Universal Psychology Postdoctoral Directory

Elements of quality clinically focused postdoctoral training

The Audrey Hepburn Children’s House is designated as a Regional Child Abuse and Diagnostic Center by the State of New Jersey. The program resides in the Department of Pediatrics at Hackensack University Medical Center. The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and the Audrey Hepburn Children’s House are at the forefront of pediatric care given to child maltreatment victims. The Children’s House has a staff of clinical psychologists, a neuropsychologist, clinical social workers, creative arts therapists, board-certified child abuse pediatricians, nurses, and nurse practitioners. The Center provides direct service and consultation to the Division of Child Protection and Permanence within the Department of Children and Families, the Office of the Attorney General, local Prosecutors’ Offices, the Juvenile and Family Courts, and other referred families within the northern five counties in New Jersey. The Center has over 4,500 patient visits a year. The Audrey Hepburn Children’s House (AHCH) provides a postdoctoral training program in clinical psychology. The goal of the program is not only to expand on broad clinical training received in pre-doctoral training but also to provide specialty training for the evaluation and treatment of childhood maltreatment and family violence and forensic psychological practices as they relate to child maltreatment. As such, at the completion of the 12-month program, it is expected that Fellows will have advanced level competency in these areas. The program is further committed to the APA’s guiding principles (Integration of Science and Practice, Individual and Cultural Diversity, and Ethical and Legal), which are infused into all components of training at the AHCH. At the completion of the postdoctoral training, fellows are expected to have developed independent practice skills related to both general clinical psychology and within the subspecialty of forensic child maltreatment. These competencies include but are not limited to forensic and clinical assessment and diagnosis, understanding and articulating relevant psychological issues, appropriate documentation for reports and chart notes, psychotherapeutic treatment, research, and presentations to colleagues. 

Postdoctoral Fellows will provide assessment and treatment to youth as well as their adult caregivers referred to the center due to concerns of child maltreatment and Child Protection Services (CPS) involvement. Ages range from infants to the geriatric population. Moreover, based on the geographic location, the Center provides services to a diverse population. The training itself consists of a one-year contract, with a minimum of 42.5 hours per week, meeting a minimum of 2,000 training hours. More than 25% of Fellows’ time is spent in providing direct services. Fellows will receive supervision that contributes to eligibility requirements for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and state licensure. These factors meet the requirements for licensure in most states. In line with the current licensure regulations for the State of New Jersey, Fellows may only count hours toward licensure that have been completed after the issuance of a temporary permit. It is the responsibility of Fellows to obtain a permit as early as possible so that hours are eligible for consideration by NJ and to keep abreast of the licensing laws in the state, should changes occur. Salary is competitive and consistent with the Fair Labor Standards Act and accompanied by an excellent benefits package. 

The training program not only expands on broad clinical training received in doctoral training but also provides specialty training for the evaluation and treatment of childhood maltreatment and family violence and general forensic psychological practice. Upon completion of the fellowship, Fellows are expected to demonstrate: knowledge of psychopathology and of developmental, psychosocial, and psychological problems; knowledge of the special issues involved in working with minority and disadvantaged populations including issues related to cultural sensitivity and linguistic diversity; diagnostic skills and methods of diagnosis including psychological assessment, interview assessment, and consultation with children, adolescents, and families treated for a variety of problems in a university medical center; and knowledge and skills in treatment, including psychotherapy (various modalities), case management, family therapy, group psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and medical consultation with children, adolescents, and families. The training year is structured such that Fellows are expected to have mastered competencies that are key to effective functioning as general clinicians, trauma specialists, and forensic psychologists.