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Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health

Learning Pathway Component

The science on trauma and attachment is clear that prevention and early intervention provide some of the best opportunities to effectively address mental health issues.  Ryther’s work with children and young people extends to working with very young children (ages birth to 5 years old) and their caregivers and families.  Ryther work includes evidence-based practices shown to reduce negative symptoms and behaviors and enhance caregiver attachment.

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We are currently accepting the following internship applications for the IECMH Pathways:

SPRING 2024

No Openings.

SUMMER 2024

No Openings.

FALL 2024

Bachelor’s
1st Year / Generalist Master’s
2nd Year / Advanced Master’s

WINTER 2025

Bachelor’s
1st Year / Generalist Master’s
2nd Year / Advanced Master's

Common Learning Activities:
 

  • Co-facilitate parenting/family support groups with parents and caregivers

  • Co-facilitate child psychoeducation groups

  • Provide Individual and family therapy (clinical/advanced master’s interns only)

  • Support individual parents through coaching, case management, and crisis de-escalation

  • Sharpen your skills at consultations focused on family systems, parenting, and early childhood mental health

  • Collaborate at weekly team meetings, including multi-disciplinary case consults (“grand rounds”), including marriage and family therapists, social workers, psychologists, psychiatric providers, and more.

  • Gain support at weekly individual and group supervision

  • Learn from a vast array of client ages, clinical conditions, family structures, and relationship types.

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TRAININGS

Our rigorous onboarding process includes a variety of core trainings such as:
 

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Behavior management and crisis de-escalation

  • Trauma-informed care

  • Record keeping and clinical writing

  • Workplace expectations

  • Ethical decision-making

  • Case management skills

 

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Additionally, students in this Learning Pathway get specific training and supervision in:

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  • Introductory training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy skills

  • Introductory training in Attachment Theory and Parent-Child relationship interventions

  • Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (clinical/advanced master’s interns only)

  • Applying Trauma Informed Practices in therapy (clinical/advanced master’s interns only)

  • Promoting First Relationships training (clinical/advanced master’s interns only)

  • Family Systems-focused consult groups

 

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REQUIRED ELEMENTS

To fully participate in this Learning Pathway, interns should meet the following requirements:

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  • Available for weekly team meetings every Wednesday 11am-12pm (virtual or in-person)

  • Available to participate in parenting and child psychoeducation groups on Mondays and Wednesdays 5:30-7pm.  Strong preference for interns who can be present in-person for both nights.  Will consider interns who can attend at least one.

  • ​Can maintain practicum placement for no less than 9 months (3 quarters) for 2nd Year/Advanced Master’s students.  Bachelor’s and 1st Year Master’s students will be considered for shorter placements.

  • Able to complete assigned tasks outside of their specific Learning Pathway based on agency needs, school/program requirements, and individual learning goals.

  • Acceptance of and ability to work with individuals and families with a variety of identities, behaviors, and cultural and spiritual practices with the ability to apply a social justice and equity lens to all aspects of this work.

For further information, contact the Director of Learning and Vocation
learning@ryther.org

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