Director of Training: Erika Chiappini, Ph.D.

Within our one-year Pediatric Medical Psychology (PMP) fellowship, fellows complete rotations in outpatient multidisciplinary pediatric clinics, inpatient consultation/liaison, assessment, outpatient therapy, and short-term crisis and acute care intervention (e.g., emergency department, bridge clinic, inpatient, partial hospital). All rotations involve active coordination with multidisciplinary teams throughout John Hopkins Children’s Center. Fellows consult with medical providers (e.g., physicians, surgeons, nurse practitioners), multidisciplinary teams (e.g., psychiatry, nursing, child life specialists, social workers), and families to optimize adherence, improve pain management, enhance adjustment/coping with various medical conditions, and evaluate/treat comorbid psychopathology. All clinical services and settings require strong foundation in evidence-based approaches to assessment and intervention, and monitoring treatment outcomes with empirical data. In addition, fellows receive supervision in delivery of empirically-supported treatments (e.g., CBT, PMT, Ex/RP, IPT-A-SCI, MI, DBT skills training).

• Outpatient multidisciplinary specialty clinics: Fellows deliver brief, evidence-based assessment and treatment for adherence to medical recommendations, preparation for transplant/surgical procedures, coping with medical stress, anxiety, inattention/hyperactivity, disruptive behaviors, and mood problems. Fellows may participate within multidisciplinary clinics within Urology, GI, Burn, Surgery, Oncology, Nephrology, and Solid Organ Transplant (kidney, liver). Additional opportunities may be possible in General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine, Otolaryngology, Dermatology, Rheumatology, and Cardiology.
• Inpatient consultation/liaison: Fellows deliver behavioral interventions and coping support during pediatric medical hospitalizations. Fellows collaborate with medical teams (physicians, nurses, child life) to develop and implement behavioral plans and to support coping.
• Short-term crisis and acute care intervention services include brief evidence-based interventions initiated in the emergency department, including Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents Ultra Short Crisis Intervention (IPT-A-SCI). Pending program development, there may be opportunities within psychiatric inpatient and partial hospital services.
• Social Boarding: Provide behavioral consultation / brief psychological care for “social boarders,” or youth admitted to the hospital because they are awaiting a home placement.
• Psychological assessment: Fellows provide some assessments of cognitive/intellectual functioning, executive functioning, academic achievement, and psychological/emotional/social functioning in youth with medical and/or psychiatric difficulties. Additional testing opportunities are available if interested.
• Outpatient therapy: Fellows carry a caseload of youth with general mental health concerns (anxiety, depression, ADHD, etc.) and/or acute/chronic medical conditions. Caseloads vary depending on fellow rotations/interests.
• Research: While the focus of our fellowship is clinical, all fellows are involved in research as well. Research opportunities emphasize topics within pediatric psychology (e.g., coping with chronic illness, adjustment following injury, psychological profiles of youth with specific medical problems), program evaluation, and developmental psychopathology (e.g., predictors of pediatric suicidal behavior, emotion regulation).

Fellows are housed in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, in the division of Child/Adolescent Psychiatry. The minimum stipend for an entry-level position is $62,132 plus health insurance (based on NIH guidelines; the exact stipend may be adjusted for cost-of-living increases). The fellow is afforded two weeks of vacation and additional professional development time and sick leave. Fellows may be invited to stay a second year based upon performance and mutual agreement.

The Pediatric Medical Psychology Program at Johns Hopkins is expecting 2 positions for a 1-year postdoctoral fellowship.

Interested applicants must complete all requirements from an APA/CPA-accredited doctoral program in child clinical, pediatric, counseling, or school psychology and an APA/CPA-accredited doctoral internship prior to the start date of August 1, 2026 (alternative start dates will be considered).

Only applications submitted through APPA-CAS will be considered. Review of applications will begin December 1, 2025. A completed application includes:

• Cover letter
• CV
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Transcript (uploaded in APPA-CAS)

We expect to host virtual interviews on Fridays in January 2026 (starting January 9).

We will follow APPIC guidelines for the selection and application process, and we will adhere to the Common Hold Date. We encourage all applicants to carefully review the APPIC guidelines.

Please direct inquiries to Erika Chiappini, Ph.D., Director of Training, via email: [email protected] (please note “Fellowship Application Question – [Your Name]” in the subject line to minimize overlooked emails).

Download Fellowship Handbook

US News and World Report has rated Johns Hopkins Hospital in the top 5 best hospitals for 33 years in a row, and the #1 hospital 22 times. Over 90% of previous fellows acquired initial positions as faculty or staff at Johns Hopkins or other academic medical centers; approximately 80% are currently in academic settings. Moreover, many faculty and staff psychologists have developed programmatic initiatives within Johns Hopkins (e.g., multidisciplinary teams with pediatric medical subspecialties, child clinical specialty programs) or have developed similar programs elsewhere.

About the area: Johns Hopkins is located on the downtown medical campus in Baltimore, Maryland. Baltimore is located near the Chesapeake Bay and within driving distance of several beaches in Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware. Founded in 1729, Baltimore is the second largest seaport in the Mid-Atlantic United States. Baltimore's Inner Harbor was once the second leading port of entry for immigrants to the United States and is now home to restaurants, shopping, and outdoor entertainment. Baltimore is known for its neighborhoods throughout the city (Fells Point, Canton, Mt Vernon, Charles Village, Federal Hill, Patterson Park, Mt Washington, Hampden) with many unique restaurants and local attractions. Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins University serve as the city's top two employers. Over 576,000 residents count Baltimore as home, with approximately 2.8 million residents living in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area. Baltimore is conveniently located near several major mid-Atlantic cities, including Washington, DC and Philadelphia