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Site Name: Federal Correctional Complex - Petersburg, Virginia

Department: Psychology

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Department : Psychology

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 2169
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Federal Correctional Complex - Petersburg, Virginia
Department: Psychology
Address: P.O. Box 90026
Petersburg, Virginia 23804
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Distance from Major City: approx 30 miles south of Richmond, VA
Phone: 804-733-7881x4249
Fax: 804-863-1542
Training Director Email: kheck@bop.gov
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: http://www.bop.gov/
Brochure Website's Address: http://www.bop.gov/
Primary Agency Type: Prison or Other Correctional Facility
Additional Agency Types:
Member of APPIC since:
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Kelli Heck
Chief Psychologist: Kelli Heck
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 5
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 0
Position Information
Start Date: 08/10/2025
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 4
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 64665
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Comp Time , Dissertation Release Time, Health Insurance, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): .Psychology Interns will also accrue four hours of annual leave and four hours of sick leave bi-weekly, totaling 13 days of each during the internship year. Psychology Interns also receive paid federal holidays, liability coverage for on-site professional activities, and can choose from a variety of health insurance plans. As temporary BOP employees, retirement benefits are not authorized. Interns who require maternity or paternity leave will be expected to first use all accrued hours of annual and sick leave. Additional time off will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Warden. In the event of maternity or paternity leave, the Internship Program Coordinator will work closely with the intern to ensure all requirements for internship and clinical training hours are completed in a timely manner.
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Psychology Interns rotate through three four month primary rotations (General Mental Health, Residential Drug Treatment, and Sex Offender Management Program), spending approximately 24 hours of their work week on their primary rotations. Psychology Interns spend one day per week on a secondary rotation addressing long-term treatment needs. Psychology Interns spend the remainder of their work week attending supervision (individual, group, and on-call supervision), didactics, Journal Group, and managing crises which arise.
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: 11/01/2024 11:59 PM EST
Interviews at this site are: Required
Interview notification date: 12/15/2024
Tentative interview date: 01/10/25
Interview process description:

Applicants will be notified by 12/15/24 if they will be offered an interview at FCC Petersburg.  Attempts will be made to make such notifications by 12/1/24, as staff at FCC Petersburg recognize the notable challenges faced by prospective Interns trying to schedule multiple interviews.  In past years, in-person interviews were typically conducted at FCC Petersburg in the month of January.  However, in 2020, due to challenges posed by COVID-19, interview procedures were modified to include virtual interviews.  It is anticipated that FCC Petersburg will conduct only in-person interviews for prospective Interns for the 2025-2026 internship year.  Adjustments to this on-site interview requirement will be made only if indicated.  Notably, these procedures are used to determine an individual’s qualifications for a position of public trust, and are required of all applicants seeking employment with the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

As part of the interview process, applicants must first satisfactorily pass a security clearance procedure at any of the 122 BOP institutions nationwide.  It is likely that most individuals can locate a BOP institution within driving distance of their educational institution to complete this portion of the interview process.  The security clearance portion of the interview process is anticipated to last approximately three hours, and includes a computerized Core Values Assessment (CVA), a pre-employment interview, an integrity interview which addresses issues of personal conduct, and a drug test.   Applicants to more than one BOP internship site generally only have to complete this process once.  Results of the security clearance procedures can be shared among BOP internship sites for the convenience of applicants.  However, applicants who fail any portion of the security clearance at the site where their first interview occurs, will no longer be considered at any other BOP site(s).  It is anticipated that this portion of the interview process will take place between mid-December 2024, and mid-January 2025. 

The second portion of the interview process, which will take place after completion of security clearance procedures, will be conducted at FCC Petersburg, with FCC Petersburg Psychology and Human Resource department staff.  This portion of the interview is anticipated take place by the end of January 2025, and will include psychology specific interview questions, and a panel interview in which you will be asked to respond to a number of scenarios which could arise within a correctional facility.

Overall, the interview process is structured to provide prospective Interns and FCC Petersburg staff with a variety of opportunities to adequately assertain the goodness-of-fit between the individual and the site.  Offers of positions at each site are subsequently made in strict accordance with the policies of APPIC's Internship Matching Program.

Details associated with procedures required prior to obtaining an interview at FCC Petersburg, a federal secure facility, are discussed in detail in the FCC Petersburg internship brochure.  Applicants are encouraged to read these procedures thoroughly as they are detailed, and to request clarification of the Internship Coordinator at kheck@bop.gov, if needed.
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 application deadline
Dissertation Proposal Approved: Yes, by application deadline
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):
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: Applicants for FCC Petersburg Doctoral Psychology Internship positions are applying for a position in a federal law enforcement agency. Therefore, selection entails not only demonstration of exceptional qualifications as an "advanced graduate student / Psychologist in training," but also suitability for work in a position of public trust. In general, BOP employees, including Doctoral Psychology Interns, are held to a high standard of personal conduct and responsibility, and are expected to be law-abiding citizens who can serve as strong role models for the inmate population. All BOP positions are designated as “sensitive.” As such, Psychology Intern candidates must meet the same eligibility and pre employment requirements as permanent BOP staff members before assuming employment. These requirements include successful completion of a USAJOBS application and Core Values Assessment (CVA), basic correctional background investigation, drug screen, and panel/pre-employment interview. Selected FCC Petersburg Doctoral Psychology Interns subsequently complete a two week BOP Institution Familiarization training course at the outset of their internship year, another requirement of all new BOP employees. Selected Psychology Interns additionally participate in a one-week orientation to the FCC Petersburg Psychology Services department. Questions regarding whether applicants qualify for a law enforcement position should be directed to Human Resource Specialists at any of the BOP internship sites. New information due to the Covid-19 Pandemic: As a mandatory public requirement , the Bureau of Prison requires all staff, including Psychology Interns, to receive the COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment. Proof of vaccination status will be required at all Bureau of Prison internship programs. The CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card you received at vaccination will meet this requirement. You may request a reasonable accommodation from the mandatory vaccination policy due to a qualifying disability or medical condition or based on a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. If you have questions regarding this policy, please contact the FCC Petersburg Human Resources Department at (804) 504-7200.
Program Description

The Doctoral Psychology Internship Program at FCC Petersburg will provide one year of full-time training (approximately 2,000 hours) in the FCC Petersburg Psychology Services department to four doctoral level Psychology Interns.  The 2025-2026 internship year at FCC Petersburg will begin during mid August, 2025.

FCC Petersburg earned Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) Membership in August, 2012, and will participate in the 2025-2026 Match as an APPIC Member. 

The FCC Petersburg Doctoral Psychology Internship earned full American Psychological Association (APA) Accreditation in April, 2014.  The program was accredited for seven years, with the next scheduled Site Visit having taken place in 3/23 due to delays associated with Covid-19.  Results of this Site Visit suggested that FCC Petersburg earned 10 year accreditation.  

FCC Petersburg Psychology staff members are committed to modeling the internship program after the standards set forth by both APPIC and APA.  FCC Petersburg staff are committed to attracting and retaining diverse Interns and faculty/staff.

The FCC Petersburg Doctoral Psychology Internship program is guided by the Practioner-Scholar model.  Consistent with APA guidelines for internships, all interns receive four hours of supervision per week, of which at least two hours involve individual supervision.  Presently FCC Petersburg Psychology staff include five licensed Psychologists.

FCC Petersburg Psychology Interns have the opportunity to complete a four month rotation on each of the available primary rotations (e.g., Drug Abuse Program, General Population/Mental Health, and Sex Offender Management Program).  Psychology Interns additionally complete a year-long secondary general population/mental health focused rotation, where each Psychology Intern has the opportunity to provide longer term care to their caseload.

Information about Bureau of Prisons Psychology careers can be found at: www.bop.careers/psychintern

Additional information associated with the FCC Petersburg Doctoral Psychology Internship can be obtained by viewing the following website: pex_internship_brochure.pdf (bop.gov)

Information about the FCC Petersburg Doctoral Psychology Internship can also be obtained by contacting the Acting Internship Program Coordinator (Kelli L. Heck Brown, Ph.D.) directly at the following email address: kheck@bop.gov

 

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations
Infants:
Toddlers:
Children:
Adolescents:
Adults: Yes
Family:
Older Adults: Yes
Inpatients:
Outpatients:
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:
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment: Experience (21% to 30%)
Individual Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Couples Therapy:
Family Therapy:
Group Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Community Intervention:
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:
Evidenced Based Practice: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Evidence Based Research:
Supervision of Practicum students :
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology:
Women's Health:
HIV/AIDS: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Eating Disorders:
Sexual Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:
Physical Disabilities:
Learning Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Developmental Disabilities:
Assessment: Experience (21% to 30%)
Neuropsychology-Adult:
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: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sexual Offenders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Geropsychology:
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
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: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Administration:
Integrated health care - primary:
Integrated health care - specialty:
Other:

Information regarding the specific rotations associated with the FCC Petersburg Doctoral Psychology Internship can be obtained by clicking on the FCC Petersburg brochure located on the following website: pex_internship_brochure.pdf (bop.gov).

To obtain additional information prospective Psychology Interns may also contact the Acting FCC Petersburg Internship Program Coordinator (Kelli L. Heck Brown, Ph.D.) directly at the following email address: kheck@bop.gov

 

 

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.bop.gov/  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
Number of Completed Applications: 92 79 71 58 64 51
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 17 20 20 21 20 15
Total number of interns: 3 3 3 3 3 4 4
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 3 3 3 3 3 4 4
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 1 1 1 1
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 2 3 3 2 3 3 3
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs:
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 2 2 3 2 3 3 3
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 1 1 1 1 1
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2022-2023 2023-2024
Academic teaching:
Community mental health center: 1 0
Consortium: 1 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 0 0
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 0 0
Psychiatric facility: 0 0
Correctional facility: 0 4
Health Maintenance Organization: 0 0
School district/system: 0 0
Independent practice setting: 0 0
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 1 0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data: http://7
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