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Site Name: Georgia Regional Hospital - Atlanta

Department: Psychology Adult Mental Health and Forensic Services

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Department : Psychology Adult Mental Health and Forensic Services

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 2259
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Georgia Regional Hospital - Atlanta
Department: Psychology Adult Mental Health and Forensic Services
Address: 3073 Panthersville Rd.
Decatur, Georgia 30034
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA
Distance from Major City: 4 miles east of Atlanta, GA
Phone: 404-212-4747x
Fax:
Training Director Email: Mark.Cochran@dbhdd.ga.gov
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/georgia-regional-hospital-atlanta-grha-atlanta-ga
Brochure Website's Address: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/publication/grha-internship-brochure/download
Primary Agency Type: State/County/Other Public Hospital
Additional Agency Types:
Member of APPIC since: 01/08/2014
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Mark Cochran
Chief Psychologist: Mark Cochran
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 12
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 3
Position Information
Start Date: 08/17/2026
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: 33800
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Comp Time , Dental Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): Vision insurance, 401(k) retirement
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site A typical workday for an intern is eight hours in an adult inpatient hospital setting, and includes interdisciplinary treatment team meetings in the morning, followed by a combination of any of the following depending on the particular day: scheduled group therapy at the psychosocial rehabilitation mall or on unit, individual therapy on unit, formal psychological testing (often forensic-specific on the Forensic track), behavioral interventions, individual or group supervision, report writing, documentation in the electronic medical record, and didactic seminars. The AMH outpatient rotation is four months long, providing psychotherapy in a student health and wellness clinic one day per week, focused primarily on SMI presentations. The Forensic track outpatient rotation is four months long, providing forensic evaluations in county jails (in person and videoconference) two days per week.
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: 11/16/2025 11:59 PM EST
A Virtual Interview are: Required
Interview notification date: 12/15/2025
Tentative interview date: 01/09/2026
Interview process description:

Criteria for consideration: In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must be currently enrolled in an APA accredited doctoral program in clinical or counseling psychology which grants a degree of PhD or PsyD. Applicants are expected to have passed their clinical competency exams, or equivalent, and must have completed at least 60 semester hours of graduate-level course work (excluding internship and dissertation hours) at their graduate institution prior to inception of the internship. Applicants are expected to have completed, or be in the process of completing, multiple practica experiences under the direct supervision of a licensed psychologist. Total completed practica hours including intervention, assessment, supervision and support should meet a minimum of 1000 hours.  Completion of the dissertation prior to the inception of the internship is recommended but not a requirement. It is also expected that applicants demonstrate knowledge and behavior that make evident a commitment to adhering to the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.

Interview process: Once an application has been reviewed and approved for interview, the applicant will be contacted by email to schedule an interview based on mutual availability. At this time (July 2025) we plan to conduct interviews via videoconference. All interviews (whether in-person or web-based) will be conducted between the applicant and at least two psychologist supervisors at GRH-A.  The interviews will be structured with several questions about relevant clinical knowledge, experiences, and interests, followed by an opportunity for the applicant to ask questions.  Applicants will also be asked to provide written responses to a case vignette.

As part of the interview process, applicants will have an opportunity to meet with current GRH-A Psychology Interns and tour the GRH-A campus, including the Psychology building and intern office, PSR Mall (where therapy groups and psychoeducational classes take place), and a treatment unit (patient living area). We plan to offer all of the above in an online format.

Video-based interviews are planned for particular days during following period: Tuesday 1/6/26 through Friday 1/16/26.
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs:
Internship Applicant Requirements
US Citizenship Required: No
If NOT a U.S. Citizen, Authorization to Work or to Engage in Practical Training (CPT or OPT) in the US is Required: Yes
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: Yes, by start of internship
Comprehensive Exams Passed: Yes, by ranking deadline
Dissertation Proposal Approved: No
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable):
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable):
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): Yes
Minimum Number of Years of Grad Training Required (if applicable):
Accepted / Not-Accepted Program Types
Clinical Psychology Accepted
Counseling Psychology Accepted
School Psychology
APA-Accredited Accepted
CPA-Accredited
PCSAS-Accredited
Non-Accredited
Ph.D Degree Accepted
Psy.D. Degree Accepted
Ed.D. Degree
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: The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) requirements for employment include a criminal background check (i.e., fingerprinting) prior to start date, and random drug screenings. Because of the variations in laws regarding cannabis in different states, it is important to understand that a positive test for THC is grounds for separation from employment per Georgia DBHDD policy. Regarding Covid-19 vaccination, DBHDD encourages the COVID-19 vaccine for DBHDD staff and patients. The vaccine is voluntary. Staff (including interns) job status is not impacted by the decision to take or not take the vaccine.
Program Description

The doctoral psychology internship at GRH-A lasts 12 months and includes training experiences with a psychiatric inpatient, diverse multicultural population of adults, often in economically disadvantaged or homeless situations and experiencing serious mental illness or severe emotional disorders. Interns choose either a Forensic Inpatient/Outpatient track or an Adult Mental Health (AMH) Clinical Psychology track. Within each track interns will rotate to different treatment units after 4 months.

The Forensic Track takes place on Forensic-specific units for people admitted for restoration of competency to stand trial or forensic civil commitment, and it also involves observation and learning about expert testimony, as well as a rotation in outpatient forensic evaluation. The outpatient rotation provides opportunities for pretrial evaluations of competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility evaluations with a wide variety of defendants (e.g., from rural and urban jurisdictions, charged with various types of offenses, with a range of presenting mental health concerns).

The AMH Track takes place on units where individuals are most often admitted on an involuntary basis for treatment and stabilization due to a risk of dangerousness to self, others, or inability to care for oneself. AMH also includes opportunities for a minor rotation in an area of specific focus such as an outpatient student wellness clinic, positive behavior support, skilled nursing facility, substance use, or the Therapeutic Incentive Program.

Both AMH and Forensic track interns participate in a supervisory skills practice with masters-level counselors and/or practicum students. Both tracks also develop a focused concentration area relevant to the work of psychologists in this setting, using program evaluation and consultation methods to identify and evaluate clinical programs and approaches. Areas of focus are based on a collaboration between intern interests and hospital program needs.

Interns work between 40 and 45 hours per week. Sequentially, interns shadow a psychologist on the treatment unit, work under close supervision of their supervisors, and increasingly assume a more independent role in providing psychological services and consulting with treatment teams.

While the Forensic and AMH Tracks are different in the particular population and focus of evaluations and treatment provided, the internship at GRH-A is a unified program designed to provide a wide array of experiential training, including brief and comprehensive psychological evaluations, group and individual interventions, behavioral interventions, and consultation, with an emphasis on recovery-oriented approaches with underserved and SMI populations.  Intern-focused didactic seminars are presented on a variety of topics including individual and cultural diversity, forensic psychology, applied behavior analysis, specific diagnoses and subpopulations, recovery-oriented interventions, inpatient treatment planning, interdisciplinary consultation, and licensure preparation.  Interns are expected to increase their involvement in the facilitation of these didactics over the course of the internship year.

 

The Doctoral Psychology Internship Program at Georgia Regional Hospital – Atlanta is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA).

Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation

American Psychological Association

750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002

Phone: (202) 336-5979 Email: apaaccred@apa.org

Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Internship Training Opportunities

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

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Individual Therapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Couples Therapy:
Family Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Group Therapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Community Intervention:
Consultation/Liaison: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Crisis Intervention: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Brief Psychotherapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation: Experience (21% to 30%)
Primary Care:
Evidenced Based Practice: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Evidence Based Research:
Supervision of Practicum students : Exposure (1% to 20%)
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

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

The 2026 Psychology Internship Brouchure will be updated and linked here no later than 8/15/25. The prior year brochure (2025) provides a full description of the internship program and training opportunities, as well as the application process in the meantime. While we often make adjustments in efforts to constantly improve the program based on feedback and observed needs, we do not anticipate any major changes to our program between 2025 and 2026. THe most current brochure is located here:

https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/publication/grha-internship-brochure/download

 

 

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://dbhdd.georgia.gov/georgia-regional-hospital-atlanta-grha-atlanta-ga  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: 24 17 47 71 75 92 107 83 86
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 14 14 18 17 30 30 30 30 30
Total number of interns: 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 1 1 2 1 1
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 2
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs:
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 1
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 32 12 1 19 10 0 1 1 20
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 121 23 18 33 11 25 10 22 65
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025
Academic teaching:
Community mental health center: 0 0 1
Consortium: 0 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 0 2 1
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 0 0 0
Psychiatric facility: 1 0 0
Correctional facility: 0 0 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0 0 0
School district/system: 0 0 0
Independent practice setting: 1 0 0
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0 0 0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data: http://See brochure
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