The training program is a part-time opportunity offered during the academic year to doctoral clinical psychology students at William James College, as well as social work students in master’s training programs at other colleges and universities.
Trainees conduct well-supervised comprehensive forensic evaluations of children and families who are referred by the Juvenile Court, including Care and Protection cases (child protection from maltreatment), Delinquency and Youthful Offender, Child Requiring Assistance (status offender), and Involuntary Civil Commitment for urgent inpatient psychiatric care or substance abuse treatment. Face-to-face clinical hours involve in-depth diagnostic interviews with youth and their families, interviews with collaterals, and consultation with probation officers, attorneys, judges, child protection and juvenile justice professionals. Trainees may also administer screening and psychological assessment tools when warranted by clinical need.
Trainees learn about the state child protection and juvenile justice systems, education and special education system, and the complex network of community-based and facilities-based behavioral health and other service providers.
Trainees address a variety of clinical issues including family systems and peer group dynamics, cultural and linguistic domains, individual psychopathology, substance use disorders and learning disabilities.