Practicum/Externship Placements

The Department of Psychiatry has a range of practicum/externship opportunities available for psychology and/or social work trainees. Below is a brief listing of placements. All placements will be participating in the PennDelDot match for psychology doctoral students unless otherwise specified.

**We will be hosting an externship open house by zoom on December 10th from 4:00-5:00 pm. Students should consider joining to learn about the opportunities in our department for the next academic year. The zoom link is https://upenn.zoom.us/j/92634230969.

Center for Cognitive Therapy

Pre-doctoral Practicum in Diagnostic Interviewing

The Center for Cognitive Therapy is offering a pre-doctoral practicum program for graduate students in clinical psychology focusing on diagnostic assessment. Students in this program will learn how to conduct in-depth diagnostic interviews, write evaluation reports, and conceptualize cases using the cognitive model and DSM-5-TR. We will train students in clinical interviewing skills, utilizing structured diagnostic tools (SCID 5 CV, SCID 5 PD, Scale for Suicidal Ideation, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Hopelessness Scale), and making a diagnosis utilizing the DSM-5-TR and the Cognitive Model. This program requires a time commitment of approximately 8-16 hours per week. Weekly responsibilities include conducting 1-2 diagnostic interviews and writing evaluation reports. Our patient population is almost entirely adults with few exceptions. The diagnostic interviews are largely conducted over telehealth.

Pre-Doctoral Practicum Program in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The Center for Cognitive Therapy is offering a pre-doctoral practicum program for graduate students in clinical psychology focusing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Students in this program will learn how to treat a range of both Emotional Disorders and Personality Disorders using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Training in conducting group therapy can be added as an additional option. Our patient population is almost entirely adults with few exceptions. The therapy sessions are largely conducted over telehealth. It is helpful if applicants have received training in diagnostic interviewing at the Center for Cognitive Therapy or elsewhere. This program requires a time commitment of approximately 16 hours per week carrying a case load of approximately 10 therapy sessions per week. Trainees will receive supervision by senior Cognitive Therapists who are licensed psychologists.

For more information and application process see the Center for Cognitive Therapy website. NOT participating in the match

Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety

CTSA clinical practicum students have the opportunity to complete extensive intake assessments for our treatment research studies as well as provide evidence-based treatments to adults, adolescents, and children with a wide range of anxiety disorders including OCD, PTSD, GAD, social anxiety disorder, body focused repetitive behavior disorders, panic disorder and specific phobias while receiving extensive group and individual supervision in these areas. Individual (1 hour per week) and group supervision (2 hours per week) are available. Students are expected to provide 8-10 hours of direct clinical services per week. Practicum students also have the opportunity to attend 4-day intensive training workshops on the treatment of OCD and PTSD. If recommendation letters are submitted separately, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that recommenders have submitted their letters on time.The CTSA participates in the Penndeldot Match (renamed for the 2025-6 academic year). https://www.med.upenn.edu/ctsa/

Center for Weight and Eating Disorders (CWED)

Center for Weight and Eating Disorders (CWED) offers psychotherapy to the general public on weight-related issues in addition to providing psychological assessments for bariatric surgery candidates for all patients seeking surgery at Penn Medicine. CWED offers a full year externship for psychology doctoral students. Students will participate in weekly didactic group trainings in weight-related areas and present on individual psychotherapy cases. Students will also receive weekly individual supervision. Externs conduct individualized CBT treatment with individuals seeking weight loss, weight management, and those with eating disorders (Binge Eating Disorder, Night Eating Syndrome, Bulimia Nervosa). Externs also gain experience conducting bariatric surgery evaluations, making appropriate recommendations, and writing follow-up reports. Visit the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders website.

Outpatient Psychiatry Center (OPC)

OPC psychology externs receive advanced training in diagnostic assessment and evidence-based psychotherapy within a large, academically affiliated outpatient clinic serving a diverse and often under-resourced adult population. Externs conduct structured diagnostic intake assessments and provide individual and group therapy for a wide range of psychiatric presentations, including OCD, PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, trauma-related concerns, ADHD, and severe mental illness. Training includes weekly individual and group supervision and emphasizes culturally responsive, trauma-informed, evidence-based care. Externs complete approximately 11 hours of direct clinical services per week, with additional opportunities for didactics, case consultation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The OPC participates in the Regional Match externship process (formerly PENDELDOT), and applicants apply to specific supervisor tracks within the match system. All application materials must be submitted through the match portal.

Available Supervisors (by Track)

• Elizabeth Field, Psy.D. – LGBTQ+ mental health; integrative therapy; PE; CBT-I
• Jeremy Tyler, Psy.D. – Exposure-based CBT; OCD, PTSD, anxiety; PE & EX/RP
• Sally Minkovich, Psy.D. – CBT & DBT-informed therapy; trauma; Certified PE Supervisor
• David Siegel, Psy.D. – Severe mental illness; psychosis; mood & personality disorders
• Avery Ducey, Psy.D. – ADHD & neurodevelopmental disorders; CBT, CPT, ACT
• Emily Lipner, Ph.D. – Relationship distress; reproductive mental health; CBT, PE, IBCT

Pediatric Anxiety Treatment Center at Hall Mercer (PATCH)

The Pediatric Anxiety Treatment Center at Hall Mercer (PATCH) program is the only anxiety clinic in the greater Philadelphia region dedicated to serving youth with public insurance (case mix is 75% Medicaid, 25% self-pay or private insurance) and is the only designated evidence-based practice center for exposure-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) within the Philadelphia public mental health system. The PATCH program treats youth with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, with a heavy emphasis on exposure therapy. In this full-time practicum, students will provide direct clinical services, including diagnostic assessment and individual/family therapy, to children and adolescents at PATCH. There are also opportunities to see a diverse range of children and adolescents and receive training in parent management strategies and habit reversal training. More details about the PATCH program can be found at https://www.med.upenn.edu/hallmercer/patch_about.html. A full description of the practicum opportunity, including the number of available slots and instructions for applying, can be found in the PENDELDOT system.

Penn Medicine Autism Clinic

The Penn Medicine Autism Clinic serves individuals from 12 months of age through young adulthood and provides initial diagnostic assessments as well as treatment planning evaluations for patients with prior autism diagnoses. Our mission is to use gold standard assessment tools, in conjunction with family-centered care, to facilitate parents' understanding of their child's unique developmental/behavioral profile and how that relates to the child's intervention/educational needs. Families are then connected directly to quality, evidence-based intervention that is most appropriate for their children. The practicum student will participate in comprehensive treatment-planning evaluations for autistic individuals. This includes intake interviews, direct developmental and cognitive assessment, data interpretation, case conceptualization, feedback sessions, and report writing. Trainees take on increasing levels of independence across the training year, the pace of which varies based on prior experience and trainee comfort level. We do participate in PENDELDOT. Primary Contact: Keiran Rump (keiran.rump@pennmedicine.upenn.edu)

Psychosis Evaluation and Recovery Center (PERC)

The Psychosis Evaluation and Recovery Center (PERC) is a SAMHSA funded program providing both first episode psychosis and clinical high risk coordinated specialty care services to individuals from Philadelphia and surrounding counties. The trainee will play a lead role in ensuring high quality specialty care for each client in coordination with a multi-disciplinary team, including psychiatrists, psychologists, family psychoeducation and support therapists, supported employment specialist, and peer support specialists. Training opportunities within this framework will be customized to each extern’s training goals. The trainee will provide individual therapy, engaging youth in recovery oriented cognitive therapy (CT-R) integrated with complementary therapeutic strategies, with the aim of promoting recovery and relapse prevention in youth who have experienced early psychosis. Training in the assessment of psychosis using both unstructured and semi-structured approaches will be provided, and the trainee will have the opportunity to participate in client and collateral interviews during the intake evaluation process, as well as to conduct symptom monitoring assessments. Other opportunities include facilitating or co-facilitating groups, including CT-R for families, psychoeducation for families, processing for patients, Resisting Internalized Stigma, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for psychosis. In addition to on-site supervision (weekly), group supervision (weekly), and team meetings (weekly), there are numerous training and supervision opportunities through PERC’s participation in the Pennsylvania Early Intervention Center/HeadsUp, which provides ongoing training and education for early psychosis providers across Pennsylvania, and in the Connection Learning Healthcare System hub of the Early Psychosis Intervention Network (EPINET). Length of externship: 12 months; minimum 8 hours a week; Start Date: Flexible (summer – early Fall); End Date: Flexible (late spring – summer).

Not participating in the match. For more information and/or to apply, contact Monica E. Calkins PhD mcalkins@pennmedicine.upenn.edu If applying, please send cover letter, CV and 2 letters of recommendation by January 9^th 2026. Please have your recommenders email their letter to Dr. Calkins directly with the email title “[Last Name] PERC Externship Letter”

Philly Aims

Philly AIMS (Autism Instructional Methods Support) is a team of consultants dedicated to training staff supporting autistic students in the School District of Philadelphia. The team provides ongoing consultation to new K–5 autism support teachers, focusing on the implementation of evidence-based practices. Areas of support include classroom and behavior management, the use of visual supports, establishing daily routines to promote student engagement, and delivering individualized instruction grounded in applied behavior analysis. As a practicum student, you will collaborate with educators in school settings to provide consultation and support aligned with these goals. Practicum students are integral members of the team and receive training and supervision in providing school-based consultation. Supervision is provided by a licensed psychologist and BCBA.