The primary objective of the VA Boston Healthcare System Psychology Internship Program is to provide a comprehensive predoctoral training program that assures the development of adequate levels of proficiency across the basic core competencies of clinical psychology including assessment, behavior change and psychotherapy, consultation, attention to issues of diversity, professional ethics, and scholarly inquiry / clinical research.
We view the internship year as critical in the transformation of the individual from graduate student to professional psychologist. We encourage the development of a professional identity, professional values, and a professional demeanor along with these competencies in the practice of psychology. The expectation is that by the end of the training year, an intern will be able to function competently and independently (i.e., entry level practice or better) in the core competencies, listed above.
Within the training program, general skills are emphasized. However, when feasible and appropriate to training needs, the development of specialist skills also is encouraged. We provide training in professional psychology in the following rotations for 2024 - 2025:
- Behavioral Medicine
- Center for Returning Veterans (OEF/OIF/OND)
- General Mental Health
- Geropsychology
- Neuropsychology
- Primary Care Behavioral Health
- PTSD Clinical Team
- Rehabilitation Psychology
- Women's Trauma Recovery Team
- Substance Abuse Treatment at our Brockton Campus
- Substance Abuse Treatment at our Jamaica Plain Campus
- Trauma and Addiction Recovery
Our rotations are located at the VA Boston Healthcare System - Brockton, Jamaica Plain (Boston), and West Roxbury campuses. Our patient population is diverse and interns will have opportunities to with veterans with diverse identities, including veterans of Color and LGBTQ+ veterans. We encourage applications from trainees committed to culturally responsive and trauma-informed care. We are also dedicated to training interns from diverse backgrounds, including applicants from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority Serving Institutions.
Our internship is a member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science (APCS) and we also encourage applications from academy graduate programs.