The VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) provides a particular kind of training, based on our view of the role of Psychology in the VA system. We are committed to the scientist-practitioner model of psychology, and the postdoctoral training experience is organized accordingly. We are guided both by the original articulation of the Boulder Model (Raimy, 1950) and by the update of the scientist-practitioner model, as articulated at the Gainesville conference in 1991 and in the subsequent publication following that conference (Belar & Perry, 1992). Our training program is committed to excellence in scientific training and to using clinical science as the foundation for designing, implementing, and evaluating assessment and intervention procedures. The overall aim of the VAPAHCS Psychology Postdoctoral Training Program is to train psychologists who meet general advanced profession-wide competencies in psychology and can function effectively as professional psychologists in a broad range of multidisciplinary settings. Complementing our goal of preparing Fellows to function as independent psychologists, we also aim to prepare Fellows for practice in high priority areas of health care for Veterans. VA’s national training goals are listed as primary care, geriatrics, mental health and rehabilitation (Associated Health Professions Review Subcommittee, 1997).
Postdoctoral training at the VA Palo Alto builds on the generalized foundation of the knowledge, skills, and proficiencies that define clinical psychology, and offers both breadth and depth to develop advanced general professional competencies and specific skills within the following 7 focus areas: Behavioral Medicine, Clinical Geropsychology, Palliative Care, Psychosocial Rehabilitation, PTSD, Continuum of Care for Addictive Behaviors, Trauma, and Co-Occurring Disorders, and Couples/Family Systems (1 position in each area for 2024-25 except 2 positions each in PSR and PTSD). The core program also emphasizes professional development and the development of skills for supervision. Extensive individual and group supervision are available in all settings. *Each focus area provides specialized training for psychologists working in these areas. The Clinical Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is separately accredited and provides training in all areas of Neuropsychology specialty competency as described by APA Division 40. The Rehabilitation Psychology is separately accredited and provides training in all areas of Rehabilitation specialty competency as described by APA Division 22.
Our training is geared to individuals who will have completed their doctoral degrees from an American Psychological Association (APA)- or Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)-accredited clinical, counseling, or combined psychology program or PCSAS-accredited Clinical Science program, and will have completed an APA- or CPA-accredited psychology internship program, are functioning at an advanced level, and have clinical and preferably research experience in the focus area of interest. Eligibility requirements for VA postdoctoral fellowships are determined nationally and we have no authority to over-ride these requirements locally. All information about VA eligibility requirements is available at www.psychologytraining.va.gov/eligibility.asp and www.psychologytraining.va.gov/docs/Trainee-Eligibility.pdf; please read these eligibility requirements carefully prior to applying to make sure you are eligible for a VA internship, including U.S. citizenship, health requirements, background investigations, and Selective Service registration. In order to be eligible to begin the Fellowship, the selected applicant must also have completed the dissertation and all other doctoral degree requirements before September 1. The training program may rescind offers of postdoctoral positions for applicants selected for the postdoctoral fellowship, but who have not completed all doctoral degree requirements by September 1, or have not met all pre-employment requirements for hiring.
Please see the Training Program website at https://www.va.gov/palo-alto-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/psychology-training-program/ for program brochure and application instructions. Application due date is December 26, 2023, at 11:59PM Eastern Time (8:59PM Pacific Time). Please direct all questions about the fellowship and application materials to the Director of Postdoctoral Training (Dr. Jessica Lohnberg) at Jessica.Lohnberg@va.gov or to the Postdoctoral Coordinator (Dr. William Faustman) at william.faustman@va.gov. Applications must be submitted via the APPA CAS system at https://portal.appicpostdoc.org by the due date (the application portal will close by midnight Eastern time). Initial fellowship offers will be made following interviews and up until February 26, 2024 in accordance with the APPIC Common Hold Date procedures.