> ![](media/image1.png){width="1.125in"
> height="1.6979166666666667in"}**Psychology Internship Program**
>
> **VA Medical Center**\
> Mental Health Service (116A-4-LD)
>
> VA Medical Center
>
> 1101 Veterans Drive
>
> Lexington, Kentucky 40502
>
> *\
> (859) 233-4511, extension 3339 **\
> **[http://www.lexington.va.gov](http://www.lexington.va.gov/)*

**MATCH Number: 131211**

**Applications due: November 14, 2008**

## Accreditation Status

The predoctoral internship at the **VA Medical Center, Lexington,
Kentucky** is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the
American Psychological Association.

The next site visit will be during the academic year **2011**.

## Application & Selection Procedures 

**Eligibility:**

1.  Status as a doctoral student in an APA approved counseling or
    clinical psychology program.

2.  A minimum of 1000 hours of documented, psychologist supervised
    practicum experience within an APA doctoral program in counseling or
    clinical psychology. These 1000 hours should include 500 direct
    client contact hours through therapy or assessment experience. This
    must be verified by the training director of the doctoral program.

3.  Completion of comprehensive examinations by February 1, 2009. This
    must be verified by the Training Director of the doctoral program.

4.  Written verification by the Training Director of the doctoral
    program that the individual is approved for internship status by the
    Department.

5.  All coursework must be completed prior to beginning the Internship.

6.  United States Citizenship.

The Lexington, Kentucky VA Medical Center Internship Training Program is
participating in the APPIC Uniform Application Process. You may access
the application from the internet (www.appic.org). Your Training
Director will need to complete the Verification of Internship
Eligibility and Readiness form.

***Additionally, we require:***

1.  A current vita.

2.  All undergraduate and graduate transcripts.

3.  Three letters of recommendation.

Pictures will be taken of applicants during the interview process. These
pictures will be solely used for identification purposes and will be
destroyed following the submission of the ranking form.

***Please send your completed application to:***

> ***Molly S. Dye, Psy.D.***
>
> Director of Internship Training
>
> Mental Health Service (116A-4-LD)
>
> VA Medical Center
>
> 1101 Veterans Drive
>
> Lexington, Kentucky 40502

***Additional questions concerning the Internship Program may also be
forwarded to:***

> ***Director of Internship Training.***
>
> Dr. Molly Dye
>
> \(859\) 233-4511, extension 3339
>
> molly.dye@va.gov
>
> ***Assistant Training Director***
>
> Dr. C. Nina Schneider
>
> \(859\) 233-4511 extension 3443.
>
> christiane.schneider@va.gov

The ***application deadline is November 14, 2008.*** Once the
applications are reviewed, those under consideration will receive
invitations to attend one of two on-site open houses which will include
individual interviews, group interviews, and a tour of the facility.

The Lexington, Kentucky VA Medical Center Internship Training Program
conforms to APPIC (Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship
Centers) uniform notification procedures.

***To confirm APA-approval status, you may contact the APA as shown
below:***

> ***American Psychological Association***
>
> 750 First Street, NE
>
> Washington, DC 20002-4242
>
> Telephone: (202) 336-5500.

***Psychology Setting***

## The Lexington Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center consists of two divisions, five miles apart, which are consolidated under one management. The Leestown Division and the Cooper Drive Division house beds for both psychiatric and non-psychiatric patients. The Leestown Division was completed in 1931 and is located in the northwest area of Lexington in a park-like setting of 135 acres. This older facility has been the recipient of numerous renovation projects in the past several years, and has recently been slated for major renovations and expansion for both inpatient and outpatient services. The Leestown Division houses the Mental Health Clinic, the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinical Team (PCT), the Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Program (SATP), the inpatient PTSD treatment program (PRRP), the inpatient substance abuse program (SARRTP), the Community Living Center (formely known as the Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Units), and a program for homeless veterans. The Cooper Drive Division, dedicated in 1973, is physically connected to the University of Kentucky Medical Center in central Lexington. This Division provides general medical, surgical, neurological, and acute inpatient psychiatric services. 

## Training Model and Program Philosophy

**Supervision:**

There is a general expectation that interns will require decreasing
levels of supervision during the course of both a given rotation and the
internship year. It is recognized that there will be differences among
given interns based on past professional experiences as well as current
professional development. By the end of the twelve months it is expected
that interns will be able to practice independently with the knowledge
that consultation should be sought out when needed. A supervision level
system is used throughout the internship year to assess interns' needs
within each of the six core competency areas. Supervisors rate interns
at the beginning of a rotation, at a mid-point, and at the end.
Additionally, interns are expected to rate themselves on a monthly basis
and their self-evaluations are expected to be incorporated into
discussions within individual supervision sessions. Levels of
supervision are defined below:

***Close Supervision:*** There is a regular interaction between the
supervisor and the intern regarding the task. Supervision tends to be
directive in nature. The primary role of the supervisor is to tell an
intern, or advise within fairly narrow limits, the specific behaviors
appropriate for the task. Most of the information flow is from
supervisor to intern.

***Moderate Supervision:*** There is regular interaction between the
supervisor and the intern regarding the task. Supervision tends to be
interactive in nature. The role of the supervisor is to advise and
encourage productive/creative thought in the intern, share
knowledge/experience, and set limits. There is significant information
flow between the supervisor and the intern.

***Minimal Supervision:*** There is regular interaction between the
supervisor and the intern regarding the task. Supervision is primarily
consultative in nature. The role of the supervisor is to have an intern
clarify, justify, or articulate reasoning processes. Most of the
information flow is from intern to supervisor.

***Independent:*** An intern is functioning as if he or she were a staff
member. There is limited interaction between the supervisor and the
intern regarding the task. The primary role of the supervisor is to
monitor the professional behavior of the intern. It is important for
both the supervisor and the intern to realize that the latter is not
functioning independently in a literal sense. The supervisor remains
responsible for the intern's professional work.

***These levels of supervision should be assessed regarding the six core
competencies through each of the following means:***

1.  The supervisor's initial assessment of the intern's level of
    competence.

2.  The intern's self-assessment at the beginning of each rotation.

3.  The intern\'s mid-rotation self assessment.

4.  The intern's self-assessment at the end of each rotation.

5.  The mutually agreed upon rotation training plan developed within the
    first few weeks of the rotation.

6.  The supervisor's mid-rotation evaluation of the intern.

7.  The supervisor's final rotation evaluation of the intern.

##  

## Program Goals & Objectives

The primary objective of the Lexington, Kentucky VA Psychology
Internship Training Program is to provide interns at the predoctoral
level an integrated, flexible, and balanced set of learning experiences
necessary for the emergence of a competent professional psychologist.
Such experiences are intended to serve the psychology intern with
opportunities to practice and expand upon previously learned skills, to
develop new skills, and to experience personal and professional growth.
Our belief is that these objectives can best be achieved through a
competency based training model which emphasizes six core areas. These
include:

***1. Ethical and Professional Issues*** - This refers to a broad range
of issues, concepts, situations, and behaviors that have been determined
to be central to the profession of psychologists. Many do no fit easily
into well defined categories. Interns are required to become
knowledgeable of ethical and professional issues and to be able to put
this into practice in regard to the delivery of clinical services. Some
examples which pertain to this competency area include: knowledge of,
and observance of, the American Psychological Association's ethical
principles and code of conduct, the ability to operate within an
interdisciplinary treatment team in an effective manner, demonstration
of professional demeanor consistent with the practice of psychology,
knowledge of one's personal and professional strengths and limitations
along with the recognition of the need to seek out supervision and/or
consultation, the ability to utilize supervision in a productive manner,
an awareness of the nature of one's professional behavior, the
appreciation and appropriate use of power inherent in one's position
relative to others, and time management.

***2. Assessment:*** Psychological assessment is a key component of the
practice of psychology. Interns are expected to demonstrate competence
with the types of psychological assessments that are included in a given
rotation. It is understood that the specific psychological testing done
will vary from rotation to rotation. These may include: personality
testing, intelligence testing, mental status examinations, and
neuropsychological screening. A number of issues are relevant to
psychological assessment and interns are expected to become proficient
in each of the following: understanding and responding to referral
questions, selecting appropriate psychological instruments for a given
referral, clinical interviewing, test administration and scoring,
interpretation of psychological testing data, written reports, the
identification of appropriate treatment recommendations, and providing
psychological testing feedback to both patients and multi-disciplinary
treatment team members.

***3. Interventions:*** Psychologists engage in a variety of
psychological interventions in working with patients, and interns are
expected to demonstrate competence with the types of interventions
required for a given rotation. Examples of interventions might include:
individual psychotherapy, couples therapy, group therapy, family
therapy, meditation, psycho-educational classes, and vocational
counseling. The utilization of psychological interventions involves a
number of related activities and within a given rotation interns are
expected to become competent with each of the following: conceptualizing
a patient's presenting problem, articulating a theoretical approach and
implementing it into practice, creating and/or contributing to
individualized treatment planning, on-going assessment of patient
progress in meeting treatment goals, termination, and referral.

***4. Documentation:*** The ability to document one's work clearly and
concisely is vital to the practice of psychology. As such, interns are
expected to demonstrate competence in terms of writing progress notes
which accurately reflect their treatment with patients, writing
psychological assessment reports which emphasize patients' relative
strengths, weaknesses, and goals for treatment, and developing treatment
plans when appropriate. It is expected that each of these will vary
somewhat in terms of length, form, etc. across rotations. The VA system
has a modern and comprehensive electronic medical records system, and
interns will be expected to become proficient at the utilization and
creation of electronic records during internship.

***5. Diversity:*** Each intern is expected to demonstrate competence in
providing various psychological services to individuals from diverse
backgrounds. The categories of diversity will be defined by the type of
patients who are being treated within a given rotation. Examples of
diversity include, but are not necessarily limited to age, gender,
sexual orientation, culture, race, ethnicity, disability status,
psychiatric diagnosis, educational level, and intellectual functioning
level. Given the location of our internship site, there is particular
emphasis placed on the Appalachian culture.

***6. Science and Practice (Use of Research):*** Although our internship
training program emphasizes clinical practice, we acknowledge and
appreciate the fact that research and practice mutually influence one
another. Therefore, it is expected that each intern will demonstrate
competence in terms of the ability to access research findings and apply
them to the practice of psychology within a given rotation. This can be
demonstrated in a variety of ways such as completing a literature review
on a specific subject and applying the knowledge during a rotation
through various interventions and/or assessments, reading current
literature on a specific subject and applying the knowledge during a
rotation through various interventions and/or assessments, and
integrating research into therapeutic and diagnostic case conferences.
The use of published research is an integral part of each rotation.

## Program Structure

The internship will begin on July 6, 2009 and end June 30, 2010. During
the twelve month internship, interns complete two six-month major
rotations and two six-month minor rotations. The typical tour of duty
hours are from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Lunch is 30 minutes and two 15 minute
breaks are allowed.

***Choice of rotations include:***

-   Outpatient Mental Health Clinic (MHC)

-   Outpatient PTSD Clinical Team (PCT)

-   Acute Inpatient Psychiatry/Behavioral Health/Geropsychology

-   Outpatient Behavioral Family Therapy.

-   PTSD Residential Rehabilitation Program

-   Home-Based Primary Care

***The choices for minor rotations are:***

-   Polytrauma Rehabilitation/Traumatic Brain Injury

-   Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Residential Treatment Program (PRRP)

-   Mental Health Clinic - Process Group and Long Term Psychotherapy

-   Acute Inpatient Psychiatry/Behavioral Health

-   Home-Based Primary Care

-   Long-Term Psychotherapy

-   Psychology Administration

Interns will be asked to identify their preferences for rotations prior
to their arrival and every effort will be made to honor these requests.
Interns attend their major rotations for 3 1/2 days each week. One full
day will be devoted to the minor rotation. Each Friday morning will be
dedicated to one hour of group supervision, didactic for 1 1/2 hours,
and 2 hours of intern bonding (typically going to lunch together).
Individual supervision is scheduled with your major and minor rotation
supervisors for a minimum of 1 hour each week.

## Training Experiences 

***1. Outpatient Mental Health Clinic*** - The Mental Health Clinic
(MHC) is one of the primary units of delivery of outpatient mental
health services for the VA Medical Center. Its major role is to provide
ambulatory mental health care for veterans and their family members. The
mission of the MHC is to employ effective psychotherapeutic treatment
for individuals who are afflicted with a wide range of Axis I and Axis
II diagnoses and whose problems prevent adequate functioning in their
home and community. The core treatment staff consists of psychologists,
psychiatrists, social workers, and psychiatric nurses. The intern
functions as a full member of the interdisciplinary team and engages in
a wide variety of outpatient psychotherapeutic and evaluation functions.

***2. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinical Team (PCT)*** - The
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinical Team (PCT) rotation offers the
intern exposure to the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of veterans
suffering from PTSD due to their military service. There are
opportunities to understand the dual-diagnosis aspects of PTSD and the
accumulated effects of trauma across the lifespan behaviorally,
interpersonally, and intrapsychically. Interns participate as
fully-functioning members within the unit's interdisciplinary team
approach which includes the role of psychologist in the provision of
treatment and as a consultant. The PCT additionally provides outreach
services to rural Appalachian Kentucky on a weekly basis.

***3. Acute Inpatient Psychiatry/Behavioral Health/Geropsychology*** -
This rotation consists of spending the morning on the Acute Inpatient
Psychiatry Unit at the Cooper Drive Division of the VA, and the
afternoon working with a diverse set of medical and psychiatric patients
within both the inpatient and outpatient setting.

The intern's mornings will consist of staffing and interviewing the
current psychiatric inpatients within a multidisciplinary treatment team
meeting, co-facilitating group therapy with patients, and completing
psychological assessments. Interns will be exposed to a full spectrum of
psychological disorders (Axis I and Axis II) during the course of this
rotation and may be asked to provide comprehensive evaluations in order
to assist the team with differential diagnosis and treatment. Group
therapy, with an emphasis on coping skills training, will be tailored to
the diverse group of patients seen within the inpatient psychiatric
setting. Opportunities for short term individual therapy may also be
available.

During the intern\'s afternoon clinics, he/she may perform organ
transplant and bariatric surgery evaluations in order to assess factors
that require remediation in order to encourage a successful procedure.
The intern will work with the MOVE program on a weekly basis to provide
veterans treatment in their quest to manage their weight. The intern
will also provide consultation services to the Community Living Center
at Leestown on a weekly basis. Services rendered to the Community Living
Center (formerly the Nursing Home) may include providing
neuropsychological screenings, competency evaluations, assistance in
reducing problematic behaviors, assistance in developing treatment
strategies, and supportive psychotherapy to our third age veterans.

The intern is a valued member of this inpatient and outpatient team and
their input is utilized by a multitude of medical and psychiatric
providers. As interns gain experiences and efficacy, they are often
encouraged to provide input as to improvements/modifications that may be
made to existing rotational components in order to improve patient care.

***4. Behavioral Family Therapy for Severely Mentally Ill Veterans*** -
Behavioral Family Therapy is an empirically based treatment for
psychiatric disorders. It is a 9-month treatment program integrating
psychoeducation, communication skills, and problem-solving skills with
the goals of promoting the veteran\'s independence, improving their
social functioning, and reducing relapses and rehospitalizations.

The intern functions as a full member in the BFT treatment model. The
intern is involved in recruiting families, meeting with them one-on-one
for initial assessments of the family and acting as a co-therapist in
the family meetings.

***5. PTSD Residential Rehabilitation Program (PRRP).*** The PRRP is a 6
week residential program for veterans with military related PTSD housed
on the Leestown Campus. The focus of the PRRP is providing a structured
setting in which to provide intensive treatment over a 6 week period.
The intern functions as part of an interdisciplinary team that includes
psychologists, psychiatrist, social workers, and nursing. Process
groups, educational groups and individual psychotherapy are the primary
methods of treatment delivery. The intern is also exposed to issues of
co-morbid Axis II and substance abuse as complicating factors for
treatment in this clinic.

***6. Home Based Primary Care (HBPC).*** The VA Home-Based Primary Care
(HBPC) service provides comprehensive, in-home, interdisciplinary
primary care for veterans with complex and chronic, disabling disease.
In addition to primary care interventions, HBPC provides palliative
care, rehabilitation, disease management, hospice and care coordination
services. In this elective rotation, interns are involved in screening,
assessment, diagnosis and treatment for psychiatric and cognitive
disorders. Behavior management planning and caregiver support are also
components of the HBPC rotation.

**Minor Rotations:**

***1. Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center*** - The Lexington VA houses one
of 17 polytrauma network sites around the country which focuses on
providing specialized, post-acute rehabilitation in consultation with
the Rehabilitation Centers in a setting appropriate to the needs of
veterans, service members, and families. These Network Sites provide
proactive case management for existing and emerging conditions and
identify local resources for VA and non-VA care. The polytrauma program
is currently evolving. The intern will likely be involved in outpatient
evaluations for new vets (specifically psychological diagnosis and
screening for traumatic brain injuries), outpatient individual therapy,
couples therapy and team consultation.

***2. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Residential Rehabilitation Program
(PRRP)*** - PRRP is a residential PTSD treatment program at the Leestown
division. The intern will be part of an interdisciplinary team. As a
minor rotation, the intern will spend one day at PRRP to provide a
number of different services.

***3. Mental Health Clinic -- Process Group and Long-Term
Psychotherpy*** -- The intern will be asked to co-facilitate two
psychotherapy groups in the Mental Health Clinic. Both groups are
Yolum-based and meet weekly. Additionally, interns will follow 3 or 4
psychotherapy patients on a weekly basis.

***4. Acute Inpatient Psychiatry/Behavioral Health*** - In addition to
the full 6-month rotation, this rotation is offered as a minor rotation.
See above for more information.

***5. Home-Based Primary Care*** - In addition to the full 6-month
rotation, this rotation is offered as a minor rotation. See above for
more information.

***7. Long-term Psychotherapy*** - Interns will be given the opportunity
on this rotation to follow 2 or 3 veterans throughout their internship
year. This will allow for greater depth and breadth of psychotherapeutic
intervention.

***8. Psychology Administration*** - Interns who chose this minor
rotation will be involved in a number of administrative experiences
including internship selection process, internship training committee,
and assorted mental health committees. They may also be involved in
projects that change from year to year including program evaluation or
developing new programs or program componenets.

***The Psychology Intern Didactic Seminars*** are designed to enrich the
training experience by permitting a dialogue with staff psychologists,
consulting psychologists, and other mental health professionals in their
areas of specialization. The individual seminars are continually
evaluated in order to ensure useful and interesting topic areas.
Seminars take place on Fridays from 9:30 to 11:00 am. Topics include:
professional issues, ethics, cultural diversity, psychological
assessment, neuropsychology, substance abuse treatment and
post-traumatic stress disorder. The Journal Club is also a part of the
didactic series in which a staff member presents an article from a
recent journal that is relevant to specific treatment issues, the field
of psychology, ethics issues, etc. In addition, each intern will be
expected to present a therapeutic and diagnostic case conference as part
of the seminar series. Interns with special interest areas have also
presented didactics in the past on a variety of topics.

**LIST OF PSYCHOLOGY SECTION DIDACTIC PRESENTATIONS**

The following is a listing of the didactic schedule for the 2008-2009
academic year.

[Date Topic Presenter]{.underline}

8/1/2008 APA Ethics Code & KY State Law C. Nina Schneider, Ph.D.

8/8/2008 Suicide Prevention Sandra Roe, MSN

8/15/2008 Documentation Cynthia Dunn, Ph.D.

8/22/2008 Networking and Mentorship David Susman, Ph.D.

8/29/2008 Appalachian Culture Cynthia Dunn, Ph.D.

9/5/2008 Transition to Early Career Psychologist Ashley Bechtel, Psy.D.

9/12/2008 Substance Abuse Gary Dunn, Ph.D.

9/19/2008 Service Connection/C & P Exams Chrystal Edge Schoeder, PhD

9/26/2008 OEF/OIF Veterans Barbara Slater, PA

10/3/2008 Seeking Safety Karen Lenhoff, Ph.D.

10/10/2008 Shame & Guilt in PTSD Tom Shurling, Ph.D.

10/17/2008 Vietnam History Molly Dye, Psy.D. \*8:30 AM

10/24/2008 Supervision and Consultation William Meegan, Ph.D.

10/31/2008 Military Lingo & Lifestyle James Fetter, MD

11/7/2008 Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Edward Marshall, Ph.D.

11/14/2008 Psychopharmacology Getulio Tovar, MD

11/21/2008 Spirituality and Mental Health Kourtni Badgett, Ph.D.

11/28/2008 NO DIDACTIC THANKSGIVING

12/5/2008 Cognitive Processing Therapy Kathleen Chard, Ph.D.

12/12/2008 Dialectic Behavior Therapy Martha Wetter, Ph.D.

12/19/2008 Family Behavioral Treatment Steve Hansel, Ph.D.

12/26/2008 NO DIDACTIC CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY

1/2/2009 Issues of Older Adulthood Ashley Bechtel, Psy.D.

1/9/2009 NO DIDACTIC INTERNSHIP INTERVIEW

1/16/2009 NO DIDACTIC INTERNSHIP INTERVIEW

1/23/2009 Personality Disorders Tom Widiger, Ph.D.

1/30/2009 Intern Assessment Presentation Maria Gear, M.A., M.S.

2/6/2009 Intern Assessment Presentation Lynda Fereday, M.S., Ed.S.

2/13/2009 Intern Assessment Presentation Michelle Beatty, M.A.

2/20/2009 Women Veterans Teresa Botts, Ph.D.

2/27/2009 Malingering & Deception Gary Dunn, Ph.D.

3/6/2009 Cultural Diverse Communities and Stress Tamara Brown, Ph.D

3/13/2009 Technology and Psychological Treatment Tom Miller, Ph.D.

3/20/2009 Exposure Therapy C. Nina Schneider, Ph.D.

3/27/2009 Motivational Interviewing Kourtni Badgett, Ph.D.

4/3/2009 LGBT Issues in VA Barbara Beauchamp, Psy.D.

4/10/2009 Forensic Testimony Karen Lenhoff, Ph.D.

4/17/2009 Integrated Primary Healthcare Elizabeth Scheu, Psy.D.

4/24/2009 Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Ruth Baer, Ph.D.

5/1/2009 Traumatic Brain Injury John Ranseen, Ph.D.

5/8/2009 Perpetrator Treatment Jennifer Cebe, Ph.D.

5/15/2009 Cognitive Therapy for Anger Management Keith Mayo, Psy.D.

5/22/2009 Sleep Disorders Fred Danner, Ph.D.

5/29/2009 Intern Treatment Presentation Michelle Beatty, M.A.

6/5/2009 Intern Treatment Presentation Maria Gear, M.A., M.S.

6/12/2009 Intern Treatment Presentation Lynda Fereday, M.S., Ed.S.

6/19/2009 Vicarious Trauma, Burnout, & Self-Care Eric Bruns, Psy.D.

6/26/2009 Internship Exit Interviews Molly Dye, Psy.D.

7/3/2009 NO DIDACTIC INDEPENDENCE DAY

## Requirements for Completion

The internship is a one-year placement experience requiring 40 hours per
week. The intern is required to complete a minimum of 2,000 hours. Each
intern is expected to devote 25% of his/her time to direct patient
contact which includes \"face-to-face\" contact with patients for any
type of group or individual therapy, psychological testing, rounds or
patient education. Successful completion of the internship requires a
minimum of 500 hours of direct patient contact.

Interns are required to present a minimum of one diagnostic and one
therapy conference. The diagnostic/therapy conferences are designed to
evaluate an intern\'s level of competency as related to basic diagnostic
assessment and psychotherapy. Additional conferences are scheduled as
deemed necessary. Staff evaluates the presentations through
therapy/diagnostic conference evaluation guides.

Interns will receive formal, written evaluations at the middle and end
of each rotation from the rotation supervisor. Additionally, interns
will be asked to provide written and oral feedback regarding their
internship experiences at the end of the year to the Training Director.

Interns will provide the Training Director the following minimum
documentation for the records (with patient identification removed): 5
progress notes, 2 psychological assessments, and diagnostic and therapy
conference written materials.

## Facility and Training Resources

Each intern is provided with an office with an individual computer, desk
and office supplies. Clerical support is provided by each internship
rotation. The VA medical record is electronic and all patient
documentation is done via the computer system. Concerning library
access, interns have the use of the VAMC Lexington library, University
of Kentucky Medical School library as well as University of Kentucky
library system. The VAMC Lexington also has full access to a number of
online databases, including EBSCO. The psychology staff also has access
to a psychological testing laboratory including the MMPI2, PAI,
Rorschach, MCMI-III, COGNISTAT and the WAIS to name only a few.
Additionally, interns have access to electronic calendars, copying
services, video-recording equipment, audio/video tapes, and medical
treatment for on-the-job injuries.

## Administrative Policies and Procedures

*Our policy is clear, we will collect no personal information about you
when you visit our website. We do not require our interns to
self-disclose.*

**Due Process Statement:**

**1. Intern's Grievance/Correction Process.**

There may be times when an intern feels that changes may be needed in
his/her training goals, supervisor assignments, or evaluation. There may
be many reasons why such changes would benefit the intern and his/her
training program. Interns are expected to utilize the appropriate
channels for pursuing change by speaking first to the rotation
supervisor, followed by the Director of Training, and then the Training
Committee. In the rare instance when the situation has still not been
resolved to everyone\'s satisfaction, the intern has the option of
meeting with a special committee consisting of the Chief of Mental
Health Service, the Chief of Education, and the Psychology Training
Director.

**2. Remedial Action.**

When any concern about an intern's progress or behavior is brought to
the attention of the Director of Training, the importance of this
concern and the need for related action will be assessed by the
Psychology Training Committee. The Training Committee will develop an
action plan as needed. The Training Committee will appoint a
psychologist to implement the action plan with the intern. Weekly
written progress reports by the rotation supervisor and the psychologist
appointed by the Training Committee will be prepared and presented to
the Director of Training by close of business each Friday. The report
will address specific, objective components of the action plan. The
intern has three working days to place his/her objections to the action
plan in writing to the Training Director. If deemed necessary, a special
committee, consisting of the Chief of Mental Health Service, the Chief
of Education, and the Psychology Training Director will make a final
decision regarding the grievance. If the intern does not make
satisfactory progress toward meeting the requirements of the action
plan, the Training Director may recommend to the Special Committee that
the plan be altered or that the training relationship with the intern be
terminated. The Special Committee will then determine if there is cause
for revision of the action plan or cause for termination.

**3. Termination.**

Failure of the intern to adhere to such a plan as determined by the
Training Committee and ultimately the Special Committee constitutes
grounds for discontinuation of the internship. It is extremely rare that
termination becomes an issue. It is necessary, however, to have specific
procedures in place when this course of action is indicated. These
procedures are outlined below:

> ***a. Due Process.*** A recommendation to terminate an intern must
> receive a majority vote of the psychologists on the Internship
> Training Committee and the Special Committee. The intern will be
> provided an opportunity to present arguments against termination at
> that meeting. Direct participation by the Director of Training or
> other designee from the intern's graduate program shall be sought. If
> he or she is unable to attend personally, arrangements shall be made
> for some means of communication (i.e., a conference call.)
>
> Concerns of sufficient magnitude to warrant termination include but
> are not limited to: 1) incompetence to perform typical psychological
> services in this setting and inability to attain competence during the
> course of the internship; 2) violation of the ethical standards of
> psychologists; 3) failure to meet minimum standards for patient
> contact; 4) behaviors which are judged as currently unsuitable and
> which hamper the intern's professional performance; and 5) violation
> of hospital and/or federal employee policy.
>
> ***b. Appeal.*** Should the Psychology Training Committee recommend
> termination, the intern may appeal. The Training Director shall call a
> meeting of the Special Committee which includes the Training Director,
> the Chief of Mental Health Service, and the Chief of Education. A
> representative of the District Council Office shall be available to
> consult with the panel concerning due process issues. The Director of
> Training shall present the position of the Psychology Training
> Committee, and the intern, together with any representation he or she
> may choose, shall present the appeal. The Training Director shall
> abide by the judgment of the appeal panel if they recommend
> termination, and direct Human Resource Management Service to suspend
> the intern's appointment. The Training staff shall abide by the
> panel's judgment if they recommend continuation, and the Director of
> Training and the intern are responsible for negotiating an acceptable
> training plan for the balance of the training year.

## Training Staff

***Kourtni S. Badgett, Ph.D.*** Originally from North Carolina, Dr.
Badgett is a graduate of The University of Memphis with a Ph.D. in
Counseling Psychology in 2008. After completing her internship at the
Lexington VA Medical Center, she accepted a full-time position as a
staff psychologist. She is currently providing therapeutic and
assessment services to veterans in the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic.
Dr. Badgett's clinical interests include PTSD, stress and relaxation,
and incorporating spirituality into mental health treatment. Dr. Badgett
is an avid North Carolina Tar Heel fan and enjoys playing sports,
spending time with family and friends, and watching old episodes of
Scooby-Doo.

***Ashley J. Bechtel, Psy.D.*** Dr. Bechtel earned her Psy.D. in
Clinical Psychology from the University of Hartford Graduate Institute
of Professional Psychology in 2007 and completed her pre-doctoral
internship at the Greater Hartford Clinical Psychology Consortium. She
joined the Lexington VA Medical Center's Home-Based Primary Care service
to provide mental health treatment for home-bound veterans struggling
with physical and mental illness. She is also involved in the Lexington
VAMC Palliative Care Consult Team. Dr. Bechtel's clinical and research
interests lie primarily in healthy aging, disorders of older adulthood,
death and dying, and stigma surrounding mental illness in older adults.
Dr. Bechtel is also a classical pianist and violinist who spends her
free time training her Newfoundland, re-reading Harry Potter, and
lamenting the Nebraska Cornhuskers' recent performance. She is on a
quest to find the world's best ice cream.

***Jennifer L. Broach, Ph.D.*** Originally a native of northeast
Tennessee, Dr. Broach earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the
University of Arkansas in 2004. She completed her internship through the
University of Rochester School of Medicine in upstate New York in 2001.
Following her internship, she worked as a clinical research coordinator
for the University of Rochester Medical Center\'s Center for the Study
and Prevention of Suicide, and taught as an adjunct faculty member at a
nearby college. In 2005, Dr. Broach completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship
at the National Center for PTSD, Pacific Islands Division. She joined
the Lexington VA\'s PTSD Clinical Team (PCT) in 2005, and has been
working to implement PTSD-focused treatments geared toward the needs of
Iraqi and Afghan veterans. In addition to combat-related trauma, Dr.
Broach\'s professional interests have included sexual trauma and
substance abuse. Her life outside work includes two very high
maintenance Miniature Schnauzers and an unabashed enjoyment of \"pulp\"
fantasy and murder mystery books.

***Cynthia E. Dunn, Ph.D.*** Dr. Dunn earned her Ph.D. in Counseling
Psychology at the University of Kansas in 1994 and completed her
internship at the VA Medical Center, Topeka, Kansas. She has served as
the Clinical Coordinator of the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinical
Team (PCT) for thirteen years, having designed and implemented the
program from its infancy. Dr. Dunn provides both local VA treatment for
veterans with PTSD as well as running a clinic in the Appalachian region
of southeastern Kentucky. Dr. Dunn\'s interest reside strongly in the
aftereffects of traumatic exposure as well as comorbid conditions such
as substance abuse and personality disorders. Dr. Dunn is also
interested in the interface of treatment with administrative demands.
Outside of work, she likes riding her bicycle, working out at the gym,
hiking, whitewater rafting, traveling, planting flowers and depending
upon how the week has gone, sometimes she just likes to "stare into
space".

***Gary E. Dunn, Ph.D.*** Dr. Dunn is the former Director of Clinical
Training for the internship program. He earned his Ph.D. in Counseling
Psychology at the University of Kansas in 1988 and completed his
doctoral level internship at the VA Medical Center, Minneapolis,
Minnesota. Prior to coming to the Lexington VA Medical Center in
October, 1994, he served as Clinical Coordinator of the Substance Abuse
Unit at the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth,
Kansas for three and a half years. Dr. Dunn currently provides
therapeutic and assessment services to veterans in the Outpatient Mental
Health Clinic. He has fifteen publications to date, the majority of
which are in the areas of substance use disorders and dissociation. Dr.
Dunn serves as a Site Visitor for the American Psychological
Association. He is currently preparing for his second career, in the
distant future, as a professional poker player.

***Molly S. Dye, Psy.D.*** Dr. Dye is the Director of Internship
Training for the internship program and has served in this capacity for
three years. She earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from
Indiana State University in 2002. She became a staff psychologist at the
Lexington VA in 2002 following completion of her internship at this
facility. She is currently a member of the PTSD Clinical Team staff and
provides a variety of patient services including psychoeducational
groups, individual psychotherapy and rural outreach. Dr. Dye's interests
include the effects of stress on physical and emotional health,
psychological testing, and issues associated with adult adoptees. In her
free time, Dr Dye enjoys knitting, reading, and narrating the many
adventures of her one year old Chihuahua's incredibly fascinating life
to anyone she can force to listen.

***Steve Hansel, Psy.D.***  Dr. Hansel graduate from Spalding University
in 2007 with a Psy.D. in clinical psychology, with an emphasis on health
psychology.  He completed his internship at the Honolulu VAMC and then
returned to Kentucky where he completed his postdoctoral year working
for a rural community mental health center.  He is currently the lead
member of the Family Therapy Program which primarily serves veterans
with severe mental illness and their families utilizing both Behavioral
Family Therapy as well as McFarlane's Multifamily Group Therapy models. 
In his free time he enjoys listening to live music, playing disc-golf,
and hiking in the woods / mountains. 

***Karen Lenhoff, Ph.D.*** Dr. Lenhoff graduated from the University of
Kentucky in 1996 with a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. She completed
her internship at the New Orleans VA Medical Center. She currently works
on the residential substance abuse treatment program and the residential
PTSD treatment program. She had previously been employed at Central
State Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, working with adults with severe
mental illness. Prior to that, she had a private practice. Her
professional interests include PTSD, behavioral medicine, and severe
mental illness. In her free time, she likes to garden, work on old
houses, and play with her three dogs.

***Ed Marshall, Ph.D.*** Dr. Marshall recently joined the staff at the
VAMC Lexington in October 2007 as the new inpatient psychologist. He is
a graduate from the University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology program
and he completed his internship here at the VAMC in Lexington, KY in
2000. Dr. Marshall comes to us from the Counseling and Student Affairs
Office at Georgetown College in Georgetown, KY.

***Keith Mayo, Psy.D.*** Dr. Mayo is a graduate of Indiana State
University with a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology. He completed his
internship at the Lexington VAMC in 2006 and is currently on staff with
the PTSD outpatient program at the same facility. Dr. Mayo's interests
include PTSD, substance abuse, and personality assessment. Outside of
work, Dr. Mayo enjoys playing guitar and occasional gardening.

***C. Nina Schneider, Ph.D.*** Dr. Schneider serves as the Assistant
Training Director for the internship program. She is a graduate of the
University of Tulsa with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. She completed
her internship at the Lexington VAMC and accepted a full-time position
following the completion of her internship. She is currently in the
outpatient PTSD clinic conducting groups as well as individual therapy
with veterans with military related PTSD. Her interests include PTSD,
trauma-related guilt, disaster relief, vicarious traumatization, and
personality and neuropsychological assessment. Her life outside of work
includes acting like a tourist, spending time with her dog and cat,
hiking, jogging, knitting, traveling, horseback riding, and teaching
others funny German words.

***Tom Shurling, Ph.D.-*** Dr. Shurling is the Clinical Coordinator of
the PTSD Residential Rehabilitation Program at the Lexington, VAMC. Dr.
Shurling is also the psychologist for the Polytrauma Network Team which
provides comprehensive treatment to veterans of OIF/OEF diagnosed with
PTSD, other mental disorders and significant physical injuries including
head injury. He is a former Clinical Training Director at the Lexington
VAMC and is past president of the Kentucky Psychological Association.
Dr. Shurling enjoys camping, hiking and shotgun sports such as Trap and
Sporting Clays. He lives in Lexington with his wife, Anne, and guardian
toy poodle, Abby.

**Other Psychology Staff**

**Chrystal Edge Schoeder, Ph.D.,** Counseling Psychology, University of
Kentucky, 2005.

## Trainees

***Since 2000, interns have attended the following universities (not
exclusive):***

> Indiana State University (Clinical)
>
> Spalding University (Clinical)
>
> Marshall University (Clinical)
>
> University of Indiana, Bloomington (Counseling)
>
> University of Kentucky (Clinical and Counseling)
>
> University of Memphis (Clinical and Counseling)
>
> University of Tulsa (Clinical)
>
> University of Louisville (Counseling)
>
> University of Denver (Clinical Psy.D)
>
> Bowling Green State University (Clinical)
>
> Xavier University (Clinical)

## Local Information

Lexington, a city of approximately 300,000, is located in the heart of
the Kentucky Bluegrass region. The city, surrounded by more than 300
thoroughbred and standard bred horse farms, is a world center for the
equine industry. In the area around Lexington you will find stately
groves of trees, pre-Civil War stone fences, acres of lush, verdant
pastures, and horses. The city also serves as a regional center for
health care, education, agriculture, and finance. Lexington has a rather
moderate climate. There are four distinct seasons with no prolonged
periods of cold, rain, wind, or snow. The annual mean temperature is 55
degrees; spring to fall 64 degrees; fall to spring 46 degrees.

Lexington is the home of the University of Kentucky, the state's
land-grant institution. The University includes leading research centers
in the physical and biological sciences. The UK Chandler Medical Center
is a major source for research and education in medicine, nursing, and
the allied health sciences. The University maintains twelve separate
libraries, including a national repository for federal documents and a
medical library. The library holdings of the University are available to
VA Psychology Interns. One division of the Lexington VA is also
physically joined to the UK Chandler Medical Center and is located on
the UK campus. Additionally, UK\'s Division I athletics program boasts
the Kentucky Wildcat Basketball team, perennial March Madness and Final
Four attendees.

***Transportation:*** The city is easily accessible by air and ground
transportation. Lexington is located at the intersections of I-64 and
I-75, the Bluegrass Parkway, and the Mountain Parkway. The Bluegrass
Airport is served by six major airlines. Traffic hassles associated with
larger cities are not a problem in Lexington, and all areas of the city
including the VA are easily accessible from the interstate or in town
highways. Public transportation is available and serves all areas of the
city.

***Educational Facilities:*** There are numerous public and private
institutions of higher learning within easy commuting distance of
Lexington, including the University of Kentucky, Transylvania
University, Eastern Kentucky University, Georgetown College, Centre
College, Lexington Theological Seminary, Kentucky State University, and
Lexington Community College. The local system of public schools receives
high marks on the state level. The system includes magnet schools and
special programs for gifted and developmentally challenged students.
There are several private secular and parochial primary and secondary
schools located in different parts of the city. Lexington maintains a
comprehensive public library system with multiple branch locations.

***Housing:*** Housing in Lexington is both abundant and diverse.
Choices range from ante-bellum homes in the center of the city to
apartments, condominiums, and single family homes in newly developed
suburban areas. Rental costs are considered moderate relative to major
metropolitan areas of the country.

***Recreational Opportunities:*** There are many recreational
opportunities in Lexington. Being a university center, Lexingtonians are
avid fans of college sports. Lexington is also home to the Lexington
Legends, a minor league baseball team. The city maintains a system of
well planned public parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, tennis courts,
golf courses, and a nature preserve. Lexington's proximity to the
Appalachian mountain range and its numerous rivers and lakes makes it an
excellent place for those who enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, camping,
mountain climbing, and cycling. The state of Kentucky has a nationally
renowned system of state parks that offer low cost outdoor recreation.
Local equestrian events include a horse show in July, thoroughbred races
at Keeneland in April and October, and trotting races at Red Mile in
June and September.

***Cultural Activities:*** Lexington is blessed with an unusually rich
cultural life for a city its size. The Lexington Philharmonic, Central
Kentucky Youth Orchestra, and the Lexington Singers present classical
and popular concerts throughout the year. The city government sponsors
classical, jazz, blues, and pop music concerts in local parks during the
summer. The restored 19th Century Opera House offers the annual
"Broadway Nights" series bringing musical theater companies to
Lexington. Theater groups sponsored by the University and the city
government also offer a variety of traditional and experimental
presentations. The visual arts are represented at the Headley-Whitely
and University of Kentucky museums, numerous private galleries, and
periodic showings by the Lexington Arts League. A comedy club features
many well-established comedians. Locally owned restaurants are diverse
and tasty, offering wide ranges of cuisine from the ordinary to the
exotic in all price ranges. Two large shopping malls are located in
Lexington, including a newly refurbished Fayette Mall with 200 stores
including 4 department stores. Finally, popular and traditional forms of
music are readily available through multiple venues, ranging from
taverns that feature local bands to Rupp Arena, a 23,000 seat auditorium
which features major artists.

In summary, Lexington is a comfortable city in which to live and work.
It is noted for its low crime rate, cleanliness, friendly people, and a
Southern pace and hospitality. It is a city that offers a full array of
services for both singles and families. It accommodates a wide variety
of personal tastes and lifestyles.