Child Psychology Training Program

At Arkansas Families First, we not only serve the community of children and families, but we also provide training opportunities for aspiring graduate students who hope to work with children, adolescent, and families. In other words, we help train the next generation of child and adolescent mental health providers!

Child Psychology and Counseling

OUR TRAINING PHILOSOPHY

We see clinician training as a way to give back to the profession we love! It allows seasoned clinicians to mentor, teach, and guide the development of upcoming mental health providers. Our supervisors see clinicians in training as following a developmental pathway toward becoming their best selves, as clinicians, researchers, and leaders in the field. Supervision includes a combination of didactic teaching, collaborative treatment and assessment, processing and exploration, role play, supervised practice, and observation. Our goal is for trainees to receive the best possible training in working with children, teens, and families, in an atmosphere of support and professionalism.

CURRENT TRAINEES

Grand Canyon University Student Training at Arkansas Families First

Alexis Furlow

Ms. Furlow attends the Community Counseling program at Grand Canyon University.

University of Central Arkansas

Anna Archer

Ms. Archer is working on her Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Central Arkansas.

John Brown University

University of Central Arkansas

Cody Gibbons

Mr. Gibbons is working on his Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Central Arkansas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our goal was to create a pay structure that worked well for patients and trainees. We wanted a rate that could cover the trainees’ cost of doing business and discounted enough to give families an inexpensive option to receive treatment and evaluation services. To that end, all services provided by students are charged a flat rate of $20 p/hour.

Each trainee is required to attend individual supervision weekly, as well as periodic group consultation and training while providing services through our Arkansas Families First’s training program. In addition, both UCA and JBU require Clinicians in Training to attend group supervision at their respective schools with other trainees who are hosted in different clinics across Arkansas.

AFF has multiple part-time clinicians who office-share. We occasionally have vacant offices available too. Trainees at AFF utilize the vacant or open offices as they become available. In working with your Counselor in Training, you may have counseling in different offices around the clinic, rather than your counselor having their own office. 

You and your family are in no obligation to utilize the services of a Counselor or Psychologist in training. If you have a concern that needs to be addressed, feel free to reach out to our front desk staff or contact the Trainee’s supervisor directly. 

Available Trainee Services

Treatment

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder

  • Major Depressive Disorder

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Social Anxiety / Selective Mutism

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

  • Panic Attacks

  • Phobias

  • Non-Compliance & Disruptive Behavior

  • Aggression / Verbal Aggression

  • Risk Taking Behavior

  • Problematic Sexual Behavior

  • Illegal Behavior / Rule violation

  • Arguing, Fighting, Conflict at home

Evaluation & Testing

The initial intake session in counseling serves as a Diagnostic Evaluation for patients and their families. Gathering the necessary background information an d symptom presentation is key to thorough diagnostic evaluation. For the majority of patients, this is all the is needed, especially when brief objective assessments are utilized to increase the accuracy of diagnoses.

A psychological evaluation includes a detailed interview followed by a series of objective, standardized assessments to obtain normative information about such traits as personality, intelligence, memory, and mental health symptoms. They are typical for the purposes of diagnostic clarification.

A Developmental Evaluation includes a detailed interview with caregivers and children, followed by a series of objective, standardized assessments to obtain normative information about child development in areas such as cognitive, motor, language, social, and important independent living skills.

An Educational Evaluation includes a detailed interview followed by a series of objective, standardized assessments to obtain normative information about such traits as intelligence, academic skills, and knowledge, as well as learning disorders like dyslexia or dysgraphia.

An Adoption Evaluation includes a detailed interview followed by a series of objective, standardized assessments to obtain normative information about such traits as personality, intelligence, parenting beliefs, and mental health symptoms that impact an individual’s capacity to parent.

Career Testing includes a detailed interview followed by a series of objective, standardized assessments match individuals with career options that are an ideal fit for their particular interests, personality, and skillset.

Custody Evaluations include detailed interviews and extensive medical record reviews of both caregivers in question. The evaluator uses objective, standardized assessments to obtain normative information to make recommendations on child custody to local court systems.

Parenting Capacity Evaluations uses objective testing and interviews to obtain normative information to determine if an individual has the capacity to perform the duties of a healthy, “good enough” parent.

Capacity to Stand Trial Evaluations uses objective testing and interviews to obtain normative information to determine if an individual has the capacity to understand and participate in their own trial.

CURRENT AFF SUPERVISORS

Janelle von Storch, LPC

Christina Christie, LCSW, ABD

Adam Benton, PhD

Tiffany Wierzbicki, PhD

Sarah Root, PhD

About Us

Arkansas Families First is a multidisciplinary behavioral health care group that offers a variety of health services for children, teens and families in Central Arkansas. Our group of independently practicing providers strive to provide the best, most comprehensive care that modern psychology, psychiatry, counseling, and other disciplines have to offer.

Mission

Arkansas Families First is devoted to unlocking the full potential of children and families. We utilize the latest research and the most skilled providers in the service of improving people’s lives. We strive to empower parents and to integrate multiple disciplines in the building of strong families and healthy children.

Our Promise

We take a strengths-based approach utilizing the latest evidence-based treatments and include parents in all aspects of treatment and assessment. We’ll find the service and the provider that best fits your family. With our growing list of clinicians, if you are not satisfied with your provider or services will help you make the necessary changes.