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Site Name: Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System

Department: Psychology/123

Program Information: Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System - Psychology/123

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 1936
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System
Department: Psychology/123
Address: 2400 Hospital Rd
Building 4A-2nd Floor, Room 248
Tuskegee, Alabama 36083
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Distance from Major City: 35 miles east of Montgomery, AL , 126 miles south of Atlanta
Phone: 630-515-7498
Fax:
Email: Cynthia.gooden@va.gov
Web Address: http://www.psychologytraining.va.gov/tuskegee/
Brochure Website's Address: http://www.psychologytraining.va.gov/tuskegee/
Primary Agency Type: Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Additional Agency Types:
  • Psychology Department
  • Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Member of APPIC since:
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director & Lead / Director: Cynthia Gooden
Chief Psychologist: Marijo Lucas
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 19
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 0
Position Information
Start Date: 07/03/2023
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: 26297
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Health Insurance, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): You will be paid on a biweekly basis for a total of $26,166 for the year less tax deductions federal and state. VA will pay its share of FICA and of any health insurance which you may elect. You will earn four hours of annual leave and four hours of sick leave after each biweekly pay period as well as 11 paid federal holidays. The Psychology Training Committee, in collaboration with you, will determine your weekly schedule and the general plan for obtaining supervised training and experience during the year. Generally, the work day begins at 8:00 a.m. You are eligible for Federal Employee Group Life Insurance and for the government health benefits plan. You may wish to choose a plan that best suits your own situation.
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Work day begins at 0800 and ends at 1630 Monday through Friday.
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? Yes
Is this program partially affiliated with one or more doctoral programs? No
Details of the above affiliations Affiliation with doctoral programs is established centrally in the VA through the Office of Academic Affiliations. All internship positions are affiliated with academic institutions via the OAA central office.
Internship Application Process
Accepting Applicants: Yes
Application Due Date: 11/18/2022 11:59 PM EST
Interviews at this site are:
  • Optional
  • Virtual
Interview notification date: 12/16/2022
Tentative interview date: 01/05/2023, 01/12/2023, 01/19/2023, 01/26/2023
Interview process description:

Our interview dates will occur on the following Thursdays:  January 5 2023, January 12 2023, January 19 2023, and January 26 2023. Elements include group and individual interviews, as well as opportunities to speak with staff about available training opportunities and current Interns about their Internship expeirence at CAVHCS. Interviews will include options for in-person and virtual formats, depending on candidate preferences, with specific times/dates for each determined based on interest and availability of applicants. 
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: From a variety across the country.
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): 500
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 100
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable):
Minimum Number of Years of Grad Training Required (if applicable):
Accepted / Not-Accepted Program Types
Clinical Psychology Accepted
Counseling Psychology Accepted
School Psychology Not Accepted
APA-Accredited Accepted
CPA-Accredited Not Accepted
PCSAS-Accredited
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: Refer to brochure for specific program requirements that are unique to governmental positions.
Program Description

The goal of the CAVHCS Internship Program is to enrich clinical and assessment skills of Interns. The training program is generalist in nature, and based on the Practitioner-Scholar or Vail model. Interns will be prepared to transition as competent and independent Post-Doctoral Residents or entry-level Psychologist in the setting of medical center, public health care, or private practice. The CAVHCS Psychologist staff accept the responsibility to train Interns in psychological assessment, individual and group psychotherapy of adults, with an emphasis on evidence based practices. CAVHCS Psychology staff also prioritize Intern development of skills for supervision and consultation by enhancing their knowledge of and sensitivity to the cultural, social, ethical and legal issues that impact psychological practice. Interns have opportunities to work with a diagnostically diverse group of mental health patients in Inpatient Psychiatry, MH-RRTP (Residential Treatment Program), and General Outpatient Mental Health, but also have the opportunity to receive specialty training with consultation in clinical area(s) including;  PTSD, Primary Care/Behavioral Health (PCMHI), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), Behavioral Pain Management, Veteran Justice Outreach, Inpatient/Residential, Substance Abuse, and Homeless Program. Specific evidence based practice training, consultation  and utilization opportunities include Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, CBT- Pain and extensive training on the PCMHI model. Our program is distinctive in providing Interns the opportunity to enhance and develop their cultural competence in working with an ethnically diverse patient population, both urban and rural, which is culturally rich, but traditionally underserved. In addition to the acquisition of knowledge and skills, it is expected that the Intern being developing their professional identity as a Psychologist as they obtain graduated levels of responsibility. The internship aims to provide Interns with an appropriate blend of nurturance and challenge in a well-structured framework as they develop greater clinical competence and autonomy.

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations
Children:
Adolescents:
Adults: Yes
Family:
Older Adults: Yes
Inpatients: Yes
Outpatients: Yes
Gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender: Yes
Ethnic minorities: Yes
Spanish-speaking:
French-speaking:
Deaf/Hearing-impaired:
Students:
International Students:
Rural: Yes
Urban: Yes
Low income: Yes
Homelessness: Yes
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

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

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Women's Health: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders:
Sexual Disorders: EXPERIENCE (21% to 30%)
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Physical Disabilities: EMPHASIS (31% to 49%)
Learning Disabilities:
Developmental Disabilities:
Assessment: EMPHASIS (31% to 49%)
Neuropsychology-Adult: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Neuropsychology-Child:
Serious Mental Illness: EMPHASIS (31% to 49%)
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: EXPERIENCE (21% to 30%)
Forensics/Corrections:
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology:
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling:
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy:
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: 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: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
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: http://www.psychologytraining.va.gov/tuskegee/  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
Number of Completed Applications: 31 31 30 31 24 35
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 29 30 26 25 22 25
Total number of interns: 4 4 4 4 4 2
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 4 4 4 4 4 2
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 2 2 2 1 2 0
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 2 2 2 3 2 2
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 3 2 3 4 3 2
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 1 2 1 0 1 0
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 4 4 4 14 1 23
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 10 15 20 25 15 45
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022
Working on dissertation/Student: 0 0 4 0 0 1
Postdoctoral Fellow: 0 1 2 1 0 0
Community Mental Health Center: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Veteran's Affairs Medical Center: 2 2 2 3 2 2
Military Medical Center: 1 0 0 0 0 0
Private General Hospital: 0 0 0 0 0 0
General Hospital: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other Medical Center: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Private Psychiatric Hospital: 0 0 0 0 0 0
State/County/Other Public Hospital: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Correctional Facility: 0 0 0 0 0 0
School District/System: 0 0 0 0 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0 0 0 0 0
University Teaching Faculty: 1 0 0 0 0 0
2 or 4 year Undergraduate Teaching Position: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Medical School: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Academic Non-Teaching Position: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Research Position: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Independent Practice: 0 1 0 0 1 0
Other (e.g. consulting): 0 0 0 0 0 0
Not Currently Employed: 0 0 0 0 0 1
Changed to Other Career Field: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown: 0 0 0 0 1 0
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