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Site Name: VA Maryland Health Care System

Department: Psychology

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Department : Psychology

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 9106
Program Type: Post Doctoral
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: VA Maryland Health Care System
Department: Psychology
Address: 10 N. Greene Street
Attn: Mental Health Executive Office 6C-164 (Melissa Barone)
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Distance from Major City: Within 50 miles of Washington DC
Phone: 410-637-1224x
Fax: 410-637-1459
Training Director Email: melissa.barone@va.gov
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: https://www.va.gov/maryland-health-care/programs/mental-health-clinical-center-psychology-training-program/
Brochure Website's Address: http://www.maryland.va.gov/services/mentalhealth/TrainingProgram.asp
Primary Agency Type: Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Additional Agency Types:
  • Veterans Affairs Medical Center
  • Other
Member of APPIC since: 06/26/2012
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Postdoctoral Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Melissa Barone
Chief Psychologist: Samuel Stern
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 14
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 1
Number of Non-Psychologist Staff/Faculty who Supervise Post-docs 0
Position Information
Start Date: 08/09/2027
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 2
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 62380
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Dental Insurance, Health Insurance, Licensing Exam Release Time, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): The term of the Trauma Recovery Fellowship will be full-time for one year, beginning around mid August, 2027, and ending at about that same date the following calendar year. Fellowship stipends are set nationally by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Academic Affiliations within VA Central Office. There is funding available for 2 full-time positions and the current stipend is $60,840 per year. Please note that only the first 2080 hours are funded. Any work beyond 2080 hours is without compensation and fellows are not eligible for overtime or holiday pay. The typical tour of duty is from 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Monday through Friday and training schedules are designed to be feasible to complete within a 40-hour work week. Fellows accrue 4 hours bi-weekly of annual leave (13 days total), 4 hours bi-weekly of sick leave (13 days total) and are entitled to 11 federal holidays per year. Fellows may use up to 5 days of authorized absence to attend activities that promote education (conferences, workshops) and professional development (job interviews, taking the psychology licensing exam); they may also apply for up to $1000 of travel and tuition expenses for training or conference experiences consistent with their training goals, funds permitting. Fellows are eligible for federal health insurance, as well as dental and vision benefits. Fellows are also eligible to participate in the Employee Assistance Program with services provided by Federal Occupational Health (FOH), a component of the Program Support Center within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. FOH consists of a network of 22,000+ providers across the country and not affiliated with VAMHCS or the VAMHCS Psychology Training Program. There is ample public transportation to the Baltimore VA Medical Center/Baltimore VA Annex, and fellows can utilize a transit reimbursement program if they choose to use public transportation. Parking is not provided but is available downtown in for-pay parking garages. Parking is provided at the Perry Point and Loch Raven VAMCs. Free shuttles are available to transport fellows between VAMHCS sites.
Brief description of the typical work day for a postdoc at this training site The program is designed to prepare fellows for clinical careers and leadership in a VA medical center. The fellowship is a full-time work commitment (40 hours per week). Trauma fellows' distribution of effort will be approximately 60% clinical, 20% didactic, and 20% research/administrative training. The emphasis of the program is on development of clinical skills; however, there is an expectation that fellows will participate in ongoing research and program development efforts. The training provided meets licensure requirements for the state of Maryland; all supervisors will be licensed and able to certify training hours. For a more detailed description of a typical work week and expectations for clinical, research and administrative activities, please see our program 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
Postdoctoral Application Process
Application Due Date: 12/28/2026 11:59 PM EST
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: For a full description of previous placements and current positions for fellowship alumni, please see our program brochure.
The program uses the APPA Centralized Application Service: Yes
A Virtual Interview is: Required
Interview notification date: 01/29/2027
Tentative interview date: N/A
Interview process description:

Applications are due on December 28th, 2026. The Trauma Recovery Program (TRP) Training Committee will review all completed applications that are submitted by midnight (EST) on December 28th, 2026 and will extend invitations for interviews by email. The training program has a strong commitment to addressing both social equality and the health and safety of our applicants; as such, on-site interviews will not be extended this selection cycle. Video conference interviews will take place in mid-January 2027. As noted, we will abide by APPIC’s Postdoctoral Selection Standards and Common Hold Date (CHD) procedures. As on-site visits will not be available, applicants are encouraged to schedule optional, non-evaluative individual phone/video meetings with the Track Coordinator and/or current fellows during the application season as desired in order to ask additional questions and gain a more in-depth understanding of the program. All applicants not under consideration for interviews will be notified by email in a timely manner. Our emphasis is on fit with our program philosophy and training model described above, as well as a general openness to feedback and training. We strive to seek the best fit between applicants and our training program.
Postdoctoral Applicant Requirements
US Citizenship Required: Yes
If NOT a U.S. Citizen, Authorization to Work in the US is Required No
Canadian Citizenship Required: No
If NOT a Canadian Citizen, Authorization to Work in Canada is Required: No
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:
Program Description

Psychology training programs in the VAMHCS adhere to the scientist-practitioner model. Instruction in assessment, treatment, and research is grounded in current empirical knowledge and practice standards, expert consensus, and guidance from relevant professional organizations to encompass the state-of-the science. The overarching goal of fellowship training is to promote advanced competencies and develop independent psychologists who apply scientific method and knowledge to assessment, education, and treatment. Our program values and is deeply committed to cultural and other dimensions of diversity. Our training program does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. Fellows are taught approaches for considering dimensions and intersections of diversity in every aspect of their work (e.g., clinical service delivery, research, program evaluation/development, etc.). Additionally, diversity-focused trainings and didactics occur throughout the training year.   

The VAMHCS psychology postdoctoral fellowship in Trauma Recovery is a general clinical training program with an emphasis in the psychological assessment and implementation of evidenced based treatments for PTSD in novel settings/delivery methods (e.g., massed delivery of treatments, DBT-TF, college campuses). This fellowship emphasizes the training and refining of skills in assessment, treatment, consultation, research, supervision, and administration related to traumatic stress, as well as facilitating the development of fellows from trainees to independent psychologists. We embrace a holistic approach to the psychological assessment and delivery of evidenced based treatments for PTSD, as well as to scientific research and program evaluation. Our program philosophy is to base both the process and the content of training in research, with the goals of promoting advanced competencies and developing psychologists who apply scientific method and knowledge to the assessment and treatment of PTSD and related mental health concerns. Supervision broadly adheres to a developmental approach. Fellows have opportunities to observe supervising psychologists, be observed through live observation and video-/audio-recording, and receive timely, specific, and direct feedback. Fellowship supervisors use various modes of supervision in the training of fellows, including co-therapy, analysis of audiotaped or videotaped sessions, supervisor “shadowing,” and “junior colleague.” In all cases, fellows work closely with supervisors initially, and then gradually function more independently as their skills develop. As this process of attaining graduated levels of responsibility unfolds, the supervision becomes less directive and more consultative. Fellows also receive training in the provision of supervision and are provided opportunities to directly supervise junior trainees.

The VAMHCS Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, Emphasis in PTSD, was re-accredited in 2024 by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. Our next site visit is expected to be in 2034. The fellowship adheres to the APA Guidelines for Accreditation for postdoctoral fellowships, with respect to providing education and training in preparation for entering professional practice at an advanced level of competency, consisting of a sequence of clinical activities that are characterized by greater depth, breadth, duration, frequency, and intensity than internship training, focused on the assessment and treatment of PTSD. The fellowship is a full-time work commitment (40 hours worked per week). Trauma fellows’ distribution of effort will be approximately 60% clinical, 20% didactic, and 20% research/administration. Fellows may choose two 6-month rotations in either the PTSD Clinical Teams or accelerated massed delivery outpatient program (MASD), or a full year rotation in full model Dialectical Behavior Therapy with a focus on the delivery of DBT-TF (trauma-focused DBT). Fellows may also elect to participate in minor rotations in Administration, full model Dialectical Behavior Therapy, student Veterans, military sexual trauma or vertical supervision. The emphasis of the program is on development of clinical skills; however, there is an expectation that fellows will participate in ongoing research and program development efforts. The training provided meets licensure requirements for the state of Maryland; all supervisors will be licensed in a jurisdiction and able to certify training hours.

 

Postdoctoral Training Opportunities

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

(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: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Community Intervention: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Consultation/Liaison: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Crisis Intervention:
Brief Psychotherapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Long-term Psychotherapy:
Cognitive Rehabilitation:
Primary Care:
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: Outreach and intervention with student Veterans in college campus setting, policy development and implementation

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology:
Women's Health:
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders:
Sexual Disorders:
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:
Physical Disabilities:
Learning Disabilities:
Developmental Disabilities:
Assessment: Experience (21% to 30%)
Neuropsychology-Adult:
Neuropsychology-Child:
Serious Mental Illness:
Anxiety Disorders: Experience (21% to 30%)
Trauma/PTSD: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sexual Abuse: Experience (21% to 30%)
Substance Use Disorders: Experience (21% to 30%)
Forensics/Corrections:
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology:
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling:
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy:
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: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Administration: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Integrated health care - primary:
Integrated health care - specialty:
Other:

Major rotations include advanced training in evidence-based assessment and intervention with veterans who have been diagnosed with PTSD, readjustment concerns, and comorbid diagnoses (e.g., substance use disorders, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders) in both outpatient settings (Baltimore and Perry Point PTSD Clinical Teams) and intensive outpatient programs (MASD, full model DBT). Fellows will choose two 6-month major rotations in the PCT or MASD programs, or a full year training experience focused on the delivery of trauma-focused DBT, and may elect to participate in a minor rotation of their choice. Minor rotations include opportunties in administration, full model Dialectical Behavior Therapy, student Veterans on college campuses, military sexual trauma, vertical supervision and program development/evaluation.  Please see our website for full details on major and minor rotation training opportunities.

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/maryland-health-care/programs/mental-health-clinical-center-psychology-training-program/  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 Postdoctoral 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: 9 13 25 11 15 7 11 5 6 10
Where did Former Postdoctoral Fellows Go (1st Placement)?
2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026
Total Number of post-docs: 2 2 2 2
Still a Postdoctoral Fellow: 0 0 0
Academic teaching: 0 0 0
Community mental health center: 0 0 0 0
Consortium: 0 0 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0 0 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 0 2 0 0
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 1 0 2 2
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: 1 0 0 0
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0 0 0 0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data: https://www.va.gov/maryland-health-care/programs/mental-health-clinical-center-psychology-training-program/
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