PsyParent Practicum

Catalog description

This course is a graduate level practicum in evidenced based parenting intervention, parent support, early child development and child behavioral intervention/modification. The practicum is designed to provide direct instruction and clinical training experience with 1) assessing and supporting early child development; 2) supporting parent acquisition of supportive parenting practices through the implementation of evidenced based parenting intervention/behavioral management programs. Generally, students will gain experience with early child development assessment and milestones as well as knowledge and implementation evidenced based parenting programs. The application and adaptation of parenting programs and developmental milestone acquisition for diverse populations, as well as considerations for use within an integrative and interdisciplinary orientation, will be embedded throughout the course. More specifically, this is a year-long course (Fall and Spring Semester) that provides students with the opportunity to learn how to provide evidenced based and strengths-based family/parent intervention designed to increase positive parenting strategies and child developmental outcomes. Students will participate in a two hour didactic/supervision meeting, perform brief assessment of child development, as well as two community family groups with at-risk families: 1) an interdisciplinary(Occupational Therapist and Psychologist) led morning “Parent & Me” group designed to identify and support child developmental outcomes/milestone acquisition as well as parent developmental knowledge and skill acquisition; 2) an evening parent support/skill group that utilizes an evidenced based parent training program designed to support parental management of problematic child behaviors, increase child pro-social and preferred behaviors and support healthy family development and relationship…