Department : Psychology Internship

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 1174
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Eastern Colorado Health Care System
Department: Psychology Internship
Address: Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center
1700 North Wheeling St. (A4-116)
Aurora, Colorado 80045
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO
Distance from Major City: 0
Phone: 720-723-7337x
Fax:
Email: jacob.farnsworth@va.gov
Web Address: https://www.va.gov/eastern-colorado-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/psychology-internship-residency-programs/
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.va.gov/eastern-colorado-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/psychology-internship-residency-programs/
Primary Agency Type: Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Additional Agency Types:
  • Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Member of APPIC since:
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Jacob Farnsworth
Chief Psychologist: Jacob Farnsworth
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 78
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 3
Position Information
Start Date: 07/01/2024
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 6
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 36897
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0.00
Fringe Benefits: Dissertation Release Time, Dental Insurance, Health Insurance, Licensing Exam Release Time, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): The doctoral internship at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (Eastern Colorado Health Care System) is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation. * Questions related to the program's accreditation status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE Washington, DC 20002-4242 (202) 336-5979 APAACCRED@APA.COM http://www.apa.org/education/grad/program-accreditation.aspx
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site The typical intern work week is 8-4:30 Monday through Friday. Specific activities in a given work day will vary widely depending on the specific rotations the intern has selected. Generally, the intern's primary focus will be on learning and delivering clinical services in the form of individual and group interventions as well as diagnostic and functional assessments. Depending on their training plan and rotations, interns may also be engaged in program development or research projects. Monday mornings are reserved for internship didactics, seminars and regularly scheduled meetings with the Training Director. At some point during the year, each intern will complete two presentations. One presentation will involve a case conference during group supervision about a recent or ongoing client. The second presentation will be to the ECHCS psychology discipline and focus on research or professional area of interest to the intern. Please see our updated internship brochure to for more information.
Does this site have practicum psychology students on site? Yes
Doctoral Psychology Practicum StudentsYes
Masters Psychology Practicum StudentsNo
Do Psychology Interns/Postdocs Have the Opportunity to Supervise Practicum Students?Yes
Is this program fully affiliated with one or more doctoral programs? No
Is this program partially affiliated with one or more doctoral programs? No
Internship Application Process
Accepting Applicants: Yes
Application Due Date: 11/01/2023 11:59 PM EST
Interviews at this site are: Not Offered
A Virtual Interview is:
Interview notification date: 11/17/2023
Tentative interview date: 01/09/2024, 01/11/2024, 01/17/2024
Interview process description:

To reduce financial and other barriers on applicants, all interview activities are planned to be completed virtually using the Zoom platform. During interview days the Training Director and staff will provide interviewees with information to help familiarize them with the Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC psychology internship program, the site's facilities, and the surrounding Denver Metro area.  Applicants will hear directly from faculty offering rotations for the coming internship year during brief formal presentations with questions as time permits. Interview day activities will include informational presentations by the internship training director, two one-on-one interviews with training program faculty members and a private group meeting between the applicants and the current intern cohort. At the end of the day, applicants are invited to virtually attend an optional informal social hour where small break out rooms will allow applicants to meet with and ask questions from specific faculty and the Training Director and learn more about training opportunities the site has to offer.

Minimum Clinical Hours: Applicants must have accrued the following minimum numbers of hours and experiences to be eligible for the respective tracks below. Note that these are minimum requirements only. Please see the APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND CHECKLIST section of our brochure for further details about general characteristics of applicants who are a good fit with our internship program.

 

  • General Track: Min Intervention = 350 hours; Min Assessment = 75 hours
  • PCMHI Track: Min Intervention = 350 hours; Min Assessment = 75 hours
  • Gero Track: Min Intervention = 250 hours; Min Assessment = 100 hours

 

How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: Brigham Young University, California School of Professional Psychology, Catholic University, Clark University, Colorado State University, East Carolina University, DePaul University, Drexel University, Florida State University, Fordham University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Marquette University, Nova Southeastern University, Oklahoma State University, Pacific University, Palo Alto University, Pepperdine, PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium, Rutgers University, Saint Louis University, Southern Methodist University, Stanford Consortium, Stony Brook University, Texas A&M, Texas Tech University, University of Alabama - Birmingham, University of Colorado - Boulder, University of Colorado - Colorado Springs, University of Colorado - Denver, University of Denver, University of Houston, University of Indianapolis, University of Iowa, University of Kansas, University of Maryland, University of Memphis, University of Miami, University of Missouri - Kansas City, University of Northern Colorado, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, University of South Florida, University of Southern Missippi, University of Tennessee, University of Texas - Austin, University of Tulsa, University of Wyoming, Washington State University, Washington University in St. Louis, Wichita State University, Yeshiva University
Internship Applicant Requirements
US Citizenship Required: Yes
If NOT a U.S. Citizen, Authorization to Work or to Engage in Practical Training (CPT or OPT) in the US is Required: No
Canadian Citizenship Required: No
If NOT a Canadian Citizen, Authorization to Work in Canada or to Engage in Practical Training (CPT or OPT) in Canada is Required: No
Masters Degree Required: No
Comprehensive Exams Passed: Yes, by application deadline
Dissertation Proposal Approved: Yes, by application deadline
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable): 350
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 75
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable):
Minimum Number of Years of Grad Training Required (if applicable): 3
Accepted / Not-Accepted Program Types
Clinical Psychology Accepted
Counseling Psychology Accepted
School Psychology Not Accepted
APA-Accredited Accepted
CPA-Accredited Accepted
PCSAS-Accredited Accepted
Non-Accredited Not Accepted
Ph.D Degree Accepted
Psy.D. Degree Accepted
Ed.D. Degree Not Accepted
This institution, department, internship, or postdoctoral program requires trainees to sign a statement about personal behavior and/or religious beliefs as a condition of admission and/or retention in the program: No
How to obtain text of statement:
Other Requirements: Applicants are encouraged to visit https://www.va.gov/oaa/hpt-eligibility.asp and download the "Am I eligible?" checklist to ensure they meet all federal requirements for participating in training at VA Facilities
Program Description

The Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center psychology internship adheres to a Scientist-Practitioner training model. Within this model, interns are expected to integrate and utilize science to inform direct clinical practice, as well as other domains of professional work. Interns interested in greater exposure to clinical research may have the opportunity to collaborate in ongoing research projects when common research interests and project timelines allow. Psychology training at the RMR VAMC is a sequential and cumulative process that is graded in complexity. Our developmental training model emphasizes the progression from graduate student to a professional ready for entry-level independent practice in psychology. More specifically, we view the internship year as a period of professional transition from the more narrowly defined roles and perspectives of the graduate student towards the more broadly defined roles and perspectives of a professional psychologist.  During this year, we anticipate interns to experience an expansion and refining in their skill sets, perspectives, and professional identity.

Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center psychology internship  has three tracks:

117411 - General Track (4 slots)

117412 - Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) Track (1 slot)

117413 - Geropsychology/GRECC Track (1 slot)*

(*Please note that the Minimum Req Hours for the GRECC Track is 250 Intervention, 100 Assessment)

All six slots provide follow a similar training model within a generalist training in clinical psychology. our slots belong to the General track and do not have any predetermined rotations, other than the assessment-rotation requirement listed above. The fifth and sixth slots focus respectively on Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) or Geropsychology. The PCMHI intern will have Primary Care-Mental Health Integration for all three major rotations and can identify other elective rotations to fulfill their three minor rotations. The Geropsychology intern will have Geropsychology-focused rotations for two of their three major rotations. The Geropsychology intern will have additional required didactics and a case conference for Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) trainees. All other training activities are the same for the PCMHI and Geropsychology interns as for the general interns (didactics, research presentations, case conference, etc.).

The RMR VAMC internship strives to support intern well-being and quality of life while at the same time providing a high-quality and rigorous training experience. Our program monitors intern workload to ensure reasonable caseloads are maintained. We also support interns in working a 40 hour week and engage them in conversations throughout the year about self-care and work-life balance in order to encourage sustainable work habits based on professional and personal values. Although some minor variations in workload may occur given individual training goals and needs, the following are expected time allocations per week for training activities:

  • Major rotation - 20 hours
  • Minor rotation - 12 hours
  • Didactics/presentations - 4 hours
  • Admin, research, program development, and related activities - 4 hours

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations

Infants:
Toddlers:
Children:
Adolescents:
Adults: Yes
Family: Yes
Older Adults: Yes
Inpatients: Yes
Outpatients: Yes
Gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender: Yes
Ethnic minorities: Yes
Spanish-speaking: Yes
French-speaking:
Deaf/Hearing-impaired:
Students:
International Students:
Rural: Yes
Urban: Yes
Low income: Yes
Homelessness: Yes
Other: Veteran

Treatment Modalities

Assessment: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Individual Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Couples Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Family Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Group Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Community Intervention: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Consultation/Liaison: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Crisis Intervention: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Brief Psychotherapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation:
Primary Care: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Evidenced Based Practice: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Evidence Based Research: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Supervision of Practicum students : Exposure (1% to 20%)
Other:

Experience

Health Psychology: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Women's Health: Experience (21% to 30%)
HIV/AIDS: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Eating Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sexual Disorders:
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Physical Disabilities: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Learning Disabilities: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Developmental Disabilities:
Assessment: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Neuropsychology-Adult: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Neuropsychology-Child:
Serious Mental Illness: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Anxiety Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Trauma/PTSD: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sexual Abuse: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Substance Use Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Forensics/Corrections:
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling:
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy:
Feminist Therapy:
Religion/Spirituality: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Empirically-Supported Treatments: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Public Policy/Advocacy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Program Development/Evaluation: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Supervision: Experience (21% to 30%)
Research: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Administration: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Integrated health care - primary: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Integrated health care - specialty: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Other:

Additional information about training opportunities: Not all rotations or training experiences may be available as described in the APPIC Directory. Please consult the program's application materials or their website at: https://www.va.gov/eastern-colorado-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/psychology-internship-residency-programs/  for a complete description of the training opportunities available at this training site. IF the site has not updated their information by August 1, feel free to contact the Training Director for additional information.

Summary of the Characteristics of the Specified Internship Class
2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024
Number of Completed Applications: 114 102 109 194 197 151 156
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 45 45 45 38 49 43 47
Total number of interns: 6 6 6 6 6 6 6
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 6 6 6 6 6 6 6
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 4 6 6 6 6 6 5
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 2 0 0 0 1 0 1
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 6 6 5 6 5 5 6
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0 0 1 0 1 1 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 7 6 5 9 11 5 9
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 51 55 65 26 71 82 69
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2022-2023
Academic teaching:
Community mental health center: 0
Consortium: 0
University Counseling Center: 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 1
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 5
Psychiatric facility: 0
Correctional facility: 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0
School district/system: 0
Independent practice setting: 0
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0