University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Program

The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center is a comprehensive and essential program designed to cultivate practitioners with extensive clinical and professional competence in the field of psychiatry focused on youth. The program is a collaborative effort between the UT Southwestern Medical School, the Children’s Health System of Texas, and the overarching Dallas psychiatric community, aiming to create leaders in child and adolescent psychiatry who are proficient in evidence-based treatments and innovative patient care approaches 1.

The program emphasizes a multi-faceted approach comprising developmental, biopsychosocial, cognitive, psychodynamic, cross-cultural, family systems, and behavioral concepts. The curriculum provides fellows with a solid foundation in understanding normal versus pathological development, developmental neuroscience, and the impact of environmental stressors, cultural differences, and psychopathology on mental health outcomes 1.

Curriculum Overview

Throughout the fellowship, trainees participate in a broad array of rotations that include specialized outpatient clinics dealing with autism and foster care, intensive outpatient programs for substance use, consultation-liaison services, and community mental health experiences. This diverse structure equips fellows with the necessary skills to handle complex psychiatric issues in a variety of settings 1.

Year 1 Rotations

During the first year, fellows are expected to manage 1-2 psychotherapy patients and will rotate through several critical services including:

• Center for Autism Care: In this setting, fellows learn to evaluate and treat children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), gaining experience with diagnostic tools and interviews 4.
• Center for Pediatric Eating Disorders: This facility offers unique experiences in interdisciplinary care for children suffering from eating disorders, providing training in multimodal treatments 4.
• Pediatric Consult-Liaison Service: Fellows engage with multidisciplinary teams in treating behavioral health concerns alongside physical health needs across a spectrum of medical contexts 4.
• Day Treatment Service: Aimed at enhancing children's emotional and behavioral functioning, this service allows fellows to provide critical therapeutic interventions 4.

Year 2 Rotations

The second year includes more specialized outpatient experiences, allowing fellows to delve deeper into psychotherapy and community psychiatry while managing an increased caseload. Rotations to expect include:

• Outpatient Community Psychiatry: A program that connects fellows with at-risk youth populations, enabling hands-on experience in community mental health settings 4.
• Intensive Outpatient Program for Suicidal Ideation: This rotation focuses on adolescents experiencing suicidal thoughts and offers fellows opportunities for intensive therapeutic intervention 4.
• Electives: Fellows benefit from a selection of electives to explore various interests, including community care and advanced psychotherapy approaches 4.

Application Process and Criteria

Application for the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship is conducted via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Essential documentation includes a curriculum vitae, personal statement, medical transcripts, USMLE or COMLEX scores, letters of recommendation, and proof of visa documentation, with the program primarily sponsoring J-1 visas 2. While there are no specific graduation year restrictions, applicants who have not completed Step III will need to ensure that this is done before entering the program 2.

Competitiveness and Applicant Profile

The fellowship is considered competitive, emphasizing a holistic review of candidates which values diversity, including those from DO and IMG backgrounds. While strong academic performance and recommendations are imperative, the program also appreciates unique experiences in community service and leadership that applicants may possess 3.

Community Track Opportunities

A vital feature of the fellowship is the Community Track, which aims to train fellows in addressing the mental health needs of underserved populations. Alongside traditional fellowship training, one fellowship position annually focuses on community engagement, providing invaluable opportunities for those interested in pediatric psychiatry in community settings 1.

Faculty and Mentorship

Fellows in the program benefit from mentoring by a distinguished faculty comprising leading specialists in child and adolescent psychiatry. Faculty members bring a wealth of experience in outpatient services, research, and specialized care, fostering an environment conducive to both professional and academic growth 3.

Unique Aspects of Training

In addition to clinical training, the fellowship places significant importance on research opportunities and the advancement of knowledge in the field. Graduates of the program often advance into various successful post-fellowship roles, whether in academic, clinical, or leadership positions across the country 1.