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Site Name: Bay Pines VA Healthcare System

Department: Bay Pines VA Healthcare System

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Department : Bay Pines VA Healthcare System

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 9156
Program Type: Post Doctoral
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Bay Pines VA Healthcare System
Department: Bay Pines VA Healthcare System
Address: 116B Psychology Internship Training Program
P.O. Box 5005
Bay Pines, Florida 33744
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
Distance from Major City: 10 Miles from St. Petersburg, FL
Phone: 727-398-6661x14929
Fax:
Training Director Email: alysia.siegel@va.gov
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: https://www.va.gov/bay-pines-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.va.gov/bay-pines-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: 2013
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Postdoctoral Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Alysia Siegel
Chief Psychologist: Rodrigo Velezmoro
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 54
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 0
Number of Non-Psychologist Staff/Faculty who Supervise Post-docs 0
Position Information
Start Date: 08/09/2027
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 4
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 54518
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Dental Insurance, Health Insurance, Licensing Exam Release Time, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): Fellows are classified as full-time employees, making them eligible for health insurance benefits to include dental and vision. Fellows are not eligible for participation in the VA retirement programs or life insurance benefits. Questions concerning payment of the stipend or related topics about benefits may be directed to the Training Director or Director of Psychology Training. Fellows will accrue 4 hours of paid sick leave and 4 hours of paid annual leave (vacation time) every two-week pay period. This equates to approximately 13 days of sick leave and 13 days of annual leave (vacation time) over the course of the fellowship year. In addition, there are 11 federal holidays. With approval of supervisors and the Training Director, administrative leave for licensing exams, job searches, conference attendance, or professional presentations may be authorized.
Brief description of the typical work day for a postdoc at this training site Postdoctoral fellows spend the equivalent of 4 days per week attending to clinical duties and 1 day per week focused on research. Fellows also have the opportunity to develop clinical supervision skills and provide tiered vertical supervision when resources allow. During a typical clinical day, fellows may provide assessment services, provide individual and/or group therapy, attend interdisciplinary team meetings, engage in consultation with other areas of the medical center, attend didactic lectures, and engage in treatment planning. Two of our postdoctoral positions involve 6-month rotations in our PTSD programs (providing treatment for PTSD related to combat, military, sexual, and military sexual traumas) and our Women's Primary Care Mental Health Integration clinic (providing short-term therapy and assessment services to women veterans). One of our postdoctoral positions involves 12-months in our Substance Abuse Treatment Program (working with veterans who have or have had a relationship with substances). The remaining (fourth) postdoctoral position involves 12-months in our Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (considered the home of mental health in VA) providing outpatient services. In this position, fellows will also rotate for a minimum of four hours per week up to the equivalent of 6-months full-time (depending on trainee interest) in the Couples & family program embedded within BHIP. Across positions, services may be provided in person or using telehealth. There is also the opportunity for an optional Administrative Leadership minor rotation. Training for engaging in clinical activities via telehealth is provided. The weekly fellowship didactic series in conjunction with group supervision provides exciting opportunities to engage in professional development. The pursuit of licensure (application process, EPPP, juris prudence), employment (job searches, interviewing), understanding of the business of psychology/VA system, and transitioning into the field as an early career psychologists are recognized and supported by the program.
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
Postdoctoral Application Process
Application Due Date: 12/07/2026 11:59 PM EST
How to obtain application info: Email the Program
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: Various APA accredited doctoral programs throughout the United States
The program uses the APPA Centralized Application Service: Yes
Interview notification date: 12/24/2026
Tentative interview date: 1/20/27, 1/21/27, 1/22/27 or 1/27/27, 1/28/27, 1/29/29
Interview process description:

The Virtual Open House for our postdoctoral fellowship consists of an informational session, meeting with current postdoctoral fellows, and individual interviews (approximately 5-7 hours total). Applicants will meet with clinical supervisors for each of the rotations (SATP, BHIP, or PTSD and Women's PCMHI) or other associated faculty, the Training Director, and current postdoctoral fellows. On site options can be arranged. The Open House will be an opportunity to get to know our staff/culture and learn about our clinical and reasearch opportunities.

The training committee looks forward to getting to know you! 

If you are interested in applying, please do so through the APPA CAS portal.

Required documents for this program include a lettter of interest, an updated vita, letters from at least 3 professional references, a letter from the chair of your dissertation committee detailing dissertation completion status or anticipated completion date, and academic transcripts. Applicants are strongly encouraged to defend their dissertations one month prior to the start of fellowship. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Training Director, Dr. Alysia Siegel, at alysia.siegel@va.gov.
Postdoctoral Applicant Requirements
US Citizenship Required: Yes
If NOT a U.S. Citizen, Authorization to Work in the US is Required No
Canadian Citizenship Required: No
If NOT a Canadian Citizen, Authorization to Work in Canada is Required: No
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:
Program Description

Two of our postdoctoral positions will consist of a 6-month full-time (e.g. 8 hours per day), combined rotation in the PTSD Clinical Team virtual Models of Accelerated Service Delivery (PCT vMASD) program and the PTSD-Center for Sexual Trauma Services (PTSD-CSTS) as well as a 6-month full-time rotation in the Women's Primary Care Mental Health Integration clinic (Women's PCMHI). Fellows will develop general clinical skills enabling them to work with a number of patient populations as well as special emphasis in gender-specific issues and empirically-based strategies in the treatment of women veterans with PTSD. Fellows will also work in the Women's Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) clinic, focusing on the assessment and treatment of women with a number of different presenting problems, including medical problems, interpersonal problems, and characterological issues.

One postdoctoral position will consist of a 12-month full-time (e.g. 8 hours per day), rotation in our Substance Abuse Treatment Program (SATP). Fellows will develop general clinical skills while emphasizing specialized competency in empirically-based substance abuse treatment. Shadowing opportunities may be available within the Medical detox unit depending on trainee interest and staffing resources. Adjunctive experiences can include facilitation of residential groups for veterans seeking navigation of their relationship with substances at a higher level of care. Finally, adjunctive experiences may include gaining experience with evidence-based psychotherapies that address PTSD symptoms and substance misuse concurrently.

One postdoctoral position will consist of a 12-month full-time (e.g. 8 hours per day), rotation in our Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP). Fellows will provide therapeutic and assessment services for a wide variety of mental health diagnoses as well as adjunctive work regarding medical issues. In addition to the development of general clinical skills, there is a special emphasis in couples and family therapy (minimum four hours per week up to the equivalent of 6-months full-time depending on trainee interest). Through this specialized training, fellows will learn to deliver various evidence-based modalities such as Integrated Behavioral Couples Therapy (IBCT), Gottman Method, Strategic Family Therapy, Systems Theory, Bowenian Family Therapy, Structural Family, Therapy, and Emotion Focused Couples Therapy (EFT-C). Brief assessments/measurement-based care may be utilized throughout the therapeutic process.   

Postdoctoral fellows define goals to acquire additional training in empirically-based treatments including but not limited to Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain, Exposure and Response Prevention, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. In all settings, the postdoctoral fellow will participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, serve as a consultant to both mental health and medical staff, develop expertise in assessments consistent with their assigned rotations, engage in the full range of clinical interventions with a focus on evidence-based practices, work on performance improvement initiatives, complete program evaluation and/or research activities, and provide education, training, and supervision as resources allow. In addition, fellows are required to complete a research or program evaluation project during their training year.

The fellowship program is excited to offer the option to add a minor rotation (e.g. 4 hours per week) in Administrative Leadership. This minor rotation will promote the interests and development of Fellows who envision leadership roles within the general Mental Health Service line in their future career. Exposure to management and other service/facility roles as a VHA Psychologist (i.e., Section Chief, Director, ACOS, Program Manager/Admin Supervisor, Committee Chair, Assistant Training Director, Training Director) will occur. During the four hours per week, fellows will have the option to shadow psychologists involved in such roles, familiarize themselves with mental health program requirements such as the Uniform Mental Health Services Handbook, and learn about data management as well as policy and programmatic processes. Fellows can audit VISN, facility and service level committees. Fellows will have the opportunity to observe suicide and violence prevention medical record flagging meetings and participate in psychology training recruitment, selection, and orientation/onboarding activities.

Postdoctoral 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: Yes
French-speaking:
Deaf/Hearing-impaired:
Students:
International Students:
Rural:
Urban:
Low income: Yes
People without housing: Yes
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Individual Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Couples Therapy: Experience (21% to 30%)
Family Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Group Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Community Intervention:
Consultation/Liaison: Experience (21% to 30%)
Crisis Intervention: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Brief Psychotherapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Experience (21% to 30%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation:
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: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sexual Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:
Physical Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Learning Disabilities:
Developmental Disabilities:
Assessment: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Neuropsychology-Adult: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Neuropsychology-Child:
Serious Mental Illness: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Anxiety Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Trauma/PTSD: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sexual Abuse: Experience (21% to 30%)
Substance Use Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Forensics/Corrections:
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Feminist Therapy:
Religion/Spirituality: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Empirically-Supported Treatments: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Public Policy/Advocacy:
Program Development/Evaluation: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Supervision: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Research: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Administration: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Integrated health care - primary:
Integrated health care - specialty:
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/bay-pines-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 Postdoctoral Class
2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027
Number of Completed Applications: 44 39 17 19 21 25 21
Where did Former Postdoctoral Fellows Go (1st Placement)?
2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026
Total Number of post-docs: 4 4 4 4
Still a Postdoctoral Fellow: 0 0 0 0
Academic teaching: 0 0 0
Community mental health center: 0 0 0 0
Consortium: 0 0 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0 0 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 0 0 0 0
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 4 3 3 3
Psychiatric facility: 0 0 0 0
Correctional facility: 0 0 0 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0 0 0 0
School district/system: 0 0 0 0
Independent practice setting: 0 1 0 1
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0 0 1 0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data:
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