The Psychology internship program at SCHC is currently recruiting two interns for the 2025-2026 training year. The SCHC psychology internship program aims to provide extensive training in pediatric and developmental psychology, preparing trainees for careers within a variety of settings including hospitals, community, and other general mental health settings. Interns will develop competencies in a variety of domains, with emphasis on integrating science and practice within an integrated pediatric care setting. During the year, trainees will gain knowledge and practice in diagnostic assessment, developmental evaluation, short-term therapy, parent training, cognitive-behavioral intervention, consultation with interdisciplinary professionals, and community outreach. Additionally, given the demographics of North Philadelphia and the importance of multiculturalism within the field of psychology, interns will develop a strong clinical practice in diversity and inclusion practice and initiatives.
Interersted Applicants can apply to two separate tracks. Applicants are welcome to apply to one or both tracks described below:
Integrated Behavioral Health Track
Number of Intern Positions: 1
The Integrated Behavioral Health track can also be a minor rotation.
Center for the Urban Child (CUC). Students in the primary care rotation will spend 2-3 days a week within the Center for the Urban Child. This center is housed on campus adjacent to the main hospital and is a pediatric primary care clinic aimed at providing general pediatric care to children from birth to age 21. This clinic provides preventative health and sick visits to children and families within the local community and broader neighborhoods within North Philadelphia. In addition to primary medical care, the CUC also works with families to ensure all needs and social determinates of health are met, including housing, food, and legal resources. Interns will collaborate with primary care providers, nursing staff, medical assistants, social work, community health workers, and residents to help families presenting with a variety of psychosocial needs. Common consult reasons within the CUC include mood, anxiety, behavioral concerns, school concerns, ADHD referrals, adjustment to illness, and navigation of resources.
Center for Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs. This clinic focuses on providing general and follow up care for children presenting with complex medical needs. Providers may work with families to arrange medical equipment needs, home care, daily living assistance, and specialty care visits. The Special Needs clinic also provides follow up care for infants and their families after discharge from the NICU. These visits include developmental screenings and postpartum depression screenings for parents. Common consult reasons within the Special Needs clinic include school concerns, behavioral concerns (e.g., toileting, feeding, etc.), adherence to medical recommendations, coping with chronic medical illness, maternal depression, and concerns for developmental delays.
Interns on the Integrated Behavioral Health Track may also have opportunities to provide brief consultation, assessment, and intervention in specialty clinics such as Gastroenterology and Endocrinology.
Neurodevelopmental Assessment Track
Number of Intern Positions: 1
Interns will have the opportunity to provide developmental assessments to children through both SCHC referrals and referrals from our partnership with Elywn – an early intervention agency within Philadelphia. Referral questions often focus on diagnosis and rule out of developmental delays and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Trainees will have the opportunity to partner with staff psychologists to administer and code the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – 2 (ADOS-2) and provide administration and scoring of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development – 4. Trainees will also have opportunities to write comprehensive reports, integrating information from parent reports, clinical interviews, and assessment observations with feedback provided from supervisors. Opportunities may arise to provide feedback and information to schools and other appropriate agencies on reports and assessment findings.
Interns on the Neurodevelopmental Assessment track will also have the opportunity to participate in the NICU follow-up clinic, providing brief developmental assessment of infants and toddlers using the Bayley-4 screeners and assessments.