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Site Name: Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System

Department: Mental Health Service

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Department : Mental Health Service

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 1105
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System
Department: Mental Health Service
Address: 2200 Fort Roots Drive (116B/NLR)
North Little Rock, Arkansas 72114
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Distance from Major City: Located in Little Rock, the capital city of Arkansas.
Phone: 501-257-2870x
Fax:
Training Director Email: alissa.kolb@va.gov
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: https://www.va.gov/central-arkansas-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/psychology-internship-program/
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.va.gov/files/2024-07/Psychology%20Internship%20Brochure%20%282025-2026%29_0.pdf
Primary Agency Type: Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Additional Agency Types:
  • Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Member of APPIC since: 01/01/2002
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Alissa Kolb
Chief Psychologist: Courtney Ghormley
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 42
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 0
Position Information
Start Date: 07/13/2026
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: 34324
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Comp Time , Dissertation Release Time, Dental Insurance, Health Insurance, Licensing Exam Release Time, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): All interns are eligible for the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program; the Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP); the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (Note: must be used by the end of the one year appointment); the Childcare Subsidy Program (Note: eligibility is based on income); transit benefits (Note: only if using public transportation); and certain leave benefits to include eleven (11) paid federal holidays, paid annual leave, paid sick leave, up to five (5) days of paid administrative leave to support engagement in various approved scholarly activities (e.g., dissertation defense, presentation at a professional conference, interview for a VA fellowship or VA job, and graduation ceremony), compensatory time off, leave without pay (Note: the intern’s share of health insurance premium will be charged upon return to work or post-employment if the intern does not return), and advanced leave (Note: stipulations apply for the number of hours that may be used and requires local facility approval).
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Interns are required to work onsite Mondays through Fridays, with a tour of duty from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Interns do not work more than 40 hours per week. Interns receive no less than four hours of supervision per week which will include at least two hours of face-to-face, individual supervision with a licensed psychologist. Our psychology interns are engaged in a variety of clinical activities including providing individual and group psychotherapy, psychological and neurocognitive assessment, attending didactic opportunities, and consultation with members of various interdisciplinary teams. Our program's approach to training is to meet interns where they are and to help them obtain the necessary clinical skills, autonomy, and confidence they will need to be well prepared for the next step in their career, whether that be employment as a psychologist or specialty training on fellowship.
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: 11/07/2025 11:59 PM EST
A Virtual Interview are: Required
Interview notification date: 12/05/2025
Tentative interview date: 01/05/2026, 01/06/2026, 01/07/2026, 01/08/2026, 01/09/2026
Interview process description:

Thank you for your interest in our program! All prospective applicants are encouraged to attend one of our informational webinars to learn more about our program as well as meet various members of program leadership and our current intern cohort. We hope by joining us you will see why this hidden gem of an internship should absolutely be on your list of potential internship sites! 

You can join our first webinar on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (CST) by visiting the following link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NWI3MTBhZDQtODNkMC00Y2E4LThmYTUtMmRkNjBlMDZiZjk4%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22e95f1b23-abaf-45ee-821d-b7ab251ab3bf%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22114ccb41-dfc6-44a2-8487-29889e1c8cee%22%7d.

You can join our second webinar on Friday, October 17th, 2025 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (CST) by visiting the following link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_Mzk1NmI5NjctNDM1OC00YjE2LWFiZjEtMjI4MTM5OTBlMjlj%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22e95f1b23-abaf-45ee-821d-b7ab251ab3bf%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22114ccb41-dfc6-44a2-8487-29889e1c8cee%22%7d.

All interviews will be conducted virtually and by invitation only. All applicants will be notified by December 5th, 2025 as to whether they are invited to interview. If invited to interview, specific details about the interview process will be provided at that time. The cutoff date for invited applicants to confirm their interview is December 19th, 2025. Unconfirmed slots will be offered to waitlisted candidates. Virtual interviews will be conducted Monday-Friday, January 5th-9th, 2026 from 8:30-3:00 CST. Virtual interviews will be led by Dr. Courtney Ghormley, Director of Training. Applicants will be provided with an overview of the training program; will learn about our various didactic training opportunities and programmatic requirements; will learn about the city and culture of Little Rock, Arkansas; will meet and learn about our current supervisors; and will be given the opportunity to meet privately with our current intern cohort to gain insight into what it is like to be an intern at CAVHS. Following a lunch break, applicants will then participate in two, individual, 45-minute interviews with some of our current supervisors. Following interviews, applicants will wrap up with a brief question and answer session with the Directors of Training. Interview week is one of our favorite weeks of the year, as we always have a lot of fun and enjoy meeting applicants from all across the country. We hope you will apply!
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: Adler University-Chicago, Auburn University, Ball State University, Brigham Young University, California School of Professional Psychology, Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Eastern Kentucky University, Fairleigh Dickenson University, Florida Institute of Technology, Fuller Theological Seminary, Gallaudet University, George Fox University, Georgia School of Professional Psychology, Howard University, Kent State University, Louisiana State University, Loyola University, Marshall University, Memphis State University, Michigan School of Psychology, Midwestern University, Notre Dame University, Nova Southeastern University, Ohio State University, Oklahoma State University, Pacific University, Pepperdine University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Regent University, Rutgers University, Spalding University, Saint Louis University, Tennessee State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, University of Alabama, University of Arkansas, University of Central Arkansas, University of Denver, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Hartford, University of Indianapolis, University of Iowa, University of Kansas, University of Kentucky, University of Mississippi, University of Missouri, University of Montana, University of Nebraska, University of Nevada-Reno, University of North Texas, University of Oklahoma, University of South Dakota, University of Southern Mississippi, University of Tulsa, Wheaton College, William James College, and Wright State 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): 250
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 150
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable): N/A
Does your program require applicants to submit supplemental materials (i.e., an assessment report and/or a case/treatment summary): No
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: Please refer to our program's website and brochure for a comprehensive list of application and selection eligibility requirements.
Program Description

The CAVHS Psychology Internship Program provides a generalist, clinical psychology training experience. All interns, regardless of specialty interests, are expected to learn and demonstrate the basic skills required of a beginning psychologist, primarily in the areas of assessment, intervention, consultation, and professional development. Our program focuses on supervised clinical training and features specialty tracks with major areas of study in clinical psychology, health psychology, and neuropsychology. All three tracks provide rigorous training in evidence-based practices and promote recovery-oriented, veteran-centered care.

Our program is built on a practitioner-scholar model of training. The program emphasizes, in all aspects of its training, that the best practice must be solidly based in science. The important hands-on experiential aspects of internship training are grounded in the scientific literature, and our interns are challenged to systematically measure their assessment and intervention practices against an established knowledge base. All rotation supervisors emphasize the importance of consulting the scientific literature when working with a new patient population, intervention, or assessment tool.

The overall aim of our program is to ensure that interns acquire a broad range of the professional skills necessary to function effectively as psychologists in a variety of multidisciplinary healthcare settings, specifically the Veterans Healthcare Administration as well as other complex medical centers. Furthermore, those interns who choose careers in other areas of practice such as academia, research, and administration can be confident that this internship will have significantly contributed to their professional goals. In addition to its overall aim, the Psychology Internship Program has two specific aims:

    1. To train psychologists in the delivery of quality, recovery-oriented healthcare
    2. To train psychologists to appreciate the unique needs of the veteran population and in the provision of veteran-centered care

All interns will be expected to demonstrate minimum competency in multiple modalities of treatment, including therapy with individuals and groups; evidence-based protocols (EBPs); and psychometrics. However, while these basic skills are expected of all interns, the program also supports early development of specialty interest in addition to the generalist philosophy. For this reason, our program offers Major Areas of Study in Health Psychology and Neuropsychology whereby interns will dedicate 50% of their time on clinical rotations within their specialty track. Specific learning opportunities will vary depending on the track for which the intern is chosen (i.e., Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, or Neuropsychology) as well as the individual’s interests, training needs, and program requirements. During the first week of orientation, the Director of Training will work collaboratively with each intern to develop a course of internship training, which will meet the intern's training needs and interests.

The CAVHS Psychology Internship Program is committed to promoting awareness of and respect for cultural and individual diversity with the goal of preparing interns to practice cultural humility within mental health care and throughout their lives. To achieve this goal, we integrate training on diversity and related factors throughout the internship year and work to create an inclusive environment where individuals of diverse backgrounds are welcomed and valued. Intern applicants from diverse groups who are underrepresented in psychology are highly encouraged to apply.

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations
Infants:
Toddlers:
Children:
Adolescents:
Adults: Yes
Family: Yes
Older Adults: Yes
Inpatients: Yes
Outpatients: Yes
LGBTQ+: Yes
Ethnic minorities: Yes
Spanish-speaking:
French-speaking:
Deaf/Hearing-impaired: Yes
Students: Yes
International Students:
Rural: Yes
Urban: Yes
Low income: Yes
People without housing: Yes
Other: Veterans

(training opportunities continued)

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: Experience (21% to 30%)
Consultation/Liaison: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Crisis Intervention: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Brief Psychotherapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation: Experience (21% to 30%)
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 : Exposure (1% to 20%)
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

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: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Physical Disabilities: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Learning Disabilities: Experience (21% to 30%)
Developmental Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Assessment: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
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: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Substance Use Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Forensics/Corrections:
Sexual Offenders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Geropsychology: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Vocational/Career Development: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Multicultural Therapy: Experience (21% to 30%)
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:

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/central-arkansas-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/psychology-internship-program/  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 2024-2025 2025-2026
Number of Completed Applications: 124 66 93 80 179 62 107 101 122
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 30 37 30 49 63 38 42 37 33
Total number of interns: 8 7 6 8 7 7 7 6 7
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 8 7 6 8 7 7 7 6 7
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 4 3 2 4 4 3 2 5 2
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 4 4 4 4 3 4 5 1 5
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 8 7 5 7 6 5 6 4 7
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0 1 1 1 2 1 2 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 1 12 12 15 1 0 12 4
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 64 52 86 115 60 77 71 147
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025
Academic teaching:
Community mental health center: 0 0 0
Consortium: 0 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 1 1 4
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 4 5 1
Psychiatric facility: 0 0 0
Correctional facility: 0 0 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0 0 0
School district/system: 0 0 0
Independent practice setting: 1 0 0
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 1 1 1
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data: http://Please refer to our program's website brochure for additional details.
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