Psychology Postdoctoral Trauma Program

The postdoctoral fellowship at the Trauma Disorders Program provides a year of training in an inpatient setting for people requiring hospitalization for symptom severity in periods of crisis. The program takes a phase-oriented approach to the treatment of trauma prioritizing safety, protection, and self-regulation. The unit is designed to be a therapeutic milieu, which is a structured, restorative environment that has supportive staff and therapists to create a safe, secure place for healing. Patients are under 24-hour observation to monitor dissociation and other traumatic symptoms and are provided with medication management and medical care. The structured daily routine with a variety of therapeutic activities enables the postdoctoral fellow to provide psychotherapy that is informed by the overall observations from the milieu. As a member of an interdisciplinary team, the fellow also provides psychoeducational skills groups, participates in treatment planning, and completes targeted psychological assessments to evaluate those patients who present with complex psychiatric presentations. 

The postdoctoral fellowship provides supervised training and mentorship to enhance clinical competencies in a specialty setting consistent with Sheppard Pratt’s mission and heritage. The fellowship training is also an opportunity to acquire competence and expertise in a specialty area, as the fellow proceeds toward board certification and credentialing to be competitive as an early career psychologist. 

Training

The Postdoctoral Fellowship Program runs from September 1 to August 31 each year. Our postdoctoral candidates participate in 40 hours of clinical work each week. Training in this program includes:

• Instruction in the phase-oriented approach to trauma treatment
• Training that integrates psychodynamic approaches with cognitive behavioral techniques
• Training in evidenced-based treatments for trauma memory and emotion processing, such as cognitive processing therapy
• Weekly didactic seminar focused on the sequelae of trauma 
• Individual inpatient and outpatient psychotherapy
• Group psychotherapy and psychoeducational groups 
• Psychological testing
• Participation in clinical team meetings, case conferences, and Sheppard Pratt sponsored educational lectures

Supervision

Postdoctoral candidates receive two hours of weekly supervision to meet licensure requirements. Curbside consultations are encouraged. 

Application Process

We accept individuals who have completed their doctoral training (PhD and PsyD) in an APA accredited program. To apply, please submit:

• A cover letter outlining your rationale for this training
• A hard copy of your curriculum vitae
• Official graduate transcripts for your doctoral degree
• Two letters of recommendation

All applications must be postmarked by December 31 and submitted to:

Devi Bhuyan, PsyD
Director of Psychology
Sheppard Pratt
6501 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21204

Qualified applicants will be invited to interview at the program starting in February. When visiting for interviews, applicants will meet with several key individuals in the program, including the medical director and current postdoctoral candidates. Final selections for the program will be based on the interviews.

We generally inform applicants of their selection status utilizing the same schedule as the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC). All positions for 2022 - 2023 have been filled at this time.