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Site Name: VA Medical Center, Battle Creek

Department: Psychology Service (116B)

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Department : Psychology Service (116B)

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 1361
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: VA Medical Center, Battle Creek
Department: Psychology Service (116B)
Address: 5500 Armstrong Road
Battle Creek, Michigan 49037-7314
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Distance from Major City: 123 mi west of Detroit; 193 mi east of Chicago
Phone: 269-966-5600x31155
Fax:
Training Director Email: jessica.kinkela@va.gov
Co-Training Director Email: gregory.steinsdoerfer@va.gov
Web Address: https://www.va.gov/battle-creek-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.va.gov/battle-creek-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:
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Jessica Kinkela
Chief Psychologist: E. Brooke Pope
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 50
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 0
Position Information
Start Date: 07/13/2026
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 5
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: Dissertation Release Time, Health Insurance, Licensing Exam Release Time, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above):
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Clinical hours are 8am-4:30pm Monday through Friday
Does this site have practicum psychology students on site? No
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: 11/15/2025 11:59 PM EST
A Virtual Interview are: Required
Interview notification date: 12/15/2025
Tentative interview date: 01/27/2026,01/28/2026,01/29/2026,01/30/2026
Interview process description:

Only VIRTUAL interviews are offered. No in-person visits can be accomodated. 

Virtual format will involve an individual intern meeting with staff members as well as group  meetings with the training director and interns. Interviews occur on the last FULL week of January. 

Monday: General/PTSD focused (e.g. PCT, SUD, C&P, Residential, Outpatient MH)

Tuesday: Health/PCMHI focused (e.g., PCMHI, Pain, Health, Womens)

Wednesday: Overflow (AM) and Neuropsychology tracks  (PM)  

Thursday: Neuropsychology Track

 
How to obtain application info: Email the Program
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs:
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: No
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable): 0
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 0
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 Not 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/oaa/hpt-eligibility.asp
Program Description

UPDATED 9/23/25

 Email training director jessica.kinkela@va.gov for a copy of the brochure. 

 

Please see webpage: 

 

Battle Creek VAMC Psychology Internship program offers 5 tracks (5 positions total). Other than Neuropsychology, candidates may apply for more than one track if it is a good fit. 

All tracks have the same aim: to develop competent health service psychologists who are ready to assume the responsibilities of an entry-level staff psychologist, such as at the VA-equivalent GS-11 level or advanced practice postdoctoral residency position.

Tracks are named after the rotation(s) the intern is guarenteed to do in the first six months. Interns matching with our site will attend a virtual meeting March 6, 2026 1-3pm EST to select from a variety of electives for the rest of training. Please email the training director at jessica.kinkela@va.gov  for details. 

The Five positions are: 

 


136111 Integrated Care Women’s Health: 2 days of Primary Care-Mental Health Integration for the full year. 2 days of Women's Health Psychology for the first six months and for the second six months, another rotation of interest to round out competencies.


136113 Neuropsychology: Either 2.5 days of Neuropsychology for the full year or 4 days for the first 7 months. Other rotations of interest to round out competencies.


136114 Integrated Care Health: 2 days of Primary Care-Mental Health Integration for the full year. 2 days of Health Psychology for the first six months and another rotation of interest for the second six months.


136116 Residential: For the first six months, 4 days in PTSD-Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program. In the second six months, rotations of interest to round out competencies.


136117 PTSD & C&P: For the first six months, 3 days in the PTSD Clinical Team (outpatient) and 1 day in Compensation and Pension. In the second six months, rotations of interest to round out competencies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

REQUIREMENTS for Neuropsychology Track:

  • Significant prior neuropsychology practicum experience (3 semesters minimum)
  • 75 hours minimum of individual adult face to face psychotherapy hours at the doctoral level. That is, they should have spent 75 hours after obtaining their Master’s degree doing psychological intervention on a one on one basis with adults.
  • Apply only to neuropsychology track. Those applying to more than one track will not be considered for neuropsychology, but will be considered for the other tracks according to their merits.
  • Have history of neuropsychology focused scholarly activities such as dissertation topic, publications, or invited talks.

Interns applying for tracks involving residential care or PTSD clinics should have a foundation in trauma work, such as having done evidence-based interventions for trauma during practicum or completed a course specifically about trauma interventions.

Interns applying for tracks involving integrated care and health should have a foundation in health intervention and/or mental health intervention with medical patients. This could be via supervised practicum, coursework or employment.

Non-neuropsychology applicants may apply to more than one track, if they feel it fits their experience and career goals. Be clear in your cover letter how each track you're applying to fits. 

Rotations available 2026-2027 training year: neuropsychology (neuropsychology track only), general assessment (not for neuropsychology track intern), Primary Care-Mental Health Integration, Health Psychology, Women's Health, PTSD Clinical Team (PCT), Compensation & Pension (C&P), PTSD-Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (PTSD-RRTP), Mental Health Clinic (outpatient), Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (PRRTP), Substance Use Disorder Clinic (SUD-C). 

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: Yes
Urban: Yes
Low income: Yes
People without housing: Yes
Other: Military Veterans

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Individual Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Couples Therapy:
Family Therapy:
Group Therapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Community Intervention:
Consultation/Liaison: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Crisis Intervention:
Brief Psychotherapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Primary Care: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Evidenced Based Practice: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Evidence Based Research:
Supervision of Practicum students :
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:
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:
Physical Disabilities: Experience (21% to 30%)
Learning Disabilities:
Developmental Disabilities:
Assessment: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Neuropsychology-Adult: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Neuropsychology-Child:
Serious Mental Illness: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Anxiety Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Trauma/PTSD: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sexual Abuse: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Substance Use Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Forensics/Corrections: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology:
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
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: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Integrated health care - specialty: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Other:

Practicum student selection occurs AFTER internship match and thus thus we are unable to promise the ability to supervise practicum students in any given rotation. 

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/battle-creek-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: 82 83 83 70 70 66 101 89 69
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 48
Total number of interns: 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 3 2 4 3 3 3
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 2 3 1 2 2 2
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 5 4 4
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0 1 1
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written >100 >100 >100 >100 >100 >100 >100 >100
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 0
Consortium: 0 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 1 1 1
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 2 4 2
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 0 1
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0 0 1
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data: https://www.va.gov/files/2021-10/InternshipAdmissionsSupportandInitialPlacementData.pdf
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