St. Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute has several fellowships available each year for graduates of master’s and doctoral programs in mental health fields such as social work and professional counseling. The goal of the fellowship is to teach psychology/mental health fellows to work within the multiple disciplines, methods, and treatments of physical diseases and behavior disorders.

Our objectives for the fellows are:

1. To learn how to evaluate patients and form coherent treatment plans.
2. To appreciate issues related to the current healthcare environment and relate effectively with other healthcare professionals.
3. To provide effective individual and group therapy to clients.
4. To attain proficiency in at least one area of sub-specialization (e.g. Anxiety disorders, DBT, Eating Disorders, etc).

Clinical Program Fellowships

Depending on funding, one to three fellowships are available in specialized behavioral programs, listed below. In addition to their primary area of concentration, fellows will also see individual clients presenting with a full spectrum of psychological difficulties. 

Our fellows work with nationally recognized experts and gain experience and expertise in their area of interest, all while receiving a guaranteed salary and benefits as they work through the licensure process. The Director of Training will have, at a minimum, one hour of weekly contact with all fellows during their weekly Professional Seminar (ProSem).

Center for OCD and Anxiety-Related Disorders (COARD)
The Center for OCD and Anxiety-Related Disorders (COARD) is a multi-disciplinary program for the evaluation, treatment and study of phobias, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and anxiety-related problems. COARD offers comprehensive treatment including medication, cognitive and behavioral therapies, and other adjunctive interventions. A full spectrum of care is offered including intensive outpatient, day treatment, and individual, group, and family therapy. As a regional and national resource for patients and health professionals, COARD also offers comprehensive evaluations for patients from outside the St. Louis area, case consultations to professionals in other parts of the country, and specialized, intensive treatment for individuals with anxiety disorders that have not benefited from prior treatment. It is highly recommended that people who apply for this fellowship have clinical experience and training in CBT for obsessive-compulsive and anxiety conditions, including exposure and response prevention.

Eating Disorder Program
The Eating Disorder Program at SLBMI is a specialized eating disorder treatment program that utilizes evidence-based therapies. It offers evidence-based, comprehensive treatment including medication management, cognitive and behavioral therapies, and other adjunctive interventions. A full spectrum of care is provided, including intensive outpatient, and individual, group, and family therapy. Training within both Adolescent and Adult IOPs are offered.  

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program providers at SLBMI have been trained in a formal Marsha Linehan DBT approach. Fellows have the opportunity to work in the Adolescent and Adult IOP programs, DBT Outpatient Groups/individual services and will be active members of a DBT consultation team.

Supervised Clinical Experience

Each fellow receives at least one hour per week of individual, face-to-face supervision in addition to meeting with their clinical team as a group. In addition, fellows may receive peer supervision from other licensed staff clinicians. Supervision may include the use of case notes and other supporting materials. Supervisors are responsible for providing fellows with written and verbal feedback regarding their performance and progress. These evaluations are performed two times per year and in conjunction with the Training Director so that the fellow can get the most growth possible from their Fellowship experience. Informal verbal feedback is provided on an ongoing basis. Fellows have access to due process procedures, as described in the Institute Employee Handbook as well as the Fellowship Manual which they will receive on their first day.

Trainings, Meetings and Seminars

Throughout the year, fellows attend a weekly, one-hour seminar series with topics covering theoretical and therapeutic issues related to the fellows’ clinical experience. Topics from previous years include: “Perfectionism,” “Microaggressions,” “Treatment Interfering Behaviors,” “Motivational Interviewing,” “Religion, Spirituality and Wellbeing,” “Eating Disorders Treatment” and “Chronic Pain Management.” The Seminars are taught by the staff of the Institute. To complement supervision and the seminar series, fellows are required to read a variety of materials from a reading list (e.g., treatment manuals, book chapters and research articles). These readings are designed to enhance skill-building and to complement the other training experiences. Fellows also have access to additional resources available at the Institute (e.g., library, internet and other educational materials).

Fellows are expected to apply for a provisional license in the State of Missouri upon acceptance into the fellowship. The provisional license permits the fellow to take the license exam prior to the end of their fellowship, therefore receiving their licensure upon the completion of their fellowship.

Application Requirements and Procedures

Applicants for our Fellowship positions must have completed all requirements for either a Doctoral Degree in psychology or related field (and must have received the Doctoral Degree from an APA accredited program or from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, including an APA accredited internship or an internship meeting APPIC standards) OR will have completed all requirements for a master’s degree in a mental health field (e.g. social work, professional counseling).

Questions about the application process or training program, to include questions regarding compensation and benefits, should be directed to Deb Elliott-DeSorbo, Ph.D., Director of Training.

To apply, please compile and submit the following items no later than January 15^th

1. Completed application (download here)
2. Letters of reference from two clinical supervisors
3. Letter from Dissertation Director to status of dissertation (if applicable)
4. CV
5. Graduate transcript
6. Copies of relevant publications(if applicable)

Email compiled materials to:
Deb Elliott-DeSorbo, PhD
Director of Training
[email protected]

 The St. Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer. Concerned with the diversification of our training opportunities, we encourage minority applicants to identify themselves.