Clinical Psychology

Developmental Psychopathology Emphasis

The University of Rochester has extensive training resources in developmental psychopathology. These include opportunities to do research alongside faculty investigating:

• Family issues, child maltreatment, and interparental violence (Patrick Davies, Elizabeth Handley, Jody Todd Manly, Thomas O'Connor, Melissa Sturge-Apple, and Sheree Toth)
• Preventive and clinical interventions (Elizabeth Handley, Jody Todd Manly, Christie Petrenko, and Sheree Toth)
• Specific disorders such as
  • Anxiety disorders (Lisa Starr)
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (Loisa Bennetto)
  • Depression (Elizabeth Handley, Jody Todd Manly, Lisa Starr, and Sheree Toth)
  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (Christie Petrenko)
  • Psychotic Spectrum Disorders (David Dodell-Feder)
  • Suicide and Self-Injury (Elizabeth Handley)

The Mt. Hope Family Center is a central clinical training and research resource in developmental psychopathology that is closely integrated in the clinical psychology program. The center is directed by clinical faculty member Sheree Toth, and includes participation by several faculty members.

Drawing on these intellectual assets, the clinical psychology program at the University of Rochester offers an emphasis in developmental psychopathology that provides interested students with the opportunity to acquire specialized research and clinical training in this area. The goal of this specialization is to produce clinical psychologists with a unique background in developmental psychopathology.

Graduate students in clinical psychology who wish to participate in the emphasis are required to complete:

• A comprehensive supervised one-year traineeship at an approved agency (e.g., Mt. Hope Family Center, Pediatric Behavioral Health and Wellness at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics in the Department of Pediatrics)
• Three additional courses to those required for completion of the PhD in Clinical Psychology, including:
  • One approved course in developmental psychology— PSY 579: Seminar in Developmental Science or PSY 569: Developmental Theory Research 
  • PSY 586: Evidence-Based Child Psychotherapy
  • PSY 582: Practicum in Developmental Psychopathology or the equivalent.

Participating and Affiliated Faculty

• Loisa Bennetto, Associate Professor, Department Chair
• Patrick Davies, Professor
• David Dodell-Feder, Assistant Professor
• Elizabeth Handley, Assistant Professor
• Jody Todd Manly, Clinical Director Mt. Hope Family Center
• Thomas O’Connor, Professor
• Christie Petrenko, Research Associate Professor, Director of Clinical Training
• Lisa Starr, Associate Professor
• Melissa Sturge-Apple, Associate Professor
• Sheree Toth, Professor, Director Mt. Hope Family Center

Note: This specialization is open to all students enrolled in the clinical psychology doctoral program and no special application is required. This emphasis is separate from the developmental psychopathology emphasis offered by the developmental psychology program.