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Site Name: Orlando VA Healthcare System

Department: Mental Health Service, Psychology Section, Internship Program

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Department : Mental Health Service, Psychology Section, Internship Program

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 2221
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Orlando VA Healthcare System
Department: Mental Health Service, Psychology Section, Internship Program
Address: Orlando VA Healthcare System - Lake Nona
Mental Health
13800 Veterans Way
Orlando, Florida 32827
Country: United States
Metro Area: Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
Distance from Major City: 10 miles southeast of downtown Orlando
Phone: 407-497-6706
Fax:
Training Director Email: Danielle.Jahn@va.gov
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: https://www.va.gov/orlando-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.va.gov/orlando-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: 01/04/2013
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Danielle Jahn
Chief Psychologist: Steven Herman
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 133
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 1
Position Information
Start Date: 07/13/2026
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: 34324
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Dental Insurance, Health Insurance, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): Interns are eligible for health insurance. Interns also receive 4 hours of paid sick leave and 4 hours of paid annual leave (paid personal/vacation time) every 2-week pay period. This equates to approximately 13 days of sick leave and 13 days of annual leave over the course of the internship year. In addition, there are 11 federal holidays. With the approval of the current rotation supervisor and the training director, each Intern may be additionally allocated up to five days of authorized absence (AA) for professional development activities (e.g. conferences, presentations, interviews, dissertation defense, or meetings with academic program advisor/ faculty). The United States government covers interns for malpractice under the Federal Liability Reform Tort Act. Also, Central Florida lifestyle: theme parks, beaches, rocket launches, warm weather year-round, general paradise!
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Interns work 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday during the internship year. Interns are engaged in clinical rotations four days out of the week with at least 50% of their time devoted to direct clinical activities. Tuesdays are reserved for training didactics and seminars in the morning and program evaluation/research time in the afternoon. Interns receive a minimum of 4 hours of supervision each week with at least 2 hours being individual, face-to-face supervision with their rotation supervisor(s). Please refer to the internship brochure for additional information.
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: 11/02/2025 11:59 PM EST
A Virtual Interview are: Required
Interview notification date: 12/01/2025
Tentative interview date: 12/11/2025, 12/17/2025, 01/07/2026, 01/15/2026
Interview process description:

Application Deadline: Complete application packets must be received by us by November 2, 2025 (11:59 PM Eastern Time Zone) for consideration for internship appointment beginning the following July 2026.

Interview Notification: Individual interviews will be conducted by invitation only, following initial evaluation of application materials. Applicants invited for interviews will be notified by email no later than December 1, 2025 and will be scheduled for one of the four interview dates. 

Interview Dates: 

  • December 11, 2025
  • December 17, 2025
  • January 7, 2026
  • January 15, 2026

Interview Information: All interviews will be virtual and conducted via Microsoft Teams. Each interview day will last up to 6 hours. The interview day will consist of a variety of activities including a program overview, individual interviews with internship faculty, and meeting with our current interns.

Additional Application Information

Applications are encouraged from all geographical areas.  The Orlando VA Healthcare System is an Equal Opportunity Employer; we are committed to ensuring a range of diversity among our training classes, and we select candidates representing different kinds of programs and theoretical orientations, geographic areas, ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, disabilities, and life experiences. All things being equal, consideration is given to applicants who identify themselves as military Veterans.

Your online AAPI application package should include: a Verification of Internship Eligibility and Readiness, completed by University Director of Training, current official graduate transcript(s), three letters of reference from faculty members or practicum supervisors who know you and your work well, cover letter and curriculum vitae.

Please refer to our internship brochure for additional information on internship including eligibility criteria, application requirements, and general internship information. The brochure can be found at Internships And Fellowships | VA Orlando Health Care | Veterans Affairs (https://www.va.gov/orlando-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/#psychology-training-programs).

The Orlando VA Healthcare System Internship follows the policies and procedures regarding internship offers and acceptance recommended by the APPIC and the Council of Directors of Clinical Training Programs.
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: Auburn University, Carlos Albizu University, University of Central Florida, University of Cincinnati, City University of NY, Chicago School of Psychology, University of Colorado, University of Delaware, Eastern Kentucky University, Florida Institute of Technology, Florida State University, Fuller Theological Seminary, Idaho State University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana State University, University of Indianapolis, Loma Linda University, Long Island University, Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech University, Michigan State University, University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, University of Northern Colorado, University of Notre Dame, Nova Southeastern University, Ohio State University, Pacific University, Palo Alto University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Radford University, Regent University, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, University of South Carolina, University of South Dakota, University of South Florida, St. Mary's University, State University of NY, Texas A&M University, Virginia Tech, Washington State, and Xavier 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 start of internship
Dissertation Proposal Approved: Yes, by start of internship
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable): 250
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 50
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: https://www.va.gov/orlando-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/
Program Description

The mission of the Orlando VA Healthcare System’s psychology internship program is to develop ethical and competent psychologists capable of delivering high quality care through evidence-based practice for the purpose of improving the quality of life and well-being for America’s Veterans. The program provides a generalist training for professional psychologists. Within the generalist training, the internship promotes a scientific attitude and approach to clinical activities through an emphasis on evidence-based practice.

The internship year is divided into three major rotations of four months each. In addition, each intern participates in two six-month minor rotations. As a generalist program, interns will participate in an array of clinical rotations and experiences that emphasize core psychologist functions, including psychotherapy and assessment. Rotation selection is based on the individual intern’s preference as well as their identified strengths and training needs. Please refer to our online brochure for additional internship information including available clinical rotations and training experiences, and faculty profiles. Our internship brochure can be found at Internships And Fellowships | VA Orlando Health Care | Veterans Affairs.

The internship program offers four general track positions, one health psychology track position, and one trauma recovery track position. Interns in the health psychology track will complete the first two major rotations in health psychology and one minor rotation in a health psychology-related experience. Interns in the trauma recovery track will complete the first two major rotations in the Trauma Recovery Specialty Team and one minor rotation in a trauma treatment-related experience. For both tracks, the third major rotation and second minor rotation must be include clinical experiences unrelated to the track, to ensure breadth of training consistent with the program's generalist model.

It is a goal of the program to create a supportive and challenging learning environment that enriches each intern’s professional development while respecting individual differences. At the end of the internship year, interns will be particularly equipped for working with Veterans and prepared to receive advanced postdoctoral training or early-career entry into the current health care environment.

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations
Infants:
Toddlers:
Children:
Adolescents:
Adults: Yes
Family: Yes
Older Adults: Yes
Inpatients:
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:

(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: Experience (21% to 30%)
Community Intervention:
Consultation/Liaison: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Crisis Intervention: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Brief Psychotherapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Long-term Psychotherapy:
Cognitive Rehabilitation:
Primary Care: Experience (21% to 30%)
Evidenced Based Practice: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Evidence Based Research:
Supervision of Practicum students : Experience (21% to 30%)
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Women's Health: Exposure (1% to 20%)
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sexual Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:
Physical Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Learning Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Developmental Disabilities:
Assessment: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Neuropsychology-Adult: Experience (21% to 30%)
Neuropsychology-Child:
Serious Mental Illness: Experience (21% to 30%)
Anxiety Disorders: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Trauma/PTSD: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Sexual Abuse: Experience (21% to 30%)
Substance Use Disorders: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Forensics/Corrections:
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology: Experience (21% to 30%)
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling:
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy: Experience (21% to 30%)
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: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Research: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Administration: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Integrated health care - primary: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Integrated health care - specialty: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Other:

As a Veteran population, there is a higher percentage of male patients than female. Our most common mental health diagnosis is depression and related disorders, followed by PTSD and related sequalae of trauma. Interns will have the opportunity to learn evidence-based practices in the treatments of these and other disorders. 

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/orlando-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 2024-2025 2025-2026
Number of Completed Applications: 124 125 122 120 115 94 83 84 275
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 52 49 45 51 41 40 39 40 60
Total number of interns: 8 7 7 8 6 6 6 6 6
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 8 7 7 8 6 6 6 6 6
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 3 5 3 6 6 5 3 2 4
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 5 2 4 2 0 1 3 4 2
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 8 6 7 8 5 5 6 4 5
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 2 1
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 2 1 4 12 3 2 3 3 14
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 36 93 38 159 74 68 46 27 100
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025
Academic teaching: 2
Community mental health center: 0 0 0
Consortium: 0 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 0 1 1
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 5 2 4
Psychiatric facility: 0 0 0
Correctional facility: 0 0 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0 0 0
School district/system: 0 0 0
Independent practice setting: 0 1 1
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0 0 0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data: https://www.va.gov/orlando-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/#psychology-training-programs
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