Clinical Child Psychology Internship

Clinical Experience

The intern’s clinical experience in this track will include both psychotherapy and assessment.

Outpatient Psychotherapy: KUSM-W Child & Adolescent Psychology Clinic

Child psychotherapy experiences will take place under the supervision of Drs. Zachary Blackhurst, Kirsten Engel, and Nicole Klaus. The intern will see patients with a variety of presenting complaints including anxiety, mood, behavior, and adjustment issues. The intern will complete comprehensive diagnostic evaluations using semi-structured interviews and a variety of clinical rating scales to develop an initial case conceptualization and treatment plan drawing on evidence-based treatment approaches. Training is provided in cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, parent management training, and other evidenced-based psychotherapies. Patients are typically referred by their pediatrician or psychiatrist, and interns will gain experience collaborating with these providers in the child’s care.

Outpatient Assessment: KUSM-W Neuropsychology Clinic

Assessment experience will take place at the KUSM-W Neuropsychology Clinic under the supervision of Kelli Netson-Amore, PhD, LP, ABPP. Presenting concerns include neurodevelopmental disorders, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, and genetic or medical conditions affecting the child’s cognition or development. Interns will gain experience with battery selection, clinical interviewing, test administration and scoring, interpretation of test results, report writing, and provision of feedback to families. Specific training in autism assessment is available.  

Inpatient Consultation/Liaison: Wesley Children's Hospital

Interns will engage in inpatient pediatric psychology consultations at Wesley Children’s Hospital. The KUSM-W child psychology team regularly conducts consultative evaluations for safety planning in the context of suicidal ideation or self-injurious behavior. Additional consultation is available in brief bedside interventions for health-related anxiety, treatment adherence, and other factors affecting medical status. Psychologists are engaged in a number of multidisciplinary activities with colleagues from multiple specialties. Many collaborations take place in the outpatient psychology clinic after children are discharged from the hospital. Opportunities are available for short- and long-term therapeutic interventions with chronically ill children.

Child & Adolescent Training Faculty

Zachary Blackhurst, PhD, LP

Clinical Assistant Professor

Licensed Psychologist, State of Kansas

Brigham Young University, 2020

Primary Interests

• Child and Adolescent Psychology

• School-based mental health

Kirsten S. Engel, PhD, LP

Clinical Assistant Professor

Licensed Psychologist, State of Kansas

University of North Dakota, 2016

Primary Interests

• Child and Adolescent Psychology

Nicole Klaus, PhD, LP, ABPP

Associate Professor

Licensed Psychologist, State of Kansas

The Ohio State University, 2006

Primary Interests:

• • Child and Adolescent Psychology

  • Youth Suicide Prevention

  • Expanding access for pediatric mental health care

Kelli L. Netson-Amore, PhD, LP, ABPP-CN

Director of Neuropsychology Clinic & Co-Director of Training 

Associate Professor

Licensed Psychologist, State of Kansas

University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2008

Primary Interests:

• • Pediatric Neuropsychology

  • Psycho-Oncology

  • Healthcare Administration