The Trauma Response Program (TRP) requires self-motivated, passionate, and responsible practicum students to help provide services to families who have experienced trauma.

Practicum students will have the opportunity to observe many professionals from multiple disciplines. Students will have the opportunity to participate in research, program evaluation, and program development. Students will benefit from being a part of a trauma-informed multidisciplinary team and develop skills to represent social work in this setting.  Students will gain knowledge in evidence-based trauma-focused treatment models including CFTSI, TF-CBT, and ITCT.

All interested students must send a CV and letter of interest to Jennifer Holzhauer, MSW, LCSW through our online portal below.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Assess families for trauma symptoms by phone.
  • Conduct needs assessment to identify potential barriers to service over the phone.
  • Provide psycho-education, crisis intervention, resources, and support to families in need of services by phone.
  • Provide case care coordination for all patients associated with the program.
  • Assist in the development of TRP’s prevention programs.
  • Assist in supporting other staff and professionals in the department and at Saint Louis Children’s Hospital.
  • Following up with families by phone to see if they were able to access services.
  • Additional duties as requested.
Minimum Qualifications

Foundation level or Concentration level MSW or MPH practicum student from the Brown School at Washington University in Saint Louis.

Personal Attributes
  • Committed to serving those that have experienced trauma.
  • Values teamwork and leadership.
  • Passionate about working with children, adolescents, and their families.
  • Self motivated.
  • Highly professional.
Skills Needed
  • Ability to work as a team member and cooperate with other professionals.
  • Ability to work independently on tasks and projects.
  • Ability to coordinate, organize, prioritize, and plan projects.
  • Ability to solve problems.
  • Ability to convey information effectively and communicate with others.
Student Opportunities through TRP
  • TRP’s Prevention Education Program-  Students may get the opportunity to help with a community-based program that features evidence-based educational workshops for children and their parents to have conversations around the topic of childhood sexual abuse.
  • Shadowing Children’s Hospital- Students may get the opportunity to shadow the Neurocritical Follow UP Program and sit in on meetings with The Child Protection Program.
  • Group Supervision- Students may get the opportunity to attend group supervision with other practicum students from the Department of Psychiatry.
  • Practice Role Play Therapy Sessions-Students practice their therapy skills with a partner and get feedback from their supervisor.
  • Observing Therapy Sessions- Students may get the opportunity to sit in on therapy sessions and document the session in an electronic medical record.
  • Trauma Case Conference- Students may get the opportunity to sit in with professionals from the division to discuss cases together and get feedback from one another.
  • Advocacy- Students may get to assist in legal advocacy with Missouri Kids First to change policy to prevent child sexual abuse.
  • E-Newsletter- Students will create a newsletter for the division that informs the division about trauma-informed practices and research.
  • Program Evaluation-  There are opportunities for students who are enrolled in Evaluation of Programs and Services.

Click Here to Apply

Please email psych-trp@wustl.edu for any issues with the application portal