Department : Mental Health Service, Psychology Section, Internship Program

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 2221
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Orlando VA Healthcare System
Department: Mental Health Service, Psychology Section, Internship Program
Address: Orlando VA Healthcare System - Lake Nona
Mental Health
13800 Veterans Way
Orlando, Florida 32827
Country: United States
Metro Area: Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
Distance from Major City: 10 miles southeast of downtown Orlando
Phone: 321-438-6436
Fax:
Email: bryan.batien@va.gov
Web Address: https://www.va.gov/orlando-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.va.gov/orlando-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/
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: Bryan Batien
Chief Psychologist: Steven Herman
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 135
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: 6
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 33469
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Dental Insurance, Health Insurance, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): Interns are eligible for health insurance. Interns also receive 4 hours of paid sick leave and 4 hours of paid annual leave (paid personal/vacation time) every 2-week pay period. This equates to approximately 13 days of sick leave and 13 days of annual leave over the course of the internship year. In addition, there are 11 federal holidays. With the approval of the current rotation supervisor and the training director, each Intern may be additionally allocated up to five days of authorized absence (AA) for professional development activities (e.g. conferences, presentations, interviews, or meetings with academic program advisor/ faculty). The United States government covers interns for malpractice under the Federal Liability Reform Tort Act. Also, Central Florida lifestyle: theme parks, beaches, rocket launches, warm weather year-round, general paradise!
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Interns work 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday during the internship year. Interns are engaged in clinical rotations four days out of the week with at least 50% of their time devoted to direct clinical activities. Tuesdays are reserved for training didactics and seminars throughout the day. Interns receive a minimum of 4 hours of supervision each week with at least 2 hours being individual, face-to-face supervision with their rotation supervisor(s). Please refer to the internship brochure for additional 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: Required
Interview notification date: 12/01/2023
Tentative interview date: 12/15/2023, 01/08/2024, 01/11/2024, 01/18/2024
Interview process description:

Application Deadline: Complete application packets must be received by us by November 1, 2023 (11:59 PM Eastern Time Zone) for consideration for internship appointment beginning the following July 2024.

Interview Notification: Individual interviews will be conducted by invitation only, following initial evaluation of application materials. Applicants invited for interviews will be notified by email no later than December 1, 2023 and will be scheduled for one of the three interview dates. 

Interview Dates

  • December 15, 2023
  • January 9, 2024
  • January 11, 2024
  • January 19, 2024

Interview Information: All 2023 interviews will be virtual and conducted via Microsoft Teams. Each interview day will last up to 6 hours. The interview day will consist of a variety of activities including a program overview, individual interviews with internship faculty, and meeting with our current interns.

Additional Application Information

Applications are encouraged from all geographical areas.  The Orlando VA Healthcare System is an Equal Opportunity Employer; we are committed to ensuring a range of diversity among our training classes, and we select candidates representing different kinds of programs and theoretical orientations, geographic areas, ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, disabilities, and life experiences. All things being equal, consideration is given to applicants who identify themselves as military Veterans.

Your online AAPI application package should include: a Verification of Internship Eligibility and Readiness, completed by University Director of Training, current official graduate transcript(s), three letters of reference from faculty members or practicum supervisors who know you and your work well, cover letter and curriculum vitae.

Please refer to our internship brochure for additional information on internship including eligibility criteria, application requirements, and general internship information. The brochure can be found at Internships And Fellowships | VA Orlando Health Care | Veterans Affairs (https://www.va.gov/orlando-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/#psychology-training-programs).

The Orlando VA Healthcare System Internship follows the policies and procedures regarding internship offers and acceptance recommended by the APPIC and the Council of Directors of Clinical Training Programs.

How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: Univ of Cincinnati, Univ of Colorado, Chicago School of Psychology, Univ of Delaware, Florida State University, Fuller Theological Seminary, Idaho State Univ, University of Indianapolis, Eastern Kentucky Univ, Loma Linda Univ., Long Island Univ, Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech Univ, Michigan State University, University of Mississippi, Univ of Notre Dame, Nova Southeast Univ, University of Central Florida, Ohio State University, Palo Alto Univ, Pacific University, Indiana Univ of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine and Science, St. Mary's Univ, State Univ of NY, City University of NY, Univ of Colorado, Univ of South Carolina, Univ of South Dakota, University of South Florida, Texas A&M Univ, Virginia Tech, Washington State, and Xavier Univ.
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 start of internship
Dissertation Proposal Approved: Yes, by start of internship
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable): 250
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): 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:
Program Description

The mission of the Orlando VA Healthcare System’s Psychology Internship program is to develop ethical and competent psychologists capable of delivering high quality care through evidence-based practice for the purpose of improving the quality of life and well-being for America’s Veterans. The program provides a generalist training for professional psychologists. Within the generalist training, the internship promotes a scientific attitude and approach to clinical activities through an emphasis on evidence-based practice.

The internship year is divided into three rotations of four months each.  As a generalist program, Interns will participate in an array of clinical rotations and experiences that emphasize core psychologist functions, including psychotherapy and assessment. Rotation selection is based on the individual intern’s preference as well as their identified strengths and training needs. Please refer to our online brochure for additional internship information including available clinical rotations and training experiences, and faculty profiles. Our internship brochure can be found at Internships And Fellowships | VA Orlando Health Care | Veterans Affairs.

It is a goal of the program to create a supportive and challenging learning environment that enriches each Intern’s professional development while respecting individual differences. At the end of the internship year, Interns will be particularly equipped for working with Veterans and prepared to receive advanced postdoctoral training or early-career entry into the current health care environment.

 

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:

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: Experience (21% to 30%)
Community Intervention: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Consultation/Liaison: Experience (21% to 30%)
Crisis Intervention: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Brief Psychotherapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Experience (21% to 30%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Primary Care: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Evidenced Based Practice: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Evidence Based Research:
Supervision of Practicum students : Experience (21% to 30%)
Other:

Experience

Health Psychology: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Women's Health: Experience (21% to 30%)
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sexual Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Physical Disabilities: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Learning Disabilities:
Developmental Disabilities:
Assessment: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Neuropsychology-Adult: Exposure (1% to 20%)
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: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology: Experience (21% to 30%)
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling:
Vocational/Career Development: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Multicultural Therapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Feminist Therapy:
Religion/Spirituality:
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: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
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:

As a Veteran population, there is a higher percentage of male patients than female. Our most common mental health diagnosis is depression and related disorders, followed by PTSD and related sequalae of trauma. Interns will have the opportunity to learn evidence-based practices in the treatments of these and other disorders. 

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/orlando-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/  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: 124 125 122 120 115 94 83
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 52 49 45 51 41 40 39
Total number of interns: 8 7 7 8 6 6 6
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 8 7 7 8 6 6 6
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 3 5 3 6 6 5 3
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 5 2 4 2 0 1 3
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 8 6 7 8 5 5 6
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0 1 0 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 2 1 4 12 3 2 3
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 36 93 38 159 74 68 46
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: 0
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