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Site Name: VA North Texas Health Care System

Department: Psychology Service (116A)

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Department : Psychology Service (116A)

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 1573
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: VA North Texas Health Care System
Department: Psychology Service (116A)
Address: 4500 S. Lancaster Road
Dallas, Texas 75216-7191
Country: United States
Metro Area: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX MSA
Distance from Major City:
Phone: 214-857-1983x
Fax:
Training Director Email: julia.smith2@va.gov
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: https://www.va.gov/north-texas-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/psychology-internship-and-postdoctoral-residency-training-program/
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.va.gov/north-texas-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/psychology-internship-and-postdoctoral-residency-training-program/
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: Julia Smith
Chief Psychologist: Sarah Spain
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 100
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 2
Position Information
Start Date: 07/14/2025
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 8
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 36919
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Dissertation Release Time, Dental Insurance, Health Insurance, Licensing Exam Release Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): Please consult program brochure on website
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Please consult program brochure on website
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: 11/05/2024 11:59 PM EST
A Virtual Interview are: Required
Interview notification date: 11/20/2024
Tentative interview date: 1/6/25, 1/9/25, 1/16/25
Interview process description:

Our interview process is an open house format. For the 2025-2026 training year, we will host virtual open houses in January 2025 through the Microsoft Teams platform. These open houses will begin at 8am and involve meeting with the Training Director, Associate Training Director, and Psychology Chief. The morning timeframe is spent sharing information about our facility and the training opportunities available within our program. Applicants will have an opportunity to meet with the current interns to learn more about their experiences within the program. In the afternoon, applicants participate in two interviews with various training staff. We attempt to match applicants and interviewers based on interests though this is not always possible. Requests to meet with specific staff are welcome and will be accomodated to the extent possible.

Open House dates for 2025 interviews are scheduled on Monday, 1/6/25; Thursday 1/9/25; and Thursday 1/16/25. Interviews can be arranged on different dates if necessary.

General Major Area of Study (track) match number: 157311

Neuropsychology Major Area of Study (track) match number: 157313
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: University of North Texas William James College Chicago School of Professional Psychology Mercer University Wright State University University of Kansas Adler University Texas Woman's University Texas A&M Southern Methodist University Palo Alto University Azusa Pacific University Illinois School of Professional Psychology at National Louis University Carlos Albizu University (Miami & San Juan Campuses) University of Louisville University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa Nova Southeastern University Indiana State University Oklahoma State University Texas Tech University Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) Roosevelt University Midwestern University University of Mississippi University of Nevada - Las Vegas George Fox University University of Akron
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): 600
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 75
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable): 675
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): 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: If you are selected as an intern, you will be considered a Federal employee, and the following requirements will apply. 1. U.S. citizenship. VA is unable to consider applications from anyone who is not currently a U.S. citizen. Verification of citizenship is required following selection. All interns and fellows must complete a Certification of Citizenship in the United States prior to beginning VA training. 2. A male applicant born after 12/31/1959 must have registered for the draft by age 26 to be eligible for any US government employment, including selection as a paid VA trainee. Male applicants must sign a pre-appointment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration before they can be processed into a training program. Exceptions can be granted only by the US Office of Personnel Management; exceptions are very rarely granted. 3. Interns and Fellows are subject to fingerprinting and background checks. Match result and selection decisions are contingent on passing these screens. Please find additional information about the required background checks at the following website (http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/10450.html) 4. VA conducts drug screening exams on randomly selected personnel as well as new employees. Interns and Fellows are not required to be tested prior to beginning work, but once on staff they are subject to random selection for testing as are other employees. 5. To comply with federal and VA rules and provide interns with liability protection, a current and valid Affiliation Agreement between VA and the sponsoring doctoral program must be on file before the intern can be appointed. Most APA-accredited doctoral programs already have an agreement on file. More information is available at Affiliate Resources - Office of Academic Affiliations (va.gov) (see section on psychology internships). 6. Following the match and prior to the start of internship, the Internship Training Director will contact the Directors of Clinical Training (DCTs) for all eight interns. Each DCT for each matched intern will be asked to complete the Trainee Qualifications and Credentials Verification Letter (TQCVL). This document is required for all VA Psychology Internship programs. In essence, this document confirms that you (as a VA Trainee) are in satisfactory physical condition to meet the requirements of the internship program as well as attesting that interns have met appropriate tuberculosis screening as well as other immunization screenings. Such documentation is not uncommon to need prior to working in a healthcare setting. Appointment to the internship cannot happen until this document has been signed by both the intern’s graduate program and senior leadership from the VA North Texas Health Care System. We will work closely with your graduate program to ensure this document is completed in a timely manner. For more information about this document, please see the web address linked here (Trainee Qualifications and Credentials Verification Letter (TQCVL) - Office of Academic Affiliations (va.gov). 7. Matched interns will be required to complete pre-employment documentation prior to the start of internship. These forms include the Application for Health Professions Trainees (VA 10-2850D), the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF 306), and the Health Professions Trainee Random Drug Testing Notification and Acknowledgement Memo. These documents are available online for review (Resources for Health Professions Trainees Coming to VA | Eligibility and Forms - Office of Academic Affiliations). Falsifying any answer on these required Federal documents will result in the inability to appoint an intern or will result in the intern's immediate dismissal from the training program. 8. Health Professions Trainees (HPTs) are appointed as temporary employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. As such, HPTs are subject to laws, policies, and guidelines posted for VA staff members. There are infrequent times in which this guidance can change during a training year which may create new requirements or responsibilities for HPTs. If employment requirements change during the course of a training year, HPTs will be notified of the change and impact as soon as possible and options provided. The VA Training Director will provide you with the information you need to understand the requirement and reasons for the requirement in timely manner. Please refer to this website for further information: Am I Eligible? Checklist for VA HPTs 9. Most HPTs are subject to random drug testing and must sign a Random Drug Testing Notification and Acknowledgement Memo. For additional information see: VA Drug-Free Workplace Program Guide for Veterans Health Administration Health Professions Trainees. Although medical and recreational use of cannabis is legal in some states, it is prohibited for federal employees and trainees to use cannabis and its derivatives, including CBD, on or off duty, no matter which state they reside. 10. Proof of identity for VA. Onboarding requires two source identification documents (IDs) to prove identity. Documents must be unexpired and names on both documents must match. For more information visit: https://www.oit.va.gov/programs/piv/_media/docs/IDMatrix.pdf 11. Per VA policy, incoming trainees must show written proof of full COVID-19 vaccination prior to the start date of the internship.
Program Description

The VA North Texas Health Care System (Dallas VAMC) is the 2nd largest VA health care system in VHA. The Dallas campus is a large General Medical/Surgical hospital with over 1,400,000+ outpatient visits per year. Interns choose 4 rotations from 16 available rotations. Rotation activities include medical/surgical, consultation/Pain Clinic, primary care medicine, primary care mental health, homeless domiciliary, substance abuse treatment, neuropsychology, spinal cord injury, nursing home care, and PTSD (combat and military sexual trauma). The site also offers an APA-accredited Postdoctoral program (7 slots) in "Clinical Psychology" with an emphasis in Substance Use Disorders (2 slots), PTSD/SUD (2 slots), Health/Rehab (2 positions), and PTSD, and an independently APA accredited fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology (2 positions). This program is a member of APPCN as well.  On-site interns have been highly considered for these positions. Of the 92 staff psychologists, approximately 40% are available as rotation and on-going psychotherapy supervisors. Supervision is at least 2 hours face-to-face weekly, plus 1 hour weekly from EBP supervisors, and 1 hour of group supervision by the TD. Nearly all past interns have passed licensing exams and have obtained either post-docs or jobs following internship. Interns will receive training in Evidence Based Psychotherapy including CPT, CBT, ACT, IPT, IBCT, and PE and will carry two patients each half or the year, using one EBP (each six months), in addition to rotation work. Over the course of the training year, interns accrue sick leave and annual leave (totaling 13 days of annual leave and 13 days of sick leave), have 11 federal holidays, and have health and life insurance benefits. Time off to defend one's dissertation is provided along with time off to attend APA, Texas Psych Assn., or Dallas Psych. Assn. meetings. The VA North Texas Health Care System's doctoral internship was reaccredited after our site visit in November 2022 for the full 10 years. 

 

If the training website is not showing the most updated brochure, please email Dr. Smith at julia.smith2@va.gov. Sometimes Public Affairs has a delay in updating the local websites. Thank you!

Internship Training Opportunities

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

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment: Experience (21% to 30%)
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: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation:
Primary Care: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Evidenced Based Practice: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Evidence Based Research: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Supervision of Practicum students : Exposure (1% to 20%)
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

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

Supervised training experiences will vary depending on rotations selected and the training major area of study (General and Neuropsychology "tracks").

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/north-texas-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/psychology-internship-and-postdoctoral-residency-training-program/  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: 90 83 113 84 105 104 81 90
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 66 53 32 56 61 58 57 60
Total number of interns: 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 6 6 6 3 3 3 4 4
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 2 2 2 5 5 5 4 4
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 7 7 8
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 1 1 8
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 5 3 3
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 105 64 111
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: 3 3 0
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 4 3 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: 1 2 0
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0 0 0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data: http://See brochure linked on website - email Dr. Smith if you need an updated brochure and the website's isn't available
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