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Site Name: Sioux Falls VA Health Care System

Department: Mental Health Service Line

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Department : Mental Health Service Line

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 2206
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Sioux Falls VA Health Care System
Department: Mental Health Service Line
Address: 2501 West 22nd Street
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57105
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Distance from Major City:
Phone: 605-336-3230x7988
Fax: 605-333-5387
Training Director Email: Emily.Blegen@va.gov
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: http://www.siouxfalls.va.gov
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.va.gov/sioux-falls-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/psychology-training-program/
Primary Agency Type: Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Additional Agency Types:
Member of APPIC since:
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Emily Blegen
Chief Psychologist: Erik Lohmann
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 8
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 0
Position Information
Start Date: 07/01/2026
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: 34324
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class:
Fringe Benefits: Dental Insurance, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): Interns are eligible for 11 federal holidays. Interns accrue 104 hours of sick leave (SL) at 4 hours per pay period. Interns accrue 104 hours of annual leave (AL) at 4 hours per pay period, to be used at their discretion. The intern may be approved for up to 40 hours of authorized absence (AA) for documented educational purposes such as dissertation defense and conferences.
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site A typical work day would include one hour of scheduled supervision, one team meeting, and 4-6 hours of therapy and/or assessment clinical work; however, these may vary throughout the week and rotation. A team meeting can include an interdisciplinary treatment team meeting, the Training Director + Interns lunch, Journal Reading Group, Intern Time, etc. Therapy clinical work can include case preparation, individual and group therapy, and documentation. Assessment clinical work can include interviewing; administering, scoring, and interpreting assessments; report writing; provision of feedback; and chart review.
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: 11/16/2025 11:59 PM EST
A Virtual Interview are: Required
Interview notification date: 11/25/2025
Tentative interview date: 12/08/2025, 12/16/2025, 01/07/2026
Interview process description:

All personal interviews are conducted remotely via video to reduce application barriers. Interviews are individual and by invitation only. Candidates selected for an interview are scheduled to be notified by email between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Emails are released to all invited applicants at the same time. We ask that applicants specify more than one interview day preference. Interview day appointments will be determined by the order in which emails are received. Once an interview day has been agreed upon, we will provide further information and details. We regard interviews as a two-way process - a chance for us to meet and learn more about the applicant and an opportunity for the applicant to meet us and get a better understanding of our program. Interview days are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. CST, options including Monday, December 8, 2025; Tuesday, December 16, 2025; and Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Interview days involve sessions with the training directors, supervisors, and current interns, followed by formal interviews. Applicants will need to be available to interview on one of those days to be ranked. We adhere strictly to the selection process guidelines established by the APPIC.
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: *Adler University - Chicago *University of Denver *Biola University *Loma Linda University *Alliant IU San Diego *St. Thomas University *Florida Institute of Technology *Palo Alto University *John F Kennedy University *University of Indianapolis *University of South Dakota *California Lutheran University *The Wright Institute *George Fox University *Regent University *Alliant IU/California School of Professional Psychology - Los Angeles *Minnesota School of Professional Psychology - Twin Cities *Argosy University - Hawaii *Spalding University *WI School of Professional Psychology *St. Mary's University
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): 250
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 50
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 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: The Sioux Falls VA Health Care System’s training program closely adheres to guidelines from the APA, VA, and APPIC. As per APPIC policies, offers to interns cannot be made before Match Day. The VA Health Care System is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity, and the selection process is non-discriminatory. All new VA Health Care System employees must undergo background checks. Due to the time delay between completing background checks and the start of the internship year, selected interns will be instructed to begin this process promptly. Match results and selection are contingent upon passing background checks. Interns are subject to random drug screening during their appointments, which includes THC and CBD regardless of need, prescription, or its legal status. Please take a close look at trainee eligibility requirements found at the VA Psychology webpage (https://www.va.gov/oaa/hpt-eligibility.asp), which includes links to the eligibility requirements to train at VA Facilities (https://www.va.gov/OAA/docs/Am_I_Eligible_v5.pdf) and VA being a drug free workplace (https://www.va.gov/OAA/docs/VHA_HPTsDrug-FreeWorkplaceOAA_HRA.pdf).
Program Description

Thank you for considering the Sioux Falls VA Psychology Internship Program. If you are looking for a training site that offers broad clinical exposure, high-quality supervision, and the opportunity to serve Veterans in both urban and rural settings, our program could be a strong fit for your internship year. We are here to help you build on everything you have already acheived.

 

Please see our internship'swebsite for more information about our internship at: https://www.va.gov/sioux-falls-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/psychology-training-program/. Please do not hesitate to directly email Dr. Emily Blegen (Emily.Blegen@va.gov) if you have any questions.

 

 

 

EXPERIENCES OVERVIEW

2 Major Rotations (6 months each)
=16 hours per week + 2 hours individual supervision per week
Options:
*General Outpatient Mental Health OR General Outpatient Mental Health Telehealth Focus
*Posttraumatic Stress OR Posttraumatic Stress Telehealth Focus
*Rehabilitation & Extended Care (REC): Behavioral Recovery Outreach (BRO) Team program and
  Community Living Center (CLC) Psychology

Dr. Leiting is a CPT Regional Trainer, and we are able to offer an option in CPT certification training with formal consultation. We encourage and support completion; however, it is not mandatory for those who participate in the CPT training or Posttraumatic Stress rotation.

1 (12 month) or 2 (6 months each) Minor Rotation(s)
=7 hours per week + 1 hour individual supervision per week
Options:
*Addiction Recovery
*Administration
*Group Psychotherapy
*Military Sexual Trauma
*Primary Care Mental Health

12 month Assessment
=7 hours per week + 1 hour individual supervision per week + 1 hour group supervision ("Testing Team") per week
*Assessment (currently in the Neuropsychology Clinic)

Meetings - 12 months
=About 3 hours per week

Didactics - 12 months
=2 hours per week

 

 

 *Please note, we understand circumstances may cause unintentional disruptions to psychology training. We typically require a minimum 250 Intervention Hours and 50 Assessment Hours, and that remains our general standard. However, if you are interested in applying to our training program, but have not met the requisite hours, please apply as we will review applications case by case. In order for your application to be considered in this circumstance, be sure to include each of the following: 
1. Briefly outline the circumstances resulting in below the minimum required hours.
2. Describe the type of training received or other learning undertaken in lieu of direct experience. And,
3. Include a detailed summary of anticipated training experiences in terms of setting, modality, and hours.

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: Yes
Low income: Yes
People without housing: Yes
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Individual Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Couples Therapy:
Family Therapy:
Group Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Community Intervention:
Consultation/Liaison: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Crisis Intervention: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Brief Psychotherapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
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 :
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Women's Health: Exposure (1% to 20%)
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders:
Sexual Disorders:
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:
Physical Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Learning Disabilities:
Developmental Disabilities:
Assessment: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Neuropsychology-Adult: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Neuropsychology-Child:
Serious Mental Illness: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Anxiety Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Trauma/PTSD: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sexual Abuse: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Substance Use Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Forensics/Corrections:
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Feminist Therapy:
Religion/Spirituality: Exposure (1% to 20%)
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:
Research: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Administration: Experience (21% to 30%)
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: www.siouxfalls.va.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 2025-2026
Number of Completed Applications: 41 20 31 24 28 45 38 52 59
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 31 17 24 22 25 21 24 32 30
Total number of interns: 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 1 1 1 0 2 1 0 0 0
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 1 1 1 2 0 1 2 2 2
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 1
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 24 0 16 7 6 34 29 4 5
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 33 46 108 81 69 36 90 47 44
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025
Academic teaching: 0 0 0
Community mental health center: 0 0 0
Consortium: 0 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 1 2 1
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 1 0 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 1
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0 0 0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data: https://www.va.gov/sioux-falls-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/psychology-training-program/
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