> ![](media/image1.png){width="1.125in"
> height="1.4166666666666667in"}**Psychology Internship Program**
>
> **Director, Psychology Training Program (116B)**
>
> Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
>
> 1601 SW Archer Road
>
> Gainesville, Florida 32608-1197
>
> *(352) 374-6020*
>
> ***\
> **<http://www.northflorida.va.gov/>*
>
> **APPIC Match Numbers:\
> General Internship: 120711\
> Geropsychology Internship: 120712**
>
> **Application due date: November 15^th^, 2008**

## Accreditation Status

The predoctoral internship at the **North Florida/South Georgia Veterans
Health** System is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation
of the American Psychological Association. The next site visit will be
during the academic year 2015.

## Application & Selection Procedures 

The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System Psychology
Training Program offers APA-accredited internships to U.S. citizens who
are pursuing a doctoral degree in clinical or counseling psychology from
an APA-accredited institution. To be considered, students must
demonstrate completion of at least three years of graduate course work
and a minimum of 600 direct contact hours in assessment and
intervention. Applicants must be certified as ready for internship by
their Director of Training. Completed internship applications are
reviewed by the Psychology Selection Committee and must be received no
later than November 15th of the calendar year preceding the internship
year.

The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System is using the
uniform APPIC Application for Psychology Internship (AAPI). This form is
available on the APPIC web site. The address is http://www.appic.org,
and the application is in the Forms and Documents Downloads section.
Applicants may download the form, complete it, and send the completed
hard copy. To be considered complete, an application must consist of the
following documents:

-   North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System Internship
    Supplemental Application Form (Application form is a PDF file.)

-   APPIC Application for Psychology Internship (AAPI)

-   Three (3) letters of recommendation

-   Graduate transcripts

-   A curriculum vita

***Please note that, as part of our application, we require a one-page
supplemental application form. This form is included in this
document.***

With the exception of the graduate transcripts (which should be mailed
directly from the university), these materials should be sent as a
completed packet. Although applications will be accepted until November
15, applicants are encouraged to complete their applications as early as
possible.

After the November 15^th^ deadline, applications are reviewed by a
committee of 3-5 supervisory psychologists to select applicants for
interviews. We typically interview a little less than half of all
applicants, which works out to roughly 43-47 applicants based upon
100-110 applications each year. Once all selected applicants are
interviewed, the training committee meets to generate our match lists.
While we do inform applicants of their interview status by December 15,
we do not initiate additional contact subquent to the interviews. Intern
applicants are selected for interviews based upon ratings of the
following criteria: match between graduate training and our program;
assessment experience; practicum training; and academic preparation.
Interviewed applicants are further rated on goodness of fit and
interpersonal style and presentation.

***Interview dates*** are January 12th,16th, 23rd, and 26th, from 9:00
AM - 3:00 PM. Unfortunately, due to the large number of applicants and
interviews, the above dates and times are not flexible. Interns will
receive an interview schedule when they arrive for their interview, and
some effort will be made to match intern applicant and staff interest.
Interviewees will have between 2-3 individual staff interviews in the
afternoon. The morning is spent with different staff presenting their
training areas and answering questions. Lunch is provided on-site. If an
applicant cannot interview in person for any reason, we are happy to
schedule a telephone interview, which will not be on the aforementioned
interview days, but on another mutually agreed upon day and time.
Telephone interviews consist of two individual staff interviews and an
informational contact from an intern.

The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System adheres to all
Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action policies. This
internship site agrees to abide by the APPIC Policy that no person at
this training facility will solicit, accept, or use any ranking-related
information from any intern applicant.

If you are selected as an intern, you will be considered a Federal
employee, and the following requirements will apply. The Federal
Government requires that male applicants to VA positions who were born
after 12/31/59 must sign a Pre-appointment Certification Statement for
Selective Service Registration before they are employed. It is not
necessary to submit this form with the application, but if you are
selected for this internship and fit the above criteria, you will have
to sign it. All interns will have to complete a Certification of
Citizenship in the United States prior to beginning the internship. We
will not consider applications from anyone who is not currently a U.S.
citizen. Falsifying these documents will result in the intern\'s
immediate dismissal. The VA conducts drug screening exams on randomly
selected personnel as well as new employees. Interns are not required to
be tested prior to beginning work; but once on staff, they are subject
to random selection as are other staff.

**For additional information, please contact:**

> ***Marianne Freeman, Ph.D.***
>
> Director, Psychology Training Program (116B)
>
> Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
>
> 1601 SW Archer Road
>
> Gainesville, Florida 32608-1197
>
> *(352) 374-6020*
>
> *E-mail: marianne.freeman@va.gov*

The internship at the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System
is accredited by the American Psychological Association.

**For information regarding APA accreditation of this internship or
other accredited internships, please write or call:**

> Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
>
> American Psychological Association
>
> 750 First Street, NE
>
> Washington, DC 20002-4242
>
> *Phone: (202) 336-5979*
>
> *Fax: (202) 336-5978*
>
> *E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org*

## Psychology Setting

The Internship in Professional Psychology at the North Florida/South
Georgia Veterans Health System has been continually APA accredited since
1981. We also have an accredited postdoctoral fellowship program with
three fellows in each of the following emphasis areas: geropsycyhology,
substance abuse, and post traumatic stress disorder. Additonally, we
offer practicum level training and have from 5-10 graduate students from
the University of Florida as well as from other programs during a given
year. Currently we have 35 psychologists on staff throughout our medical
center\'s health care system, including six community based outpatient
clinics (CBOCs). Our staff is well represented in all major areas of
healthcare provision as well as serving on a variety of professional
committees and boards, oftentimes in leadership positions. All staff
have courtesy professor appointments with the University of Florida\'s
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, and two staff are
dually-appointed to UF\'s Shands Hospital and the VA. Our medical center
is affiliated with the University of Florida and Shands Hospital and as
such, offers clincial training to a variety of disciplines including
medicine, psychiatry, nursing, pharmacy, and social work.

## Training Model and Program Philosophy

The Psychology Internship Training Program at the North Florida/South
Georgia Veterans Health System has as its primary goal the training of
general adult practitioners. We follow a practitioner-scholar model.
Thus, the primary training focus is on direct clinical work. It is our
belief that interns must be exposed to a diversity of patient problems,
many different intervention techniques, multiple theoretical viewpoints,
and the relevant scientific literature. Based upon this philosophy,
interns receive broad, comprehensive training in preparation for
entry-level, generalist practice in professional psychology.

The internship trains students from APA-accredited graduate programs in
clinical and counseling psychology. The broad training in professional
psychology that interns receive builds upon their graduate education and
enhances their professional development as a clinical or counseling
psychologists. Although general adult practice is emphasized, the
internship retains sufficient flexibility to allow for individual
specialty training needs of the intern to be met. The educational model
of the internship program is eclectic, represented by a wide variety of
theoretical orientations and informed by the scientific literature. The
psychology staff view familiarity with the evolving body of scientific
and professional literature in psychology as critical to competence in
professional practice. Science is integrated with practice through both
didactic lectures and discussions of the empirical literature during
supervision.

The Internship Training Program reflects our commitment to generalist
preparation for clinical practice through a distribution of experiences
spanning assessment, therapy, and consultation. A given intern\'s
individualized program is one that takes into consideration graduate
school preparation and practica, planned career direction, intern
interests, and APA requirements. The intern participates in rotation
selection and receives advice as needed by the Training Director and,
when appropriate, the Training Committee.

Over the last seven years, 36% of our interns have been from diverse
backgrounds specifically including racial, ethnic, and sexual
orientation diversity. This percentage does not include non-traditional
students, such as older students, veterans, or interns for whom
psychology is a second career. If those interns are accounted for, then
51% of our past interns could be considered diverse. The 2005 research
statistics from the Committee on Accreditation (COA) indicate that
internships nationally had an average of 24% ethnic minority intern
representation. All interns that have begun our program have completed
our program.

Currently 22% of our staff is representative of a variety of
diversities, including ethnic, racial, and sexual orientation
minorities. The 2005 research statistics from COA indicate that
internships nationally had an average of 16% ethnic minority staff
representation. 50% of our staff are women and our staff also includes
three veterans (two women and one man.) We continue to be a growing
staff and look forward to the opportunity for additional
diversification.

## Although the medical center serves a predominately adult male population, there is an increasing number of female veterans using VA facilities (13% nationwide). Our Medical Center has a Women\'s Health Clinic which has been open since October 1999. This clinic address the medical and mental health needs of female veterans. The Psychology Service in particular has developed several groups and outreach programs for women veterans such as the Women Veterans Support Group. Additionally, Dr. Courtney Stahl is the Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator (MST) for our medical center in addition to being the psychologist assigned to the Women\'s Clinic.

## Program Goals & Objectives

Our training program is organized around six core goals and objectives.
Each rotation and training experience has identified specific
competencies associated wit these six general core goals and objectives.
The core goals and objectives listed below compose the clinical and
professional skills we believe provide the foundation for a solid,
effective, generalist psychologist. In the Rotations section, the
rotation-specific operational definitions of the six general goals and
objectives are provided.

**Goal 1: Assessment and Diagnostic Competency.** To produce entry-level
professionals who can demonstrate competence in their ability to conduct
psychological assessments. Objectives: To broaden interns\' development
of assessment skills in selection, administration, interpretation, and
report writing with data from objective and projective instruments,
clinical interviews, and record reviews; to enhance ability to make
differential diagnoses on Axis I and II; to formulate an appropriate
treatment plan; and to provide effective, collaborative feedback to the
referral source.

**Goal 2: Intervention Competency.** To produce entry-level
professionals who can demonstrate competence in their ability to conduct
a variety of psychological interventions. Objectives: To foster
interns\' development of group, individual, and couples therapy skills;
develop ability to conceptualize cases within a valid theoretical
framework; develop ability to formulate individualized treatment plans
and monitor therapeutic process and outcome; and to develop the ability
to conduct psychoeducational groups and workshops.

**Goal 3: Consultation and Communication Competency.** To produce
entry-level professionals who can demonstrate competence in their
ability to consult and communicate with peers, patients,
interdisciplinary teams, and other referral sources. Objectives: To
increase interns\' experience and skills in working with
interdisciplinary teams and referral sources; develop confidence in
their written consultative skills and role; and to develop the ability
to provide both oral and written communication in an effective and
efficient manner.

**Goal 4: Professional and Ethical Behavior.** To produce entry-level
professionals who can demonstrate competence in their knowledge of
professional standards, legal issues, and ethical conduct. Objectives:
To enhance interns\' ability to apply ethical decision-making processes;
to exhibit professional and ethical behavior in clinical work; to be
knowledgeable about general professional standards and conduct; to be
aware of APA Ethical Principles and relevant State of Florida ethics and
licensure rules and regulations.

**Goal 5: Human Diversity.** To produce entry-level professionals who
can demonstrate awareness of cultural and individual diversity in all
spheres of psychological practice. Objectives: To promote interns\'
knowledge and understanding of issues related to individual differences
and cultural diversity and to integrate the above knowledge and
awareness into psychological assessment, intervention, consultation,
research, and general professional behavior.

**Goal 6: Practitioner-Scholar Model/Scholarly Inquiry**. To produce
entry-level graduates who can think critically about relevant
theoretical and scientific literature and apply this thinking to their
clinical and research work. Objectives: To promote interns\' ability and
desire to seek out both new and classic knowledge bases; to apply
relevant literature and empirical data to their assessments and
interventions; to participate in staff research when appropriate; and to
complete their dissertations, if appropriate.

##  Program Structure

**Training Plan**

The internship year, which begins July 1st, consists of four three-month
rotations. The process of developing a training plan which ensures
competence in general clinical skills and which accommodates the special
interests of the individual intern is initiated at the beginning of the
internship year. This process is a collaborative one with the intern,
Training Committee, and Training Director involved. During orientation
week, interns meet with supervisory Psychology staff both informally and
formally in order to learn more about specific rotations offered. This
initial exposure to training staff is helpful for interns in making
their choices of rotations and supervisors. At the end of the
orientation week, interns select their rotations, and rotation
assignments may be adjusted throughout the training year by the Training
Director or the intern based upon continued assessment of the intern\'s
skills, interests, and need for further training.

At present, one internship position is funded by the VA\'s Geriatric
Research, Education, and Clinical Centers (GRECC). The intern selected
for this program receives specialized training in geropsychology and
spends half of their internship year focusing on the special problems
and needs of the aged. The remainder of the internship year is spent on
rotations that will ensure a commitment to generalist training.

All interns participate in certain core training experiences. Interns
are required to maintain a psychotherapy caseload of five outpatient
visits per week under the supervision of one or more staff psychologists
selected by the intern. This ensures that all interns have experience in
conducting both brief and long term individual and couples psychotherapy
across the internship year. Interns also participate in the testing
pool, which allows for a rotating assignment of assessment cases from
throughout the medical center. Typically interns complete between 7-10
cases each year.

**Supervision**

Interns receive regularly scheduled supervision for their clinical work.
They are scheduled for at least one hour of individual supervision per
week for their outpatient cases and one hour of individual supervision
per week for each primary rotation.

Supervisory psychology staff serve as role models through the provision
of clinical services in a variety of treatment settings as well as the
leadership roles they fulfill through their service on numerous VAMC
committees and participation in professional organizations. Oftentimes,
interns combine two rotations and thus receive two hours of supervision
weekly for their rotations in addition to the one hour of outpatient
case supervision. Interns also participate in two hours of weekly
scheduled group supervision in the form of case conferences. Therefore,
at a minimum, interns receive two individual hours and two group hours
of scheduled supervision weekly. Data from the last seven years
indicates that on average, interns receive at least 3 hours of
individual supervision weekly.

**Dissertation Research**

While interns are encouraged to complete their doctoral requirements,
including the dissertation, prior to beginning the internship, it is
understood that some students may desire to complete their research with
a veteran population. Individual arrangements may be made with the
Training Director and the appropriate supervisors for the intern to
spend up to four hours per week on such research. The intern must remain
at this medical center for this research activity.

**Evaluation**

The supervisory psychology staff strives to create a supportive and
collegial training environment where staff and interns have ample
opportunity to interact. Our success in creating an accessible and
effective training environment is assessed through intern evaluations of
the program and individual supervisors. In addition, the Training
Director meets both formally and informally with interns multiple times
during the training year to discuss intern satisfaction with the
training program.

The interns\' progress in our training program is assessed through
quarterly evaluations by their supervisors, including the supervisor for
their primary rotation as well as supervisors for their outpatient
cases. These evaluations address intern performance in professional
conduct and competency in assessment, intervention, and consultation.
This, along with evaluations of the intern\'s performance in case
presentations, assures frequent evaluation of intern\'s progress from
multiple sources.

Quarterly meetings are held at the end of each rotation which include
the training director, intern, and the intern\'s supervisors. During
these meetings feedback is provided to interns about their performance
based upon the evaluations described above, their training goals for the
year are reviewed and training plans updated if necessary, and feedback
is solicited from the interns about the program. Additionally, the
Training Director summarizes each intern\'s performance in midyear and
end-of-year evaluations, which are sent to each intern\'s graduate
school Training Director.

Interns are invited to attend and participate in our monthly Psychology
Service staff meetings and training committee meetings. Through
attending these meetings as well as periodic meetings with the Training
Director, interns are kept up-to-date about any changes in the
program\'s plans or policy.

Interns are expected to adhere to the Ethical Principles of
Psychologists and Code of Conduct by the American Psychological
Association and a copy of same is included in the Intern Handbook they
receive at the outset of the training year.

To ensure interns\' rights of due process, Psychology Service has
enacted Memorandum Number 116B-2: Complaints and Grievance Procedures
Initiated by Trainees and Memorandum 116B-15: Remediation of Problematic
Performance, Due Process, and Grievance Procedures. This policy
statement defines the actions that both interns and the Training
Committee must take should problems be identified in the intern\'s
performance. This policy is provided to all interns during orientation
week (or by request) and is discussed with them to ensure that they
understand their rights. Interns\' complaints and/or difficulties with
supervisors are subject to the same procedures. A copy of same is
included in the Intern Handbook interns receive at the outset of the
training year.

## Training Experiences (Rotations, Seminars)

The clinical rotations described below reflect the variety of services
offered by the Psychology Service at the North Florida/South Georgia
Veterans Health System. The interns' participation in four rotations
during the internship year is designed to increase their experience in
general areas of psychological practice. As an alternative, an intern
may use the rotations to enhance specialty interests and training in
Geropsychology, health psychology and neuropsychology, post-traumatic
stress disorder treatment, substance abuse treatment or inpatient
psychiatry. We have been adding new training experiences to our program
over the last year to reflect the Mental Health Enhancement Initiative,
which has allowed for hiring new staff and starting a variety of
exciting new programs.

***Inpatient Psychiatry Assessment Experience/Testing Pool***

Inpatient Psychiatry is included in the overall year long training
experience through being a part of the testing pool. The testing pool
consists of assessment cases being referred for diagnostic assessment
from a variety of areas in the medical center. Mostly, the testing pool
cases come from the MHC, inpatient psychiatry, and health psychology.
Interns take turns completing these assessments as they are referred,
which comes out to, on average, 8-10 testing cases over the course of
the year. The assessment cases typically consist of a diagnostic
interview, medical record review, and objective and/or projective
personality measures. When appropriate, other measures, such as
intellectual and neuropsychological testing can be incorporated as well.
Supervisors for this experience are selected based upon referral
question.

***Mental Health Clinic***

*Supervisory Psychologists: Marianne R. Freeman, Ph.D.; Khalil Sakalla,
Ph.D.*

The Mental Health Clinic rotation offers interns an experience in group
psychotherapy and diagnostic interviewing and treatment planning. During
this rotation interns have the opportunity to co-lead ongoing groups, as
well as begin new groups. Some examples of ongoing groups include the
Creative Living Group; Interpersonal Men's Group; and Fundamentals Group
(for individuals with thought disorders). Interns may elect to begin a
new group, as well. If interested, interns may continue to co-lead
and/or lead any of these groups as a year-long or longer term
experience. The other primary component of the MHC is conducting two
intake assessments weekly. These are comprehensive biopsychosocial
assessments for veteran enrollment into the MHC. These assessments
include determination of a five-axis DSM-IV diagnosis and initial
treatment plan. Interns can also follow individual therapy cases from
the MHC during this rotation. The Mental Health Clinic Rotation is
required as a half-time rotation and can be paired with other half-time
rotations, including CBOC/primary care/smoking cessation, Medical
Psychology, Women\'s Clinic, or Pain Clinic. It can also be a full time
rotation.

*Interns who complete this rotation will be able to:*

-   Conduct comprehensive psychological assessments involving
    interviews, cognitive and personality testing, and
    neuropsychological screenings as appropriate

-   Develop appropriate MHC and psychotherapy treatment plans and
    referrals

-   Conduct brief and long-term individual psychotherapy with a diverse
    group of veterans, including couples therapy when available

-   Co-lead existing groups and/or organize new groups to meet the
    intern\'s areas of interest

-   Conduct \"triage\" assessments for new psychotherapy referrals

***Clinical Neuropsychology/Traumatic Brain Injury***

*Supervisory Psychologists: Jason Demery, Ph.D.; Carmen Fernandez,
Psy.D.*

The rotation offers interns the opportunity to participate in the
evaluation and treatment of patients demonstrating diverse neurological
disorders. Interns will learn to administer a variety of standard
neuropsychological assessment instruments within an ongoing clinical
context. Clinical practice will be supplemented with didactic
experiences that will include neuropsychology, neurology, and psychiatry
grand rounds. Interdisciplinary approaches will be stressed so that
psychology interns can expect to collaborate with nurses, physicians,
and rehabilitation professionals. Under special circumstances, select
interns with sufficient background preparation may elect to extend their
neuropsychological assessment and treatment experience.

*Interns who complete this rotation will be able to:*

-   Design and conduct neuropsychological interviews

-   Develop a syndrome analysis, process approach to neuropsychological
    assessment

-   Demonstrate familiarity with the administration and scoring of a
    wide variety of commonly employed neuropsychological assessment
    instruments

-   Demonstrate knowledge of neuropsychological evaluation and treatment

-   Write comprehensive neuropsychological reports addressed to diverse
    referral sources

***Geropsychology***

*Supervisory Psychologist: Judy deMontmollin, Ph.D.*

This setting provides the intern with a three month non-specialty
training experience in Geropsychology. The primary setting is a 15-bed
Geriatric Evaluation and Management Unit in the Gainesville VAMC which
provides an opportunity for the intern to participate in the evaluation,
treatment, and disposition planning for the more acutely-ill geriatric
patient. Interacting with the Geriatric Clinic and with the Primary Care
Clinic patients provide the occasion to gain experience working with
elderly people in the community as well. The most recent addition to the
Extended Care Service is the Geri Firm, our geriatric outpatient clinic,
where the needs of these elders are varied. Here, too, the psychologist
serves as a team member responsible for delivering psychological
services to this outpatient population. In addition to rotations in
geropsychology, the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System
has available one internship position specializing in geropsychology.
Please refer to the section titled "Geropsychology Specialty Training"
for more complete descriptions of these positions.

*Interns who complete this rotation will be able to:*

-   Conduct an initial assessment of each new admission for the
    Interdisciplinary Team Conference

-   Select, administer, score, and interpret tests appropriate for
    geriatric populations

-   Gain an appreciation for the medical problems experienced by the
    elderly and the effects these illnesses have on personality,
    emotion, and behavior

-   Determine, with the supervising psychologist, the residents to be
    followed for psychotherapy and work closely with the
    Interdisciplinary Team in accomplishing therapeutic goals.

-   Gain an understanding of the social issues impacting the elderly in
    their daily lives, especially the issues of poverty, race, and
    gender

***Substance Abuse Treatment Program***

*Supervisory Psychologist: George Shorter, Ph.D.; Gavin Shoal, Ph.D.*

The NF/SGVHS supports several levels of care in an interdisciplinary
approach to the treatment of veterans with substance abuse problems.
Available to veterans in a 52-county rural and urban catchment area is
an array of services, including intensive hospital based detoxification,
ambulatory detoxification, residential care, transitional housing
program, dual diagnosis residential care, and a full range of outpatient
services including vocational rehabilitation. Primarily, Fellows will
participate in activities at our Gainesville location; however Fellows
who choose to seek experience with dually diagnosed patients may also
choose to spend some of their time working in our Lake City location.

The SATT uses a biopsychosocial model of addictive behaviors that
accommodates a developmental framework, with patients moving from one
type of service to another depending upon their individual needs and
treatment goals. The interdisciplinary team members provide their unique
perspectives on the patients' problems and, overall, the treatment of
substance use disorders. In addition, the SATT acts as an intensive
treatment resource for veterans served by practitioners in Outpatient
Clinics and Community Based Clinics, and provides for coordination of
services throughout the NF/SGVHS.

*Interns who complete this rotation will be able to:*

-   Demonstrate knowledge of substance use disorders, criteria, and
    course

-   Utilize assessment measures and procedures in addictions programs

-   Conduct group therapy in an addiction-based program

-   Conduct individual therapy and case management in an addiction-based
    program

-   Demonstrate knowledge of the rehabilitation process as an adjunct to
    treatment of those suffering addiction

-   Work with and organize a multidisciplinary treatment team

***PTSD and Anxiety Disorders Team***

*Supervisory Psychologists: Tom Hundersmarck, Ph.D.; Ronda Jordan,
Psy.D.*

The PTSD Clinical Team and Anxiety Recovery Clinic (PCT/ARC) provides
outpatient services to both male and female veterans. The PCT/ARC
program assists veterans in overcoming the debilitating symptoms of PTSD
(from traumas including combat, sexual assault, physical assault, POW
captivity or motor vehicle accident) and other Anxiety Disorders
(including Panic Disorder, Phobia and Generalized Anxiety Disorder).
Additionally, veterans treated in this program typically carry comorbid
diagnoses related to mood disorders, traumatic brain injury, and
substance abuse disorders.

The coordinator of the program is a psychologist and the PCT/ARC staff
is an interdisciplinary team composed of members from Psychology,
Psychiatry, Nursing, and Social Work Services.

The intern becomes a member of the team and has an opportunity to
broaden skills in psychological assessment, symptom conceptualization,
differential diagnosis and treatment. The team believes strongly in
developing a collaborative partnership with the veterans in the program
to assist them through a series of progressive stages that culminates in
the reduction or elimination of their symptoms. Group, individual and
family therapies are employed.

Specific responsibilities for the intern include co-facilitating
psychoeducational and exposure-based group therapies that are designed
to improve social skills, better manage stress-related symptoms and
eventually to reduce or eliminate the source of the specific Anxiety
Disorder. The intern also has the opportunity to coordinate care with
the Traumatic Brain Injury Team for veterans with these problems.
Interested interns may also gain experience in such areas as program
evaluation, staff training, research and external consultation with
inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities.

*Rotation Goals and Objectives:*

-   Discuss and apply research findings in assessment,
    conceptualization, diagnosis and psychotherapy.

-   Complete rotation and acquire hours of direct patient contact and
    supervision.

-   Complete at least 8 psychological assessments including
    interpretation of results, conceptualization of symptoms, diagnoses
    and treatment recommendations.

-   Produce a comprehensive, integrated written report on each
    assessment.

-   Serve as a co-facilitator in at least one fundamental
    psychoeducational group that meets 1 time per week for 75 minutes.

-   Serve as a co-facilitator in at least one group that teaches
    relaxation skills and cognitive-behavioral techniques for managing
    affect and meets 1 time per week for 75 minutes.

-   Serve as a co-facilitator in at least one exposure-based
    psychotherapy group that meets 1 time per week for 75 minutes.

-   Provide individual or family therapy to at least 2 veterans who are
    being seen in the PCT/ARC program.

-   Actively participate in case conceptualization and treatment
    planning performed in the weekly PCT/ARC treatment team meeting.

-   Actively participate in care coordination for veterans with PTSD and
    traumatic brain injury as part of the medical center's TBI Clinical
    Team.

-   During supervision, discuss 2 ethical dilemmas in therapy.

-   Attend supervision as scheduled and participate fully.

-   Meet deadlines for completion of required work.

-   Develop awareness of how PTSD interacts with individual differences
    in ethnicity, lifestyle, gender, and age-related factors.

-   During supervision, discuss diversity awareness related to PTSD.

-   Work with diverse veterans in the program.

-   Work with diverse staff members in coordinating care for veterans in
    the program.

***Primary Care Psychology***

*Supervisory Psychologists: Jason Burns, Ph.D.; Emily Burton, Ph.D.;
Monica Cortez-Garland, Ph.D.; Judy B. deMontmollin, Ph.D.; Krisha
Frassrand, Psy.D.; Anne Freund, Ph.D.; Julius Gylys, Ph.D.; Amy
Hershberger, Ph.D.; Kevin Lancer, Ph.D.; Ann Landes, Ph.D.; Valerie
Shorter, Ph.D.*

On the VA Primary Care Behavioral Health rotation, students learn how to
adapt clinical and health psychology services for the primary care
setting. Typical clinical activities include brief evaluation and
treatment of clinical and health psychology problems; "on demand"
consultation and collaboration with primary care practitioners for
psychological and medical management; individual and group treatment
formats; coordination of care with the onsite psychiatrist, clinical
pharmacist, and social worker; and triage decision making to prioritize
service delivery.

Common presenting problems for the primary care setting include
psychological ones (mood, anxiety, substance abuse, cognitive,
adjustment, somatoform, and sleep disorders), health behavior change
ones (smoking cessation, physical activity), and medically related ones
(coping with illness, treatment adherence, disease management, pain
management, and practitioner-patient communication). Throughout the
rotation, students can choose to emphasize particular patient
populations, presenting problems, or interventions as availability and
clinic demands allow. This rotation involves working side-by-side
throughout the day with "real time" supervision as the primary mode of
training. Depending on feasibility, you may also have the opportunity to
partake in primary care behavioral health and medical team meetings.

*Rotation Goals and Objectives*

**Assessment and Diagnostic Competency:** Interns will develop skills in
conducting brief assessments in the primary care settings. Assessments
will include record review, clinical interview, and brief psychological
testing as appropriate. Interns will be able to diagnose major
presenting problems, identify psychosocial issues impacting functioning,
and develop appropriate treatment plans. In addition, they will learn to
provide feedback, including diagnostic impressions and treatment plan,
to the patient and primary care team in a concise manner.

-   Rotation begins with observation of supervisor conducting 1-2
    clinical interviews and reviewing case conceptualization with
    supervisor.

-   Interns progress to conducting interviews with supervisor present
    and then independently when deemed competent to do so.

-   Interns will perform a minimum of 8 new patient evaluations
    assessments which include a full report placed in the patient\'s
    record.

-   Assessments will include developing an appropriate treatment plan
    including recommendations for individual or group therapy and for
    monitoring patient progress.

-   Interns will read pertinent information provided by the supervisor
    relevant to assessment within the primary care setting.

-   Intervention Competency: Interns will develop skills providing brief
    interventions in the primary care setting. These interventions will
    include both individual and group therapy with veterans

-   Implement treatment plans developed in primary care assessments.

-   Conduct brief individual psychotherapy with negotiated number of
    primary care patients.

-   Observe and/or Co-Lead one brief (approximately 4 session) group
    intervention.

-   Co-lead or independently conduct at least two brief group
    interventions.

-   Consultation and Communication Competency: Interns will gain
    increased experience and skills related to working with
    multidisciplinary teams and referral sources.

-   File brief assessment and intervention reports aimed at answering
    referral questions and providing relevant information to referral
    sources.

-   Provide clear verbal feedback to patients, families, and referral
    sources as appropriate.

-   Attend weekly primary care team meetings and discuss cases as
    appropriate.

-   Present one primary care case at case conference (if appropriate).

-   Professional and Ethical Behavior: To enhance the intern\'s
    awareness of ethical issues, and to foster the practice of ethical
    behavior in professional and clinical work.

-   Discuss at least 2 ethical issues during the rotation.

-   Discuss, during supervision, intern\'s professional development and
    presentation in the areas of consultation, team meetings, and in
    their therapy work.

-   Human Diversity: To promote the intern\'s understanding of, and
    sensitivity to, issues related to individual differences and
    cultural diversity.

-   Discuss two diversity issues during the rotation. These issues may
    be related to individual and cultural differences in the experience
    of health issues.

-   Interact with a diverse set of patients during the rotation.

-   Work with multiple diverse staff members assigned to the primary
    care behavioral health team.

-   Engage in ongoing discussion of how well the intern is aware of,
    respects, and is able to deal effectively with individual and
    cultural differences.

-   Practitioner-Scholar Model: To promote the intern\'s ability to
    apply both new and classical knowledge and research to their
    assessment and intervention work and to their professional
    development.

-   Read and discuss at least two readings from the supervisor and
    explain how the information is applicable to at least one
    evaluation, group, or therapy case.

-   Find one recent, empirical article relating to the practice of
    clinical health psychology, and discuss how this information can be
    applied to the primary care patient population.

-   Subscribe to free table of contents for at least one flagship
    primary care medical journal and read abstracts for articles
    relevant to behavioral health.

The supervisor will provide the intern feedback at the midpoint and end
of the rotation as well as the need arises. Formal written evaluation of
the intern\'s performance will be provided using the Intern Evaluation
form.

*By the end of this rotation, the intern will have:*

1.  An understanding of the practice of clinical health psychology in a
    primary care setting.

2.  Developed practical assessment and intervention skills that can be
    used in primary care and other healthcare settings.

3.  Gained experience utilizing various behavioral medicine
    interventions (both individual and group interventions).

4.  Developed an appreciation of the utility of brief, empirically
    supported psychological interventions in a health care setting.

5.  Gained experience consulting with a variety of healthcare
    professionals.

***Medical Psychology***

*Supervisory Psychologist: Linda R. Feldthausen, Ph.D.*

The Medical Psychology program offers psychological services to Medical
and Surgical inpatients and outpatients and their families on a
consultation-liaison basis. Currently, consultations are being done on
inpatient wards, intensive care units, a chemotherapy clinic, a dialysis
unit, and other medical/surgical specialty clinics.

An intern will have the opportunity to observe and participate in an
interdisciplinary team approach to patient care. Particular learning
experiences, in addition to psychological evaluation and treatment, will
include interacting with patients and their families, filling the role
of liaison between patient and caregiver or family member, assisting in
end-of-life planning, and generally facilitating the patient's
adjustment to the treatment regimen and adopting a more healthful
lifestyle. Both short-term and extended interventions may be utilized
with individuals, couples, or families. Biofeedback is among the
treatment modalities employed, and it is available on a selective basis
through referral and screening. Inpatient consultation designed to
provide palliative management of substance abuse and nicotine use
problems acutely is also offered.

Psychologists working in this program also perform preoperative
evaluations of candidates for organ transplantation. Currently, these
psychosocial assessments are being conducted with veterans requiring
bone marrow, kidney, heart, lung, and liver transplants. Recent
case-finding efforts by this health care system have revealed large
numbers of veterans who are positive for hepatitis C virus antibodies.
Because a treatment medication has been found to have mood-altering
properties, Medical Psychology staff and interns are performing
screening evaluations with veterans under consideration for its use.
Preoperative evaluations for patients planning bariatric surgery are
also conducted by Medical Psychology staff.

Other aspects of the program include weekly attendance at meetings with
interdisciplinary staff members from the Medical, Surgical, and
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Units focused on providing support
services for patients and their family members. This program also meets
weekly with the interdisciplinary team from Palliative Care for
consultation on patients transitioning to that level of care. Meetings
with hospital or clinic staff groups are conducted upon request, either
ad hoc to address matters of acute concern, or on a regular schedule in
the interest of providing support, improving communication, and
enhancing team identity and cohesion.

As requests for unique services present, they are evaluated in the light
of their contribution to patient care and their value as training
experiences. Dr. Feldthausen is the overall director and coordinator of
the program.

*Interns who complete this rotation will be able to:*

-   Conceptualize a psychological consultation issue utilizing clinical
    interview and history, including information from the client\'s
    Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) entries.

-   Demonstrate competence in consultation, in responding to referring
    professionals, and in intervention as indicated.

-   Conduct evaluations preceding medical/surgical procedures and convey
    results of these effectively both verbally and in written reports.

-   Demonstrate knowledge of medical record review, medical terminology,
    pharmacology, and pathology.

-   Participate in the interdisciplinary approach to health care,
    spanning the range from prophylaxis to assisting in end-of-life
    planning.

-   Acquire familiarity with science-based and other professional
    literature pertinent to health psychology topics, receiving
    materials from the supervisor and contributing readings of interest.

***Behavioral Family Therapy (FaMHeLP)***

*Supervising Psychologist: Jennifer W. Adkins, Ph.D.*

The Family Mental Health Learning Program (FaMHeLP) is a new program
that was developed as part of the VA's mental-health initiative. FaMHeLP
provides outpatient treatment for veterans who are seriously mentally
ill by; helping their families understand mental health and
mental-health treatment, helping the families learn how to support the
veteran's recovery process, and connecting families to community-based
mental-health resources. Primary experiences of this rotation will
include family assessment, family psychoeducation, and didactic /
self-study of individual and family systems issues that are relevant to
individuals with severe mental illness and their family members.

*Interns who complete this rotation will be able to:*

-   Identify family systems issues relevant to recovery from severe
    mental illness.

-   Identify issues relevant to the treatment of Schizophrenia, Bipolar
    Disorder and Severe Depression.

-   Demonstrate increased competency in family assessment.

-   Demonstrate increased competency in family psychoeducation.

***Pain Psychology Rotation***

*Supervisory Psychologist: Roger Fillingim, Ph.D.*

The Pain Psychology rotation offers cognitive-behavioral pain management
services to veterans experiencing chronic pain. Services include
comprehensive intake/assessment and group and/or individual treatment.
Interns can participate in the Pain Psychology rotation as a partial
three-month or six-month rotation, with the following goals and
objectives which can be tailored to address an intern\'s specific
training plan.

*Rotation Goals and Objectives:*

**Assessment and Diagnostic Competency.** To broaden interns\'
development of pain psychology assessment skills, including
administration and interpretation of data from clinical interviews,
record reviews, and psychometric instruments; to enhance ability to
identify psychological contributions to chronic pain symptomatology; to
formulate appropriate treatment plans; and to provide timely and
informative feedback to referral sources.

-   Complete at least six individual intake evaluations, which include
    data from clinical interviews, record reviews, and psychometric
    instruments.

-   Begin rotation by watching at least two clinical intake interviews
    conducted by the supervisor; conduct at least two intake interviews
    in presence of supervisor; progressing to conduct five to six intake
    interviews independently.

**Intervention Competency:** To foster interns\' development of group,
individual, and psychoeducational skills

-   Co-facilitate the weekly Pain Coping Skills Group, a group for
    patients with chronic pain who are interested in learning new coping
    techniques. Begin by watching the supervisor facilitate for the
    first several groups and progress to being the primary planner for
    group topics and the leader of group discussions.

-   Conduct individual cognitive-behavioral therapy as appropriate with
    negotiated number of individuals.

-   Consultation and Communication Competency: To increase interns\'
    experience and skills in working with multidisciplinary teams and
    referral sources.

-   Present assessment results/recommendations to the attending
    physician, residents, and fellows in the Anesthesia Pain Clinic and
    communicate with other referral sources through personal
    interaction, e-mail, or by identified signer.

-   Develop a brief and effective writing style with an emphasis on
    diagnostic issues and influence of psychological factors on the
    patient\'s pain condition.

**Professional and Ethical Behavior:** To enhance interns\' ability to
apply ethical decision-making processes, and to exhibit professional and
ethical behavior in clinical work.

-   Discuss at least two ethical dilemmas during the rotation.

-   Discuss during supervision the intern\'s professional development
    and presentation in the areas of consultation, team meetings, and
    therapy.

**Human Diversity:** To promote the intern\'s application of research
knowledge and understanding of and sensitivity to issues related to
individual differences and cultural diversity.

-   Discuss two diversity issues over the course of the rotation.

-   Discuss individual differences and cultural diversity issues related
    to pain and pain management.

-   Work with diverse patients in both assessment and therapy.

-   Work with diverse staff.

-   Engage in ongoing reflection during supervision about how well they
    respect, are aware of, and are able to deal effectively with
    individual and cultural differences.

**Practitioner-Scholar Model/Scholarly Inquiry:** To promote the
intern\'s ability to seek out and apply both new and classic knowledge
and research to their assessment and intervention work and to their
professional development.

-   Read and discuss at least two readings from the supervisor and
    discuss the applicability of the information to at least one
    assessment, group, or therapy case.

-   If possible, participate in the weekly pain research meeting in the
    Center for Pain Research at the University of Florida.

-   If interested, observe and/or participate in the supervisor\'s
    ongoing pain research projects during the rotation.

-   Discuss the importance of utilizing empirically validated methods
    and treatments in psychological management of chronic pain.

***CBOC Primary Care Experience***

*Supervisory Psychologists: Psychologists based in any of our CBOCs.*

For this rotation in Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) Primary
Care Psychology, interns learn how to adapt traditional clinical and
health psychology services for the primary care setting. Typical
clinical activities include brief evaluation and treatment of clinical
and health psychology problems; consultation and collaboration with
primary care practitioners for psychological and medical management; use
of print and media for intervention and education; individual and group
treatment formats; coordination of care with the onsite social worker;
and triage decision making to prioritize service delivery. Interns will
also gain exposure to a rapidly developing modality of 21st Century
healthcare, the use of live video-teleconferencing for the for delivery
of clinical services. Common presenting problems include psychological
ones, such as affective, mood, somatoform, and adjustment disorders;
health behavior change ones, such as smoking cessation, physical
activity, and weight management; and medically related ones, such as
pain management, coping with illness, treatment adherence, and
practitioner-patient communication. Throughout the training experience,
interns can choose to emphasize particular patient populations or
particular presenting problems as availability allows. In this context,
interns also have the opportunity to make a continuing education
presentation to clinic providers or to develop a clinical intervention
involving a special interest area. This training experience requires
travel to Ocala. This training experience is offered as part of the
Health Psychology Rotation or, in some cases, as part of the
Geropsychology rotation.

***Clinical Research Opportunities***

*Supervisory Psychologist: Roger Fillingim, Ph.D.*

Dr. Roger Fillingim performs research on biological, social, and
psychological factors that may influence the experience of pain. Much of
Dr. Fillingim\'s research involves the use of standard psychophysical
procedures to assess subjects\' responses to pain. The major line of
research in Dr. Fillingim\'s laboratory focuses on how women and men
experience pain differently. Women appear to experience more pain in
daily life than men, and they also generally show lower pain thresholds.
Dr. Fillingim is interested in understanding the reasons for these
gender differences, and his research examines psychosocial factors (e.g.
mood, coping, sex roles) as well as physiological variables such as
hormone levels and blood pressure. Dr. Fillingim is also studying
whether pain-relieving medications work differently for women and men
and whether sex hormones can change the effectiveness of pain medicines.
Dr. Fillingim is also interested in certain pain disorders, especially
those that are more common in women than men, including TMJ pain. Dr.
Fillingim is also interested in understanding ethnic differences in the
experience of pain. Dr. Fillingim\'s research is primarily funded by the
National Institutes of Health. Interns are welcome to participate in Dr.
Fillingim\'s research. Interns may also participate in Pain Clinic
intakes on a regular basis, with some opportunity to follow individual
cases. Also, a Chronic Pain Coping Skills Group is open for intern
participation.

***Geropsychology Specialty Training***

*Supervisory Psychologist: Judy deMontmollin, Ph.D.; Paul Bessette,
Ph.D.; Merle Miller, Ph.D.*

Interns have opportunities for development in several settings in the
Extended Care Service. The GRECC (Geriatric Research, Education, and
Clinical Center), sponsors one internship position in geropsychology.
This internship involves a six-month full time commitment to training in
geropsychology, mainly serving as the Psychology Team Member for the GEM
(Geriatric Evaluation and Management) Unit. On this unit, the intern
participates in all team activities, such as rounds and care planning
meetings, interviews and evaluates each new resident, and determines
what, if any, psychology services will be needed in conjunction with Dr.
deMontmollin and the Geropsychology Fellow. Services include an initial
interview and neuropsychological screening; then, derived from the
initial interview, the intern and the supervisor develop a plan for
needed psychological services ranging from behavioral management to
frequent psychotherapy. The psychology intern is an important member of
this interdisciplinary team and historically is well respected and very
much relied upon for diagnosis and treatment.

Interns can also participate in the Extended Care Service on a 3-month
rotation, working in the Geriatric Outpatient Clinic, on the GEM, and in
the Palliative Care Unit. In the Geriatric Outpatient Clinic, the intern
works with Dr. deMontmollin in providing psychological services to the
more than 2000 outpatients in this clinic especially dedicated to the
care and provision of services to veterans over 70 years of age.

Additional areas of experience for the interns are consultations in
Health Psychology and Inpatient consultations, since Dr. deMontmollin
receives every consult for patients over 70 years of age from all
consults received by Psychology Service.

With numerous areas of experience from which to draw, the intern goals
and objectives are flexible in order to meet each trainee\'s specific
training needs.

*Rotation Goals and Objectives:*

**Assessment and Diagnostic Competency:** To broaden the intern's
development of interviewing and assessment skills, utilizing the
psychodiagnostic interview and the neurological screening to provide an
initial assessment and treatment plan.

-   Begin rotation by participation on clinical rounds on the GEM and
    Team Meetings with the supervisor.

-   Observe three clinical interviews conducted by the supervisor, prior
    to assuming the clinical responsibility for the intakes or
    consultations.

-   Learn how to evaluate consultations, i.e., what the problem is that
    may be underlying a consult but unstated by discussing each consult
    with the supervisor and, if possible, with the referral source.

-   Perform at least 5 intake interviews with neuropsychological
    screening per quarter.

-   Select, administer, and score tests appropriate for geriatric
    patients.

**Intervention Competency:** To develop interns' competency in
envisioning and then selecting from a wide variety of treatment
modalities from behavioral management to traditional psychotherapy based
on the needs and competency of the individual patients.

-   Develop a treatment plan tailored to the individual patient's needs.

-   Develop competency in planning at least one behavioral intervention
    or more as needed by the GEM Unit.

-   Develop competency in providing short-term psychotherapy for at
    least 3 clients.

-   Provide couples therapy or family counseling as needed.

-   Consultation and Communication Competency: To increase the interns
    experience and skill in working in an interdisciplinary team.

-   Attend weekly GEM team meeting and once a week walking rounds.

-   Within the team meeting, discuss individual assessment of patients
    and work with team to develop an overall rehabilitation plan.

-   Develop brief and effective writing skills for assessments and
    progress notes.

-   For consultations, give succinct and effective feedback to referral
    source.

-   Participate in supervision 2-3 times weekly for both GRECC trainees
    and three-month rotation interns.

-   Professional and ethical behavior: To enhance intern\'s ability to
    consider ethical issues and to make professional and ethical
    decisions in their work.

-   Discuss ethical dilemmas, including dying with dignity, DNR
    declarations, Living Wills, the provision of palliative care.

-   Discuss the right to refuse treatment (even the treatment of
    psychologists!).

**Human Diversity:** To promote interns\' knowledge of and sensitivity
to issues of human diversity and cultural differences.

-   Discuss race and sexual diversity as it relates to the treatment of
    hospitalized patients.

-   Discuss diversity issues in supervision as it relates to patient
    care.

-   Work with diverse patients and staff and discuss related issues in
    supervision.

-   Engage in ongoing discussion of respecting and working within
    individual and cultural differences.

**Practitioner-Scholar Model:** To promote the interns' ability to seek
out and to apply both new and previous knowledge about the lives of the
elderly and how that relates to their specialized care.

-   Read and discuss at least two recommended readings from supervisor
    and apply the knowledge to working with elderly clients.

-   Discuss with supervisor and other team members the effect of
    long-term and chronic illness on the elderly.

-   Appreciate the effect of common medications on the elderly.

-   Meet with supervisor and other geriatric interns monthly to share
    scientific articles. The GRECC intern will present three articles in
    this journal club format; the Geropsychology intern would present
    one article.

***Hospice/Palliative Care and Geropsychology***

*Supervisory Psychologist: Paul Bessette, Ph.D.*

The Extended Care Service at the Lake City VAMC consists of five
separate units with a total of approximately 200 geriatric beds. The
units\' specialties include dementia specialty care, rehabilitation and
restorative care, intensive skilled nursing/medical management,
institutionalized long-term care (disabled and/or chronically ill), and
hospice/palliative care (terminally ill). Various units also provide
inpatient respite beds for short-term caregiver breaks.

This training experience affords the opportunity to participate as a
member of an interdisciplinary treatment team, which includes
representatives from Nursing, Medicine, Social Work, Physical Therapy,
Dietetics, and Pharmacy. Interns/fellows will attend didactic rounds
with residents/interns from these other disciplines present. Psychology
provides consultation for referral sources with services ranging from
evaluation to behavioral management or psychotherapy. There are also
opportunities to work with family members, caregivers, and staff
members. This interaction is an important component of working on the
hospice/palliative care unit. With our diverse population,
interns/fellows can tailor the training experience to their interests or
needs.

*Fellows/interns who complete this training experience will be able to:*

-   Perform evaluations of dementia and age-related cognitive decline,
    becoming familiar with the prevailing diagnostic nomenclature and
    specific diagnostic criteria.

-   Establish rapport and maintain a therapeutic alliance with older
    adults in individual or group psychotherapy.

-   Gain factual and experiential information about certain life events
    that typically occur in later life.

-   Understand aging individuals in the context of social structures, as
    social contexts define and shape the lives of older people.

-   Utilize specific techniques for working with the elderly who
    experience emotional suffering and dysfunction secondary to
    dementia.

Conceptualize cases for treatment planning and attainment of therapeutic
goals.

***Women's Clinic***

*Supervisory Psychologist: Courtney Stahl, Psy.D.*

This primary care clinic provides outpatient medical and mental health
services to women veterans and eligible wives of veterans. In addition
to the supervisory psychologist, the team is composed of two nurse
practitioners, a practical nurse, a physician, a psychiatrist, and a
clerical support person.

An intern will have the opportunity to observe and participate in an
interdisciplinary team approach to patient care. Particular leaning
experiences include psychological evaluations and provision of
psychotherapy, both short- and long-term. Special emphasis is placed on
the recognition and treatment of sexual trauma and domestic violence.
Treatment interventions may be utilized with individuals, couples,
families, and groups. Opportunities to co-facilitate ongoing
interpersonal and cognitive-behavioral groups are available to the
intern. An intern may develop short-term psychotherapy groups to address
specific heath-related concerns, such as assertiveness, weight loss,
coping with depression, and parenting.

*Interns who complete this rotation will be able to:*

-   Conduct comprehensive psychological assessments involving interviews
    and testing as appropriate.

-   Develop appropriate therapy treatment plans and referrals.

-   Conduct brief and long-term individual psychotherapy with female
    veterans, including couples therapy and/or family therapy.

-   Co-lead existing groups and/or organize new groups to meet the
    intern\'s areas of interest.

-   Gain an understanding of the social issues impacting female veterans
    in their daily lives, especially the issues of sexual trauma,
    domestic violence, caretaking responsibilities, race, gender, and
    poverty.

***Employee Assistance Program***

*Supervisory Psychologist: Courtney Stahl, Psy.D.*

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides supportive services to
employees who are experiencing stress that potentially could interfere
with their optimal work performance. Confidential services provided
include evaluation, crisis intervention, supervisory consultation,
short-term counseling, and referral to community agencies for long-term
counseling.

An intern will have the opportunity to participate in all phases of this
program. Additional experiences will include facilitating and
co-facilitating psychoeducational groups designed to address specific
job-related issues such as assertiveness, conflict resolution,
communications, and well being.

***Seminar Series***

The internship program has a weekly seminar series with presentations by
staff psychologists, university faculty, and psychologists in the
community. Psychology Service is an approved APA CE provider; thus,
intern/staff seminars and case conferences are both eligible for CEU
credit. In addition, attendance at The University of Florida Department
of Clinical and Health Psychology Case Conference Series is a part of
the internship program. The Case Conference Series provides clinical and
research presentations by University of Florida faculty and guests.

The two weekly didactic series complement each other and comprehensively
address the science and practice of professional psychology. The content
of these didactic series fall into a number of broad areas that include
but are not limited to: the application of theory and science to the
professional delivery of psychological services; professional conduct
and ethics; and standards for providers of psychological services.
Didactic lectures also include such topics as cultural diversity,
psychotherapy, assessment, supervision, crisis intervention,
psychopathology, and clinical diagnosis.

We have recently started a twice monthly Neuropsychology Seminar series.
During this time various topics addressing Traumatic Brain Injury,
dementia, cognitive deficits, and general neuropsychology are discussed.

There is a considerable variety of ongoing seminars and case conferences
held throughout the medical center which interns may elect to attend as
their schedules permit. Interns are required to attend all Psychology
Service case conference and didactic training activities. Bi-weekly case
conferences are scheduled where interns have the opportunity to present
a psychodiagnostic assessment or psychotherapy case of their choice to
the Psychology staff for group discussion. Also, in conjunction with the
UF Department of Clinical and Health Psychology Internship Program,
weekly training conferences are scheduled with Psychology and Psychiatry
staff from the VAMC, Medical School, and the local community presenting
on a variety of clinical topics.

**The seminar list for the 2007-2008:**

-   July 13 -- Dr. Van Den Abell -- Report Writing

-   July 19 -- Training Committee Meeting - Staff Only

-   July 20 -- Dr. Freeman -- meeting with interns

-   July 26 -- Dr. Tesch -- Differences Among Combat Veteran Cohorts

-   July 27 - Suicide Assessment/Crisis Management -- Dr. Shenal

-   August 2 -- Psychology Service Meeting

-   August 3 -- Computer Training -- Dr. Shenal

-   August 9 -- Dr. Shoal -- Substance Abuse Treatment

-   August 10 - Dr. Feldthausen -- Clinical Interviewing

-   August 16 - Training Committee Meeting

-   August 23, 30 -- Smoking Cessation -- Dr. Gylys

-   August 24 -- OCD Treatment -- Dr. Adkins

-   August 31 -- Medical Terminology -- Dr. Gordon

-   September 6 -- Psychology Service Staff Meeting

-   September 7, 14 -- Pain Management -- Dr. Fillingim

-   September 13 -- Interns only -- Dr. Freeman

-   September 20 - Training Committee Meeting -- Open Case Discussion

-   September 21 -- Dr. Gylys -- Psychopharmacology for Psychologists

-   September 27 -- End of Rotation Intern Review

-   September 28 -- Neuropsychology: What is it? Where to start? How to
    do it? -- Dr. Shenal

-   October 5 -- Differential Diagnosis with Dementia -- Dr. Shenal

-   October 11- Case Conference -- Kim

-   October 12 -- \"Stigma in Mental Health\" -- Dr. Jordan

-   October 19 -- VA work and Private Practice -- Drs. Shenal and
    Sakalla

-   October 25 -- Case Conference -- Matt

-   October 26 -- Ethics (Note time: 9 -12)

-   November 2 -- Job Search -- Dr. Landes

-   November 8 -- Case Conference -- Merle

-   November 15 -- Training Committee Meeting

-   November 15 -- Intern Application deadline for 2008-2009 Training
    Year

-   November 9, 16 -- Mindfulness -- Dr. Freeman

-   November 29 -- Couples Therapy -- Dr. Hundersmarck

-   November 30 -- Time Limited Dynamic Therapy -- Dr. Frassrand

-   December 7, 14 - Chronic stress, proinflammatory cytokines and why
    Psychologists should care\" -- Dr. Lancer

-   December 13 - Case Conference -- Jennifer

-   December 21 -- Dr. Freeman -- meeting with interns

-   January 3 - End of Rotation Intern Review 2-4:30

-   January 6 -- Staff Meeting

-   January 11 -- TBI- Dr. Demery

-   January 31 -- Intern Applicant Ranking Meeting

-   February 1 - EPPP -- Drs. Landes and Demery

-   February 14 -- Case Conference - Kim

-   February 8, 15 -- Geropsychology and Palliative Care -- Dr.
    deMontmollin

-   February 21 -- Dr. Lopez -- Domestic Violence

-   February 28 -- Case Conference - Matt

-   March 7 -- Transplant Evaluations -- Dr. V. Shorter

-   March 13 -- Case Conference - Merle

-   March 14 -- Treating Asian-Americans -- Dr. Landes, Mr. Ong

-   March 20 -- End of Rotation Intern review (no training committee
    meeting)

-   March 21 -- Gender Assignment -- Dr. Lancer

-   March 27 (2-4pm) -- GLB Issues -- Dr. Burns

-   March 28 -- Dr. Freeman -- meeting with interns

-   April 4 -- Dr. Adkins -- Treating Multicultural Families

-   April 10 - Case Conference -- Jennifer

-   April 17 -- Training Committee Meeting -- Site Visit Prep

-   April 11 - Projective Testing -- Dr. Freeman

-   April 24 -- Dr. Gordon -- Special Project Presentation

-   April 25 - Grant Writing -- Dr. Fillingim

-   May 8 -- Domestic Violence tape and discussion

-   May 9 - Dr. Freeman -- meeting with interns

-   May 23 - Projective Testing -- Dr. Freeman

-   May 15, 16 -- Internship APA re-accreditation site visit

-   May 30 -- Dr. Pickren -- Special Project Presentation

## Requirements for Completion 

## Interns are expected to achieve ratings of at least \"3\" on all evaluation forms throughout the year, indicating that they are performing in a manner consistent with their current level of training. This allows for some variability with respect to training in areas in which they have considerable past experience and well as new areas, in which they may have little or no experience. Interns are expected to abide by the APA ethical principles and relevant Florida Rules and Laws. 

## Facility and Training Resources

The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System Psychology
Internship Program has a number of training resources available both
intramurally and through the auspices of the University of Florida.
Psychology Service has four full-time administrative positions to assist
in providing clerical and technical support to Psychology Service and
the internship program. All interns have their own private offices where
they see patients. Each office has a telephone and an individual
Windows-based personal computer for in-office use.

Both the Lake City and the Gainesville VA Medical Centers maintain their
own professional libraries, which are open to the interns, as is the
220,000 volume medical library at the J. Hillis Miller Health Center,
which receives 2,000 periodicals. The University of Florida\'s libraries
contain a total of 2.6 million bound volumes, which are available for
reference. Literature searches and regional interlibrary loan services
are also available through the VA medical library. Both audiotape and
videotape capabilities are available through Psychology Service and the
Medical Media Service. A videotape and audiotape library is also
maintained. Most commonly used intelligence, personality, achievement,
vocational, and neuropsychological tests are available in our test file.
Some are also available in an automated administration and
interpretation package. The Psychology Service maintains computer-based
biofeedback equipment, including electroencephalographic,
electromyographic, electrodermal, thermal, and multi-channel acquisition
and coordination units. Windows-based computers with word processing,
database, and statistical software are available. A computerized patient
database permits patient scheduling, as well as retrieval of medical and
biographic information.

## Administrative Policies and Procedures

**Stipend, Hours, and Leave**

The internship is full-time for a year beginning the first workday on or
after July 1 and ending June 30 or the closest work day the following
year. Interns are expected to complete 2080 hours of supervised
experience within the year. Interns are entitled to 10 Federal holidays
and earn sick leave and vacations days at a rate of four hours each per
two-week pay period. Interns may also use up to 3 days Authorized
Absence (AA) for their dissertation defense. Additionally, interns are
able to utilize AA for workshops and presentations with advanced
supervisory approval.

Some interns elect to work more than 40 hours; however, if the intern\'s
supervisor is not on site, the intern may not engage in any clinical
activities. The intern may, instead, write reports, do professional
readings, and/or work on their dissertations while at the medical
center. Unfortunately, due to VA policy, interns may not earn
compensatory time or overtime for working more than 40 hours in a given
work week. Interns also may not leave the internship before June 30.
Leaving prior to June 30 will result in the intern not receiving the
entire stipend amount and may prevent us from being able to certify that
the intern completed his/her internship.

VA Headquarters in Washington, DC, notifies us in January each year of
the number of intern positions we will receive for the following
internship year. For the current training year, we received four
full-time positions, including one designated for the geriatric
emphasis. We expect to receive a similar budget for next year. The
current stipend is \$22,898 per year. Federal income tax and FICA
(Social Security) are withheld from interns\' checks. The United States
Government covers interns for malpractice under the Federal Tort Claims
Act.

## Training Staff

***Chief***

***JEFFREY P. BURK, PH.D.***

University of Missouri-Columbia, 1987

Psychological assessment, inpatient psychiatry, substance abuse

***Assistant Chief***

***GEORGE SHORTER, PH.*D.**

Auburn University, 2001

Clinical psychology; dual-diagnosis; addictive disorders

***Director of Training***

***MARIANNE FREEMAN, PH.D.***

Nova Southeastern University, 1992

Personality disorders; psychological assessment; psychotherapy;
training; mindfulness and mind-body psychotherapy

**Training Staff**

***JENNIFER W. ADKINS, PH.D.***

Auburn University

Behavioral family therapy; health psychology; OCD; PTSD

***PAUL R. BESSETTE, PH.D.***

University of Southern Mississippi, 1995

Psychological assessment, psychotherapy, geriatrics/hospice.

***JASON BURNS, PH.D.***

University of Florida, 2003

Primary Care Psychology

***EMILY W. BURTON, PH.D.***

University of Texas, 2006

Primary care clinical and health psychology; weight management; chronic
pain management

***MONICA CORTEZ-GARLAND, PH.D.***

Texas Tech University, 2007

Primary care psychology; health psychology; smoking cessation

***JASON A. DEMERY, PH.D.***

University of Florida, 2004

Neuropsychology; traumatic brain injury; stroke; cognitive
neurorehabilitation; psychotherapy

***JUDY B. DEMONTMOLLIN, PH.D.***

University of Florida, 1977

Geriatrics; inpatient psychology; palliative care

***LINDA FELDTHAUSEN, PH.D.***

University of Florida, 2003

Medical psychology; palliative care; weight management; sexual trauma;
EMDR

***CARMEN C. FERNANDEZ, PSY.D.***

Florida Institute of Technology, 1996

Neuropsychology; traumatic brain injury; dementia; rural community
mental health

***ROGER B. FILLINGIM, PH.D.***

University of Alabama (Birmingham), 1990

Sex, gender, and pain research

***KRISHA FRASSRAND, PSY.D.***

Florida Institute of Technology, 2006

Health Psychology, Geropsychology, Psychotherapy, Psychological
Assessment.

***ANNE FREUND, PH.D.***

University of Florida, 1987

Primary care psychology

***JULIUS GYLYS, PH.D.***

Ohio University, 2000

Primary care clinical and health psychology; smoking cessation; rural
behavioral health; interpersonal psychotherapy

***AMY R. HERSHBERGER, PH.D.***

Texas Tech University, 2006

Primary care psychology

***THOMAS HUNDERSMARCK, PH.D.***

Temple University, 1991

PTSD; personality disorders; family and couples therapy; substance abuse
disorders

***RONDA R. JORDAN, PSY.D.***

Florida Institute of Technology, 2006

PTSD/Substance abuse

***KEVIN M. LANCER, PH.D.***

University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 2006

Primary care clinical and health psychology; psychoneuroimmunology;
geropsychology; psychotherapy; performance enhancement

***ANN T. LANDES, PH.D.***

Georgia State University, 2006

Primary Care Psychology; PTSD; Geropsychology; Palliative Care

***WANDAMARIA LOPEZ, PH.D.***

St. Louis University, 1990

Clinical psychology; PTSD; domestic violence; personality disorders;
military mental health; individual, family and group psychotherapy

***MARK D. REGISTER, PH.D.***

University of Georgia, 2004

Substance Use Disorders; Group Psychotherapy; Psychological Assessment

***KHALIL SAKALLA, PH.D.***

University of North Dakota\--Grand Forks, 2004

Geropsychology; health psychology; Mental Health Clinic

***RENE\' M. SHINAL, PH.D.***

Washington State University, 2005

Pain management; sex & gender differences in pain and analgesia;
health/medical psychology; psychological assessment; individual & group
psychotherapy

***GAVIN SHOAL, PH.D.***

University of Kentucky, 2005

Substance abuse disorders; substance abuse etiology; PTSD; health
psychology

***VALERIE SHORTER, PH.D.***

Ohio University, 1999

Health psychology; primary care psychology; rehabilitation psychology

***COURTNEY STAHL, PSY.D.***

Indiana State University, 2004

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; addictions; health psychology;
personality disorders; EMDR

***JULIA C. TESCH, PSY.D.***

Florida Institute of Technology, 2006

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; Addictions; Body Modification;
Mindfulness

**Vocational Rehabilitation**

***STANLEY E. FELTZ, Jr., MHS***

University of Florida, 1991

***MERRIS PAPPAS, MHS, CRC***

University of Florida, 1987

***DALE ROBERTS, MRC, CRC, LMHC***

University of Florida, 1975

**Clerical Staff**

***DEBRA STACEY***

Secretary

***JACKIE WELLINGTON***

Office Automation Assistant

***OSCAR MERCADO-PAGAN***

Program Support Clerk, TBI

***JACK MCKENZIE***

Program Support Clerk, PCT

##  Trainees

**2008-2009 Internship Class**

> Natalie Cross - University of Florida
>
> Svetlana Briker - Nova Southeastern University
>
> Cherie Watters - University of Louisville
>
> Adriana Yon - University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa

**2007-2008 Internship Class**

> Matt Blakely - Argosy University, Phoenix
>
> Kim Sibille - Fielding Institute
>
> Jennifer Gillette - Carlos Albizu University
>
> Merle Miller - University of Oklahoma

**2006-2007 Internship Class**

> Heath Gordon - West Virginia University
>
> Jason Pickren - Nova Southeastern University
>
> Candon Norton - Indiana State University
>
> Doug Malm - Argosy University, Phoenix

**2005-2006 Internship Class**

> Krisha Frassrand - Florida Institute of Technology
>
> Adrienne Williams - Duke University
>
> Amy Hershberger - Texas Tech University
>
> Rachaud Smith - Nova Southeastern University

**2004-2005 Internship**

> Kristi Zemanek - Argosy University, Phoenix
>
> Jennifer Menzel - Indiana University of Pennsylvania
>
> Heide Klumpp - University of Georgia
>
> Rene Shinal - Washington State University

**2003-2004 Internship Class**

> Courtney Stahl - Indiana State University
>
> Khalil Sakalla - University of North Dakota
>
> Elizabeth Mesa - Nova Southeastern University
>
> Alanna Goldstein - Nova Southeastern University
>
> Paige Bradley - University of Southern Mississippi

**2002-2003 Internship Class**

> Julio Rojas - University of Georgia
>
> Shawn Clark - University of Mississippi
>
> Olivia Chiang - Nova Southeastern University
>
> Gail Lisson - Chicago School of Professional Psychology
>
> Yolanda Crump - University of Southern Mississippi

**2001-2002 Internship Class**

> Linda Feldthausen - University of Florida
>
> Terence Bostic - St. Louis University
>
> Derek Oliver - Miami University
>
> Steven Kogos - University of Southern Mississippi
>
> Robert Rhodes - Virginia Tech

**Intern Feedback**

At the end of each training year, the interns and the Director of
Training go on a retreat to discuss the internship. Below are some of
the strengths of the internship at the North Florida/South Georgia
Veterans Health System that the most recent internship class shared with
the Director of Training.

-   Feeling of being in a \"mentally healthy\" environment with respect
    to Psychology Service.

-   Excellent, terrific, supportive, and amazing supervision \[words
    taken verbatim\]. Availability, quality, and quantity of supervision
    was one of the primary strengths of the program, according to the
    interns.

-   Good diversity of training rotations and experiences.

-   Supportive yet challenging atmosphere.

-   Staff served as good role models in a variety of ways; demonstrated
    effective collegial relationships.

-   Opportunity for multidisciplinary context; felt valued and respected
    by other disciplines.

-   High degree of graded autonomy; fostered professional development;
    encouraged own opinions (most of the time; some exceptions).

-   Excellent seminar series.

-   Always felt training came first.

-   Felt teamwork was valued, especially with respect to the interns\'
    relationship with each other.

-   Felt \"orientation week\" was very useful and beneficial.

-   Valued opportunity to take computer classes offered by the VA.

-   Valued seminars from Shands.

-   Felt our website did not do justice in conveying the dynamics, fun,
    and collaborative atmosphere of the department and training program.

## Local Information

The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System is headquartered
at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville and is located
adjacent to the University of Florida, an institution of more than
35,000 students.

The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System is affiliated
with the J. Hillis Miller Health Center at the University of Florida,
located directly across the street. This complex consists of the Shands
Teaching Hospital and the Colleges of Dentistry, Health Professions,
Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Medicine. All VA programs
are administered by the Director, Associate Director, and Chief of Staff
and are coordinated jointly with the University of Florida\'s Vice
President for Health Affairs and the appropriate colleges and faculty.

The Malcom Randall VA Medical Center is situated among the gentle hills
of North Central Florida in a scenic, tree-canopied community of 100,000
residents. Located midway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of
Mexico, Gainesville has a relatively mild climate suitable for
year-round enjoyment of sports and its varied lakes and recreation
facilities. Interestingly, Gainesville has more bicycle paths than any
other city in the United States. Gainesville is serviced by air, bus,
and train lines. Gulf- and Atlantic-coast attractions are within a
two-hour drive of the medical center. These include Orlando attractions,
such as Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World. Also nearby are
Busch Gardens and Cypress Gardens. The larger metropolitan areas of
Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, and Jacksonville are equally accessible.

Culturally, Gainesville is enhanced by the University of Florida and the
Center for the Performing Arts. Entertainers who have performed in
Gainesville recently have run the gamut from Matchbox Twenty, Lenny
Kravitz, Smashmouth, and the Rolling Stones to Ray Romano, Elton John,
and Bill Cosby to nationally renowned symphonies and Broadway plays.
Gainesville also supports a nationally known art festival, a community
band, a civic chorus, the University symphony, and dance groups. The
Florida Museum of Natural History, the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, and
a number of excellent theater groups which includes the Hippodrome State
Theater provide considerable diversity.

**Internship Application Supplemental Form**

**North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System**

**Gainesville, Florida 32608**

Name:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Telephone No. (Home) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Address:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
(Office) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Match
Number: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Internship Specialty Preference: \_\_ General \_\_ Geropsychology \_\_
Either

From the descriptions of staff, rotations, or other training experiences
presented in our brochure, list two areas of interest and/or staff in
which you would be interested.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**[Application Checklist]{.underline}**

> \_\_\_ APPIC Application for Psychology Internship (AAPI). Available
> on APPIC web site
> http://www.appic.org/match/5_3_match_application.html. Download,
> complete, and send the hard copy of the application form.
>
> \_\_\_ Three (3) letters of Recommendation
>
> \_\_\_ A Curriculum Vita
>
> \_\_\_ Graduate Transcripts (have these mailed separately by the
> institution)

Gather together the above materials (except transcripts) and mail
complete packet to:

> **Marianne Freeman, Ph.D.**
>
> **Director, Psychology Training Program (116B)**
>
> **North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System**
>
> **1601 SW Archer Road**
>
> **Gainesville, Florida 32608-1197**

If you have questions about this application procedure, please feel free
to call at (352) 374-6020 or send e-mail to marianne.freeman@va.gov