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Site Name: VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System Pre-Doctoral Internship Program

Department: Mental Health

Department : Mental Health

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 2213
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System Pre-Doctoral Internship Program
Department: Mental Health
Address: VA Health Care Center at Harlingen
2601 Veterans Drive
Harlingen, Texas 78550
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Distance from Major City: 256
Phone: 956-441-3661
Fax:
Email: Carlos.Morales-Rodriguez@va.gov
Web Address: https://www.va.gov/texas-valley-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.va.gov/texas-valley-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: 11/05/2012
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Carlos Morales-Rodriguez
Chief Psychologist: Bernardo Flores
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 40
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 0
Position Information
Start Date: 07/01/2024
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: 32904
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Dental Insurance, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above):
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Major focus is on the development of clinical skills with a variety of patient populations. The majority of an Intern's time is spent in individual psychotherapy with additional time spent in supervision/training activities, group psychotherapy, and assessment. Clinical experience takes place within multidisciplinary teams. Approximately 3 days per week are spent in major rotation activities, 1 day per week with didactics, team meetings, and staff meetings, and 1 day per week in minor rotation activities.
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
Internship Application Process
Accepting Applicants: Yes
Application Due Date: 11/10/2023 11:59 PM EST
Interviews at this site are: Optional
A Virtual Interview is: Preferred
Interview notification date: 12/04/2023
Tentative interview date: N/A
Interview process description:

All interviews will be conducted by video teleconference and by invitation only. Interviews will consist of a group meeting with training committee members to provide information about our training program as well as two individual interviews with training committee members. Candidates will be informed via e-mail by December 2, 2022 concerning whether or not they have been invited for a personal interview. We regard interviews as a two-way process: a chance for us to meet and learn more about you, and an opportunity for you to meet us and gain a better understanding of our program. Interviews will be scheduled in early to mid January.

The VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend is committed to providing access for all people with disabilities and will provide accommodations if notified within two weeks of the scheduled interview.

 
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs:
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 ranking deadline
Dissertation Proposal Approved: Yes, by application deadline
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable): 450
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 50
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 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: To be considered for the Psychology Internship Program at the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System applicants must be eligible for employment within the Veterans Health Administration. As such, applicants must be U.S. citizens and a Doctoral student in good standing at an American Psychological Association (APA) or Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) accredited graduate program in Clinical, Counseling, or Combined Psychology or Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) accredited program in Clinical Science. Persons with a doctorate in another area of psychology who meet the APA or CPA criteria for re-specialization training in Clinical, Counseling, or Combined Psychology are also eligible. Male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must have registered for the draft by age 26 to be eligible for any US government employment, including selection as a paid VA trainee. Male applicants must sign a pre-appointment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration before they can be processed into a training program. Interns are subject to fingerprinting and background checks. The background check process ensures that VHA employees are reliable, trustworthy, and suitable for the job. This will include questions about places of residence and employment, educational history, and any military or police records. Match result decisions are contingent on passing these screens. Additionally, all health professions trainees within the VA, including Psychology Interns, must have a Trainee Qualifications and Credentials Verification Letter (TQCVL) submitted by his/her doctoral program prior to starting the Internship. Additional information about VA eligibility requirements can be found on the VA’s Psychology Training webpage. All VHA employees, including trainees, may be subject to random drug testing. Trainees will have the opportunity to submit supplemental medical documentation of the lawful use of an otherwise illegal drug to a Medical Review Officer. Trainees may be dismissed if found to use illegal drugs on the basis of a verified positive drug test.
Program Description

The Psychology Internship Program at the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System offers 2 General Psychology and 2 Health Psychology internship positions to US citizens who are pursuing a doctoral degree in clinical or counseling psychology.  Our philosophy is that all practicing psychologists should have a solid foundation in Health Service Psychology, including the ability to apply empirical data to clinical procedures.  Within this framework, the Psychology Internship Program provides a well-rounded year of training in Health Service Psychology and evidence-based practice.  All Interns are required to obtain general training in a variety of assessments and interventions across an array of Veteran populations.  Rotations are designed to enable broad exposure to various diagnostic, cultural, and age groups complemented by brief training experiences which allow for more focused training in the Intern's area of interest.  Major rotations are currently available in Outpatient Mental Health, Substance Abuse Treatment Program, Primary Care Mental Health Integration, and Trauma Treatment.  Additional minor rotations in Telemental Health, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Administration, Suicide Prevention, Health Behavior and Promotion, Community-Based Recovery for Serious Mental Illness, and Bilingual Clinical Services are also currently available.  The VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend serves the 20 southern-most counties in Texas, 80% of which are Rural, providing a unique experience in rural mental health with a diverse population.

 

Internship Training Opportunities

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

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment: Experience (21% to 30%)
Individual Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Couples Therapy:
Family Therapy:
Group Therapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Community Intervention: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Consultation/Liaison: Experience (21% to 30%)
Crisis Intervention: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Brief Psychotherapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
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:
Supervision of Practicum students :
Other: Telemental Health

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Women's Health: Exposure (1% to 20%)
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders:
Sexual Disorders:
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:
Physical Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Learning Disabilities:
Developmental Disabilities:
Assessment: Experience (21% to 30%)
Neuropsychology-Adult:
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: Experience (21% to 30%)
Substance Use Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Forensics/Corrections:
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology: Experience (21% to 30%)
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling:
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
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:
Program Development/Evaluation: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Supervision: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Research:
Administration: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Integrated health care - primary: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
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/texas-valley-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 Internship Class
2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024
Number of Completed Applications: 49 48 63 56 83 45 36
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 19 22 16 26 31 18 20
Total number of interns: 4 4 3 3 4 2 2
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 4 4 3 3 4 2 2
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 2 2 1 0 0 1 1
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 2 2 2 3 4 1 1
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 4 3 2 3 3 1 2
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0 1 1 0 1 1 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written
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: 0
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 1
Psychiatric facility: 0
Correctional facility: 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0
School district/system: 0
Independent practice setting: 0
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 1
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