The Durham VA Medical Center (VAMC) Psychology Internship is located in Durham, NC, the most ethnically diverse of the major communities in the state. The veteran patient population is simililarly diverse, and providers serve intergenerational Veterans from a wide range of ethnic, religious, disability status, sexual orientation, and gender identities. The Durham VAMC Internship Program provides a one-year (12-month), full-time training experience for clinical and counseling psychology doctoral (PhD or PsyD) students from APA- or CPA- accredited programs. The program provides broad-based, culturally competent, generalist training in clinical assessment, intervention, consultation, research/scholarly inquiry, and clinical supervision across 4 rotation (each six months in duration). There are rotations for training in psychological and neuropsychological assessment, and for training in interventions with adults and families in geriatric settings, medically-based settings including physical rehabilitation, inpatient and outpatient mental health settings, and specialty clinics (e.g., PTSD, Addictions).The Program has been in existence for more than 40 years and is accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation. Our program adheres to a scientist-practitioner philosophy of training. The program formally integrates science and practice in many ways including didactic seminars on practice issues that are based on current empirical literature, required participation in research and/or other scholarly activities (e.g., program evaluation) during the internship year, the use of empirically-validated and -supported assessment and clinical interventions, and encouragement and provision of administrative leave to attend scientific meetings. Psychology faculty are committed to contributing to the development of well-rounded, competent clinical psychologists prepared for the independent practice of health service psychology, as well as developing clinically-informed researchers and faculty. We offer formal mentorship in the areas of diversity, research, and professional development.
Cultural humility and socially responsive training are integral to the mission of our training program at the Durham VA. We recognize the importance of acknowledging and supporting individual differences in our trainees, and within relationships between our trainees, staff, and patients. We work to identify, respect, and nurture the unique personal attributes that an individual brings to each relationship, and believe that an inclusive training environment is foundational to fostering authenticity and belonging among trainees and staff and to nurturing professional psychologists capable of providing socially responsive and culturally sensitive practice, consultation, and research. To that end, we promote an awareness of, and sensitivity to, individual and cultural diversity identities across multiple settings during the training year through discussions during supervision, seminars, and workshops and offer an optional diversity mentorship program.
The Durham VA Medical Center is located in the heart of the Bull City (Durham, NC) and sits adjacent to the Duke University Medical Center and Duke University campuses. Durham is a richly diverse city, home to a greater makeup of ethnic minority groups than any of the five largest cities in North Carolina. Durham is also home to a large and thriving LGBTQ community, and was named the Most Tolerant City in the US in 2012 by The Daily Beast. The Triangle region, comprised of Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill, is situated halfway between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the beautiful beaches of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Travel to the region is facilitated by a number of major highways, bus and rail lines (Durham Station), and international airports (RDU, CLT, PTI) allowing for easy access to and from other metropolitan areas or international desinations. Cultural, historical, educational, and natural amenities abound, and Durham has gained notoriety as a one of the best places to live, work, and play. Durham offers the sophistication of an urban setting, while retaining it’s small town charm and history. It is full of funky cafés, rich music history, and local artisans and restauranteurs.