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Site Name: Kansas City VA Medical Center

Department: Psychology

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Department : Psychology

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 2340
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Kansas City VA Medical Center
Department: Psychology
Address: 4801 Linwood Blvd
(MHC 116A3)
Kansas City, Missouri 64128
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Kansas City, MO-KS
Distance from Major City: 0
Phone: 816-861-4700x55320
Fax:
Training Director Email: Kristen.Davis-Durairaj@va.gov
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: https://www.psychologytraining.va.gov/kansascity/
Brochure Website's Address:
Primary Agency Type: Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Additional Agency Types:
  • Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Member of APPIC since: 5/2016
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Kristen Davis-Durairaj
Chief Psychologist: Briget Lanktree
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 36
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 0
Position Information
Start Date: 07/13/2025
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 3
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 34380
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Dissertation Release Time, Health Insurance, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): Free use of hospital gymnasium.
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site The psychology internship at KCVA offers a generalist training track for 2 interns and a PTSD focused training track for one intern in clinical psychology. The tour of duty is Monday-Friday from 0800-1630. The primary focus of internship is through training and provision of clinical care via EBP interventions and/or assessment. All interns will spend a day in the general mental health clinic and a half day focused on a variety of assessments for the entire year. The generalist track would have the intern select two major rotations (each are 16 hours for 6 months) from a wide variety of clinics such as health psychology, serious mental illness, neuropsychology, SUD, etc). The generalist track would also have the intern select two minor rotations (each are 4 hours for 6 months). The PTSD track would be embedded in the PTSD specialty clinic (PCT) for 20 hours the first half of the year and 16-20 hours the second half of the year. The PTSD intern would have the option to choose a separate 4-hour minor for the second half of the training year. Additional training experiences for all interns include participating in a 90-minute (non-evaluated) supervision concentration weekly to advance skills and receive feedback related to supervision. Interns would be expected to gain experience in supervising one of more of our 5-7 externs. The three interns would also join our 2-3 postdocs as a cohort for weekly didactic trainings, weekly psychology meetings, 45 minutes of weekly group supervision, and an hour of peer supervision. All three interns will work on a Continuous Process Improvement project of their choosing over the training year and will present on either a therapy case or an assessment case to the full team of psychologists. Interns will also present a 50-minute didactic presentation on their dissertation. Interns are provided with about 2 hours dedicated administrative time/week to work on these projects/presentations and/or other training tasks. Over the year, the interns will also participate in three expanded EBP trainings (1-3 days) in MI/MET, ACT-D, and CBT-I. Interns also have options to be a member of our IDEA (Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, Access) workgroup that meets for 30-minutes/month. Interns will participate in two half-day multicultural outings in the community. For full details on rotation options and program description, please refer to our training brochure.
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: 11/17/2024 11:59 PM EST
A Virtual Interview are: Required
Interview notification date: 12/13/2024
Tentative interview date: 01/21/2025, 01/22/2025, 01/23/2025
Interview process description:

The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Kansas City VA Medical Center is an equal opportunity employer.  All applicants receive consideration without regard to race, religion, color, sexual or gender orientation, national origin, non-disqualifying mental or physical disability, age, sex, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor.

 

Training staff recognize the impact of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, disability, culture, and gender across all levels of psychological theory, research, practice, and education.  We seek both staff and interns who are strongly committed to diversity and who are supportive of providing a welcoming work and training environment.  We welcome members of underrepresented groups including women and minorities and encourage them to apply for positions.  The training staff at KCVA believes that we provide a safe and encouraging environment for the exploration of multicultural and diversity issues.

 

All members of the psychology staff at KCVA are invited to participate in the intern selection process. Each application is read, reviewed, and scored by at least 3 staff members using a universal scoring template.  The Training Director will participate in this process and also will compile and rank order the staff application ratings.  After all applicants have been reviewed and rank ordered, the top 20-25 applicants for the generalist track and the top 10-15 applicants for the PTS track will be offered interviews.  Applicants not selected for interviews will be notified (by e-mail) by December 13, 2024 that they are no longer candidates for KCVA internship.  Candidates who are selected for interviews for the Kansas City VA psychology internship will be notified via e-mail by 12/13/24. 

 

Generalist track interviews will consist of three 25 to 30-minute individual interviews with 1-3 staff members in each interview.  We will do our best to match you with any requested preferences in staff/rotation supervisors for the interviews.

 

PTSD track interviews will consist of three individual interviews: one with 1-2 members of our mental health clinic (MHC) staff, one with 3-6 members of our PTSD staff, and one additional with any staff member. We will do our best to match you with any requested preferences in staff/rotation supervisors for the interviews.

 

Interview days are currently scheduled for January 21-23, 2025. Candidates will be informed on the exact date and time that interview day schedules will be distributed in attempts for equity in response time, as interview day requests are typically first come, first served.  If applying to both tracks, a candidate may need to be available for interviews on more than one date.  Candidates will also be invited to attend a virtual internship orientation session with the training director and a session to meet with major and minor rotation supervisors to ask questions about rotations.  We will have 3 available times to choose from for these additional sessions.  Candidates will also be provided with the option to meet with current interns in a non-evaluative capacity to ask questions about the program.  All interviews are offered virtually using Microsoft Teams to support safety protocols and to promote equity and access in regards to financial capabilities to travel.  Hospital tours with the Training Director will be considered upon request and will have no bearing on the internship interview and selection process.

 

The Kansas City VA uses a formal interview process with set questions that are asked of all candidates, in order to increase our intra-rater reliability and to compare and contrast as fairly as possible.  Time will be given to answer questions from each candidate.  If candidates have any additional questions, the training director is open to e-mails and phone calls to help provide as much clarity as possible.

 

For full details, please referred to our training brochure.
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: Wright State University Pacific Graduate School of Psychology University of Kansas University of Saint Thomas Illlinois School of Professional Psychology, Argosy-Chicago University of North Dakota University of Missouri Kansas City Palo Alto University Nova Southeastern University William James College Hofstra University John F. Kennedy University Auburn University Brigham Young University Loma Linda University Alliant International University-San Diego University of Missouri-Columbia Sam Houston 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: Yes, by application deadline
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): 400
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 50
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable):
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):
Accepted / Not-Accepted Program Types
Clinical Psychology Accepted
Counseling Psychology Accepted
School Psychology
APA-Accredited Accepted
CPA-Accredited Accepted
PCSAS-Accredited Accepted
Non-Accredited Not Accepted
Ph.D Degree Accepted
Psy.D. Degree Accepted
Ed.D. Degree
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: All information about requirements will be found in the Internship brochure posted on the following website: https://www.psychologytraining.va.gov/kansascity/
Program Description

The psychology internship at KCVA offers a generalist training track for 2 interns and a PTSD focused training track for one intern in clinical psychology. The primary purpose of the psychology internship program is to provide an emphasis on both breadth and intensity of training that allows interns to have a solid, well-rounded training experience.  The philosophy of training is a "scholar-practitioner" model. The training experiences have a strong clinical focus. Knowledge and use of evidence based interventions and assessments are expected and encouraged in all aspects of the program.  We emphasize the importance of fostering cultural humility, knowledge, and sensitivity to improve patient and staff interactions.

The KCVA psychology training program is extremely commited to ongoing evaluation, development, and implementation of multicultural competencies for both trainees and training staff.  We seek both staff and trainees who are strongly committed to and appreciative of all aspects of diversity and inclusion. Our aim is to create and foster a supportive and welcoming work and training environment for all.  The training staff at KCVA believes that in order to do so, regular discussions and trainings focused on cultural awareness, cultural sensitivity, culrural knowledge, and cultural humility are paramount.

All interns will complete a rotation in the Mental Health Clinic (MHC) for 1 day/week over the training year and would receive at least one hour of individual supervision/week.  Each will also complete a 4-hour assessment minor for the year and would receive at least 30-minutes of group supervision on this rotation.  Interns will complete 10 assessments throughout their training year, with opportunities to complete more than this based on trainee interest.

The PTSD track intern would be embedded in the PTSD specialty clinic (PCT) for 20 hours the first half of the year and 16-20 hours the second half of the year.  The PTSD intern would have the option to choose a separate 4-hour minor for the second half of the training year.  They would receive at least 90-minutes of individual supervision/week.

Generalist track interns also choose 2 additional 16-hour major rotation options: one each 6 months.   Each major rotation supervisor will provide at least 1 hour of individual supervision/week.  They would also choose two 4-hour minor rotations (one each 6 months) and would receive at least 30-minutes of supervision.

Barring any unforeseen staffing changes, the following rotations will be offered for selection for the major rotation options for the generalist track (full descriptions are listed in the brochure):

  • Health Psychology Options (16 hrs/week for 6 months)
    • Mental Health Integration-Oncology
    • Primary Care-Mental Health Integration
    • Whole Health/Health Promotion-Disease Prevention
  • Serious Mental Illness Options (16 hrs/week for 6 months)
    • Acute Inpatient Psychiatry
    • Mental Health Intensive Case Management
    • Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center
  • Neuropsychology (16 hrs/week for 6 months)
  • Substance Use Disoders (Residential and/or Outpatient) (16 hrs/week for 6 months)

Barring any unforeseen staffing changes, the following rotations will be offered for selection for the minor rotation options for all interns:

  • Intern Created Minor
  • Acute Inpatient Psychiatry
  • Admin/Leadership
  • Integrated Pain Clinic 
  • LGBTQIA+ Veterans
  • Mental Health Integration Oncology
  • Mental Health Intensive Case Management
  • Primary Care-Mental Health Integration
  • Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center
  • SUD Outpatient and/or Residential
  • Whole Health/Behavioral Medicine 

Additional training experiences for all interns include participating in a 90-minute (non-evaluated) supervision concentration weekly to advance skills and receive feedback related to supervision.  Interns would be expected to gain experience in supervising one of more of our 5-7 externs.  The three interns would also join our 2-3 postdocs as a cohort for weekly didactic trainings, weekly psychology meetings, 45 minutes of weekly group supervision, and an hour of peer supervision.  All three interns will work on a Continuous Process Improvement project of their choosing over the training year and will present on either a therapy case or an assessment case to the full team of psychologists.  Interns will also present a 50-minute didactic presentation on their dissertation.  Interns are provided with about 2 hours dedicated administrative time/week to work on these projects/presentations and/or other training tasks.

Over the year, the interns will also participate in three expanded EBP trainings (1-3 days) in MI/MET, ACT-D, and CBT-I. Interns also have options to be a member of our IDEA (Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, Access) workgroup that meets for 30-minutes/month. Interns will participate in two half-day multicultural outings in the community.

 

Internship Training Opportunities

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

(training opportunities continued)

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

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Women's Health:
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders:
Sexual Disorders:
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:
Physical Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Learning Disabilities:
Developmental Disabilities:
Assessment: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Neuropsychology-Adult: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Neuropsychology-Child:
Serious Mental Illness: Experience (21% to 30%)
Anxiety Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Trauma/PTSD: Experience (21% to 30%)
Sexual Abuse: Experience (21% to 30%)
Substance Use Disorders: Experience (21% to 30%)
Forensics/Corrections:
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling:
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Feminist Therapy:
Religion/Spirituality:
Empirically-Supported Treatments: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Public Policy/Advocacy:
Program Development/Evaluation: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Supervision: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Research:
Administration: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Integrated health care - primary: Exposure (1% to 20%)
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.psychologytraining.va.gov/kansascity/  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: 14 35 36 51 34 32 63 42
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 12 17 18 22 27 24 49 35
Total number of interns: 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 1 2 0 1 2 2 0 3
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 1 0 2 1 0 0 2 0
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 1 1 2 2 0 1 2 2
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 1 1 0 0 2 1 0 1
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 32 7 0 0 3 10 1 2
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 50 56 5 7 41 115 54 39
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 0
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 1 1 0
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: 0 0 0
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0 0 0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data: https://www.psychologytraining.va.gov/psychologytraining/kansascity/
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