Department : Mental Health Flight (SGXW)

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 1514
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Wright-Patterson USAF Medical Center
Department: Mental Health Flight (SGXW)
Address: 4881 Sugar Maple Drive
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433-5529
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Distance from Major City: Located near Dayton, OH (10 miles); 64 miles north of Cincinnati and 62 miles from Columbus
Phone: 937-257-6877
Fax: 937-656-1402
Email: john.p.pistello.mil@health.mil
Web Address: http://www.wpafb.af.mil/units/wpmc/
Brochure Website's Address: http://www.usafpsychologists.com/wright-patterson
Primary Agency Type: Armed Forces Medical Center
Additional Agency Types:
  • Armed Forces Medical Center
Member of APPIC since: 1983
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: John Pistello
Chief Psychologist: Regina Shillinglaw
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 7
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 6
Position Information
Start Date: 08/05/2024
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 5
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 80081.76
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Dissertation Release Time, Dental Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Insurance, Licensing Exam Release Time, Life Insurance, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): Paid moving expenses to internship site, to follow-on assignment, and to home of record after completion of active duty service commitment. Supervised post-doctoral experience and reimbursement of licensure study materials cost. Retirement benefits. Pay rate varies based on whether intern has prior military service and/or dependents (family members).
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site http://www.usafpsychologists.com/wright-patterson Please review the brochure for an overview of the program and the day to day activities of an intern at this site. You can also find us on facebook (search "Wright Patterson Psychology Internship") and ask questions/be connected with current interns for their perspective.
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: 12/01/2023 11:59 PM EST
Interviews at this site are: Not Offered
A Virtual Interview is: Required
Interview notification date: 12/12/2023
Tentative interview date: 01/08/2024
Interview process description:

Qualified candidates for the 2024-25 internship class will be invited to attend our 100% virtual interview days on January 8th and 9th 2024. Interview days will be an opportunity to learn more about our program, our faculty, what it is like to be a psychologist in the US Air Force, and for our faculty to learn more about your experiences, interests, and your desires for internship and a career in the US Air Force. While we greatly enjoy meeting our applicants in-person, due to COVID-19 related safety precautions, and in the interest of giving interested applicants equal opportunities, we have decided to hold our interviews 100% virtually this year via online video teleconferencing. Upon receipt of your application materials, we will notify you if you are invited to interview day. If you do not receive notification, please contact the Training Director, Maj Aaron M. Esche, PhD, at aaron.m.esche.mil@health.mil.  

 

 

How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: A wide variety of clinical and counseling programs across the country: Alliant International University, Argosy University, Auburn University, Ball State, Biola, Bowling Green, Brigham Young, Chicago School Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology, Florida State, Fuller Theological Seminary, George Fox, Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Immaculate University, Indiana State, Kansas State, Louisiana State, Memphis State, Michigan State, Minnesota School of Professional Psychology, North Texas State, Nova Southeastern, Ohio State, Pacific, Palo Alto, Penn State, Pepperdine, Purdue, Regent, Rosalind Franklin, Rosemead, Spalding, Texas A&M, Texas Christian, Texas Women's, U.S. International, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, University of Missouri, University of Akron, University of Alabama, University of Arkansas, University of California, University of Florida, University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology, University of Georgia, University of Hartford, University of Houston, University of Illinois, University of Iowa, University of Kentucky, University of La Verne, University of Memphis, University of Minnesota, University of Mississippi, University of Missouri, University of Montana, University of Nevada, University of ND, University of North Texas, University of SC, University of SD, University of Southern CA, University of Southern MS, University of Tennessee, University of Texas, University of Toledo, University of Tulsa, University of Utah, University of Vermont, University of Wisconsin, Utah State, Villanova, Virginia Consortium, Washington State, Washington, Western Michigan, Wheaton College, Wichita State, William Paterson University 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 ranking deadline
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable): 400
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 100
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 Not Accepted
PCSAS-Accredited
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: Yes
How to obtain text of statement: Must fit accession standards as an Air Force active duty officer and take an oath of allegiance/commissioning. http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/swearing-in-for-military-service.html https://www.airforce.com/ Please contact us and/or an USAF Health Professions Recruiter for additional information.
Other Requirements: Dissertation at or near completion. Each psychology applicant must meet weight and height standards for accession, and be able to pass a fitness test which includes waist measurement, pushups, sit ups and a timed 1.5 mile run. See fitness charts at this website: http://www.afpc.af.mil/Air-Force-Fitness-Program In addition, applicants must pass a background check in order to quality for a Secret Security Clearance, which is a requirement for service. If interested, please contact an Air Force Health Professions Recruiter (www.airforce.com) as soon as possible.
Program Description

Below is a brief summary. For a detailed outline of our program, please see our program brochure at https://www.usafpsychologists.com/wright-patterson

At Wright-Patterson Medical Center, we provide broad-based training in an enriched learning environment that is both challenging and collegial aimed at developing high-caliber Air Force Psychologists who will excel in their careers following completion of internship. Our graduates are trained to advance the Air Force mission by providing evidence-based care to meet the mental health needs of our service members, their family members, and our retired population. Air Force psychologists also serve as their base’s behavioral health subject matter experts, so interns are trained in providing expert consultation to military leadership and medical colleagues, and population-based preventive services. Since our graduates begin their careers with a high degree of responsibility as officers within the Air Force, we are committed to helping them develop the capacity to function adeptly as autonomous professionals at Air Force bases throughout the United States and overseas.

Our faculty are committed to training competent, ethical, culturally humble psychologists who integrate patient specific factors with principles of behavioral science to alleviate suffering, promote wellbeing, and advance military readiness.  

Required core rotations include didactic instruction and supervised practice in the areas of:
Outpatient Mental Health
Clinical Health Psychology
Neuropsychology
Primary Care Behavioral Health.

Additional experiences are available in:
Embedded Mental Health Track 
Mental health clinic leadership
Aerospace psychology
Crisis assessment and intervention.  

Those who have made sufficient progress on their dissertation will be enrolled in our Embedded Mental Health Track, to gain knowledge and experience of providing behaviral health services outside of clinical settings (e.g., assessment and selection of special forces personnel, command consultation, population health interventions). For those requiring such, we will provide a dedicated 4 weeks to aid in disseration completion. 

A minimum of 2 -3 hours per week of individual supervision is augmented by a robust program of didactics, case conferences, group/peer supervision, journal clubs and workshops.  Our program is enhanced by ongoing interdisciplinary clinical and educational collaboration with our Psychiatry and Social Work staff and residents.

The Air Force offers post-doctoral fellowship training in neuropsychology, clinical health psychology, forensic psychology, operational/aviation psychology, and child and adolescent psychology for qualified candidates after their first tour.

 

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations

Infants:
Toddlers:
Children:
Adolescents: Yes
Adults: Yes
Family:
Older Adults: Yes
Inpatients:
Outpatients: Yes
Gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender: Yes
Ethnic minorities: Yes
Spanish-speaking:
French-speaking:
Deaf/Hearing-impaired:
Students: Yes
International Students:
Rural: Yes
Urban: Yes
Low income: Yes
Homelessness:
Other:

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: Experience (21% to 30%)
Community Intervention: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Consultation/Liaison: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Crisis Intervention: Experience (21% to 30%)
Brief Psychotherapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation:
Primary Care: Experience (21% to 30%)
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: Military Specific Evaluations and Interventions; Program Development and Management

Experience

Health Psychology: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Women's Health:
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sexual Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sports Psychology: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Rehabilitation Psychology:
Physical Disabilities: Experience (21% to 30%)
Learning Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Developmental Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Assessment: Experience (21% to 30%)
Neuropsychology-Adult: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Neuropsychology-Child:
Serious Mental Illness: Experience (21% to 30%)
Anxiety Disorders: Experience (21% to 30%)
Trauma/PTSD: Experience (21% to 30%)
Sexual Abuse: Experience (21% to 30%)
Substance Use Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Forensics/Corrections: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology:
Pediatrics: Exposure (1% to 20%)
School:
Counseling:
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy:
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: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Research: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Administration: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Integrated health care - primary: Experience (21% to 30%)
Integrated health care - specialty: Experience (21% to 30%)
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: www.wpafb.af.mil/units/wpmc/  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: 39 34 45 36 37 30
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 28 29 40 31 32 21
Total number of interns: 6 6 4 5 5 4
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 6 6 4 5 5 4
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 5 3 1 2 1 2
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 1 3 3 3 4 2
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 3 4 3 5 5 4
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 3 2 1 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 6 1 16 2 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 85 44 121 313 6
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: 4
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 0
Psychiatric facility: 0
Correctional facility: 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0
School district/system: 0
Independent practice setting: 0
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0