Clinical Psychology Post-Doctoral Fellowship
ASPIRE Center for Learning and Development is pleased to offer a one-year psychology postdoctoral fellowship in assessment and treatment for complex neurodevelopmental (autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and co-occurring mental health conditions. We are seeking candidates interested in becoming part of a multidisciplinary team committed to establishing and providing innovative, evidence-based interventions to for a specialized clinical population. This position requires full-time commitment for a one-year term; start date is flexible, and applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.
Site Information
ASPIRE Center is a private outpatient behavioral health center staffed by professionals within the psychology, social work, mental health counseling, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and administrative fields. We provide a range of services to individuals across the lifespan, including consultation, assessment, therapeutic recreation, and individual, family, and group psychotherapy. Our clinical team is highly sought after due to specialized nature of the areas in which we work, including autism spectrum and other social learning disorders, ADHD/executive functioning difficulties, body-focused repetitive behaviors (e.g., trichotillomania), mood and anxiety disorders, and complex differential diagnosis.
Opened in June 2010, the mission of ASPIRE is to become an international Center of Excellence in the areas of:
Opened in June 2010, the mission of ASPIRE is to become an international Center of Excellence in the areas of:
- Innovative Evidence-Based Clinical Service
- Program Consultation
- Community Education and Resource Development
- Training of Professionals
- Clinical Research and Scholarship
- Advocacy
Primary Supervising Psychologists
Clinical staff at ASPIRE have established an international reputation for their research contributions and clinical work within highly specialized areas of the psychology field. The Post-Doctoral Training Program provides a unique opportunity for deepening understanding within these niche concentrations while also exploring or expanding upon related areas of professional interest.
Alyson H. Sheehan, PhD
Licensed Psychologist, Clinical Coordinator, Director of Clinical Training
Dr. Sheehan initially joined the ASPIRE Center team as a post-doctoral fellow with a diverse training background in treating children, adolescents, and adults affected by pervasive mental health conditions and acute stressors (e.g., trauma). In addition to contributing research and clinical expertise in family therapy, Dr. Sheehan’s concentration in ADHD, executive functioning deficits, and disruptive behavior complements ASPIRE’s specialized assessment and intervention services for bright individuals on the autism spectrum. Recent topics of her professional writing and speaking engagements include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents and Adults with ASD, Navigating Supports and Services for ADHD, Therapeutic Alliance and Retention in Family Therapy, and Social Development in ASD Across the Lifespan. Advanced trainees receive general education and support under Dr. Sheehan’s supervision, as well as have the opportunity to pursue specific interests or growth edges related to complex differential diagnostic evaluation, family therapy interventions, parenting and disruptive behavior management, implications and treatment of ADHD and impairments in executive functioning, and body-focused repetitive behaviors (i.e., trichotillomania and excoriation disorder).
Shana Nichols, PhD
Owner, Director, Licensed Psychologist, Researcher
Dr. Nichols founded ASPIRE Center for Learning and Development after working as Clinical Director of a multi-disciplinary, agency-based autism spectrum disorders program. With the interest of developing an outpatient center that can serve as a client’s/family’s therapeutic ‘home’, ASPIRE Center was developed to provide a wide range of innovative services in the context of a novel service delivery model. Dr. Nichols completed specialty training in autism spectrum disorder as part of her undergraduate and graduate work, internship and post-doctoral fellowship. During the 19 years she has worked in the field, she has developed specific interests in the assessment and experiences of females with ASD, adolescence and healthy sexuality development, mental health and psychotherapy for bright clients with ASD (CBT, ACT, mindfulness), complex differential adult diagnostic evaluation, and animal-assisted complementary intervention. Dr. Nichols is the lead author of the bestselling book Girls Growing Up on the Autism Spectrum, and is a co-author of the family-based group intervention program Facing Your Fears: Group Therapy for Managing Anxiety in Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders. She is a sought after speaker both nationally and internationally, and has an active research program in the area of puberty and sexuality and ASD.
Alyson H. Sheehan, PhD
Licensed Psychologist, Clinical Coordinator, Director of Clinical Training
Dr. Sheehan initially joined the ASPIRE Center team as a post-doctoral fellow with a diverse training background in treating children, adolescents, and adults affected by pervasive mental health conditions and acute stressors (e.g., trauma). In addition to contributing research and clinical expertise in family therapy, Dr. Sheehan’s concentration in ADHD, executive functioning deficits, and disruptive behavior complements ASPIRE’s specialized assessment and intervention services for bright individuals on the autism spectrum. Recent topics of her professional writing and speaking engagements include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents and Adults with ASD, Navigating Supports and Services for ADHD, Therapeutic Alliance and Retention in Family Therapy, and Social Development in ASD Across the Lifespan. Advanced trainees receive general education and support under Dr. Sheehan’s supervision, as well as have the opportunity to pursue specific interests or growth edges related to complex differential diagnostic evaluation, family therapy interventions, parenting and disruptive behavior management, implications and treatment of ADHD and impairments in executive functioning, and body-focused repetitive behaviors (i.e., trichotillomania and excoriation disorder).
Shana Nichols, PhD
Owner, Director, Licensed Psychologist, Researcher
Dr. Nichols founded ASPIRE Center for Learning and Development after working as Clinical Director of a multi-disciplinary, agency-based autism spectrum disorders program. With the interest of developing an outpatient center that can serve as a client’s/family’s therapeutic ‘home’, ASPIRE Center was developed to provide a wide range of innovative services in the context of a novel service delivery model. Dr. Nichols completed specialty training in autism spectrum disorder as part of her undergraduate and graduate work, internship and post-doctoral fellowship. During the 19 years she has worked in the field, she has developed specific interests in the assessment and experiences of females with ASD, adolescence and healthy sexuality development, mental health and psychotherapy for bright clients with ASD (CBT, ACT, mindfulness), complex differential adult diagnostic evaluation, and animal-assisted complementary intervention. Dr. Nichols is the lead author of the bestselling book Girls Growing Up on the Autism Spectrum, and is a co-author of the family-based group intervention program Facing Your Fears: Group Therapy for Managing Anxiety in Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders. She is a sought after speaker both nationally and internationally, and has an active research program in the area of puberty and sexuality and ASD.
Fellowship Program Description
Professional activities include participating as a member of a dynamic multidisciplinary diagnostic evaluation team, conducting psychological, adaptive, and behavioral assessments, providing individual and group cognitive behavioral therapy for youth, adolescents, and young adults, providing parent training and consultations, co-leading community-based outings, consulting to schools, and offering community-based workshops and trainings. Fellows receive advanced clinical training and supervision towards licensure in evidenced based assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum and other childhood disorders in the context of a multidisciplinary clinic serving clients and their families. Strong emphasis is placed on development of fellow's skills in assessment, treatment, consultation and supervision.
Fellowship Requirements and Responsibilities
Qualifications:
- Completion of APA accredited (preferred) clinical psychology internship and doctoral program requirements (including dissertation by start date)
- Specialization in child clinical psychology strongly preferred, with strong foundation in psychopathology and evidence-based intervention
- Clinical experience with children with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), emotional impairment and/or intellectual disabilities preferred
- Strong assessment / diagnostic / treatment planning skills (experience with ADOS-2 test administration highly desirable)
- Ability to take initiative, work in fast-paced environment, and provide guidance and training for doctoral-level psychology externs
- Ph.D. or Psy.D. from an APA accredited (preferred) psychology training program
- Psychologist-Limited Permit for State of New York or qualifications needed to apply for a Limited Permit
- Complete 1-3 comprehensive diagnostic/psychoeducational evaluations per month (ASD-specific to include ADOS-2)
- Participate as a member of a multidisciplinary diagnostic team that includes behavioral health professionals with various training backgrounds
- Conduct consultation and evaluation feedback sessions, which involve generating comprehensive recommendations that encompass best services for the client
- As a primary therapist, develop treatment plans and provide services to a diverse caseload of approximately 10-15 clients weekly.
- Engage in a broad range of clinical services, such as individual, family, group therapy, case consultation, advocacy, and crisis intervention
- Facilitate 2-4 weekly social coping or other therapeutic groups (e.g., girls growing up, parenting)
- Participate in training and supervision of doctoral psychology externs and mental health counseling trainees
- Coordinate care with school personnel and other community providers
- Participate in weekly supervision and scheduled team/staff meetings
- Participate in didactic/professional discussion conferences – group therapy; diagnostic case conference
- Facilitate center-based workshops and present at local meetings and professional conferences
Benefits
- Competitive stipend ($35,000-40,000 DOE)
- Professional development days
- Conference attendance budget
- License eligibility expected after 1 year
- Opportunities may also exist for conducting applied research, writing clinical articles and presenting at conferences (specific activities will be determined with the fellow to match his/her career goals)
Application Instructions
Interested candidates should submit the following materials:
Please direct applications, preferably sent in one packet or e-mail attachment, to:
Alyson H. Sheehan, PhD
Clinical Coordinator, Director of Clinical Training
ASPIRE Center for Learning and Development
63 Old East Neck Road
Melville, NY 11747
[email protected]
- Letter of interest
- Curriculum vitae
- Graduate transcript(s)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Two assessment reports
- Two treatment summaries
- Representative scholarly reprints/preprints (if applicable)
Please direct applications, preferably sent in one packet or e-mail attachment, to:
Alyson H. Sheehan, PhD
Clinical Coordinator, Director of Clinical Training
ASPIRE Center for Learning and Development
63 Old East Neck Road
Melville, NY 11747
[email protected]
Download Post-Doc Information as PDF (below)
| postdoc.ad.2017-2018.pdf |