Johns Hopkins UniversityEst. 1876

America’s First Research University

Doctoral Externship Training

Predoctoral Psychology Externship in Assessment and Neurodiversity 

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Student Health and Well-Being Mental Health Services is offering an externship opportunity for predoctoral students at our Homewood Campus. Externs will conduct psychoeducational and neuropsychological evaluations to undergraduate and graduate students utilizing a variety of assessment instruments. This is an unpaid, in-person externship. 

Site:

This externship is embedded within the Assessment, Occupational Therapy, and Neurodiversity (AON) Services team in the Mental Health Services department at Johns Hopkins University, which is located on the Homewood campus. Mental Health Services at JHU is committed to providing accessible, inclusive, and culturally responsive mental healthcare to students and learners across the university. We serve undergraduate and graduate students, medical residents, and postdoctoral fellows across our campuses in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. locations, with a population of over 20,000 learners who are eligible for clinic-based care. AON supports neurodiverse students in accomplishing their academic and personal goals in support of their success at JHU. More broadly, MHS provides a range of services including individual and group therapy, psychiatric services, occupational therapy, psychological assessments, crisis intervention, and case management.

Assessment Theoretical Orientation:

We provide an integrative approach, incorporating Process Oriented (i.e., Lurian) and Cultural/Contextual orientations. These orientations are also informed by the social model of disability and the principles of disability justice. These frameworks see society as the main source of disability through the barriers it creates for people with medical, neurodivergent, and psychological conditions. This framework also emphasizes intersectionality, recognizing that understanding and care must reflect the overlapping identities of each person, while always respecting the client as the expert on their own life. 

Start and End Dates of Externship: 

  • From mid-August to mid-to-late May. Externs must commit to the entire academic year. The clinic’s main hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The clinic is closed 12 p.m.-1 p.m. for lunch. Externs are expected to be present on Wednesdays. 

Total number of extern position for 2026-2027: 

  • One (1) 

Requirements: 

  • Pre-doctoral psychology student in accredited program and approved for externship practice by the training program. 
  • Completion of practicum or externship placement involving assessment. This is an advanced assessment and neurodiversity externship for students in their third year and beyond.  
  • Previous experience with adolescents or adults in clinical setting. Experience in a college counseling setting preferred. 
  • Strong oral and written communication skills. 
  • Interest in working with a diverse population within a university setting. 
  • Adherence to APA code of ethics and JHU Mental Health Services policies and procedures. 
  • Adherence to timely completion of clinical documentation and testing reports. 

As part of the training program externs can expect to: 

  • Be on site in our AON clinic for 16 hours/week. Schedules are spread across 2-3 days, based on extern’s scheduling needs.  
  • Receive a minimum of 2 hours/week of individual supervision from a licensed psychologist. 
  • Receive direct observation of psychological assessments each week. 
  • Participate in weekly didactics and case conferences. 
  • Interact with multidisciplinary team including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, professional counselors, occupational therapists, crisis clinicians, and case management professionals. 
  • Complete one to two assessments and evaluations report per month after onboarding. 
  • Increase understanding and administration of a wide variety of cognitive, academic, and neuropsychological assessment instruments in a culturally responsive manner. 
  • Hone assessment writing skills of analysis, synthesis, and integration leading to effective report writing. 
  • Develop and improve intake and collaborate feedback skills with clients. 

To Apply: 

Interested applicants should submit: 

  • A cover letter 
  • Curriculum vitae 
  • Unofficial transcript 
  • Two letters of recommendations (must be emailed directly from recommender) 
  • Director of Clinical Training (DCT) Checklist (must be emailed directly from DCT)
  • De-identified psychological assessment report  

Send application materials to Dr. Melissa Smith at [email protected]. Letters of recommendation must be emailed directly from the recommender. *Please note that you are applying for the externship program in the subject line of your email.  

Applications are accepted through January 31. Interviews will be selected in mid/late February through early march. Offers to applicants will be made according to Consortium guidelines, when applicable.  

For more information, contact:
Melissa Smith, Ph.D., ABSNP
Associate Director of Assessment, OT, and Neurodiversity Services
[email protected]
667-306-9929