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Site Name: Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Eastern Colorado Health Care System

Department: Psychology Internship

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Department : Psychology Internship

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 1174
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Eastern Colorado Health Care System
Department: Psychology Internship
Address: Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center
1700 North Wheeling St.
Aurora, Colorado 80045
Country: United States
Metro Area: Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO
Distance from Major City: 0
Phone: 720-723-7337x
Fax:
Training Director Email: jacob.farnsworth@va.gov
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: https://www.va.gov/eastern-colorado-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/psychology-internship-residency-programs/
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.va.gov/eastern-colorado-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/psychology-internship-residency-programs/
Primary Agency Type: Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Additional Agency Types:
  • Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Member of APPIC since: 1980
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Jacob Farnsworth
Chief Psychologist: Jacob Farnsworth
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 79
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 2
Position Information
Start Date: 06/28/2027
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 6
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 39121.00
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0.00
Fringe Benefits: Dissertation Release Time, Dental Insurance, Health Insurance, Licensing Exam Release Time, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): The program follows the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regulations, which, in addition to 11 paid federal holidays, state that interns accumulate 4 hours of vacation/annual leave and 4 hours of sick leave on the second Monday of each pay period, for a total 13 days of vacation/annual leave and 13 days of sick leave over the course the internship year. Interns also are granted up to 40 hours of paid administrative leave for approved professional activities (e.g., VA fellowship interviews, dissertation defense).
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Interns at the RMR VAMC have a schedule of 8:00am-4:30pm Monday through Friday. Specific activities in a given work day will vary widely depending on the specific rotations the intern has selected. Our interns' primary focus is on learning and delivering clinical services in the form of individual and group interventions as well as diagnostic and functional assessments, all under close supervision utilizing a development approach to learning and professional growth. As noted in our brochure, services take place in a wide variety of contexts, including outpatient, residential and inpatient settings and serving a diverse range of clientele. Depending on their training goals and selected rotations, interns may also be engaged in administrative roles, including program development, research projects or serving as an cohort representative to our internship training committee. During the year, each intern completes two presentations to the staff. The first occurs early on in the year and is a research presentation focusing on a topic of professional interest to the intern. The second presentation takes place towards the end of the year and is a case conference about a recent or ongoing client. Monday mornings are reserved for a weekly meeting with the Training Director, internship didactics, and seminars. An additional hour on Friday afternoon is reserved in across intern schedules for cohort bonding and mutual support.
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: 11/01/2026 11:59 PM EST
A Virtual Interview are: Required
Interview notification date: 11/27/2026
Tentative interview date: 01/12/2027, 01/14/2027, 01/20/2027
Interview process description:

To reduce financial and other barriers on applicants, all interview activities will be completed virtually using the MS Teams platform (Webex as backup option). During interview days the Training Director and staff will provide interviewees with information to help familiarize them with the Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC psychology internship program, the site's facilities, and the surrounding Denver Metro area.  Applicants will hear directly from faculty offering rotations for the coming internship year during brief formal presentations with questions as time permits. Interview day activities will include informational presentations by the internship training director, two one-on-one interviews with training program faculty members and a private group meeting between the applicants and the current intern cohort. At the end of the day, applicants are invited to virtually attend an optional informal social hour where small break out rooms will allow applicants move around on their own to meet with and ask questions from specific faculty and the Training Director and learn more about training opportunities the site has to offer.

Minimum Clinical Hours: Applicants must have accrued the following minimum numbers of hours and experiences prior to the application deadline to be eligible for the respective tracks below. Note that these are minimum requirements only. Please see the APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND CHECKLIST section of our brochure for further details about general characteristics of applicants who are a good fit with our internship program.

 Minimum Hour Requirments by Track:

  • General: Intervention = 350 hours; Assessment = 75 hours
  • Behavioral Medicine: Intervention = 350 hours; Assessment = 75 hours
  • Geropsychology/GRECC: Intervention = 250 hours; Assessment = 100 hours
  • Neuropsychology: Intervention = 275 hours; Assessment = 150 hours

 
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: In Alphabetical Order: Brigham Young University, California School of Professional Psychology, Catholic University, Clark University, Colorado State University, East Carolina University, Eastern Michigan University, DePaul University, Drexel University, Florida State University, Fordham University, Georgia State University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Marquette University, Michigan State University, Midwestern University, Nova Southeastern University, Oklahoma State University, Pacific University, Palo Alto University, Pepperdine, PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium, Rutgers University, Saint Louis University, Seattle Pacific University, Southern Methodist University, Stanford Consortium, Stony Brook University, Texas A&M, Texas Tech University, The Chicago School, University of Alabama - Birmingham, University of Colorado - Boulder, University of Colorado - Colorado Springs, University of Colorado - Denver, University of Denver, University of Houston, University of Indianapolis, University of Iowa, University of Kansas, University of Kentucky, University of Maryland, University of Memphis, University of Miami, University of Missouri - Kansas City, University of Northern Colorado, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, University of South Florida, University of Southern Mississippi, University of Tennessee, University of Texas - Austin, University of Tulsa, University of Wyoming, Washington State University, Washington University in St. Louis, Wichita State University, Yeshiva 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 application deadline
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable): 275
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 75
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): 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: Applicants are encouraged to visit https://www.va.gov/oaa/hpt-eligibility.asp and download the "Am I eligible?" checklist to ensure they meet all federal requirements for participating in training at VA Facilities
Program Description

The Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center psychology internship adheres to a Scientist-Practitioner training model. Within this model, interns are expected to integrate and utilize science to inform direct clinical practice, as well as other domains of professional work. Interns interested in greater exposure to clinical research may have the opportunity to collaborate in ongoing research projects when common research interests and project timelines allow. Psychology training at the RMR VAMC is a sequential and cumulative process that is graded in complexity. Our developmental training model emphasizes the progression from graduate student to a professional ready for entry-level independent practice in psychology. More specifically, we view the internship year as a period of professional transition from the more narrowly defined roles and perspectives of the graduate student towards the more broadly defined roles and perspectives of a professional psychologist.  During this year, we anticipate interns to experience an expansion and refining in their skill sets, perspectives, and professional identity.

Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center psychology internship has four tracks:

117411 - General (3 slots)

117412 - Behavioral Medicine (BMed) (1 slot)

117413 - Geropsychology/GRECC (1 slot)*

117414 - Neuropsychology (1 slot)*

(*Please note that the Minimum required hours for the Gero/GRECC Track and Neuropsychology tracks differ from the General and BMed tracks. See our brochure for more details.)

All six slots provide follow emphasize generalist training in clinical psychology while also allowing for tailoring for the interns areas of interest and training goals. Three slots belong to the General track and do not have any predetermined rotations. Three slots belong to specialty tracks that focus, respectively, on Behavioral Medicine, Geropsychology and Neuropsychology. The Behavioral Medicine intern will have one major and one minor rotation reserved for Health Psychology. The BMed intern will also attend the Health Psychology didactic series. The Geropsychology intern will have Geropsychology-focused rotations for two of their three major rotations. The Geropsychology intern will have additional required didactics and a case conference for Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) trainees. The Neuropsychology intern will have neuropsychology-focused rotations for one of their major rotations and two of their minor rotations and participate in additional neuropsych-focused didactics. All other training activities are the same for the specialty track interns as for general track interns (didactics, research presentations, case conference, etc.).

The RMR VAMC internship strives to support intern well-being and quality of life while at the same time providing a high-quality and rigorous training experience. Our program monitors intern workload to ensure reasonable caseloads are maintained. The program supports interns in working a 40-hour week and engages them in conversations throughout the year about self-care and work-life balance in order to encourage sustainable work habits based on professional and personal values. Although some minor variations in workload may occur given individual training goals and needs, the following are expected time allocations per week for training activities:

  • Major rotation - 20 hours
  • Minor rotation - 12 hours
  • Didactics/presentations - 4 hours
  • Admin, research, program development, and related activities - 4 hours

 

In addition to internship, the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center Psychology Training program has 6 funded postdoctoral fellowships in the areas of PTSD, Behavioral Medicine, Primary Care-Mental Health Integration, Couples and Family, Geropsychology and Psychosocial Rehabilitation. Interns and fellows are provided opportunities to meet, support one another and exchange questions and information about professional development. The program also admits 8-10 doctoral psychology practicum students each year beginning in the fall. 

For further information please consult our full brochure linked on our ECHCS Psychology Training webpage.

Internship 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: Yes
Urban: Yes
Low income: Yes
People without housing: Yes
Other: U.S. Military Veteran

(training opportunities continued)

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

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Women's Health: Experience (21% to 30%)
HIV/AIDS: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Eating Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sexual Disorders:
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Physical Disabilities: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Learning Disabilities: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Developmental Disabilities:
Assessment: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Neuropsychology-Adult: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
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: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Substance Use Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Forensics/Corrections:
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling:
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy:
Feminist Therapy:
Religion/Spirituality: Exposure (1% to 20%)
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: Experience (21% to 30%)
Research: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Administration: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Integrated health care - primary: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Integrated health care - specialty: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
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/eastern-colorado-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/psychology-internship-residency-programs/  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 2026-2027
Number of Completed Applications: 114 102 109 194 197 151 156 145 188 198
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 45 45 45 38 49 43 47 44 49 43
Total number of interns: 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 4 6 6 6 6 6 5 4 2 3
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 4 3
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 6 6 5 6 5 5 6 6 6 6
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 7 6 5 9 11 5 9 7 5 5
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 51 55 65 26 71 82 69 71 41 101
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026
Academic teaching:
Community mental health center: 0 0 0 0
Consortium: 0 0 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0 0 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 1 0 0 2
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 5 4 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 3 0
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0 1 0 1
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data: https://www.va.gov/eastern-colorado-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/psychology-internship-residency-programs/
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