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 Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, Emphasis in PTSD, is a general clinical training program centered on the psychological assessment and delivery of evidenced based treatment for PTSD in Veterans. This fellowship emphasizes the training and refining of skills in assessment, treatment, consultation, research, supervision, and administration, relating to the specific needs of returning Veterans, as well as facilitating the development of fellows from trainees to independent psychologists. We embrace a multicultural 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, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. The next site visit is anticipated to occur in 2024.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 intensive outpatient program (TIDES). Fellows may also elect to participate in minor rotations in Administration, full model Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mental Health Diversity Committee, couples therapy for PTSD, 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.