Training Program Seminars
Required

• Pediatric Psychology Seminar (weekly)
• Neuropsychology Seminar (weekly)
• Multicultural Seminar (weekly, 5 months)
• Ethics Seminar (weekly, 3 – 4 months)

Optional

• CHiSPA (weekly)

Content of required seminars is biased in the direction of material needed for CHOC clinical activities.  A didactic element is included in all seminars.  Professional issues are addressed throughout the training year.  Outside speakers with a particular area of expertise are invited to present several of the seminars.    Trainees may also attend the CHOC Grand Rounds and/or Hematology Teaching Rounds as time permits. 

Pediatric Psychology Seminar: This weekly seminar focuses on topics relevant to the practice of Pediatric Psychology.  Presenters include physicians and other medical staff as well as psychologists experienced in particular areas.  Topics include medical treatments for common medical problems, as well as psychological problems associated with those disorders.  Special topics include issues such as pain control, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, helping children and families cope with death and dying, and feeding issues, etc.  Once a month there is a journal club which focuses on evidence based interventions (both psychological and medical). (Coordinator:  Nicole Vincent, Ph.D.) 

Neuropsychology Seminar: This weekly seminar focuses initially on learning assessment instruments commonly used at CHOC, from there the seminar reviews the areas of function assessed in the neuropsychological evaluation, and then focuses on specific illnesses and disorders that are typically seen at CHOC, including epilepsy, traumatic brain injuries, and infant and developmental problems. (Coordinators:  Grace Mucci, Ph.D., ABPdN, Marcos Di Pinto, Ph.D., Cindy Kim, Ph.D.)

Multicultural Seminar:  This seminar is designed to focus on learning an applying an approach to your clinical work that supports increased cultural competency.  The seminar is interactive in nature and consists of self-exploration activities, exploration of the surrounding community (through research and an experiential activity), presentations from professionals as well as trainee case presentations.  While we expect multicultural awareness to permeate all of your work throughout the year, this seminar is designed to help you develop your model of learning and practice.  (Coordinator:  Mery Taylor, Ph.D.)

Ethics Seminar:  Cases in medical settings can bring a multitude of ethical challenges, which don’t always offer clear directions for change.  In this seminar faculty present cases they have worked on that have presented ethical challenges.  In these interactive presentations, faculty and interns discuss systems and strategies to assess ethical dilemmas and determine courses of action.  (Coordinator:  Nadia Torres-Eaton, Psy.D.)

Interns make formal case presentations in the Pediatric Psychology Seminar (one therapy case) and Neuropsychology Seminar (one assessment case) as well as more information presentations/consultations in Multicultural Seminar (case presentation), Neuropsychology Seminar (case consultation), Ethics (case presentation) and Chispa (case consultation).