> ![](media/image1.png){width="1.125in" height="1.125in"}**Psychology
> Internship Program**\
> \
> VA Long Beach Healthcare System

5901 East 7th Street (06/116B)

Long Beach, CA 90822

*(562) 826-5604**\
**<http://www.longbeach.va.gov/>*

**MATCH Number: 112911**

**Applications Due: November 24, 2008**

## Accreditation Status

The predoctoral internship at the VA Long Beach Healthcare System is
fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American
Psychological Association (the next site visit will be during the
academic year 2012).

## Application & Selection Procedures 

**Criteria for acceptance into the program**

According to VA policy, internship funding can be provided only to
students who are U.S. citizens and are enrolled in APA-accredited
doctoral programs in clinical or counseling psychology. In addition, we
require that a prospective intern\'s university advisor or director of
training verify that he or she approves and recommends that the student
receive an internship at this facility as specified on the APPIC
"Academic Program's Verification of Internship Eligibility and
Readiness" form. Only 52-week full-time internships are available.

**Application Process**

***To apply, applicants should send us the following:***

1.  The APPIC Application for Psychology Internship (AAPI)

2.  A copy of your curriculum vitae

3.  A transcript of your graduate courses

4.  Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are acquainted
    with your academic performance and/or training experience. Letters
    and transcripts may be sent by separate cover, or be included with
    your other application materials.

To be considered, all application materials for the 2009-10 internship
year need to arrive by Monday, ***November 24, 2008*** at the latest.
Letters of recommendation and transcripts can arrive separately,
although they also are due on the same date.

***Address application materials to:***

> ***Kenneth D. Cole, Ph.D.***
>
> Director of Training, Psychology
>
> VA Long Beach Healthcare System
>
> 5901 East 7th Street (06/116B)
>
> Long Beach, CA 90822
>
> *Phone: (562) 826-5604*
>
> *Fax: (562) 826-5679*

**Candidate Interviews**

All personal interviews are conducted individually and by invitation
only. Candidates will be informed by e-mail by December 6th concerning
whether or not they have been invited for a personal interview. We
regard interviews as a two-way process: a chance for us to meet and
learn more about you, and an opportunity for you to meet us and get a
better understanding of our program. In addition to meeting with two
interviewers for an hour and with the training director for a second
hour, interviewees will have the opportunity to meet with one of our
current interns. The total interview process should take about three
hours. For those who are invited for an interview and are unable to
visit our program in person, we will be happy to conduct an interview
and answer your questions by telephone. A personal interview is not
required to match with our program. We adhere strictly to the selection
process guidelines established by the Association of Psychology
Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC).

**Match Process**

We will follow the match policies established by APPIC. Our program uses
one match number for all positions. The only information that we may
communicate to applicants prior to the February deadline is whether they
are still under consideration for admission. Additional information
regarding the match is available through the National Matching Services.
***The VA Long Beach Match Number is 112911.***

***Psychology Setting***

![](media/image2.png){width="2.625in" height="1.75in"}

Established in 1947, the Psychology Training Program has always been
considered a significant component of mental health services in the VA
Long Beach Healthcare System. Since 1980, we have trained 225
predoctoral interns (187 Ph.D. Clinical, 29 Ph.D. Counseling, and 8
Psy.D\'s) representing 76 graduate programs from around the country. The
internship program was initially granted full accreditation by the
American Psychological Association in February 1980. We also have been
training practicum students, usually from local universities, and this
year we have our first class of postdoctoral fellows in four specialty
areas.

All staff psychologists are members of the Mental Health Care Group. The
Chief of the Mental Health Care Group is psychiatrist Lawrence Albers,
M.D. Our Chief Psychologist is Richard W. Hanson, Ph.D., our Director of
Training is Kenneth D. Cole, Ph.D., and our Assistant Training Director
is former intern Sarah S. Fraley, Ph.D. Since April 2006, we have hired
a number of new psychologists, including two new neuropsychologists with
specialties in aging, an additional psychologist for our PTSD programs,
as well as a new psychometrician to coordinate our psychological testing
lab and provide research methodology consultation.

## Training Model and Program Philosophy

The primary goal of the VA Long Beach Internship Program is to train
predoctoral interns to provide an array of psychological services within
a general healthcare facility. Although our psychology staff provides a
number of specialized services, we believe that training in clinical and
counseling psychology at the predoctoral level should be broadly based
rather than narrowly specialized. Because we are a VA healthcare
facility, the generalist training that we provide takes place within the
constraints of our institution. Naturally, along with all VA\'s, we
serve primarily adult veterans and some active military service people,
the majority of whom are male, although a higher percentage of younger
veterans and active duty service members are women. Because we are a
general medical and surgical facility rather than a neuropsychiatric
facility, several of the training opportunities that we provide have a
behavioral medicine or health psychology focus.

We tailor our internship program to meet the needs of each intern. No
differentiation is made between clinical and counseling interns with
respect to the content of their clinical training experiences. The
program follows a traditional one-to-one apprenticeship model in which
the intern works alongside her or his supervisor. At the beginning of
the internship year, interns have the opportunity to meet with all the
staff psychologists to learn what training experiences each rotation
offers. After consulting with each other, the training director and his
assistant, interns select those training experiences that best meet
their individual training needs and interests. Sometimes an intern\'s
fifth rotation may not be one of her or his top choices, because of the
need for adequate clinical coverage in certain areas of our medical
center.

***Training Schedule and Rotations***

During orientation week, interns meet with the Training Director and
Assistant Training Director to plan their training schedule for the
entire year. Five half-time (i.e., about 16 hours per week) rotations
are selected. Two rotations are of 6-months\' duration and three
rotations are of 4-months\' duration. Interns are given considerable
latitude in their choice of specific rotations, providing sufficient
attention is given to any training deficiencies and clinical coverage
issues. Interns typically get their top four rotations, and then they
will select one 4-month rotation from among a group of rotations that
may need intern coverage. Interns are expected to develop a
well-balanced rotation schedule rather than one that is narrowly
focused.

## Program Goals & Objectives

Before and during orientation week, interns\' prior training experiences
are reviewed. This is done to identify areas of strengths and
weaknesses, in order to facilitate the development of a training program
that best meets the specific training needs of each intern. In keeping
with our generalist philosophy, interns are encouraged to address those
areas in which they have had limited experience (e.g., working with
certain populations such as the severely mentally ill or substance
abusers, particular assessment approaches such as use of
neuropsychological instruments or personality testing, or exposure to
various theoretical orientations).

It is expected that upon completion of the program all interns will
demonstrate competence in the following six general domains:

A.  Clinical Procedures and Principles

B.  Assessment

C.  Treatment Planning

D.  Interventions

E.  Consultation and Liaison

F.  Professional Ethics

These competencies are assessed within a framework of increasing
understanding and sensitivity to individual and cultural diversity in
the delivery of psychological assessment, treatment, consultation and
liaison and in the intern\'s development of a code of professional
ethics. Competency is enhanced by both supervised clinical experience
and didactics. The assessment of the 49 elements in the six general
domains of competencies is explained in more detail under \"Requirements
for Completion\" below.

## Program Structure

Each intern has five supervisors throughout the year who are each
responsible for the training experience on their specific rotation. The
supervisor assists in selecting patients and making referrals,
representing Psychology with the intern in team meetings, along with
scheduled supervision sessions. Supervisors have regularly scheduled
supervisory sessions with interns whom they are supervising. At a
minimum, two hours per week are devoted to supervision from each
supervisor, with at least one of those hours in direct face-to-face
individual supervision. Thus with two concurrent rotations, interns can
expect at least four hours of total supervision per week. There are
opportunities for informal training of pre-interns in group formats.

Supervision on any particular rotation is provided by the staff
psychologist assigned to that clinical setting. The degree of
responsibility given the intern and the amount of structure provided
depends on his or her level of prior experience. The program also
includes educational opportunities such as lectures, seminars and case
conferences. Interns are also granted authorized absence to attend
didactics required for California licensure, such as domestic violence,
child abuse assessment/reporting and substance abuse. We anticipate
having six full-time funded internship positions for the class of
2009-10.

The internship class selects a "Chief Intern" at the beginning of the
training year. This can be a rotating responsibility by two or possibly
three interns throughout the year. They are expected to attend the
Psychology staff meeting, to keep the internship class informed about
issues in our professional group and in the healthcare facility in
general. Other responsibilities of the Chief Intern include coordinating
the interns' schedules for meeting intern candidates in January, serving
as a general liaison between the internship class and the Assistant and
Training Director, and coordinating educational events with the
Residency Director in Psychiatry.

## Training Experiences 

Below is a list of all 14 rotations that are currently available for
psychology interns at the VA Long Beach Healthcare System. The specific
program developed by an intern must involve the approval of the Director
and Assistant Director of Training.

1.  Assessment and Psychotherapy

2.  Chronic Pain Management Clinic

3.  Geropsychology

4.  Home Based Primary Care (HBPC)

5.  Infectious Disease Clinic, Oncology, Hospice, & Nephrology
    Consultation

6.  Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation Medicine

7.  Outpatient Mental Health

8.  Primary Care Consultation/Liaison Program

9.  Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center

10. PTSD and Anger Management Programs

11. Smoking Cessation and Weight Reduction Program

12. Spinal Cord Injury/Dysfunction (SCI)

13. Substance Abuse Treatment Clinic (SATC)

14. Women\'s Mental Health Center (WMHC)

**Assessment and Psychotherapy**

*Supervisor: Kenneth Cole, Ph.D.*

This rotation features traditional psychological assessment as well as
psychotherapy. Psychological testing is primarily with the MMPI-2, the
MCMI-III, and sometimes the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI).
These measures will often be augmented by other measures. Projective
techniques are rarely used, but if a full traditional personality
battery is needed for training, ad hoc supervision from other staff can
be arranged.

The psychotherapy component more and more features mindfulness-based
interventions and especially Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Case conceptualization is driven by psychodynamic and humanistic models
of personality development across the life span, but the specific
approach is determined by the presentation of the patient and the length
of the planned treatment. The balance of testing versus psychotherapy
can vary based on the individual needs of each intern.

***Psychology Training Provided:*** This rotation provides an
opportunity to be exposed to psychological testing and the integration
of testing data with a solid clinical interview. This could either be a
trainee's first experience with these instruments or more advanced
training in selecting appropriate measures and presenting the findings
in a tightly organized and well-written report. The psychotherapy
section provides an opportunity for interns to examine different
theoretical orientations in conceptualizing cases and to choose an
approach that best matches the needs of the particular patient. Interns
may also participate in an ACT-based outpatient psychotherapy group.

**Chronic Pain and PTSD**

*Supervisor: Richard Hanson, Ph.D.*

***Program:*** This new hybrid rotation involves evaluation and
treatment of veterans presenting various chronic pain syndromes and/or
PTSD. Many veterans possess both problems which can then interact in
different ways. They may include aging Vietnam combat veterans with
chronic PTSD who are now developing various pain-related and disabling
physical disorders, as well as younger Iraq/Afghanistan veterans who
have suffered both physical and emotional trauma. Some Vietnam veterans
are now seeking PTSD treatment for the first time as their avoidant
strategies are no longer effective following retirement or onset of a
disabling medical condition.

Chronic pain patients are seen in the context of an interdisciplinary
pain clinic that includes Rehabilitation Medicine and Internal Medicine
specialists. Patients are seen jointly by the pain team during which
time treatment plans and recommendations are developed. Treatment
modalities initiated by this clinic may include physical rehabilitation
therapies, use of various pain medications, and psychological pain
self-management techniques. Emphasis is often placed on healthy behavior
change including adoption of a moderate physical exercise program, diet
modification and weight management, smoking cessation, and refraining
from excessive alcohol use. Some patients are seen for consultative
purposes only and others are seen for short-term treatment. In addition
to the interdisciplinary clinic, Psychology provides a weekly
psychoeducational pain support group and a weekly relaxation/meditation
group (co-led with Dr. Huang from the PTSD rotation). Pain patients may
attend either or both groups. However, the later group is also open to
those with just PTSD or other stress-related problems. A monthly pain
follow-up/support group is offered to those who require less frequent
contact. Individual psychotherapy with chronic pain patients is also
offered on a limited basis.

Patients with PTSD are typically referred to the PTSD clinical team
which Dr. Hanson co-directs along with Dr. Houston (see description of
the PTSD and Anger Management rotation). Both group and individual
psychotherapy are offered.

***Psychology Training Provided:*** Psychology interns taking this
rotation participate in both the Multidisciplinary Chronic Pain Clinic
and PTSD Clinical Team. In the Pain Clinic interns learn to identify and
address psychosocial and behavioral factors that contribute to pain and
disability or impede adaptive coping. Interns also get to observe the
medical evaluation and treatment planning process, including the
physical/neurological exam. Separate medical/rehabilitation and
psychological evaluation reports are generated on patients who attend
this clinic.

In addition to initial evaluations, interns have an opportunity to
conduct both group and individual psychotherapy. With chronic pain
patients, our preference is toward group treatment. Although group
treatment is available for those with PTSD (e.g., combat stress groups),
individual therapy is frequently the preferred modality. This may
include more trauma-focused exposure therapies as well as therapy aimed
at fostering improved cognitive and behavioral coping with PTSD
symptoms. Interns on this rotation participate in the
relaxation/meditation group and carry a case load of individual PTSD
clients. Opportunities are also available for participating in a combat
stress group or transitions group for returning Iraq/Afghanistan
veterans.

**Geropsychology**

*Supervisor: Lauren S. Fox, Ph.D.*

***Program:*** Geropsychology services include inpatient and outpatient
evaluation/assessment, and outpatient psychotherapy for veterans over
age 70. We offer a weekly outpatient Dementia Evaluation Clinic, which
provides thorough neuropsychological assessment and diagnostic services
to community-dwelling, elderly veterans who are experiencing cognitive
changes. We also regularly consult to the Geriatric Evaluation and
Management (GEM) Team, a multidisciplinary physician-led outpatient
clinic, and receive a large number of assessment referrals from them. In
addition, we provide consultative services to the Community Living
Center (CLC). a 120-bed skilled nursing facility, the Geropsychiatry
Inpatient Unit, which primarily serves older patients who have dementia
or present behavioral problems, and to providers from primary care
clinics, medical/surgical wards, and some specialty services.

A special emphasis of the Geropsychology rotation is the
neuropsychological assessment of older adults. Typical referral
questions include diagnosis of dementia, dementia vs. depression, and
functional capacity (e.g., can the patient live alone, manage finances,
etc.). When possible, we actively participate in interdisciplinary team
planning to set objective measurable treatment goals, and participate in
assisting the patient and family to reach those goals. Psychotherapy
referrals often come from GEM or Psychiatry, and occasionally from our
own Dementia Clinic assessments. Psychotherapy cases present with a
variety of Axis I and II diagnoses, though Depressive Disorders, Anxiety
Disorders, and Adjustment Disorders predominate.

***Psychology Training Provided:***

Interns will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and specialized
skills in the neuropsychological assessment of older adults, including
test selection, administration, scoring, norming, and reporting of
results, as well as providing appropriate feedback to referral sources,
patients, and their families. Interns will gain an understanding of
normal cognitive aging and a wide variety of conditions that cause
cognitive impairment in seniors. Particular emphasis is given to
diagnosing the various dementias and discriminating them from reversible
disorders (e.g., delirium, depression). In the outpatient Dementia
Evaluation Clinic, trainees will have the opportunity to work with
patients and their families to best utilize the feedback from testing.
Trainees will gain experience consulting to a multidisciplinary
geriatric healthcare team and participating in their meetings. Interns
will also have the opportunity to explore various therapeutic approaches
for use with seniors. Interns may work with older individuals on issues
related to the physical, social, and psychological changes associated
with aging, chronic illness, physical disability, bereavement/grief,
depression, anxiety, and other clinical issues. Most cases will be
short-term in nature, but interns may have the opportunity to carry a
long-term case if appropriate. There are opportunities for providing
marital and family interventions in addition to individual
psychotherapy. Interns are encouraged to pursue, suggest, and implement
innovative approaches to working with elderly patients. Supervision is
provided from an integrative theoretical orientation and interns are
encouraged to develop and articulate their own therapeutic style.

**Home Based Primary Care (HBPC)**

*Supervisor: Position to be Filled*

***Program:*** VA Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) is a program that
provides comprehensive longitudinal primary care in the homes of
veterans with complex chronic disabling disease. HBHC targets patients
with complex chronic disease and provides comprehensive longitudinal
home care. The care is delivered by a physician-directed
interdisciplinary team comprising nurses, social workers, a dietician,
kineseotherapist, and psychologist. HBHC manages (1) patients with
multiple interacting chronic medical problems requiring longitudinal
intervention to maintain health status, retard functional decline, and
reduce or delay institutionalization; (2) patients with advanced
terminal illness who want palliative care, and (3) certain patients with
relatively short term problems, who need health services, home training,
and home adaptation until they can be managed in an outpatient clinic.
The psychologist provides assessment and intervention to individuals and
families to address psychological issues that are interfering with their
medical care or compromising their health status and functional
capacity.

***Psychology Training Provided:***

In the HBHC program, interns conduct psychological/cognitive assessment,
family interventions and brief psychotherapy, and provide training and
consultation to an interdisciplinary treatment team.

***Roles and responsibilities of interns during this rotation include
the following:***

-   Attending twice-weekly HBPC team meetings.

-   Providing psychological assessment and/or intervention with referred
    HBHC patients (typically conducted in patients\' homes, assisted
    living facilities, extended care facilities).

-   Providing consultation to staff regarding mental health issues and
    treatment.

-   Providing staff in-service and education.

Skills emphasized on this rotation are: a) development of an
understanding of normal functioning in aging, such as age-related
changes in cognitive and physical functioning, and common developmental
issues/tasks associated with aging; b) assessment of older adults
through use of clinical interviewing, psychodiagnostic evaluation,
neuropsychological screening, and evaluations of daily living skills; c)
provision of individual psychotherapy with older adults including
assisting patients to cope with grief, depression, anxiety, and other
psychological issues attendant to aging and/or chronic medical
illnesses, as well as interventions for compliance with and adjustment
to treatment regimens; d) provision of services to the caregiver and
family in coping with care giving and addressing problems that arise
during the course of a medical or mental illness, including dementia;
and e) the engagement in consultation and professional development
through functioning as a member of the HBHC interdisciplinary treatment
team. The primary theoretical orientation of the rotation is
cognitive-behavioral, although other approaches can be integrated when
appropriate.

**Infectious Disease Clinic, Oncology, Hospice, & Nephrology
Consultation**

*Supervisor: Adrienne House, Ph.D.*

***Infectious Disease Program:*** The Infectious Disease program
provides evaluation and treatment for veterans diagnosed with infectious
diseases. Approximately 200 patients are enrolled in the outpatient ID
Clinic, and the vast majority are being treated for HIV disease. The
primary care model is utilized for the provision of psychological
services to the veterans with HIV/AIDS and mental health services are
closely integrated into the provision of their overall medical care.

The psychologist provides coverage twice weekly for the ID Clinic and
sees patients outside of clinic for crisis intervention, individual,
couples and family psychotherapy. The psychologist also works closely
with the clinic physicians and other allied health team members,
providing consultation on a variety of issues, including recommendations
regarding patients\' potential for adherence to complex treatment
regimens and developing strategies to increase adherence. The
psychologist also provides follow up to HIV+ veterans receiving
inpatient medical or convalescent care.

All new patients receive initial psychological screening and are then
evaluated on an ongoing basis for assessment of adherence to treatment
regimen and adequacy of coping; early assessment of and intervention for
potential problem areas, with the goals of preventing or reducing
problems, and early identification and treatment of problems that might
interfere with the ability of the patient to adhere to complex and
strict medication regimens, e.g., depression, substance abuse and
dependence, and other psychosocial stressors. Issues addressed include
developing effective strategies for attaining and maintaining physical
and psychological health, assessment and treatment of depression,
anxiety, alcohol and other substance abuse and dependence, negotiating
safer sex, and maintaining adherence to strict antiretroviral treatment
regimens. The veteran is encouraged and supported in becoming an active
and knowledgeable participant in his or her medical care.

***Hematology/Oncology Service:*** As part of the interprofessional
team, the psychologist provides consultation services to veterans
receiving inpatient and outpatient treatment for cancer. Consultation
requests are received from general medical wards, general surgery
clinics, ENT clinic, inpatient and outpatient hem/onc, and radiation
therapy. The psychologist also attends weekly ENT tumor boards.

The psychologist assists veterans and families in coping with the many
issues surrounding dealing with life-threatening and chronic illnesses,
including changes in body image; pain management; end of life
decision-making; coming to terms with loss of function; adjusting to
disfiguring surgery; the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation; and
improving communication with the medical team. In providing
psychological assessment and interventions, the psychologist works with
many different problems and concerns, including depression and
assessment of suicide risk, anxiety, alcoholism and substance abuse,
noncompliance to medical regimens, marital and family issues, and other
mental health issues. The psychologist explores with the patient and
family salient existential questions and appropriate feelings associated
with serious illness and dying.

***Hospice:*** The psychologist works with an interprofessional team to
provide services to terminally ill veterans and their families through
the inpatient hospice program, which is located in our nursing home care
unit. The psychologist addresses the psychological aspects relevant to
the end of life, including differentiating between distress caused by
normal grieving and that associated with psychiatric disorders,
assisting the veteran in coming to terms with and finding meaning and
peace in his/her experience, facing their fears, and doing the emotional
work of saying good-bye. The psychologist also works with the veteran's
family and friends, and there is the opportunity to do bereavement work
after the veteran's death.

End-of-life psychological services are also provided to patients and
families through the weekly Palliative Care Clinic. This is an
interprofessional clinic designed to address the total care of cancer
patients whose disease is not responsive to standard therapy or who are
not candidates for aggressive therapy. The treatment goal is management
of symptoms and comfort care and addresses the emotional, psychological,
and social problems faced by patients in addition to their physical
problems.

***Nephrology Service:*** Psychology occasionally provides consultation
services to patients on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Issues
addressed include mood and anxiety disorders, coming to terms with major
lifestyle changes, compliance with complex and often difficult dietary
and medical regimens, quality of life issues, and the effect of
end-stage renal disease on family and other relationships. The
psychologist also provides psychological evaluations to evaluate
veterans being considered for kidney transplant.

***Psychology Training Provided:*** Interns gain experience with a wide
variety of psychological problems associated with chronic and/or
life-threatening illness and terminal illness. Exposure to both
inpatient and outpatients is provided. An intern has the opportunity to
gain familiarity with a variety of both short- and long-term treatment
approaches. The intern will learn multiple assessment techniques,
formulation of appropriate recommendations and referrals, methods for
communicating the results and recommendations to the treatment team, and
varied psychotherapeutic interventions. Common therapeutic issues
include depression, grief, anger, compliance with medication, substance
abuse, interpersonal conflicts, existential issues associated with
serious and terminal illness, and suicidality. Interns also get
experience being a member of a variety of interprofessional teams.

**Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation Medicine**

*Supervisor: Jeffrey Webster, Ph.D.*

***Program:*** This program provides clinical neuropsychological
consultation to the entire healthcare facility, including Neurology and
Rehabilitation Medicine. Such consultation usually consists of the
assessment of neuropsychological and psychological functioning using a
broad range of quantitative and qualitative approaches. In addition, the
intern provides general psychological consultation services to
Rehabilitation Medicine including facilitating adjustment in the
brain-injured individual and his/her family. Interns also attend
seminars on neuropsychology, neuropathology, and rehabilitative
medicine.

***Psychology Training Provided:*** The intern can expect to be exposed
to a wide variety of strategies for neuropsychological assessment,
including process approaches and structured batteries. By the time the
intern has completed the rotation, she or he can also expect to learn
how to plan a testing battery based on the patient\'s likely
neuropathology and history. Information obtained from the assessment is
used to answer diverse referral requests, e.g., identifying the
presence, localization, and nature of brain lesions or dysfunction;
establishing baseline functioning; and identifying the pattern of
neuropsychological and personality strengths and weaknesses. This
information is used to aid in establishing diagnosis, treatment and
rehabilitation planning, and prognosis. Interns may also get the
opportunity to conduct cognitive retraining with a few brain-injured
patients. Dr. Webster encourages neuropsychological research as well. He
is seeking funding for studies designed to detect deception of
neuropsychological deficits seen in PTSD. He is also developing measures
to detect non-malingering psychological issues that impact
neuro-psychological assessment such as learned helplessness. Publication
results from his rotation include: Webster, et al (2001) Computer
assisted training for unilateral neglect. Archives of Physical Medicine
& Rehabilitation, Webster et al, (1997); Assessment of patients with
unilateral neglect. In A.M. Horton, D. Wedding, & J.S. Webster (Eds.),
The Neuropsychological Handbook: Volume 1, 2nd Edition (pp. 469-502).
New York: Springer and Webster & Lopez (In Press). New scores for the
Category Test: Measures of interference from Subtests 5 and 6. The
Clinical Neuropsychologist.

**Outpatient Mental Health**

*Supervisor: Leigh Messinides, Ph.D.*

***Program:*** General outpatient mental health services are provided by
an interdisciplinary staff. Each patient is assigned to a case manager
who is available for crisis intervention and liaison to other services.
Depending on needs, the patient may be assigned to a psychiatrist,
social worker or a member of the psychology staff. A clinical pharmacist
is available within the clinic for patient education and staff
consultation. Psychology provides individual assessment and diagnostic
intakes as well as individual, couples, family, and group psychotherapy.
Patients who are in need of acute intensive psychiatric care are treated
in a short-term inpatient psychiatric unit and followed by the same
mental health providers assigned to them during their outpatient
treatment. Cases may also come from the walk-in clinic (PETS clinic) for
more immediate assignment of patients in crisis.

***Psychology Training Provided:*** Interns are expected to develop a
caseload of patients referred by the walk-in clinic or the mental health
clinic staff. Psychological services include individual assessment and
diagnostic testing, individual psychotherapy, couples/family therapy,
and group therapy. Should the need for hospitalization occur, the intern
and other staff members follow their patient during the inpatient phase
and the discharge planning process. The most frequent psychotherapy
referrals are for mood disorders, panic disorder, social anxiety, and
PTSD, but a whole range of presenting problems can be encountered, such
as eating disorders, delusional disorders, and compulsive or
self-destructive behaviors. There is also the opportunity to co-lead a
cognitive-behavioral group for managing depression and anxiety symptoms.
If an intern wishes to develop a time-limited treatment group in a
particular area of interest, support for this can be provided. The
intern is encouraged to consult and collaborate with the other
disciplines providing care and to coordinate psychological care with the
biological, social services, and case management interventions offered.
The trainee also has an opportunity to work at the Santa Ana Community
Outpatient Clinic in Orange County, which would provide a primary care
experience. This is voluntary based on interest and scheduling
constraints.

**Primary Care Program**

*Supervisor: Martin Kenigsberg, Ph.D., FAACP, A.B.P.P.*

***Program:*** This rotation provides psychological consultation and
treatment of medical patients in the primary care and specialty care
health care group. Requests for psychological consultation include both
assessment and treatment and may come from physicians, nurse
practitioners and physicians\' assistants. A wide range of psychological
and behavioral issues is encountered, including behavioral medicine
issues, preoperative psychological evaluation, underlying
psychopathology, depression and suicidal risk, anxiety, evaluation for
organ transplantation, non-compliance with medical treatment, substance
abuse, marital and family problems, and adjustment to chronic and/or
life-threatening disease, etc. In some cases the consultant performs a
triage function, while in others the consultant may provide direct
psychological treatment to the patient. In addition to the general
consultant role, closer liaison services are provided to Cardiology.
There are weekly interdisciplinary cardiac rehab team meetings in which
patients in need of psychological services are identified and
psychological evaluations are shared with other team members. There is
also an opportunity to work one half day a week at the Anaheim community
based outpatient clinic with a general medical population.

***Psychology Training Provided:*** Interns gain exposure to a broad
range of psychological and behavioral problems that interface with
physical disease and disability as well as medical/surgical treatment.
Assessment of these problems may draw from diverse sources of
information, including review of patient records, direct behavioral
assessment, clinical interview, information from medical staff or family
members, and the use of selected psychological tests. Learning to
communicate assessment information effectively and make recommendations
to referral sources is emphasized. Experience with a wide range of
psychological treatment approaches can be obtained. Crisis intervention,
individual, and family psychotherapy, and behavioral medicine
interventions are all available.

**Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC)**

*Supervisor: Richard Tingey, Ph.D.*

***Program:*** The Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center
(PRRC) is an outpatient biopsychosocial treatment and rehabilitation
program. It blends psychotherapy, psychoeducation, and psychiatric
therapies with practical rehabilitation. As part of this healthcare
facility's mental health services, we provide continuity of care between
the inpatient units/acute care and other less intensive outpatient
programs. We generally treat severe and chronically mentally ill clients
with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, severe depression, bipolar
disorder and severe personality disorders. The programming is designed
to promote recovery in our clients, and to prevent relapse or
rehospitalization. We also provide blended treatment through our
Addictions Track for clients who have a drug or alcohol problem.
Generally, the treatment provided in DTC focuses on two areas:
"psychiatric symptoms" and adaptive functioning. We try to decrease
symptoms to increase functioning and increase functioning to motivate
clients to better manage their symptoms. The overall goal is to help
them function as well as possible in their community. We have an
excellent interprofessional team (Psychologist, Psychiatrists, Nurses,
Recreation Therapists, and Occupational Therapists) that provides
treatment and enjoys working with interns.

***Psychology Training Provided:*** Interns can leave PRRC having done
almost everything that the regular staff does (exluding medical
interventions). They do intake assessments, provide individual and group
psychotherapy, case coordination, crisis intervention, psychological
evaluations, discharge plans, and present in interdisciplinary rounds.
They may choose to emphasize one or two areas or opt to sample it all.
They may be fairly independent and lead groups on their own, or team up
with other staff members. These experiences are spread through the
rotation to give the intern time to adjust and to reflect. The staff
members are quite flexible and are very skilled at providing the type of
training the intern seeks.

**PTSD and Anger Management Programs**

*Supervisors: Susan Houston, Ph.D., A.B.P.P. and John Huang, Ph.D.*

**PTSD and Anger Management Programs:** PTSD programs at the VA Long
Beach Healthcare System include group and individual therapy. The Combat
PTSD Group, in existence since 1985, is a group for combat veterans of
any era who are experiencing PTSD symptoms as a result of their combat
exposure. This group combines psychoeducational and cognitive-behavioral
treatment techniques with sharing of combat-related and current issues
by participants. A new group, called "Transitions," helps veterans from
Afghanistan or the current conflict in Iraq readjust to civilian life
and reintegrate into family, social and school or work settings.
Individual therapy is also provided for veterans with PTSD issues who
are not candidates for group treatment for whatever reason. There is
also a group especially for combat medics and corpsmen, the Combat Docs'
Group. The Anger Management program is a 16-week, 32-session group
intended to assist veterans who have difficulty controlling their anger
and expressing it appropriately. The group may include veterans who have
been referred from various sources, including the courts, as well as
those who join the group because of their own desire for assistance in
this area. Dr. Houston also leads or co-leads several other groups,
including a Seniors Group once a week for older veterans experiencing
depression, anxiety, or adjustment disorders, and PTSD and Anger
Management groups at the residential substance abuse treatment program
(VVRC), located about 6 miles west of our VA Long Beach facility. Dr.
Huang leads a group called mindfulness and PTSD, as well as general PTSD
groups, and co-leads a relaxation and meditation group.

**Psychology Training Provided:** Interns who select this rotation work
closely with Dr. Houston or Dr. Huang as part of the PTSD/Anger
Management team. They have opportunities to gain experience in
interviewing skills, diagnosis and both individual and group treatment.
Interns co-lead groups as well as seeing veterans with PTSD, anger
issues, or related problems for short-term individual therapy. Dr.
Houston is in charge of the anger management groups and her interns lead
sessions of Anger Management themselves. Dr. Huang\'s interns will
co-lead the mindfulness and PTSD group.

**Smoking Cessation/ Weight Reduction Program**

*Supervisor: Barry Rabin, Ph.D.*

***Program:*** The Smoking Cessation/Weight Reduction Program provides
outpatients and selected inpatients, along with their significant
others, behavioral and medical interventions to help them reduce their
risk factors from smoking and being overweight. Psychologists work
closely with other health professionals (e.g., physicians, pharmacists,
nutritionists, physical therapists) in balancing psychological and
medical interventions. Therapeutic approaches provide a combination of a
structured psychoeducational model, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT),
and a supportive group process. Individual therapy is provided as needed
for emotional problems. Psychologists are involved in initial
evaluation, therapeutic intervention and long-term follow-up.
Consultation with referring clinics (Primary Care, Pulmonary,
Cardiology, Vascular, etc.) is an integral part of the program.

***Psychology Training Provided:*** Interns are encouraged to
participate in the many levels of this program. The intern first
sharpens his/her diagnostic skills in determining the readiness of the
patient to change aspects of his/her life style. Evaluation of
smoking/eating history, medical and psychological risk indicators,
emotional state, relationships, and environmental interactions are
essential in planning for successful intervention. We encourage active
leadership in organizing and conducting a combined structured and
open-ended group process. The intern will sharpen his or her group
presentation skills including multimedia use of videos, handouts, and
power-point slides. Group facilitation skills are also encouraged to
identify problem areas and encourage adoption of positive attitudes and
behaviors. Integrating community programs and selected websites into the
patient\'s efforts will provide a broader level of experience. Interns
also participate in follow-up efforts after patients complete the
program.

**Spinal Cord Injury/Dysfunction (SCI)**

*Supervisors: Sarah Fraley, Ph.D., David Kerner, Ph.D., Linda Mona,
Ph.D.*

***Program:*** The Spinal Cord Injury/Dysfunction (SCI) Health Care
Group is the largest SCI center in the United States. It is a thriving
program, with some of the greatest resources in the entire hospital.
Patients in this setting present a broad spectrum of spinal cord
injuries. from the newly injured individual facing a catastrophic life
change, to the individual injured many years ago who is now coping with
decreased functional ability as a result of the aging process. Five
staff psychologists, along with interns and pre-interns, provide mental
health and behavioral health services to veterans with spinal cord
injuries on an inpatient and outpatient basis.

Spinal cord injuries can result from traumatic injury such as gunshot
wound or motor vehicle accident, or from a variety of non-traumatic
causes such as multiple sclerosis. Persons with spinal cord injuries are
classified as either tetraplegic or paraplegic. The tetraplegic
(quadriplegic) individual has experienced a traumatic injury or
impairment in one or more cervical segments of his or her spinal cord,
resulting in sensory and motor loss in the arms, hands, as well as in
all areas below the damaged level. Paraplegics have damaged or diseased
spinal cords in the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral segments, causing loss
of sensory and motor function (paralysis) at the point of injury and
below.

Spinal cord injury rehabilitation and treatment demands a broad
interdisciplinary approach, both for acute rehabilitation and for
ongoing care. The psychologists and interns work within closely-knit
teams that include physicians, pharmacists, social workers,
rehabilitation therapists, case managers, dietitians, respiratory
therapists, psychiatrists, and especially the nursing staffs of the
three SCI units. Psychology staff assesses each patient and provide
interventions that address a wide variety of adjustment, mental health,
and health behavior concerns. Frequently-seen problems include
adjustment to disability; depression and anxiety; pain; and
compliance/adherence concerns. Intervention approaches include
individual counseling, education, and psychotherapy, sex therapy,
relaxation training, pain management, social skills training, patient
education, couples therapy, and psychosocial support for the injured
person\'s family and other social support systems. In addition, close
consultation with the SCI team forms a central part of the
psychologist's role.

***Psychology Training Provided:*** Interns obtain experience in
observing, evaluating, and facilitating the adjustment of individuals
following a disabling injury. The intern learns to promote coping
strategies and assist reintegration into meaningful life activities and
roles. Interns gain valuable experience working within interdisciplinary
medical teams and also within a consultation-liaison framework. It is
expected that the intern will fulfill the behavioral health needs of the
unit through assessment, consultation, treatment, and the use of
appropriate referrals. Longer-term outpatient work is also available, as
are opportunities for staff in-service training. The concepts and
strategies learned are not unique to the treatment of spinal cord injury
patients, but can be generalized to other medical populations. It is not
expected or necessary for trainees to have specific interest in spinal
cord injury per se. Because so many job openings for psychologists now
require some background working with physicians and medical teams, this
rotation is especially useful for interns seeking to enhance their
marketability in that area.

**Substance Abuse Treatment Clinic (SATC)**

*Supervisor: Henry C. Benedict, Ph.D.*

***Program:*** The program is open-ended with daily admissions and
discharges. Treatment is a daily round of structured activities,
including group therapy, individual counseling, rap sessions, films,
patient-staff meetings, patient government meetings, relaxation
sessions, rehabilitation therapies, and evening AA/CA meetings. Family
members and friends are invited to attend films, lectures, and
discussion groups. A full interprofessional staff is involved in the
program, which follows a medical/social model.

***Psychology Training Provided:*** Interns can expect to participate in
all aspects and activities of the program. Examples include acting as
co-therapist in groups of 10-15 patients, counseling individual cases,
doing intake interviews with and without the use of psychological
testing, and participating in one- and three-week treatment plan
updates. The training experience should provide the intern with an
understanding of the dynamics of substance abuse in the dually diagnosed
and dually addicted patient, and the techniques involved in their
treatment.

**Women's Mental Health Center**

*Supervisors: Lori S. Katz, Ph.D., and Lindsey E. Bloor, Ph.D.*

***Program:*** The Women\'s Mental Health Center (WMHC) hosts the
12-week intensive "Renew" program for homeless women veterans and
outpatients to address issues related to sexual trauma. Homeless women
are housed at a nearby facility funded by US VETS. The program includes
several structured groups: motivation, coping with feelings, trauma
skills group, healthy relationships, self-care, and trauma processing as
well as creative and expressive arts therapies such as drama therapy and
art therapy. All participants also have an individual therapist to
assist in the deeper-level trauma reprocessing work. This program is
based on Dr. Katz's Holographic Reprocessing techniques for a
comprehensive and holistic approach to addressing repetitive patterns
that result from unresolved trauma.

The WMHC also provides individual psychotherapy for women not in Renew.
Also, several research projects are being conducted at the WMHC,
including a national evaluation project comparing the results of the
Renew program with other programs in the country that provide treatment
for homeless women veterans but do not focus on sexual trauma. The
Women\'s Mental Health Center includes treatment in general psychology
(e.g., depression, anxiety, couples therapy, transgender issues and
other psychological problems).

***Psychology Training Provided:*** On this rotation, interns
participate in two of the Renew groups and treat 7 outpatients with a
variety of problem issues including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder,
Depression, Panic Attacks, Phobias, Personality Disorders, etc. Most of
the patients on this rotation have a history of physical, emotional, and
sexual abuse. Depending on the case, interns may engage in crisis
intervention, short-term focused psychotherapy, or longer-term
psychotherapy. Interns receive an intensive training experience with an
emphasis on theoretical and practical aspects of psychotherapy. A weekly
didactic seminar offers a forum to read articles and discuss issues
related to general issues of psychotherapy and specific issues related
to working with trauma. Interns may also assist in staff trainings
(e.g., sensitivity trainings, workshops and seminars on the treatment of
trauma, poster sessions, and annual celebration events such as the
Women's Veterans' Recognition Day)

**DIDACTICS**

The Intern Seminar meets Wednesday afternoons from 2:30 to 4:30, and it
is composed of topics ranging from issues of diversity in our patients
and staff, new developments in chronic pain management, behavioral
health consultation, psychopharmacology, psychological and
neuropsychological assessment, and various professional development
issues (e.g., legal and ethical issues, the 10-hour Human Sexuality
course needed for CA licensure, employment alternatives, and job seeking
strategies). Staff members give presentations in the intern seminar,
ranging from a single hour to two-hour sessions sometimes spanning
weeks. Intern seminar also provides the opportunity for case
presentations of interesting and challenging patients who interns are
following. We also have a case presentation group of staff and trainees
that meets on Thursdays. There are many rotation-specific didactics that
interns attend as well.

Mental Health Care Group Grand Rounds is collaboration between by the
Directors of Training in Psychiatry and Psychology. We are committed to
giving psychiatrists, nurses, and social workers in mental health more
exposure to our staff and interns. Each intern is expected to present
once at Grand Rounds during the training year. Mental Health will have a
journal club where interns can present as well. A general Psychology
Department staff meeting occurs once a month and includes the Chief
Intern. These meetings are chaired by the Chief Psychologist and
generally include provider contact data, peer review, new developments
in the healthcare system, and issues specific to psychology as a
profession. Immediately after that is a supervisors and training meeting
facilitated by the Internship Training Director and Assistant Training
Director, where we discuss issues pertaining to supervision, institute
incremental changes to our training program, and review the progress of
our interns and practicum students.

## Requirements for Completion

Before and during orientation week, interns\' prior training experiences
are reviewed. This is done to identify areas of strengths and
weaknesses, in order to facilitate the development of a training program
that best meets the specific training needs of each intern. In keeping
with our generalist philosophy, interns are encouraged to address those
areas in which they have had limited experience (e.g., working with
certain populations such as the severely mentally ill or substance
abusers, particular assessment approaches such as use of
neuropsychological instruments or personality testing, or exposure to
various theoretical orientations).

***It is expected that upon completion of the program all interns will
demonstrate competence in the following six general domains***:

A.  Clinical Procedures and Principles

B.  Assessment

C.  Treatment Planning

D.  Interventions

E.  Consultation and Liaison

F.  Professional Ethics

At the beginning of the training year, each intern receives a Psychology
Intern Manual that specifies the required competency elements within
each domain, along with examples of the expected levels of performance
for an intern. At the end of each training rotation, the intern is rated
on all competency elements that apply to that rotation. Items in the
Clinical Procedures and Principles, Consultation and Liaison, and the
Professional Ethics sections are simply rated as "Fully Successful" or
\"Needs Improvement," while the elements in the sections on Assessment,
Treatment Planning, and Interventions have three rating levels based on
descriptive anchors. Level 1 indicates \"Needs Constant Supervision and
Requires Basic Training.\" Level 2 indicates someone who \"Needs
Frequent Supervision and Has Little Practical Experience.\" Level 3
indicates \"Level for a Typical Intern upon Graduating from Our
Program/Basic Knowledge and Expertise.\" While some interns may be
functioning at a higher level than Level 3 especially toward the end of
their internship year, we have designated Level 3 as the criteria-based
acceptable level of functioning for all psychology interns. Level 3 thus
represents the attainment of performance that we expect of an intern
exiting our training program. This refers to both basic clinical skills
and appropriate use of supervision for a psychology student nearing the
end of graduate training. In addition to these formal competency
ratings, a narrative summary of the intern\'s performance over the
evaluation period is provided, that offers more personalized and
specific information about the intern\'s progress, performance, and
clinical strengths and any areas that should be addressed for additional
professional growth. Along with the rating on these core competencies,
we also exclude a written narrative evaluation for the intern and to
derive an information for final letters of completion to be sent to the
academic training program after the successful completion of our
internship.

## Facility and Training Resources

## All Interns are provided with office space and secure networked computers necessary for patient care and administrative responsibilities. They have access to the VA Medical Library services such entire text databases like Ovid, as well as VA Intranet and Internet resources for clinical work and research. Within the Psychology Department there is a comprehensive Psychology Assessment Lab, which includes a wide variety of psychological assessment instruments and test scoring programs. 

## Administrative Policies and Procedures

The VA Long Beach Healthcare System\'s policy on Authorized Leave is
consistent with the national standard. You are welcome to discuss this
with the Director of Training.

***Due Process:*** All trainees are afforded the right to due process in
matters of problematic behavior and grievances. An 8-page due process
document is distributed to every intern during orientation and reviewed
with them subsequently. A copy of our due process policy is available on
request.

***Privacy policy:*** We collect no personal information from you when
you visit our Website.

***Self-Disclosure:*** We do not require interns to disclose personal
information to their clinical supervisors except in cases where personal
issues may be adversely affecting an ntern\'s performance and such
information is necessary to address these difficulties.

## Training Staff

**PSYCHOLOGY STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND INTERESTS**

**BENEDICT, Henry C.**

Present VA Position: Staff Psychologist, Substance Abuse Treatment
Clinic

Area of Specialization: Clinical Psychology

Degree: Ph.D., Washington University, 1967

VA Hire: 1967

E-mail address: henry.benedict@va.gov

Licensure: California, 1969

Theoretical Orientation: Eclectic

Areas of Clinical Specialization: Psychodiagnostic evaluations; Chemical
dependence including alcoholism, dual addiction and dual diagnosis;
Individual and group psychotherapy

Publications: Cognitive dissonance, clinical exchange, dual diagnosis

Research Interests: Substance abuse, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Academic Appointments: Fuller Graduate School of Psychology

Professional Activities Outside VA: Continuous part-time teaching
appointments

Professional Organizations: American Psychological Association

Intern Training Rotation: Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation
Treatment Program

Teaching/Training Interests: All aspects of clinical psychology,
therapy, diagnosis, etc.

**BLOOR, Lindsey E.**

Current VA Position: Staff Psychologist, Women\'s Health Clinic and
Sexual Trauma Program

Area of Specialization: Clinical Psychology

Degree: Ph.D., University of Utah, 2005

VA hire: 2005

E-mail address: lindsey.bloor@va.gov

Licensure: California 2007

Theoretical Orientation: Integrative (Cognitive-Experiential,
Psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral)

Areas of Clinical Specialization: Individual, group psychotherapy;
health psychology, sexual trauma and PTSD

Publications: Social support, psychosocial aspects of cancer, and
cardiovascular reactivity manuscripts published in Behavioral
medicine/Health psychology journals

Research Interests: Social Support and Adjustment; Physical and Mental
Health Outcomes; Psychotherapy Outcomes

Professional Organizations: American Psychological Association Health
Psychology Division; American Psychosomatic Society; Phi Kappa Phi Honor
Society, University of Utah; READ Orange County Literacy Program

Intern Training Rotation: Women\'s Health Clinic and Sexual Trauma
Program

Teaching/Training Interests: Health psychology, stress and coping

**COLE, Kenneth D.**

Present VA Position: Psychology Training Director; Staff Psychologist

Area of specialization: Clinical Psychology, Adult Development and Aging

Degree: Ph.D., University of Southern California, 1981

VA hire: 1984

E-mail address: kenneth.cole@va.gov

Licensure: California, 1983

Theoretical orientation: Mindfulness-based third wave psychotherapies

Areas of clinical specialization: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy,
Consultation-Liaison to spinal cord injury, lifespan development,
training contemporary psychologists

Publications: Interprofessional models of team care; Evaluation of
health care teams in training settings; depression in the elderly and in
nursing home settings

Research interests: Exploration of use of ACT treatment in varied
settings

Academic appointments: Clinical Associate Professor, University of
Southern California (USC); Fuller Graduate School of Psychology

Professional activities outside VA: Consultation with interprofessional
healthcare programs and teams

Professional organizations: American Psychological Association

Intern training rotation: Psychotherapy and Assessment

Teaching/training interests: Mindfulness-based and more traditional
psychotherapies; emerging treatment approaches having some empirical
support

**FRALEY, Sarah S.**

Current VA Position: Staff Psychologist, Spinal Cord Injury/Impairment;
Assistant Director of Training

Area of Specialization: Counseling Psychology; Spinal Cord Injury
(postdoc at Rancho Los Amigos)

Degree: Ph.D., University of Iowa, 2004

VA hire: 2005

E-mail address: sarah.fraley@va.gov

Licensure: California (2005)

Theoretical Orientation: Integrative, Cognitive-Behavioral

Areas of clinical specialization: Rehabilitation psychology, Spinal Cord
Injury

Publications/Research interests: women's health psychology, sexual
coercion, sexuality and disability

Professional Organizations: American Psychological Association

Intern Training Rotation: Spinal Cord Impairment Health Care Group

Teaching/Training interests: Rehabilitation psychology, vicarious
traumatization/burnout, issues relevant to new graduates (licensure, job
seeking strategies)

**FOX, Lauren S.**

Current VA Position: Staff Psychologist, Geropsychology

Area of Specialization: Clinical-Aging Psychology

Degree: Ph.D., University of Southern California, 2001

VA Hire: 2007

E-mail address: lauren.fox@va.gov

Licensure: California, 2006

Theoretical orientation: Integrative (Cognitive-Behavioral,
Psychodynamic, Humanistic, Family Systems, Object Relations, Attachment
Theory, Life Review)

Areas of Clinical Specialization: Neuropsychological assessment with
older adults, specifically dementia diagnostic evaluations, progressive
dementia vs. reversible cognitive impairments. Program development for
persons with dementia. Psychotherapy regarding aging-related issues
(chronic or life-threatening illness, disability, care giving, death and
dying, bereavement, meaning-making and purpose in old age, family
systems issues), depression and anxiety, integrating Buddhist philosophy
and meditative/ mindfulness practice into psychotherapy.

Publications/Research interests: Caregivers of people with dementia,
Lewy body disease, neuropsychological assessment of dementia, emotion in
older adults, moods and memory, anxiety and attention, empirically
validated psychological interventions for older adults.

Professional Organizations: American Psychological Association

Intern Training Rotation: Geropsychology

Teaching/Training interests: Neuropsychological assessment of older
adults, psychotherapy with older adults, mindfulness and meditation

**HANSON, Richard W.**

Present VA Positions: Chief Psychologist; Chief, Behavioral Medicine
Section

Area of specialization: Clinical Psychology

Degree: Ph.D., University of Arizona, 1972

VA hire: 1973

E-mail address: richard.hanson@va.gov

Licensure: California, 1978

Theoretical orientation: Cognitive-Behavioral

Areas of clinical specialization: Behavioral medicine, chronic pain and
stress management, PTSD

Publications: Chronic pain management, compliance, rehabilitation
psychology; Chronic Pain Management Handbook (used in the VA Long Beach
Pain Management Clinic)

Academic appointments: Department of Psychology, University of
California, Los Angeles; Fuller Graduate School of Psychology

Professional organizations: American Psychological Association, American
Pain Society, Association of VA Psychology Leaders

Intern training rotation: Chronic Pain and PTSD

Teaching/training interests: Health psychology, behavioral medicine,
chronic pain, and stress management

**HOUSE, Adrienne I.**

Present VA Position: Staff Psychologist, HIV/Onc, Hospice, Dialysis

Area of Specialization: Clinical Psychology

Degree: Ph.D., Washington University in St. Louis, 1985

VA hire: 1992

E-mail Address: adrienne.house@va.gov

Licensure: California, 1989

Theoretical Orientation: Cognitive-behavioral, humanistic

Areas of clinical specialization, special interests, and links to
resources and information:

Health psychology, coping with HIV disease, cancer and other chronic
illnesses:

-   [HIV InSite](../%20http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/): "Comprehensive,
    up-to-date information on HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and policy
    from the University of California San Francisco."

-   [AIDS HIV AEGIS](http://www.aegis.com/): According to them, \"The
    largest HIV/AIDS web site in the world, updated hourly.\"

-   [Being Alive Los Angeles](http://www.beingalivela.org/) is an
    organization formed by and for people with HIV/AIDS and this site
    has much information on LA area support groups, resources, events,
    other HIV-related links, and more. The Being Alive Newsletter
    features articles on the latest treatments and issues important to
    the community. People with HIV/AIDS who cannot afford the cost can
    request a free monthly subscription.

-   [Project Inform](http://www.projinf.org/)'s website has a wealth of
    information to help you keep up on the rapid developments in
    treatments for HIV/AIDS. They offer an introductory packet for
    people newly diagnosed with HIV, fact sheets on disease and
    treatment issues and newsletters.

-   For a collection of great articles on mental health issues and
    HIV/AIDS, check out [Depression, Anxiety and Mental
    Health](http://www.thebody.com/mental.html) presented by [The Body:
    An AIDS and HIV Information
    Resource](http://www.thebody.com/index.shtml).

-   [National Cancer Institute](http://www.cancer.gov/)

-   [Association of Online Cancer Resources](http://www.acor.org/)

-   [Cancer-Pain.org](http://www.cancer-pain.org/index.html)

-   [American Psychosocial Oncology
    Society](http://www.apos-society.org/)

-   [International Psycho-Oncology
    Society](http://www.ipos-society.org/)

-   Steve Dunn has prepared [Cancer Guide](http://cancerguide.org/), a
    good starting point for people who have questions about cancer and
    want to learn what questions to ask, and the pros and cons of
    researching your cancer

-   [American Association of Kidney Patients](http://www.aakp.org/)

-   [Treatment Methods for Kidney
    Failure](http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kidneyfailure/index.htm)
    A series of booklets and fact sheets from the National Institute of
    Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (part of the National
    Institutes for Health)

Death, dying and grief:

-   The National Public Radio website companion to its yearlong series
    [The End of Life: Exploring Death in
    America](http://www.npr.org/programs/death), provides a wealth of
    resources and information, including transcripts of the shows,
    readings and a bibliography.

-   [Before I Die: Medical Care and Personal
    Choices](http://www.wnet.org/archive/bid/p-description.html), shown
    on PBS in 4/97, features a panel of experts in hospice and
    palliative care, bioethics, cancer care and pastoral care engaging
    in a discussion of the issues faced by professionals, patients, and
    families when making medical treatment decisions at the end of life.

-   [Growth House: Guide to Death, Dying Bereavement and End of Life
    Resources](http://www.growthhouse.org/), \"The Internet\'s leading
    community for end of life care,\" is absolutely fantastic and has a
    wealth of information.

-   [Hard Choices for Loving People](http://www.hardchoices.com/), an
    excellent resource regarding end of life decisions for both
    professionals and patients and their families.

-   [End of Life/Palliative Care Resource
    Center](http://www.eperc.mcw.edu/): "This site is intended to
    support individuals involved in the design, implementation, and/or
    evaluation of EOL/Palliative education for medical students,
    residents, practicing physicians, and other health care
    professionals."

-   Check out the article [Grief and the Mindfulness
    Approach](http://www.buddhanet.net/psygrief.htm)by Malcolm Huxter.

> Buddhism, Psychology and Mindfulness:

-   [The Institute for Meditation and
    Psychotherapy](http://www.meditationandpsychotherapy.org/): is a
    non-profit organization dedicated to the education and training of
    mental health professionals interested in the integration of
    mindfulness meditation and psychotherapy, for the purpose of
    enhancing the therapy relationship, the quality of clinical
    interventions, and the well-being of the therapist

-   : from a 5-day residential course on Buddhist psychology
    co-sponsored by the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies and the
    Cambridge Institute of Meditation and Psychotherapy

-   [What is
    Mindfulness?](http://mindfulness.ucsd.edu/abtmindfulness.htm): FAQS
    re mindfulness and meditation, from the UCSD Center for Mindfulness;
    while you're there, check out their link for "Other Mindfulness
    Resources"

-   [Insight Meditation Online](http://www.buddhanet.net/insight.htm) is
    a series of teachings on the techniques of mindfulness meditation.

-   BuddhaZine\'s [Psychotherapy, Meditation &
    Spirituality](http://www.buddhanet.net/psyche.htm) has several
    useful articles and essays, including [Buddhist Meditation and Depth
    Psychology](http://www.buddhanet.net/depth.htm).

-   Join in an on-line discussion of [Meditation in
    Psychotherapy](http://www.behavior.net/forums/meditation/), with
    James Spira. Also check out other interesting discussions on
    [Behavior OnLine](http://www.behavior.net/index.html)\'s website.

-   [The Meditation Archive](http://www.interluderetreat.com/medarc.htm)
    has an extensive collection of guides to meditations on a range of
    subjects\--it\'s a magnificent resource offered by [INTERLUDE: An
    Internet Retreat]().

-   [Self-Compassion](http://www.self-compassion.org/index.html):
    Incorporating the concept of loving kindness into mindfulness-based
    approaches

Academic Appointments: Fuller Graduate School of Psychology

Professional Organizations: Society of Behavioral Medicine, Division 38
of APA

Intern Training Rotation: Infectious Disease Clinic, Oncology, Hospice &
Nephrology Consultation

-   Teaching/Training Interests: Psychological adjustment to chronic and
    life threatening illness, psychological work with the terminally
    ill, Buddhism and its application to psychology

-   BuddhaZine\'s Psychotherapy, Meditation & Spirituality has several
    useful articles and essays, including Buddhist Meditation and Depth
    Psychology.

-   Join in an on-line discussion of Meditation in Psychotherapy, with
    James Spira. Also check out other interesting discussions on
    Behavior OnLine\'s website.

-   The Meditation Archive has an extensive collection of guides to
    meditations on a range of subjects\--it\'s a magnificent resource
    offered by INTERLUDE: An Internet Retreat.

-   Self-Compassion: Incorporating the concept of loving kindness into
    mindfulness-based approaches

Academic Appointments: Fuller Graduate School of Psychology

Professional Organizations: Society of Behavioral Medicine, Division 38
of APA

Intern Training Rotation: Infectious Disease Clinic, Oncology, Hospice &
Nephrology Consultation

Teaching/Training Interests: Psychological adjustment to chronic and
life threatening illness, psychological work with the terminally ill,
Buddhism and its application to psychology

**HOUSTON, Susan H.**

Present VA Positions: Staff Psychologist; Director, PTSD Programs

Area of Specialization: Clinical Psychology

Degrees: Ph.D. in Linguistics, Indiana University, 1966

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, University of Houston, 1978

Diplomate Status: A.B.P.P. (Awarded 1988)

VA hire: 1978

E-mail Address: susan.houston@va.gov

Licensure: California, 1982

Theoretical Orientation: Object Relations, Cognitive-Behavioral and
Acceptance and Commitment Therapies

Areas of Clinical Specialization: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder,
diagnostic evaluation, anxiety disorders

Publications: Linguistics, psycholinguistics, experimental psychology

Research Interests: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder, Personality Disorders

Professional Organizations: American Psychological Association, Academy
of Clinical Psychology, Linguistic Society of America

Intern Training Rotation: PTSD and Anger Management programs

Teaching/training interests: Psychological assessment and diagnosis,
individual and group psychotherapy

**HUANG, John S.**

Current VA Position: Staff Psychologist, PTSD Programs

Area of Specialization: Clinical Psychology

Degree: Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara, 2003

VA hire: 2006

E-mail address: john.huang2@va.gov

Licensure: California (2005)

Theoretical Orientation: Eclectic, Cognitive-Behavioral,

Interpersonal Process

Areas of clinical specialization: Diversity issues, PTSD,
meditation/relaxation.

Publications/Research interests: Diversity and mental health.

Professional Organizations: American Psychological Association

Intern Training Rotation: PTSD Clinic

Teaching/Training interests: Diversity; Buddhism, Christianity,

Hinduism, and Native American spirituality.

**KATZ, Lori S.**

Current VA Position: Director, Women\'s Mental Health Center

Area of Specialization: Clinical Psychology

Degree: Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, 1992

VA hire: 1992

E-mail address: lori.katz@va.gov

Licensure: Arizona (1993), California (1996)

Theoretical Orientation: Integrative, Cognitive-Experiential,
psychodynamic

Areas of Clinical Specialization: Individual, couples, and group
psychotherapy; sexual trauma; Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Publications: Military sexual trauma, Post-deployment readjustment,
Holographic Reprocessing; psychotherapy; recovery from cancer, stress
and coping, supervision, and humor

Research Interests: Psychotherapy, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder,
Post-deployment readjustment

Academic Appointments: Fuller Graduate School of Psychology

Professional Organizations: American Psychological Association

Intern Training Rotation: Women\'s Mental Health Center

Teaching/Training Interests: Theoretical and practical aspects of
psychotherapy

**KENIGSBERG, Martin I.**

Current VA Position: Staff Psychologist

Area of Specialization: Clinical Psychology

Degree: Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, 1978

Postdoctoral Training: Stanford University Medical Center, 1980

Diplomate/fellow Status: FAACP, A.B.P.P.

VA Hire: 1980

E-mail Address: martin.kenigsberg@va.gov

Licensure: California, 1979

Theoretical Orientation: Cognitive-behavioral, family systems

Areas of Clinical Specialization: Clinical and health psychology,
consultation-liaison psychology

Publications: Preventive medicine, behavioral self-management, smoking
cessation, pharmacological studies

Professional Activities Outside VA: Examiner, American Board of
Professional Psychology; Oral Commissioner for California Board of
Psychology; Trustee, and Past President, National Organization of VA
Psychologists; Board of Directors, Academy of Clinical Psychology

Professional Organizations: American Board of Professional Psychology,
Academy of Clinical Psychology, National Organization of VA
Psychologists

Intern Training Rotation: Medical and Surgical Consultation/Liaison
Services

Teaching/Training Interests: Health psychology/behavioral medicine,
cardiac rehabilitation, psychotherapy, psychological assessment,
consultation-liaison

**KERNER, David N.**

Current VA Position: Staff Psychologist, Spinal Cord Injury/Impairment

Area of Specialization: Clinical Psychology

Degree: Ph.D., Joint Doctoral Program, UC San Diego/San Diego State
University, 1998

VA hire: 2001

E-mail address: david.kerner2@va.gov

Licensure: Illinois (2000)

Theoretical orientation: Cognitive-Behavioral

Areas of clinical Specialization: Medical psychology, rehabilitation
psychology, chronic pain management

Publications: Outcome methodology, health psychology

Professional organizations: American Psychological Association, Society
of Behavioral Medicine

Intern Training Rotation: Spinal Cord Impairment Health Care Group

Teaching/training interests: Medical/health psychology, rehabilitation
psychology, physiological psychology, pain management.

**MESSINIDES, Leigh A.**

Current VA Position: Staff Psychologist, Outpatient Mental Health

Area of Specialization: Clinical Psychology

Degree: Ph.D., University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), 1992

VA Hire: 1992

E-mail Address: leigh.messinides@va.gov

Licensure: California (1993)

Theoretical Orientation: Integrative (cognitive-behavioral,
psychodynamic, systems)

Areas of Clinical Specialization: Health psychology, geriatrics, adults
abused as children, caregiver issues, constructivism in psychotherapy
(examination of meaning and narrative)

Research Interests: Treatment outcome, chronic pain

Professional Organizations: American Psychological Association

Intern Training Rotation: Mental Health Teams

Teaching/Training Interests: Psychologists as members of
interdisciplinary teams, geropsychology, male survivors of child sexual
abuse

**MONA, Linda R.**

Current VA Position: Staff Psychologist, Spinal Cord Injury/Impairment

Area of Specialization: Clinical Psychology

Degree: Ph.D., Georgia State University, 1998

VA hire: 2002

E-mail address: linda.mona@va.gov

Licensure: California (2000)

Theoretical Orientation: Integrative; Cognitive-Behavioral

Areas of clinical specialization: Rehabilitation psychology, couples
therapy, sex therapy

Publications: Sexuality and Disability, PTSD and SCI, Disability Policy

Professional Organizations: American Psychological Association, Society
for Disability Studies, Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality,
American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists

Intern Training Rotation: Spinal Cord Impairment Health Care Group

Teaching/Training interests: Psychology of disability, rehabilitation
psychology, sexual expression and sex therapy, diversity issues and
cross-cultural psychology

**RABIN, Barry J.**

Current VA Position: Staff Psychologist; Smoking Cessation Program

Area of Specialization: Clinical Psychology

Degree: Ph.D., University of Louisville, 1971

VA Hire: 1971

E-mail address: barry.rabin@va.gov

Licensure: California, 1972

Certification: Certified Sex Therapist and Sex Educator, American
Association of Sex Educators, Counselors & Therapists

Theoretical Orientation: Cognitive-behavioral

Areas of Clinical Specialization: Medical psychology, smoking cessation,
weight management,

Evaluations for bariatric surgery, sexual dysfunction,
professional-patient relationships

Publications: Adjustment to disability, sexual adjustment in disability,
psychosocial aspects of patient care

Academic appointment: Associate Professor, California State University
at Long Beach

Professional activities outside VA: Part-time teaching

Professional organizations: American Psychological Association,
California State Psychological Association, American Association of Sex
Educators, Counselors and Therapists

Teaching interests: Psychological aspects of physical illness and
disability, sexual adjustment, weight management and smoking cessation.

**SHURGOT, Gia**

Current VA Position: Staff Psychologist, Geropsychology

Area of Specialization: Clinical-Aging Psychology

Degree: Ph.D., University of Southern California, 2003

VA Hire: 2008

E-mail address: gia.shurgot@va.gov

Licensure: California, 2006

Theoretical orientation: Cognitive-Behavioral

Areas of Clinical Specialization: Neuropsychological assessment with
older adults, specifically dementia diagnostic evaluations, progressive
dementia vs. reversible cognitive impairments.

Psychotherapy with older adults, depression and anxiety, specifically
aging-related issues (coping with chronic illness, disability, dementia
caregiving, death and dying, bereavement, meaning-making and purpose in
old age)

Publications/Research interests: Ethnic minority and cross cultural

issues in caregiving for persons with dementia, psychotherapy with older
adults, mental health and aging, sad mood and memory.

Professional Organizations: American Psychological Association and
Gerontological Society of America

Intern Training Rotation: Geropsychology

Teaching/Training interests: Neuropsychological assessment of older
adults, psychotherapy with older adults, ethnic minority mental health

**TINGEY, Richard C.**

Present VA Position: Staff Psychologist; Director, Psychosocial Rehab
and Recovery Center

Area of Specialization: Clinical Psychology

Degree: Ph.D., Brigham Young University, 1989

VA Hire: 1995

E-mail address: richard.tingey@va.gov

Licensure: California, 1991

Theoretical Orientation: Psychodynamic, object relations

Areas of Clinical Specialization: Severe chronic mental illness,
addictive disorders

Publications: Psychotherapy outcome, outcome methodology

Research Interests: Therapy outcome, brief treatment, treatment
efficacy, substance abuse

Academic Appointments: Fuller Graduate School of Psychology

Professional Activities Outside VA: Part-time teaching, private practice

Professional Organizations: American Psychological Association,
California Psychological Association

Intern Training Rotation: Psychosocial Rehab and Recovery Center

Teaching Interests: Group psychotherapy, SA treatment, Recovery from
Severe Mental Illness

**WEBSTER, Jeffrey S.**

Present VA Positions: Staff Neuropsychologist; Director, Neuropsychology
Research Lab

Area of Specialization: Clinical Neuropsychology

Degree: Ph.D., University of Georgia, 1980

VA Hire: 1984

E-mail address: jeffrey.webster@va.gov

Licensure: Mississippi (1981), California (1993)

Theoretical Orientation: Cognitive-Behavioral

Areas of Clinical Specialization: Neuropsychological assessment and
rehabilitation of brain-injured patients, behavioral medicine,
gerontology

Publications: Neuropsychological assessment, assessment and treatment of
unilateral neglect, cognitive retraining following head injury,
psychophysiology, stress management, biofeedback, assertion training,
and behavioral approaches to physical rehabilitation

Research interests: Neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation

Academic appointment: Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation,
UC Irvine Medical School

Professional organizations: International Neuropsychological Society

Intern Training Rotation: Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation Medicine

Teaching & interests: Neuropsychological assessment, behavioral
approaches to physical rehabilitation, computer applications in
cognitive rehabilitation, and health psychology.

***Trainees***

**Intern Class of 2008-2009**

Colleen Clemency Arizona State University

Heather Eisele University of Missouri-St. Louis

Emily Fine University of Southern California

Aletha Miller University of North Texas

Adria Pearson University of Nevada---Reno

Marya Schulte SDSt/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program

Maggie Syme Kansas University

**Intern Class of 2007-2008**

Jennifer Predolin Pepperdine University

Gali Goldwaser Colorado State University

Peter Harakas Arizona State University

Jessica Lambert State University of NY---Albany

Kirsten Lowry University of Nevada---Reno

Kristin Reed University of North Texas

Christine Rufener Saint Louis University

**Intern Class of 2006-2007**

C. Ashley Borders University of Southern California

S. Karen Chung University of Florida

Jennifer Fallon Utah State University

Jed Grodin University of Southern California

Jessica Link-Malcolm University of North Texas

Anna McCarthy University of Houston

Lauren Williams University of Missouri---St. Louis

**Intern Class of 2005-2006**

Deborah Chien University of Southern California

Alyssa Epstein Illinois Institute of Technology

Athena Hagler SD State U/UC San Diego

Celine Ko SD State U/UC San Diego

Christine Markow Drexel University

Geoffrey Soleck University of Iowa

**Intern Class of 2004-2005**

Lindsey Bloor University of Utah

Mimy Eng SD State U/UC San Diego

Michael Marquez Washington State University

Sandra Radin University of Washington

Craig Siders University of South Florida

Peter Theodore University of Miami

## Local Information

The VA Long Beach Healthcare System (VALBHS) includes the main medical
center complex in Long Beach, as well as five community-based healthcare
clinics located in West Long Beach (Cabrillo Villages), Whittier,
Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Laguna Hills. The VALBHS is a part of the
Veteran\'s Integrated Service Network (VISN) 22, which also includes the
San Diego VA, Loma Linda VA, and the new Greater Los Angeles Healthcare
System consisting of the West Los Angeles VA, Sepulveda VA, the Los
Angeles Ambulatory Care Center, and outlying clinics. The medical center
complex is located adjacent to California State University at Long
Beach, and is approximately 30 miles south of UCLA and 20 miles north of
the University of California at Irvine (UCI). Our medical center is also
only minutes away from the beach.

The City of Long Beach is located along the California coast in southern
Los Angeles County, next to the border of Orange County. The city is
named for its miles of sandy beaches. Originally becoming popular as a
seaside resort in the late 19th century, Long Beach is the fifth largest
city in California with an ethnically diverse population of almost a
half million people. Its harbor is the home of the famous luxury liner
the Queen Mary and the Port of Long Beach, which is the busiest closed
container-shipping center in the United States. In the greater Long
Beach area, a large number of recreational, entertainment, cultural, and
sporting facilities are available.

**Directions to the VA Long Beach Medical Center and Psychology
Department**

The VA Long Beach Healthcare Center is located on the corner of
Bellflower Boulevard and Seventh Street in Long Beach. It is adjacent to
California State University at Long Beach, and is just northeast of
where Pacific Coast Highway intersects with Bellflower Blvd. and Seventh
Street. The address is 5901 E. Seventh Street. For more information on
orienting yourself to VA Long Beach, please check the VA Long Beach
Website. [www.longbeach.va.gov](http://www.longbeach.va.gov/)

***Freeway access from the North is the San Diego Freeway (405).***

-   Take the Bellflower Blvd. exit going south.

-   On Bellflower Blvd., after passing shopping areas and crossing
    Atherton Street, you will come upon CSU Long Beach on the left.

-   Immediately after Beach Drive are the VA grounds, also on the left.

-   Since you cannot make a legal left turn on Sam Johnson Road, you
    must go further to Palm Road where there is a left turn lane
    enabling you to enter the VA grounds through Gate 3.

***Freeway access from the South on the San Diego Freeway (405) or from
the East on the Garden Grove Freeway (22) that merges into the San Diego
Freeway, and from the North on the San Gabriel Freeway (605).***

-   From each of these freeways, take the Seventh Street (22 West) exit.

-   After passing CSU Long Beach on Seventh Street on the right, after
    passing, you will come upon the VA, which is also on the right.

-   Directions are easier if you pass the main VA entrance and make a
    right on Bellflower Boulevard.

-   Take the second hospital entrance (Sam Johnson Road) and proceed
    straight (east) and park on the street or in lots on your the left
    hand side after you pass the intersection with Canob Road.

-   Parking is now much more difficult because parking lots near the
    7^th^ Street entrance are closed for construction of three new
    buildings that is now underway.

***The Psychology main offices are located on hallway "A-2" on the
second floor of Building 128.***

-   Proceed up the steps and cross the street and walk up the sidewalk
    to the right (west) of the Community Living Center.

-   Voluntary services with a blue awning will be on your right.

-   Keep walking straight until you enter through the double doors, make
    a right, and proceed down a long corridor. You'll get to an
    intersection, and please turn left there.

-   Go through the sliding glass door and then make a right, following
    the signs for A-2. Make your second left and you'll see two
    elevators on the left.

-   Take one up to the second floor, turn left, proceed down the hall to
    the end and check in with our Program Support Assistant Sue Suh in
    the Psychology office (A-200).

-   The Director of Training is in the office within her office, A-201.

-   If you need additional directions, please call (562) 826-5604.