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Site Name: VA Western Colorado Health Care System

Department: Mental Health

Department : Mental Health

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 2467
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: VA Western Colorado Health Care System
Department: Mental Health
Address: VA Western Colorado Health Care System
2121 North Avenue
Grand Junction, Colorado 81501
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Distance from Major City: 250 miles east of Salt Lake City; 250 miles west of Denver
Phone: 970-263-2824
Fax:
Email: megan.mcbratney@va.gov
Web Address: https://www.grandjunction.va.gov/
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.va.gov/western-colorado-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/psychology-internship-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 & Lead / Director: Megan McBratney
Chief Psychologist: Spencer Baum
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: 07/03/2023
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 3
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class:
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 26297
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): See: https://www.psychologytraining.va.gov/benefits.asp
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Interns typically work from 8AM-4:30PM. Their day consists of training activities (e.g., seminars, individual supervision, Group Supervision, time for reading the literature), participation in interprofessional activities (e.g., staff meeting, treatment team) and direct service delivery (e.g., individual therapy, group therapy). See the training manual for a sample work day.
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: 11/20/2022 11:59 PM EST
Interviews at this site are:
  • Virtual
Interview notification date: N/A
Tentative interview date: N/A
Interview process description:

Completed AAPI submissions received by 11:59PM (EST) November 20, 2022 will be considered. Applications are reviewed by members of our training faculty and discussed as a training team. Application review is based upon educational experiences, training program quality, intervention/assessment experiences, essay responses and letters of recommendation. All applicants will be notified whether they remain under consideration by December 14th, 2022.

Qualified applicants are invited to interview through a video call. Each applicant will complete a one-hour interview with two members of our training faculty. There will be no in-person interviews. We conduct interviews remotely for two reasons: 1) we recognize the rural location of WCHCS can create a barrier to attendance for in-person interviews  and 2) we are committed to minimizing the expense of the application process, recognizing travel time and costs can represent a significant burden for applicants. Addiitionally, given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to commit to remote interviewing for the upcoming training year as a means of keeping both prospective interns and our staff safe.

We also host an optional Open House. For similiar reasons as stated above, we have decided to host our Open House virtually. We will be offering 2 open house dates on January 17th and January 18th 2023 that applicants may choose from. There will be no interviews during the Open House and we will not fomally evaluate interns during the Open House. The Open House is intended to benefit you as the applicant. During the Open House, the Training Committee will give presentations on various aspects of the internship program. Applicants will have the opportunity to ask questions of the Training Director and Training Committee members. Additionally, we will provide a feel for our campus through discussion and photos. In order to familiarize applicants with the Grand Junction area we will also answer questions about the area and provide visuals to assist with becoming familiar with the Grand Junction area.  Additionally, applicants will be able to meet our current interns and get their perspective on their experiences at our site during the Open House. We encourage you to attend the Open House so that you can get a better feel for the supervisors, the WCHCS setting and Grand Junction. We understand that participation in the Open House may not be feasible for everyone. If you are unable to attend one of the scheduled Open House dates but have specific questions about the training program, please contact the Training Director (Dr. Megan McBratney; megan.mcbratney@va.gov) directly.

 
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: The Wright Institute; Clinical Psychology- Psy.D. Program, 2021-2022 Nova Southeastern University- Psy.D. Program, 2021-2022 Alliant IU/CSPP-San Francisco; Clinical Psychology, Psy.D. Program, 2020-2021 Biola University/Rosemead School of Psychology;Clinical Psychology; Ph.D. Program, 2018-2019 Eastern Kentucky University; Clinical Psychology- Psy.D. Program, 2020-2021 George Fox University; Clinical Psychology- Psy.D. Program, 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 Pacific University; Clinical Psychology-Psy.D. Program, 2018-2019 Pacific University; Clinical Psychology-Ph.D. Program, 2021-2022 Seattle Pacific University; Clinical Psychology-Ph.D. Program, 2021-2022 University of Northern Colorado; Counseling Psychology-Ph.D. Program, 2021-2022 Texas Women's University; Counseling Psychology-Ph.D. Program, 2019-2021
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):
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 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:
Program Description

The VA Western Colorado Psychology Internship Program is committed to providing high-quality generalist education in the context of a rural setting. We emphasize a scholar-practitioner model with a focus upon the clinical application of psychology that is informed by science and grounded in the needs of the local community. This approach is ideal for applicants with a strong clinical background, appreciation for the thoughtful application of research and interest in the influence of local, contextual factors. Applicants who are interested in a) pursuing a clinical career in the VA system and/or in a rural setting, b) learning evidence-based practice and c) looking for a small, friendly and close-knit training atmosphere will likely feel the WCHCS internship program is a good fit for them. We aim to maintain a welcoming training environment that values cultural and individual differences. All things being equal, consideration is given to applicants who identify themselves as Veterans or members of historically underrepresented / disadvantaged groups. We strongly encourage students from diverse backgrounds to apply. The program funds three internship positions. The program is a 12-month, full-time appointment. Interns work 40 hours per week. All interns complete a total of 2080 hours of training, which is a VA requirement.

 

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: Yes
Students:
International Students:
Rural: Yes
Urban:
Low income: Yes
Homelessness: 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:
Group Therapy: EXPERIENCE (21% to 30%)
Community Intervention: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Consultation/Liaison: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Crisis Intervention: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Brief Psychotherapy: EXPERIENCE (21% to 30%)
Long-term Psychotherapy: EXPERIENCE (21% to 30%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation:
Primary Care: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Evidenced Based Practice: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Evidence Based Research:
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: EXPERIENCE (21% to 30%)
Neuropsychology-Adult: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Neuropsychology-Child:
Serious Mental Illness: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Anxiety Disorders: EXPERIENCE (21% to 30%)
Trauma/PTSD: EMPHASIS (31% to 49%)
Sexual Abuse: EXPERIENCE (21% to 30%)
Substance Use Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Forensics/Corrections:
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling: EMPHASIS (31% to 49%)
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:
Supervision:
Research:
Administration:
Integrated health care - primary: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
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: https://www.grandjunction.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
Number of Completed Applications: 7 10 67 57 63
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 7 7 29 34 35
Total number of interns: 2 2 3 3 2
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 2 2 3 3 2
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 1 1 0 3 0
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 1 1 3 0 2
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 2 1 3 2 2
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 1 0 1 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 17 5 5 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 22 60 7 11
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 0 0 0 0
Postdoctoral Fellow: 0 0 1 1 3 1
Community Mental Health Center: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Veteran's Affairs Medical Center: 0 0 1 1 0 1
Military Medical Center: 0 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 1
University Teaching Faculty: 0 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 0 0 0 0 0
Other (e.g. consulting): 0 0 0 0 0 0
Not Currently Employed: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Changed to Other Career Field: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown: 0 0 0 0 0 0
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