Psychology Rotations - Fellowship
Department of Psychology & Wellness
Fellowship in Clinical & Developmental Psychology
Easterseals Rehabilitation Center
Evansville, Indiana
Clinical Child Outpatient Clinic
Length: Yearlong
The clinical child outpatient clinic takes place at the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center (ESRC). ESRC has a longstanding reputation in the community of providing the highest quality care to youth and adults in both an outpatient and residential setting. It offers a number of programs, including therapy (e.g., speech/language, occupational, physical, audiology), residential services for adults with severe disabilities, early childhood education, assistive technology, and aquatic services. ESRC is affiliated with the national Easterseals organization, but is locally run and operated. It is strongly supported by many individuals and organizations in the community, and provides services to anyone in need regardless of financial abilities.
The Department of Psychology & Wellness at ESRC offers outpatient evaluation, assessment, and therapy services. Clinicians specialize in the treatment of mood, anxiety, trauma-related, behavioral, familial, relational, and personality disorders in addition to other areas. Youth are evaluated for a variety of diagnostic questions, including autism spectrum, learning disabilities, ADHD, affective disorders, and other developmental concerns.
Fellows on this rotation perform clinical interviews and diagnostic assessments, provide individual and family psychotherapy, receive individual supervision, and may have the opportunity to work and supervise undergraduate practicum students. Clients range from ages 2-17, come from diverse backgrounds, and are physician referred.
Interdisciplinary Evaluation Clinic
Length: Yearlong
The interdisciplinary evaluation clinic takes place at the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center (ESRC). The clinic focuses on utilizing a multi-disciplinary assessment approach to provide comprehensive diagnostic assessments to children between the ages of 4-17. Fellows work as part of a team, which includes an occupational therapist, speech/language therapist, and audiologist. The full day assessment is done by the team on Monday, and fellows meet with the team on Thursday morning to discuss the results of the evaluation. Fellows organize a team report that integrates information from all disciplines, and then provide feedback to the parents after the report is completed.
Pediatric Group Therapy Services
Length: 4 months
The pediatric group services rotation is located within ESRC. Youth ages 5-19 are referred from the community or within the center for group services due to various conditions, including ADHD, autism spectrum, chronic illness, and anxiety concerns. Fellows utilize a closed group, age-specific format in conjunction with empirically-supported group treatments to provide group services to clients and their parents.
Adult Mental Health/Residential Services
Length: Yearlong
The adult mental health/residential services rotation is located within Easterseals. ESRC residential services has the reputation of delivering the highest-quality, most compassionate services to those with intellectual disabilities (and other psychological and physical complications) in the community. Adults referred from ESRC residential housing services are provided with direct intervention to improve social skills, enhance behavioral management, and increase emotional regulation. All referred adults have a documented intellectual disability, and often have other physical or psychological comorbid conditions. Empirically-supported treatments derived from Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) specifically designed for adults with intellectual disabilities are used. In addition to direct service, fellows will also work with staff to improve their ability to work with residents in addressing a number of social-emotional outcomes, including reduction of behavioral outbursts, improved conflict resolution, and increased emotional control. Finally, fellows will work with staff on utilizing research-supported techniques to improve self-care, especially in managing the inherent stressors of working in a residential facility.
Fellows also receive outpatient referrals from physicians in the community for adults with general mental health concerns. This includes, but is not limited to, anxiety, depression, family related issues, and trauma. Focus will be on utilizing cognitive-behavioral, insight-oriented, and systems-based approaches to reduce concerns and improve functionality and quality of life.
For more information on the Fellowship in Clinical & Developmental Psychology, visit the Department of Psychology & Wellness Fellowship Program web page.
Last updated: August 8, 2022
