overview
Our faculty all graduated from scientist-practitioner programs; therefore, we highly value evidence-based practices and strive to stay at the forefront of behavioral interventions. Housed in the Department of Psychiatry, we have many opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and seek to provide comprehensive interventions for our patients. We ensure that our postdocs are held in the same regard as the medical fellows in our department.
The postdoc will have 2.5 days per week dedicated to clinical psychotherapy modalities with youth. The training program addresses the national shortage of psychologists specialized in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). The postdoc will receive training in assessing and treating adolescent Borderline Personality Disorder and life-threatening behaviors using DBT during a half-day clinic. Additionally, the postdoc will gain expertise in assessing and treating childhood disruptive behavior disorders using PCIT during a half-day clinic. The postdoc will also utilize a range of evidence-based psychotherapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), play therapy, and Family Systems Therapy with children, adolescents, young adults, and their families. The postdoc will also participate in a psychological assessment rotation, dedicating approximately 1.5 days per week to completing one psychoeducational testing case per week. The remainder of the fellowship time will be structured to include individual supervision, didactics, various learning activities, and clinical research activities. Fellows will have the opportunity to engage in ongoing research each week, as the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP) Division is actively involved in multiple clinical research projects.
At the start of the training year, each fellow will work collaboratively with their primary psychotherapy and assessment supervisors to develop an individualized training plan. This plan will outline personalized goals and guide the structure of the fellow’s outpatient caseload, including the ratio of children, adolescents, and young adults, as well as the integration of various evidence-based psychotherapy modalities. Ongoing supervision and mentorship throughout the year will ensure continued progress toward these goals. Formal evaluations will be conducted quarterly—in September (Month 3), December (Month 6), March (Month 9), and June (Month 12)—to provide structured feedback and support the fellow’s professional growth and development.
Program Duration and Licensure Eligibility
The postdoctoral fellowship is designed as a one-year training program, comprising a total of 2,000 hours of supervised experience. This program meets the licensure requirements for the State of Florida and is generally aligned with those of most other U.S. jurisdictions; however, postdocs are encouraged to research the specific requirements of any jurisdiction in which they may seek licensure. A certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the training year.
Hours Expectations
The total workload is expected to be 40 hours per week, totaling 2,000 hours of postdoctoral supervised experience in accordance with Florida Board of Psychology licensure requirements. Patient-facing hours will range from 20 to 24 hours per week. Scheduling is coordinated by administrative staff, and the postdoc is not expected to make up for no-shows or late cancellations. All patient-facing hours are scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., with a one-hour break, typically from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. If administrative tasks fall outside of these hours, the postdoc has discretion over when and where to complete them, provided they meet deadlines and maintain HIPAA compliance.
Methods of Training
Our postdoctoral fellowship is far more than on-the-job training—we are deeply committed to providing a high-quality educational experience. Fellows receive comprehensive training through a variety of methods, including didactic lectures and workshops, case conferences, therapy seminars, specialty clinics, group supervision, and individual supervision.
The fellowship program is designed to provide a planned, programmed sequence of supervised training experiences following APPIC guidelines: https://www.appic.org/About-APPIC/APPIC-Policies/Postdoc
Safety Assessments and Crisis Management
We never want our trainees to worry alone. There is always an emergency supervisor identified who remains in the building and ready to respond to safety needs or urgent clinical matters. This supervisor can be consulted with everything from scheduling mishaps (e.g., a patient arrives for an appointment at the wrong time) to involuntary commitments (in the rare event they are needed).
Scaffolding Training Model and Onboarding
To support a smooth transition into the fellowship, postdoctoral fellows begin the year with a scaffolded onboarding period that includes one month of structured observation and shadowing of faculty, along with a lighter clinical caseload. This approach allows fellows to acclimate to the clinical setting, observe best practices, and begin applying their skills in a supported environment before assuming a full clinical schedule.
Our program follows a scaffolding training model, which emphasizes developmentally appropriate, structured support that evolves with the trainee’s growing competence. Early in training, more experienced clinicians take the lead—often working alongside fellows in co-therapy roles—to model clinical skills, decision-making processes, and therapeutic interventions.
This hands-on, immersive supervision allows fellows to begin in observational or collaborative roles when learning new skills, then gradually progress to independent practice as their confidence and competence grow. Fellows are engaged in this process across all levels of clinical training.
This model fosters both professional autonomy and skill development, while promoting a collaborative learning environment grounded in mentorship and real-time clinical learning.
Direct Supervision with One-way Mirrors and Video
Depending on the trainee’s needs and the preferences of both supervisor and supervisee, we offer direct supervision using one-way mirror rooms and remote video setups that allow for real-time feedback. The Family Therapy Clinic utilizes all live, in-vivo supervision, where clinicians receive immediate, on-the-spot guidance during therapy sessions. This approach has proven especially effective for clinicians learning Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), assessing life-threatening behaviors using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) interventions, administering the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), managing complex family therapy cases, and conducting exposure therapy for more challenging presentations.