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Site Name: VA Puget Sound, American Lake Division

Department: Psychology Service (A-116-B)

Department : Psychology Service (A-116-B)

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 1623
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: VA Puget Sound, American Lake Division
Department: Psychology Service (A-116-B)
Address: 9600 Veterans Drive SW
Tacoma, Washington 98493-5000
Country: United States
Metro Area: Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Distance from Major City: 13 mi. S. of downtown Tacoma; 43 mi. S.of downtown Seattle
Phone: 253-583-3880
Fax:
Email: jason.stolee@va.gov
Web Address: http://www.psychologytraining.va.gov/seattle/
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.psychologytraining.va.gov/seattle/
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: Jason Stolee
Chief Psychologist: Mark Reger
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 60
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 0
Position Information
Start Date: 07/15/2024
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 7
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 36948
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Health Insurance, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): Living in the beautiful and diverse Pacific Northwest!
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site These vary depending on rotation/clinic setting. However, typical tasks might include clinical service delivery, research, service/committee work, supervision, participation in didactics, etc. Interns are expected to work 40 hours per week, with protected time for research.
Does this site have practicum psychology students on site? No
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: Required
Interview notification date: 12/10/2023
Tentative interview date: January 3 and 9, 2024
Interview process description:

We plan to host two virtual "interview days," which will consist of (1) a virtual non-evaluative orientation to the program and (2) two evaluative 30 minute virtual interviews with members of the faculty. Applicants requiring any interview accommodation due to disability are asked to request such assistance at the time they receive notification of an interview offer. 
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: Arizona State University Baylor University Brigham Young University California School of Professional Psychology-San Diego/Alliant IU Case Western Reserve University Duke University East Carolina University Emory University Fordham University George Mason University Lehigh University Loma Linda University Kent State University Northern Colorado University Northern Illinois University Nova Southeastern University Pacific Graduate School of Psychology (PGSP)-Stanford PsyD Consortium Rowan University St. John's University Seattle Pacific University University of Alabama University of Arizona University of California at Los Angeles University of Colorado at Colorado Springs University of Colorado at Denver University of Denver University of Indianapolis University of Louisville University of Massachusetts at Amherst University of Maryland at Baltimore County University of Montana at Missoula University of Nebraska at Lincoln University of Nevada, Las Vegas University of Nevada, Reno University of New Mexico University of North Texas University of Oregon University of Pennsylvania University of South Florida University of Southern California University of Tennessee, Knoxville University of Tulsa University of Vermont University of Washington University of Wisconsin at Madison University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee University of Wyoming Utah State University Washington State University Washington University at St Louis West Virginia University Western Michigan University Wheaton College
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): 300
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 50
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable):
Minimum Number of Years of Grad Training Required (if applicable): 4
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: Health Professions Trainees (HPTs) are appointed as temporary employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. As such, HPTs are subject to laws, policies, and guidelines posted for VA staff members. For trainee qualification, please see: https://www.va.gov/oaa/hpt-eligibility.asp
Program Description

Mission

Training provided through the American Lake Psychology Training Programs supports the Mission of VA Puget Sound to "Honor America’s Veterans by providing exceptional and innovative care that improves their health and quality of life," and the national VA Missions of patient care, education, research and serving as back-up to the Department of Defense.

The Training Program has a specific mission, as captured in the following statement:

"It is the mission of the Psychology Internship Training Program at the American Lake Division of VA Puget Sound to ensure that Veterans and others across the nation have continuing access to highly qualified, ethical, and professional health service psychologists who integrate science into their practice, with sensitivity to and knowledge about the influence of ethnic, cultural, and individual differences on their psychological services."

Philosophy 

It is our belief that excellence in health service psychology requires attention to ethics, diversity, science, and practice. The internship program at American Lake draws from the Scientist-Practitioner model, which requires the integration of science and practice. We believe that interns pursuing a career in clinical work should follow scientifically proven practices, and that those who become researchers should utilize clinical sensitivity and insight in designing and implementing their research. 

Overview of the Training Program

The Doctoral Internship at American Lake provides supervised HSP experience to doctoral candidates in Clinical or Counseling Psychology who are enrolled in programs accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation (APA CoA), or another VA recognized accrediting organization (e.g., PCSAS). 

Aims 

Our in­tern­ship program's major aims include: 

  1. Preparation for effective, entry level functioning in complex and comprehensive public service environments.
  2. Development of professional identity that includes valuing justice, integrity, respect, and ethical practice.
  3. Commitment to the appreciation, generation, and application of scientifically derived knowledge, including the integration of science with practice.
  4. Commitment to and respect for individual and cultural diversity.

Our aims reflect our belief that a psychologist is defined both by specific training re­ceived and by the attitude with which clinical and research problems are approached.  Our aims support the VA’s broader mission of training psychologists competent and committed to practice in public service settings.

Our internship program is developed from the basic perspective that a health service psychologist should be broadly trained in accordance with the Profession-Wide Competencies (PWCs) defined by the American Psychological Association.  We believe a practitioner must be a generalist before they can be a competent specialist.  To that end, our internship training is designed to provide clinical experience across the spectrum of psychological skills, while allowing for some experience in specialty or focus areas and involvement in research.  We expect each intern to participate in a range of placements that foster acquisition of PWCs, complement their individual training to date, and further their professional development and career plans.

Interns should seek out and be exposed to a wide array of patients and problems and work with a variety of programs and supervisors. Interns are expected to further develop already-acquired PWCs. They are expected to gain experience with patients that represent a cross-section of the diverse Veterans served at VA Puget Sound’s American Lake Division and to acquire sensitivity to and knowledge of cultural differences and other individual differences that influence how services are provided. Emphasis is placed on the experiential (i.e., hands on) acquisition of clinical skills, including the ability to evaluate psychiatric and neuropsychological disorders objectively, to develop and implement treatment plans, and to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. Some rotation placements focus exclusively on provision of clinical services; others offer the opportunity to work on ongoing clinical research projects. Seminars addressing relevant clinical, research, and professional concerns occur throughout the year at both Divisions of VA Puget Sound (American Lake, Seattle), and in the greater professional community.

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations
Infants:
Toddlers:
Children:
Adolescents:
Adults: Yes
Family:
Older Adults: Yes
Inpatients:
Outpatients: Yes
Gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender: Yes
Ethnic minorities: Yes
Spanish-speaking:
French-speaking:
Deaf/Hearing-impaired: Yes
Students:
International Students:
Rural: Yes
Urban: Yes
Low income: Yes
Homelessness: Yes
Other: Residential (with acknowledgement that local pandemic-mitigation policies could unpredictably impact residential availability)

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment: Experience (21% to 30%)
Individual Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Couples Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Family Therapy:
Group Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Community Intervention:
Consultation/Liaison: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Crisis Intervention: Experience (21% to 30%)
Brief Psychotherapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Primary Care: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Evidenced Based Practice: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Evidence Based Research: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Supervision of Practicum students :
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Women's Health: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
HIV/AIDS: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Eating Disorders:
Sexual Disorders:
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Physical Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Learning Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Developmental Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Assessment: Experience (21% to 30%)
Neuropsychology-Adult: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
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: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Geropsychology: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling:
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Feminist Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
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: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Research: Exposure (1% to 20%)
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:

Please note that the depth of exposure (from exposure to major area of study) varies depending on an intern's training plan and specific combination of rotations and supervisors within those rotations.

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: http://www.psychologytraining.va.gov/seattle/   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: 129 142 118 118 129 117 104
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 75 75 64 73 77 70 70
Total number of interns: 8 8 8 7 7 7 7
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 8 8 8 7 7 7 7
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 8 8 8 5 6 7 5
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 0 0 0 2 1 0 2
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 5 7 6 7 7 7
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 2 3 1 1 0 0 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 3 2 4 8 7 2 2
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 42 95 324 32 52 28 106
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: 4
Psychiatric facility: 0
Correctional facility: 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0
School district/system: 0
Independent practice setting: 2
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0
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