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Site Name: Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System

Department: Behavioral Health (116)

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Department : Behavioral Health (116)

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 1401
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System
Department: Behavioral Health (116)
Address: 400 Veterans Avenue (116)
Biloxi, Mississippi 39531
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Distance from Major City: 77 miles from New Orleans, LA and 54 miles from Mobile, AL.
Phone: 228-523-4314x34314
Fax:
Training Director Email: Jeffrey.Lawley@va.gov
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: https://www.va.gov/gulf-coast-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.va.gov/gulf-coast-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: Jeffrey Lawley
Chief Psychologist: Kelly Woods
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 13
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 0
Position Information
Start Date: 07/14/2025
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: 33469
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): *Possible vision and dental (yearly intern eligibility determined by local VA hosting site and VA Office of Academic Affiliations)
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Interns at Gulf Coast VA spend approximately 28 hours per week in their primary rotation activities. This time includes providing direct clinical services (individual and/or group psychotherapy, personality and cognitive assessment, crisis intervention, etc.), individual supervision with the rotation supervisor(s), and completing administrative tasks. Interns are expected to average 11-12 hours of direct clinical contact per week throughout the internship year in order to fulfill accreditation standards and meet requirements for licensing in most states. In addition to the primary rotation, 4-5 hours per week are devoted to the intern's minor rotation activities, and interns participate in a full day of didactics on Thursdays.
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: 12/09/2024 11:59 PM EST
A Virtual Interview are: Required
Interview notification date: 12/18/2024
Tentative interview date: 01/02/2025
Interview process description:

APPIC Match interviews are digital/virtual via Microsoft Teams for our internship program. Despite the virtual nature, we retain the same general organization of face-to-face interviews in terms of overall organization. All interviews will occur January 2025 across 8-10 half-day interview dates. Aspects of the interview days will be an overview of our program and various training rotations that we offer, an initial open forum to ask questions, 3-4 standardized interview panels with training faculty and current doctoral interns, and a final panel to meet and ask question to only the current predoctoral psychology interns. An optional "open house" brief tour of our faciities and program may also be arranged on a pre-specified date before or after the weeks set aside for interviews. The "open house" opportunity allows prospective applicants to directly observe and experience the training program setting and meet briefly meet with available faculty and current psychology interns. The open house is a purely optional experence and individuals choosing to not participate will not be penalized just as individuals choosing to participate will not be shown additional favor. 

 
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: 2008 - Present: Palo Alto University – Clinical PhD Carlow University – Counseling PsyD Seattle Pacific University – Clinical PhD Roosevelt University – Clinical PsyD University of Southern Mississippi – Counseling PhD PGSP Stanford Consortium – Clinical PsyD Wright Institute – Clinical PsyD Florida Institute of Technology – Clinical PsyD Central Michigan University – Clinical PhD University of Akron – Counseling PhD Fielding Graduate University – Clinical PhD Ball State University – Counseling PhD Georgia School of Professional Psychology - Argosy Atlanta – Clinical PsyD University of Oklahoma-Norman – Counseling PhD Marshall University – Clinical PsyD Western Michigan University – Clinical PhD St. Louis University – Clinical PhD Pacific Graduate School of Psychology – Clinical PhD Texas A&M University – Counseling PhD Biola University – Clinical PhD University of Kentucky – Clinical PhD Louisiana State University – Clinical PhD Rosalind Franklin University – Clinical PhD Florida State University – Clinical PhD University of North Texas – Clinical Health Psychology PhD Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology – PsyD Texas Tech University – Counseling PhD Fairleigh Dickinson University – Clinical PhD Florida Institute of Technology – Clinical PsyD University of Southern Mississippi – Clinical PhD Univ. of North Texas – Clinical Ph.D. Univ. of South Carolina – Clinical Ph.D. Wheaton College – Clinical PsyD Case Western Reserve University—Clinical Ph.D. Argosy University—Phoenix—Clinical Psy.D. George Fox University—Clinical Psy.D. Catholic University—Clinical Ph.D. Eastern Michigan University—Clinical Ph.D. University of Indianapolis—Clinical Psy.D. La Salle University—Clinical Psy.D. Auburn University – Clinical, Ph.D. Roosevelt University – Clinical Psy.D. Louisiana Tech University – Clinical Ph.D. University of South Dakota – Clinical Ph.D. Alliant International University -- Clinical Psy.D. Mercer University -- Clinical Psy.D. Northwest University -- Counselling Psy.D. Chicago School of Professional Psychology - Clinical Psy.D. William James College - Clinical Psy.D. Nova Southeastern University - Clinical Psy.D. Adler University - Clinical Psy.D. University of Colorado-Denver - Clinical Ph.D. University of Montana - Clinical Ph.D. Antioch University-New England - Clinical Psy.D. Rivier University - Counseling-School Psy.D. Mississippi State University - Clinical Ph.D. University of Mississippi - Clinical Ph.D. Ponce Health Sciences University - Clinical Ph.D. Pacific University - Clinical Psy.D. Spalding University - Clinical Psy.D. Utah State University - Clinical-Counseling Ph.D. Divine Mercy University - Clinical Psy.D.
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: Yes, by start of internship
Comprehensive Exams Passed: Yes, by start of internship
Dissertation Proposal Approved: No
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable): 300
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 50
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable): N/A
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): 4
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: Other requirements include those necessary to work or train through the United States Federal Government, which includes proof of COVID-19 vaccination, successfully passing a background check prior to starting internship, providing consent for random substance/drug screenings, registering for selective service requirements, and other standard requirements to work for and/or within the US Federal Government.
Program Description

Our APA-accredited doctoral internship training program adheres to a generalist training model offering a broad range of training opportunities with a rural Veteran population. Our goal is to help interns become competent, ethical and thoroughly trained health service psychologists who will go on to distinguished careers. We have a diverse training faculty and adult patient population situated in a large medical center setting. In addition to assessment and intervention training and supervision, interns will consult and work with a variety of other disciplines who particularly value psychological input. Interns attend weekly seminars (cognitive and neuropsychology, diagnostics and psychopathology, evidence-based treatments, psychological assessment, biological bases and psychopharmacology, social-culture-communication) and other educational activities designed to broaden and hone their professional development. Three four-month rotations are selected by each intern, with the potential to diversify the training experience even further by participating in split rotation experiences (i.e., pursuing two separate rotations, for half the training week each).  Current rotation offerings include Outpatient Mental Health, Acute Inpatient, Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine, Geropsychology, Neuropsychological Assessment, and Residential-Substance Use Disorders-Chronic Mental Illness treatment programs.  Additional rotation opportunities may also be available in the future based on faculty availability-interest. At the end of each rotation, comprehensive written competency evaluations are required with supervisors rating interns and interns rating the rotation and supervisor.  Interns at our facility also have the opportunity to hone their leadership skills through serving as Chief Intern.  A highlight of our internship program is the commitment and dedication of our training faculty, who participate in training on a strictly voluntary basis. For more detailed information about rotations, seminars, training faculty, etc., please see our brochure at: 

 

Internships And Fellowships | VA Gulf Coast Health Care | Veterans Affairs

*In the event the website is delayed in it's yearly updates, please reach out to the Director of Internship-Externship Training, Jeffrey S. Lawley, Ph.D., pertaining to obtaining the most recent revision of the training program's brochure via email @ Jeffrey.Lawley@va.gov

 

 

 

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: Yes
Students:
International Students:
Rural: Yes
Urban:
Low income: Yes
People without housing: Yes
Other: 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: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Family Therapy:
Group Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Community Intervention: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Consultation/Liaison: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Crisis Intervention: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Brief Psychotherapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Cognitive Rehabilitation:
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 : Exposure (1% to 20%)
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Women's Health:
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders:
Sexual Disorders:
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:
Physical Disabilities:
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:
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Feminist Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Religion/Spirituality:
Empirically-Supported Treatments: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Public Policy/Advocacy:
Program Development/Evaluation: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Supervision: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Research: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Administration: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Integrated health care - primary: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Integrated health care - specialty: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Other:

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/gulf-coast-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: 75 73 53 47 32 50 34 39
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 53 42 39 39 29 44 32 35
Total number of interns: 6 5 7 7 6 6 6 6
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 6 5 7 7 6 6 6 6
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 0 3 2 0 3 3 3
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 6 2 5 7 3 3 3
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 6 3 5 7 5 5 6 6
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0 2 2 0 1 1 0 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 6 2 10 14 2 0 5 9
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 73 42 45 37 24 143 36 19
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 0
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 5 4 0
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 0
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0 1 0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data:
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