The Health Psychology and Neurobehavioral Research Group has a training program for students interested in psychology at many different levels, from undergraduate volunteers to postdoctoral fellows. Students have the opportunity to gain valuable experience working with chronically ill populations and learning about all aspects of clinical research. Typically, our group of trainees is comprised of clinical psychology graduate student externs, undergraduate research assistants, and postdoctoral fellows, depending on funding availability.
Specific Opportunities
- Administering comprehensive psychological assessments with medical patients (children through adults)
- Observing and learning new assessment techniques
- Conducting individual therapy focused on coping with illness or associated treatments
- Data collection and entry for specific research projects.
- Assisting with preparation of manuscripts and/or conference presentations/posters.
Research Investigations
Children through adults with cancer, neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), and sickle cell disease are among the patients being evaluated on current protocols. Some ongoing and recent topics of research investigations are:
- Effects of the disease and treatment on neurobehavioral functioning and quality of life
- Physical activity interventions to remediate cognitive late effects in pediatric cancer survivors
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for adults with sickle cell disease and parents of children with genetic syndromes
- Family functioning in youth with medical illness
Recent Publications
View a list of recent publications.
Contact Us
We participate in the Greater Washington area externship consortium. However, we are not taking new externs for the 2024-2025 academic year. For more information about training opportunities with us, please contact our Training Director, Staci Martin, Ph.D. via email or phone 240-760-6025.
Activities
Trainees with the Neurobehavioral Group participate in numerous didactic activities, such as weekly case conferences, monthly journal club discussions, individual and group supervision with a licensed psychologist, and educational seminars and symposiums sponsored by various NIH institutes.