Epilepsy/Neuropsychology Externship

Epilepsy: Externs have the opportunity to participate in short- and long-term therapy, as well as consultation and pre-surgical evaluations for youth diagnosed with epilepsy. Outpatient treatment cases present with a range of concerns, including coping with illness/medical intervention, medical adherence, as well as mood and anxiety concerns. Consultations include meeting with children/families around the time of diagnosis, during the pre-surgical evaluation process, and as inpatients during/following medical interventions (e.g., MRI, vEEG, SEEG, surgery). The Epilepsy team is multidisciplinary, so externs will have the opportunity to coordinate care with physicians and neuropsychologists. An emphasis is placed on cognitive and behavioral therapy approaches, although there is also an integration of acceptance and commitment therapy and mindfulness strategies.

Neuropsychology: On the Neuroscience and Trauma Team/Neurosurgery floors, the purpose of neuropsychological consultations is to provide assessment of global functioning/mental status, parent and patient education, a plan for rehabilitation/return to home and school, and liaison services for follow-up. Externs may also be involved in outpatient neuropsychological consults as part of a multidisciplinary stroke clinic. If interested, additional experience may include preparation for clinical functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of language and motor functioning, as well as the actual clinical language fMRI procedure.

Applicants must be in at least the third year of a doctoral program and have prior practicum experience with child and adolescent assessment and therapy. Experience with pediatric populations is desired but not required. Preference will be given to advanced doctoral students.

One extern will be recruited for this externship.

Please email a letter of interest, CV/resume and two letters of recommendation to:

Eleni Rizakos, Psy.D. | Email

and

Leigh Sepeta, Ph.D. | Email

Interested applicants should also complete this survey one time, regardless of how many externships you are applying for.

• Children's National Hospital, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010 (Neuropsychology rotation)
• Telehealth with possible option for in person at Takoma Theatre, 6833 4th St NW, Washington DC 20012 (Epilepsy rotation)

• Epilepsy rotation: Mondays 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (approximately five clinical hours expected during this window)
• Neuropsychology rotation: Wednesdays or Fridays (approximately five clinical hours expected during this window, although this is variable and consult dependent)