> ![](media/image1.png){width="1.125in"
> height="1.4166666666666667in"}**Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship
> Program**
>
> **Kansas City VA Medical Center**\
> Director, Psychology Training Program (MH-116A3)
>
> Behavior Health Clinic
>
> 4801 Linwood Blvd.
>
> Kansas City, Missouri 64128
>
> *800-525-1483 ext. 57727\
> <http://www.kansascity.va.gov/>*

**Applications due: January 23, 2009**

## Accreditation Status

The postdoctoral fellowship at the **Kansas City VA Medical Center** is
fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American
Psychological Association.

The next site visit will be during the academic year 2014.

## Application & Selection Procedures 

**Eligibility Requirements**

Applicants must have completed an APA accredited doctoral program in
clinical or counseling psychology, including an APA accredited
internship, prior to the residency start date. We especially encourage
applications from students with knowledge and experience in diversity
issues. Applicants are required to have a strong interest in mental
health issues and treatment with long-term goals to provide service and
contribute to this area in psychology. In addition, residents must be
interested in studying and utilizing different theoretical orientations
in their clinical work including cognitive, psychodynamic, and
existential-humanistic.

**Stipend, Benefits, and Application Information**

Residents will be paid a stipend of \$41,070 for the full-time, one year
training program. The training year starts on August 24, 2009 and ends
August 27, 2010. VA training programs offer health and life insurance
benefits.

***For additional information and all application submissions:***

> ***Robert A. Bischoff, Ph.D***.
>
> Director, Psychology Training Program
>
> VA Medical Center (MH-116A3)
>
> Behavior Health Clinic
>
> 4801 Linwood Blvd.
>
> Kansas City, Missouri 64128
>
> 800-525-1483 ext. 57727
>
> robert.bischoff@va.gov

The Kansas City VA Medical Center maintains a policy of equal employment
opportunity in resident recruitment and retention. All recruitment
processes are consistent with existing federal laws, guidelines, and
policies. As a federal employee, drug screens and background checks are
routine. The Department of Veterans Affairs, and consequently this
medical center, adheres to the Americans With Disabilities Act and will
provide reasonable accommodations for an individual who informs us that
s/he has a disability. If you are a retired federal employee, before you
apply to this postdoctoral residency program, you should contact the
Human Resources department to determine whether or not you may accept a
funded position as a postdoctoral resident with the VA Medical Center.

***Applicants considered for admission to the postdoctoral training
program must meet the following entrance requirements prior to the start
date:***

1.  be a graduate of an APA-accredited doctoral program in clinical or
    counseling psychology.

2.  have completed an APA-accredited psychology internship in clinical
    or counseling psychology.

3.  be a citizen of the United States.

4.  be able to accept a full-time appointment for a one year training
    period.

In addition to the above requirements, applicants are required to have a
strong interest in mental health issues and treatment with long-term
goals to provide service and contribute to this area in psychology. In
addition, residents must be interested in studying and utilizing
different theoretical orientations in their clinical work including
cognitive, psychodynamic, and existential-humanistic.

***Interested candidates who meet the above eligibility requirements may
apply by sending:***

1.  The APPIC Application for Psychology Internship (AAPI) submitted to
    your internship program. DO NOT update the AAPI; just send a copy of
    what you submitted when you applied for internship. (If you did not
    complete an AAPI, please contact Dr. Robert Bischoff for acceptable
    alternatives.)

2.  Description of your internship experiences, completed and planned,
    as well as any other psychological experiences obtained other than
    internship, if applicable. Clearly state the APA accreditation
    status of your internship.

3.  Vita

4.  Copies of graduate transcripts (Copies are acceptable. If accepted
    into the postdoctoral training program, official copies of the
    transcript may be requested at that time.)

5.  Three letters of recommendation

6.  A signed consent authorizing the KCVAMC Psychology Training staff to
    contact the Director of Training of your internship program and your
    academic program, with each of these individuals\' name, address,
    and phone number

The deadline for applications is January 23, 2009. (No faxes please.)
All application materials must be received no later than this deadline.
Approximately 16 applicants will be selected from an initial review and
invited for interviews. While in-person interviews are preferred,
telephone interviews can be arranged for persons when circumstances
prohibit on-site visits. Preference may be given to applicants who have
completed their dissertation by the application deadline. Interviews are
required to be considered for a postdoctoral residency position.
Interviews will be conducted in February, and offers mae on February 26,
a coordinated Post-doctoral notification date.

The postdoctoral residency in clinical psychology at the Kansas City VA
Medical Center is fully accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of
the American Psychological Association.

> Committee on Accreditation (CoA)
>
> Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
>
> Education Directorate
>
> American Psychological Association
>
> 750 First Street, NE
>
> Washington, DC 20002-4242
>
> 202-336-5979
>
> www.apa.org/ed/accred.html

***Psychology Setting***

The Kansas City VA Medical Center (KCVAMC) is a general medical,
surgical, psychiatric, and ambulatory care facility located on a 37-acre
site just six miles from downtown Kansas City, Missouri. The Medical
Center places special emphasis on maintaining its role as a major
teaching hospital. Training programs in virtually all medical and
associated health specialties are offered through affiliation with many
universities throughout the country. The primary medical school
affiliation is with the University of Kansas Medical Center. Numerous
other university affiliations provide for the training of social
workers, audiologists, dentists, occupational and physical therapists,
chaplains, recreational therapists, pharmacists, etc.

**Mental Health**

Mental Health is composed of psychologists, psychiatrists, social
workers, nurses, pharmacists, a physician assistant, addiction
therapists, and medical administration staff. Mental Health serves a
culturally diverse group of young, middle-aged, and older adults who
have a broad range of Axis I and Axis II DSM diagnoses. In the Behavior
Health Clinic veterans can be assigned a treatment team, comprised of a
full array of mental health professionals, that is responsible for
coordinating all aspects of mental health care required to meet the
patients\' needs. Many other mental health treatment components are
available to fully assist the patient in his/her recovery. The other
Mental Health Programs that are available include: 1) Acute Inpatient
Psychiatry, 2) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinical Team (PCT)
including Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqui Freedom, 3)
Psychosical Rehabilitation and Recovery Treatment Program, 4) Substance
Abuse, which includes the Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation
Treatment Program (SARRTP), 5) Compensated Work Therapy, 6) Mental
Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM), 7) Homeless Grant and Per Diem
and 8) the Geriatric Mental health

**Intensive Case Management Program.**

Four of the psychologists who are on the training faculty are assigned
to the Behavior Health Clinic. They provide psychological evaluations,
and conduct individual, couples, and group psychotherapy throughout the
various Mental Health Programs. One of these psychologists serves as the
Director of Psychology Training. The neuropsychologist, who is also on
the training staff, provides neuropsychological services in Mental
Health and throughout the rest of the Medical Center through
consultation. The neuropsychologist also serves as the Clinical Chief of
Psychology in Mental Health.

**Psychology Professional Standards Board**

The organizational structure of the KCVAMC includes Professional
Standards Boards that oversee standards for professionals of the
respective disciplines throughout the Medical Center. The Psychology
Professional Standards Board (PPSB), composed of psychologists elected
by members of the Psychology Professional Community, sets policies and
procedures for the practice of psychology at the KCVAMC. This Board
provides oversight for all psychological services provided to veterans.
The specific oversight responsibilities of the PPSB include: ethical
issues, credentialing and privileging, peer review, education and
training, recruitment and appointment of psychologists and trainees,
competency reviews, performance standards related to the practice of
psychology to assure consistency with established standards of care,
continuing education, psychology continuous quality improvement
activities, and record-keeping of all psychological test data. As all
psychologists at the KCVAMC are members of the Medical Staff, the PPSB
reports to the Medical Center Director through the Executive Committee
of the Medical Staff (ECMS). The Psychology Training Committee, which
coordinates all psychology training throughout the Medical Center,
reports directly to the PPSB.

## Training Model and Program Philosophy

**Program Mission and Model**

Psychologists at the Kansas City, Missouri, Department of Veterans
Affairs Medical Center (KCVAMC) thank you for your inquiry and welcome
your interest in our Psychology Postdoctoral Residency Training Program.
The primary goal of the program is to provide intensive and advanced
training in the practice of psychology with mental health patients. The
philosophy of training at the KCVAMC is best described as a
\"scholar-practitioner\" model. The training experiences have a strong
clinical focus. Knowledge and use of empirically supported processes and
interventions are expected and encouraged in all aspects of the program.
At the end of the program, residents will be prepared to function
autonomously as practicing clinical or counseling psychologists in a
broad range of applied, teaching, and research settings.

The primary purpose of the Psychology Postdoctoral Residency Training
Program at the KCVAMC is to prepare residents to function autonomously
as practicing clinical or counseling psychologists in a broad range of
applied, teaching, and research settings. The emphasis area of the
postdoctoral program is in Mental Health with special focus in general
mental health, substance abuse, post traumatic stress, individual and
group psychotherapy, psychological evaluation, supervision, teaching,
and program development and administration. Other training opportunities
include consultation, neuropsychological evaluation, program evaluation,
intensive mental health case management, and professional issues.
Therefore, the primary goal is to provide more intensive and advanced
training in the practice of psychology with mental health patients while
also providing opportunities for broad-based training in a variety of
activities.

The postdoctoral program is designed to develop advanced practice
competencies and expertise based upon sound scientific and professional
practice foundations. The training integrates clinical, scientific, and
ethical knowledge in the development of attitudes and skills basic to
professional psychology. Therefore the philosophy of training offered by
the KCVAMC is best described as a \"scholar-practitioner\" model. The
training experiences have a strong clinical focus. Knowledge and use of
empirically supported processes and interventions are expected and
encouraged in all aspects of the program.

The end result of the postdoctoral program will be that the residents
will develop a professional identity that is appropriate for an
autonomous professional psychologist working within multiprofessional
treatment settings. The training program will allow the residents
opportunities to interact appropriately and effectively with a wide
range of health care professionals. Therefore, they will be able to
develop an understanding and appreciation of the perspectives and
expertise contributed uniquely by psychology, as well as an appreciation
and understanding of roles of other health care professions.

We believe that an autonomous psychologist maintains the highest ethical
standards and exercises critical thinking and sound judgment in the
provision of all psychological services. In addition to possessing
professional practice skills, the autonomous psychologist is flexible
and has personal resources that permit generalization of skills to new
situations.

The KCVAMC provides services to diverse populations. The Medical Center
strives to create a therapeutic environment for, and ensure ethical
treatment of, patients with diverse backgrounds and characteristics.
Thus, an important goal of the postdoctoral program is to increase
residents' knowledge and skills in working with a wide range of clients
from different cultural backgrounds.

Residents accepted in the Psychology Postdoctoral Program are expected
to have a strong motivation to learn and the ability to accept
supervision in a professional manner. Postdoctoral training is an
extension of academic and internship training, but not a substitute for
it. Therefore, students are expected to have acquired proficiency in the
administration, scoring, and interpretation of standard intelligence and
personality tests. In addition, writing ability is expected to be
well-developed, as evidenced by useful, accurate, concise and thorough
report writing skills. Psychotherapy experience with adults, including
older adults, is required.

We encourage a collegial relationship between psychology staff and
residents, in which the principal differences between teacher and
learner are breadth and depth of knowledge and experience. While
residents are expected to accept as much professional responsibility as
their current knowledge and skills will allow, all clinical work is
reviewed and supervised by staff psychologists. Clinical
responsibilities are assigned to residents with their learning goals in
mind. While the service needs of treatment units are important, they are
secondary criterion for assignment of clinical activities. Selection of
training experiences and assignment of clinical responsibilities are
made with the active participation of the resident. At the beginning of
each rotation, the resident and rotation supervisor, in consultation
with the Training Committee, identify training goals specifying the
rotation activities that will maximize the achievement of these goals.
Residents are also involved in the decision-making processes affecting
the administration of the training program. Each resident serves as a
member of the Psychology Training Committee and has input into matters
of programmatic significance with the exception of decisions relating to
specific residents.     

## Program Goals & Objectives

**Program Emphasis, Rotations, and Training Goals**

The postdoctoral residency program has a program emphasis in Mental
Health with special focus in general mental health, substance abuse,
post traumatic stress disorder, individual and group psychotherapy,
psychological evaluation, supervision, teaching, and program development
and administration. The overall training goals of the postdoctoral
program encompass five core competency areas; i.e., professional/ethical
issues, assessment/diagnosis, interventions, program development and
administration, and supervision/teaching. (Note that this residency does
not meet the specialty training criteria for clinical neuropsychology.)
Across each of these core competencies, residents will demonstrate an
understanding of and sensitivity to human diversity issues.

**Goal 1: Professional/ethical issues.** Postdoctoral residents shall
demonstrate competency in their ability to use sound professional
judgment and shall have the capability to function autonomously and
responsibly as practicing psychologists. They are aware of their
strengths and limitations, as well as the need for consultation and
continued professional development.

**Goal 2: Assessment/Diagnosis.** Postdoctoral residents shall
demonstrate competency in conducting psychological evaluations which
integrate patient biopsychosocial history, interview data, and a variety
of psychological tests to provide accurate diagnoses and to make useful
treatment/intervention recommendations.

**Goal 3: Interventions.** Postdoctoral residents shall demonstrate
competency in conducting individual and group psychotherapy and
psychological interventions across a variety of problems and
populations. They shall review and integrate relevant scholarly
literature to assist in clinical problem solving.

**Goal 4: Program Development and Administration.** Residents shall
design, implement, and oversee one programmatic intervention aimed at
improving patient care, psychology management activities, or medical
center administration activities.

**Goal 5: Supervision and teaching.** Residents shall understand the
theory and methods of providing effective psychological supervision and
be able to conduct effective professional presentations for
psychologists, students, and other members of the interprofessional
health care staff.

## Program Structure

**Structure of the Postdoctoral Residency Training Program**

The emphasis area for the Psychology Postdoctoral Training Program is
Mental Health. The required rotations within Mental Health include: 1)
Behavior Health Clinic, which includes the supervision component of the
residency (14 hours/week), 2) Substance Abuse, which includes the
teaching component of the residency (3-8 hours/week), 3) Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder (3-4 hours/week), 4) Group Therapy (4-6 groups/week), 5)
Psychological Evaluation Clinic, which includes general mental health
and compensation and pension evaluations, and 6) Program Development and
Administration (1-4 hours/week). A minimum of two hours per week of
individual supervision by licensed psychologists will be provided.
During the first four months of the training program, residents will
participate in a graduate level class on substance abuse counseling at
the APA accredited counseling psychology program at the University of
Missouri, Kansas City (5 hours/week). Elective training opportunities
are available in neuropsychology and Mental Health Intensive Case
Management.

Three hours per week will be devoted to other required structured
learning activities throughout the year, i.e., seminars in supervision,
cultural diversity, post traumatic stress disorder; multiprofessional
activities; didactic seminars on topics of interest; and group
supervision in psychodynamic therapy.

**Competency Evaluations**

The purpose of the postdoctoral residency program is to promote the
professional development of the residents in each of the core competency
areas so that, upon completion of the postdoctoral program, they are
ready to assume autonomous practice as a licensed professional
psychologist. Competency evaluations are completed by supervisors in the
core competencies that are relevant to their specific rotation at 3, 6,
9, and 12 months. The competency ratings are based upon how much
supervision is required by the resident to perform the task competently.
Residents are also required to submit work samples that document their
completion of residency requirements and/or competency in the five core
competency areas.

**Program Evaluation**

The Psychology Training Program is committed to program assessment and
quality improvement. Informal, continuous program evaluation is
conducted in the Training Meetings that are attended by the training
staff and residents. Residents are encouraged to discuss issues,
concerns, and suggestions for improvement throughout the year with their
supervisors and the Training Director. Residents complete formal
evaluations of their supervisors and the training experiences at 6 and
12 months. A comprehensive year-end evaluation of the postdoctoral
program is also completed by the residents.

Copies of the KCVAMC Psychology Postdoctoral Residency grievance policy
that includes due process is given to residents during orientation week.
Graduates of the postdoctoral program are surveyed one year after
completion to obtain feedback and suggestions for improvement. The
training staff thoroughly review the residents\' evaluations and are
responsible to ensure that recommendations for improvement are seriously
considered and implemented when appropriate.

## Training Experiences 

**Behavior Health Clinic**

The rotation in the Behavior Health Clinic provides the opportunity to
function as part of an interprofessional team including psychologists,
psychiatrists, social workers, addiction therapists, and nurses. The
focus of the rotation is individual and couples psychotherapy for a wide
range of patient needs, including but not limited to substance abuse,
post traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, grief, anger, sexual abuse,
personality disorders, and adjustment to illness, divorce, or other
stressors. Consultation is provided to the inpatient psychiatric unit
regarding the appropriateness of individual psychotherapy. Residents
also supervise one or two psychology practicum students during the fall
and spring semesters from one or more of the four regional APA
accredited doctoral psychology programs.

There are four supervising psychologists in the Behavior Health Clinic
(BHC). The residents benefit from the expertise these staff have in
differing theoretical orientations, including cognitive, psychodynamic,
existential-humanistic, and psychoeducational clinical approaches. Each
resident is supervised by two of the BHC psychologists for six months
and then the other two BHC psychologists for the second six months. Each
supervisor provides a minimum of one hour of face-to face supervision
weekly for a total of two hours. Supervisors request audiotapes of
therapy sessions in order to provide specific feedback on therapy skills
and contribute to case conceptualization. Co-therapy in groups is also
an opportunity for observation of skills and copmpetencies. Competencies
that are obtained and evaluated in the Behavior Health Clinic rotation
include professional/ethical issues, diagnosis, interventions,
supervision, and understanding of human diversity issues in
psychotherapy and intervention.

**Substance Abuse**

***The substance abuse rotation includes the following activities:***

-   Individual, and possibly couples, psychotherapy with patients who
    have substance abuse diagnoses.

-   Independent facilitation of a weekly relapse prevention group in the
    Substance Abuse Residential

-   Rehabilitation Treatment Program.

-   Interprofessional facilitation of process groups on the Substance
    Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program.

-   A minimum of six months facilitating the smoking cessation clinic.

-   Evaluations that involve differential diagnosis on Axis I as well as
    neuropsychological evaluations with patients who have presenting
    symptoms that may be due to substance abuse.

-   Assistant to the instructor in a graduate level course, Special
    Counseling Methods in Substance Abuse, at an APA-accredited academic
    psychology program (i.e., the University of Missouri-Kansas City)
    taught by one of the KCVAMC psychologists.

Supervision and didactic training is provided by Dr. Krieshok and Dr
Richey, who have had postdoctoral training in the addictions field.
Residents obtain advanced knowledge and skills based on clinical,
theoretical, and empirical substance abuse information presented in the
graduate substance abuse counseling course. They are expected to teach
one or more of the classes in this course for teaching experience.
Supervision is provided during the graduate level substance abuse course
and during weekly supervision sessions with the psychologist(s)
clinically responsible for the direct patient care. Competencies that
are obtained and evaluated in the Substance Abuse rotation include
professional/ethical issues, assessment/diagnosis, interventions,
program development and administration, teaching, and understanding of
human diversity issues in substance abuse.

**Post Traumatic Stress**

***The post traumatic stress rotation includes the following
activities:***

-   Individual, and possibly couples, psychotherapy with patients who
    have post traumatic stress disorder.

-   Initial evaluation of combat veterans and other veteran\'s at entry
    into the PCT program.

-   Facilitation of two PTSD psychoeducational groups including a
    symptom management group for both the veteran and his/her
    significant other and the Seeking Safety group (empirically
    supported treatment for substance abuse and PTSD).

-   Facilitation of two process groups including a combat related PTSD
    group as well as a male sexual trauma/men\'s issues group.

-   Supervision in the PCT program is provided by Dr. Dent, other
    supervision may also be provided by the Behavior Health
    Psychologists.

Individual and couples psychotherapy supervision will be provided by all
psychologists in the Behavior Health Clinic. Competencies that are
obtained and evaluated in the Post Traumatic Stress rotation include
professional/ethical issues, assessment/diagnosis, interventions,
understanding of human diversity issues, and possibly program
development and administration.

**Group Therapy**

This experience includes pre-screening, independent facilitation, and
co-facilitation of inpatient and outpatient groups in the Mental Health
Program. Outpatient groups may be diagnostic-specific (e.g., substance
abuse, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder),
skill building (e.g., emotion skills, anger management), health
promotion (e.g., smoking cessation, weight loss, health and wellness),
and interpersonal process. Residents may develop other groups for
patients as well as employees.

Consultation/supervision is provided to establish group content and
style of facilitation and to allow feedback for skill development. Many
of the groups are co-facilitated with staff psychologists. Groups
independently facilitated may be observed occasionally by supervisors in
order to provide feedback. All groups are supervised; the length of
supervision is determined by the clinical needs of the residents.
Competencies that are obtained and evaluated in the Group Therapy
rotation include professional/ethical issues, interventions, and
understanding of human diversity issues in group therapy.

**Psychological Evaluation Clinic**

During the rotation in the Psychology Evaluation Clinic residents
provide consultation services to health care providers throughout the
Medical Center. Training activities include mental health evaluations
and compensation and pension evaluations, with neuropsychology as an
elective. Mental health assessment consists of clinical interviews and
the use of various psychological tests to evaluate psychopathology
(i.e., Axis I and II disorders). Cognitive assessment consists of
clinical interviews, intelligence testing and neuropsychological
screening and evaluation with the use of a variety of measures. The
experience includes the entire evaluation process; i.e., test selection,
test administration and scoring, clinical interviewing, test
interpretation, diagnostic formulation, treatment recommendations,
report writing, and providing direct feedback to the referral source, as
well as to patients and family members.

There are four supervising psychologists in the Psychological Evaluation
rotation. Dr. Richey and Dr. Bischoff provide supervision for the
general mental health evaluations, with each resident being supervised
by each supervisor for six months of the year. Dr. Paolo and Dr.
Bischoff provide the supervision for the compensation and pension
evaluations. Dr. Bischoff provides supervision for optional transplant,
pain, and other selected evaluations. Dr. Skadeland provides supervision
for the optional neuropsychological training experience. Consultation or
supervision is provided as needed throughout the evaluation process.
Supervisors review all aspects of the assessment process and co-sign the
final reports. Competencies that are obtained and evaluated in the
Psychological Evaluation rotation include professional/ethical issues,
assessment/diagnosis, and understanding of human diversity issues in
psychological assessment. (Note that this residency does not meet the
specialty training criteria for clinical neuropsychology.)

**Program Development and Administration**

Residents design, implement, and oversee at least one programmatic
intervention aimed at improving patient care, psychology management
activities, or medical center administration activities. Residents adopt
an integrated approach to the activity that is based on empirically
supported interventions. The specific projects that the residents
develop are determined by the residents\' professional interests and
areas of expertise, the supervisor of the project, and approval by the
training director. Examples of activities completed by previous
residents include integrating and assessing a motivational enhancement
component into the Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment
Program; developing, conducting and evaluating a stress management
program for the Kansas City VA employees; and conducting a program
evaluation of the smoking cessation program. Dr. Tran provides the
supervision for this component of the residency program.

**Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM) - Elective Rotation**

The elective rotation in MHICM program is 5 months long, 2-3 hours per
week. Rotation may start either the beginning of September or the
beginning of March. Each resident will be the secondary Case Manager for
1 MHICM Vet. This rotation provides the opportunity for residents to
function as part of an interdisciplinary team including psychiatrist,
psychologist, social workers, nurse, and psych tech in the case
management of severely mentally ill population. Each team member is also
a case manager. Residents will adopt an integrated approach to the
activity that is based on empirically supported interventions -
psychosocial rehabilitation.

This experience includes pre-screening patients to meet the MHICM
criteria for admission to the program. Residents will be going to the
community to see their vets once a week (visits length varies from 15
minutes to 2 hours depending on the needs). Case management includes
medication compliance, assistance with transportation, activities of
daily living -self care, shopping - groceries clothes etc, housing -
placement, benefits applications, coordination of care with medical
clinics. Also coordination with probation officer, courts, guardian, RCF
staff, and/or family members.

Competencies that will be obtained and evaluated will include
professional and ethical issues, interventions, program development and
administration, understanding of human diversity issues in community
mental health.

Supervision will be provided by a licensed clinical
psychologist/Director of the MHICM program for this rotation.

**Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM) - Geriatric Program**

In addition to the general MHICM program, there is a new geriatric
focused MHICM program, with an emphasis on the health and psychological
needs of the elderly. It follows the same structure as the MHICM
program, and offers experience and training in meeting the needs of
persons with advanced age.

**Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center**

In this program (formerly the Day Hospital model), the resident will
gain experience in working with chronically mentally ill through group
and individual interventions. Structured therapeutic and
psychoeducational activites involving multiple disciplines are also
available. Assessment and consultation activities, as well as individual
therapy and psychophrmacological exposure are integrated into this
opportunity. Dr. Le provides the supervision for PRRC.

**Psychology Community and Training Meeting.**

In this meeting, the Chair of the Psychology Professional Standards
Board, the Clinical Chief of Psychology in Mental Health, and the
Director of Psychology Training present information of general interest
to the staff and lead discussions of administrative, training, and
clinical issues.

Resident Meeting with the Training Director.

Dr. Bischoff meets with the residents on a weekly basis in order to
assure the smooth operation of the residency program, to assist the
residents with any programmatic difficulties or questions, and for
general professional guidance.

**Co-Therapy with Staff Psychologists.**

Residents have opportunities to co-facilitate group and couples
psychotherapy with staff psychologists.

Graduate Level Academic Coursework.

Residents will participate in a graduate level substance abuse class
(months 1-4) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

**Core Training Seminars**

A series of training sessions will occur throughout the residency in
each of the following core areas: cultural diversity, supervision, post
traumatic stress disorder, and psychodynamic psychotherapy.

**Didactic Training Seminars**

Seminars are available to residents throughout the training year.
Seminars are provided by in-house staff on topics such as malpractice
issues, licensure, professional issues, adult attention deficit
disorder, etc. In addition, there are frequent opportunities for
attendance at other workshops and conferences held in the local area.

## Requirements for Completion

In order to successfully complete the post-doctoral residency, residents
must participate for the full designated year. In addition, the above
competencies, program development materials, clinical documentation and
assessments, and required readings and assignments are expected to be
completed.

The program expects all applicants to adhere to the highest professional
standards and the current Ethical Standards published by the American
Psychological Association.

**Exit Criteria**

***Supervisor Ratings.*** To successfully complete the postdoctoral
program, residents must demonstrate proficiency in each of the five core
competency areas that are defined by the program\'s training goals and
objectives; i.e., professional/ethical issues, assessment/diagnosis,
interventions, program development and administration, and supervision/
teaching. In addition, residents must demonstrate an understanding of
and sensitivity to human diversity issues across each of these core
competencies. Proficiency ratings for residents are defined as level 4
competence on the Resident Evaluation Form (see Appendix A for a copy of
the Resident Evaluation Form). Ratings are completed by each of the
residents\' supervisors based on multiple factors such as review of
cases during supervision, review of audiotapes of psychotherapy
sessions, co-facilitation of psychological activities such as group
therapy, written work products, etc.

***Work Samples.*** Residents are required to submit work samples that
document their completion of residency requirements and/or competency in
diversity issues, the five core competency areas, and multiprofessional
training activities as indicated below:

***Ethics and Professional Development***

-   A signed form validating the completion of the required readings.

-   A list of all ethics, legal issues, and professional development
    seminars the resident attended.

-   A summary evaluation rating of \"4\" by supervisors on the Ethics
    and Professional Development competency.

***Psychological Evaluation/Diagnosis***

-   A list of a minimum of ten mental health evaluations; i.e., a
    combination of general mental health and PTSD compensation and
    pension evaluations. The reports must be primarily original work
    (i.e., have not had significant revisions by a supervisor). At least
    five of these must include data from multiple sources (i.e., more
    than just interview and one assessment instrument) and at least four
    of which need to include Diagnostic Impressions on all five axes. If
    a residents elects the neuropsychological evaluation rotation, a
    minimum of five mental health evaluations and five
    neuropsychological evaluations will be completed.

-   A minimum of three psychological evaluations reports approved by
    their supervisor/s to be placed in the resident\'s official file.

-   A summary evaluation rating of \"4\" by supervisors on the
    Psychological Evaluation/Diagnosis competency.

***Interventions***

-   Workload report (generated by the PCE software package) that
    documents 35-50% of the resident\'s time in direct patient contact.
    (This report is generated by the training director.)

-   Written cognitive therapy case conceptualization.

-   Presentation at a minimum of three psychodynamic seminars with case
    conceptualization.

-   Written case summary including discussion of ethical principles and
    issues of diversity relevant to the case.

-   A summary evaluation rating of \"4\" by supervisors on the
    Interventions competency.

***Supervision***

-   A list of all cases that the resident supervised.

-   The practicum students' evaluation of resident\'s supervision.

-   A summary evaluation rating of \"4\" by supervisors on the
    Supervision and Teaching competency.

***Teaching***

-   An outline of the substance abuse class(es) taught by the resident.

-   A list of other teaching activities.

-   A summary evaluation rating of \"4\" by supervisors on the
    Supervision and Teaching competency.

***Program Development and Administration***

-   An outline of the integrated psychological programming based on
    empirically supported interventions that the resident developed.

-   A summary evaluation rating of \"4\" by supervisors on the Program
    Development and Administration competency.

***Diversity***

-   A list of the diversity information that the resident obtained and
    read from the Public Interest

***Directorate***

-   A signed form validating the completion of the required readings.

-   A list of all diversity seminars the resident attended.

-   Adequate coverage of diversity issues in the written case
    conceptualization/treatment summary (see Interventions above).

***Interprofessional Training***

-   A list of all interprofessional training activities attended.

## Facility and Training Resources

The Kansas City VA Medical Center has ample resources to support the
Psychology Postdoctoral Training Program. Residents have their own
private offices with personal computers that are fully integrated with
the internet, the VA Central Office intranet, and the Medical Center\'s
electronic patient record system. Psychology has current software for
psychological assessment instruments that are frequently used and also
has a Psychology Library which contains frequently used literature
including empirically supported treatment manuals.

The KCVAMC has many other services that provide support to the Medical
Center to which the residents have access. There is an eight-story
Research and Education Wing that houses an active research program. The
Medical Library subscribes to approximately 300 professional journals
and has over 5,000 books and 500 audiovisual software items in its
collection. Books and periodicals not in our collection can be borrowed
from the library through an extensive inter-library loan network.
Medical Media Service, utilizing television, photography, and
illustration, produces presentations in all types of modalities for
patient and staff education. This service also documents and produces
audiovisual materials dealing with patient care, research efforts,
public relations, and any other communicative efforts deemed important
by the Medical Center. In addition, the Learning Resource Center
provides health-related information to both staff and patients.

## Administrative Policies and Procedures

The Kansas City VAMC Post-doctoral residents fall under the national
leave policy found on the OAA web page. Residents are encouraged to
discuss issues, concerns, and suggestions for improvement throughout the
year with their supervisors and the Training Director. Residents
complete formal evaluations of their supervisors and the training
experiences at 6 and 12 months. A comprehensive year-end evaluation of
the postdoctoral program is also completed by the residents. Copies of
the KCVAMC Psychology Postdoctoral Residency grievance policy that
includes due process is given to residents during orientation week.

\"Our privacy policy is clear: we will collect no personal information
about you when you visit our website\".

We do not require self-disclosure.

## Training Staff

***Robert A. Bischoff, Ph.D, MBA.***

Position: Director, Psychology Training Program, Staff Psychologist
Mental Health

Degree: University of Southern Mississippi, Clinical Psychology, 1990.

License: Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana.

Dr. Bischoff is currently the Director of Training for the Psychology
program. He completed his post-doctoral fellowship at the Munroe-Meyer
Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation at the University of Nebraska
Medical Center. He has a wide interest in psychological subject matter,
and is currently a reviewer and on the editorial board of
PsychCritiques, an on-line APA book review journal. He was previously
the Officer, Clinical and Behavioral Services for Assurant Employee
Benefits, a disability insurance company. Prior to that, he was the
Director of Training and Clinical Rehabilitation Psychologist at a
general medical hospital, rehabilitation and neurology unit. His
background is primarily in rehabilitation and health psychology, and he
has clinic, general hospital, primary care, and rehabilitation hospital
experience. He was also a visiting assistant professor in the Clinical
Psychology Psy.D. graduate program for eleven years at Indiana State
University, primarily teaching assessment. His current clinical focus is
primarily in the areas of physical rehabilitation (amputation, spinal
cord injury, traumatic brain injury, CVA), pain, coping with chronic
illness (including terminal illness), and anxiety.

***George Dent, Ph.D.***

Position: Staff Psychologist, Mental Health (PCT Program).

Degree: University of Missouri-Kansas City, Counseling Psychology, 2005.

License: Missouri.

Dr. Dent serves as a psychologist in the outpatient Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder treatment program (PCT). His interests include
psychological assessment and cognitive therapy for post traumatic
stress, affective, and anxiety disorders. In addition, Dr. Dent has an
interest in psychotherapy and assessment with veterans that have
experienced traumatic brain injury. Dr. Dent has had experience in
working with individuals with substance use issues, aggression, and
intimate partner violence. Dr. Dent has obtained training and experience
in substance abuse treatment centers, outpatient and inpatient mental
health, and college counseling centers.

***Peggy Hineline Krieshok, Ph.D.***

*(formerly Peggy J. Cantrell)*

Position: Coordinator, Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation
Treatment Program (SARRTP)

Degree: University of Maine, Clinical Psychology, 1983.

License: Missouri, Kansas.

Academic Appointments: Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the
University of Kansas Medical Center and Adjunct Assistant Professor at
the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

Dr. Krieshok was previously the Director of Training for over ten years.
She is currently the Coordinator of the SARRTP. Her areas of interest
are: professional issues, training, addiction, developmental models of
recovery, relapse prevention, dual diagnosis, weight management,
psychodynamic psychotherapy, anger management, attention deficit
disorder, and insomnia. She has been very involved in national service
activities including being a member of the Board of Directors of the
Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC)
(including Chair) and serving in elected positions with the Association
of VA Psychologist Leaders (AVAPL) including President. Dr. Krieshok
teaches the graduate course in substance abuse that the residents
attend.

***An H. Le, Psy.D.***

Position: Staff Psychologist, Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery
Center

Degree: California School of Professional Psychology -- Clinical
Psychology, 2002.

License: Missouri

Dr. Le currently works in the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery
Center (PRRC), which was previously Day Treatment Center (DTC). She
completed her internship at the Oklahoma Health Consortium (University
of Oklahoma counseling center, County Health Department, and Oklahoma
City School District) in 2001 to 2002, and was a post-doctoral resident
at the Kansas City VAMC from 2002 to 2003.

She facilitates groups with a recovery and education model, as well as
individual and family therapy as needed. Occasionally, there is need for
psychological testing or neuropsychological testing, as well as
assisting psychiatrists and social workers in completing psychiatric and
psychosocial assessments. She serves as a community support worker/case
manager, which means assisting veterans in improving their quality of
life by identifying patients who are interested and ready for more
community involvement and supporting their efforts (both physically and
emotionally). In addition to her PRRC duties, Dr. Le conducts
compensation and pension evaluations for PTSD, other mental disorders,
competency, and employability.

***Susan Paolo, Ph.D.***

Position: Staff Psychologist, Mental Health.

Degree: University of Kansas, Clinical Psychology, 1990.

License: Missouri, Kansas.

Dr. Paolo received postdoctoral training in Cognitive Therapy at the
University of Kansas Medical Center Department of Family Medicine. Her
interests include cognitive therapy for post traumatic stress,
affective, addictive, and anxiety disorders. Dr. Paolo serves as an
E.A.P. counselor, and has had experience in clinic administration,
community mental health, and private practice. She serves on the board
of directors of Rockhill Academy, a community non-profit agency
providing psychosocial rehabilitation to people with severe and
persistent mental illness.

***Daryl Richey, Ph.D.***

Position: Staff Psychologist, Mental Health.

Degree: University of Missouri-Kansas City, Counseling Psychology, 1995.

License: Missouri, Kansas.

Dr. Richey is a very experienced staff psychologist in the Behavior
Health Clinic. His areas of clinical interest are chemical and process
addiction interactions with particular emphasis on recovery from
substance dependence and sexual impulse control disorders, trauma
recovery and trauma as a factor in mental health disorders, tobacco
cessation in mental health patients, and the role and use of
relationship in personal development.

Dr. Richey is the Coordinator of Employee Assistance Program services at
the Kansas City VA Medical Center and serves as a member of the Ethics
Committee and Behavioral Emergency Committee.

***Dean R. Skadeland, Psy.D.***

Position: Clinical Chief Psychologist and Director of the
Neuropsychology Clinic, Mental Health.

Degree: Florida Institute of Technology, Clinical Psychology, 1987.

License: Missouri, Kansas.

Academic Appointments: University of Kansas Medical Center-Department of
Psychiatry, University of Missouri Medical School-Department of
Psychiatry, University of Kansas- Departments of Clinical and Counseling
Psychology, and University of Missouri, Kansas City-Department of
Counseling Psychology.

Dr. Skadeland is the neuropsychologist at the KCVAMC. For ten years he
was the Neuropsychology Associate Editor for the APPIC Newsletter. His
interests include neuropsychological assessment, psychodynamic
conceptualization, personality theory, and spiritual issues associated
with mental health.

## Trainees

**Date Program Professional Activity after Completion**

2007-2008 University of Kansas

Idaho State University VA Medical Center

2006-2007 Washington State University VA Medical Center

Virginia Consortium Program VA Medical Center

2005-2006 Tennessee State University VA Medical Center

University of Kansas VA Medical Center

2004-2005 Baylor University Private Practice

West Virginia University Hospital-based

2003-2004 University of Kansas Private Practice

University of Kansas Group Private Practice

## Local Information

***General Information***

> [www.kansascity.com](http://www.kansascity.com/)

Kansas City is located on the western boundary of Missouri. The present
population of the metropolitan area (which includes Kansas City, KS,
Kansas City, MO, Kansas City North, Independence, and suburban areas) is
over 1.7 million. Kansas City is a city of culture, with its
international airport, modern hotels, auditoriums, sophisticated retail
stores and shops, and varied nightlife. Kansas City has a world-renowned
country club residential district considered to be a model of city
planning.

***Educational Facilities***

Educational institutions of greater Kansas City include the University
of Missouri at Kansas City, the University of Kansas Medical Center, the
Kansas City Art Institute and School of Design, three graduate religious
seminaries, excellent junior colleges, numerous public schools and
parochial schools, academies and institutions. Several mental health
organizations in the community provide opportunities for quality
continuing education programs.

***Recreational Facilities***

The recreational needs of the area are met by ample facilities and
activities. Kansas City maintains a system of 108 parks, covering 7,030
acres. Swope Park, the largest of many renowned parks, consists of
picturesque picnic grounds, a zoo, colorful gardens, tennis courts, golf
course, and the famed Starlight Theater. The newly renovated Union
Station offers Science City (an interactive science exhibit), movies,
shopping, and restaurants. Two large amusement parks, Worlds of Fun and
Oceans of Fun, provide amusement rides and water attractions. These
entertainment parks along with the Ozarks a couple of hours to the
south, draw many tourists to the area each year.

The Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL, the Kansas City Royals baseball club
of the American League, the Attack (indoor) and the Wiz (outdoor) soccer
clubs, and the Kansas Speedway NASCAR race track combine with several
top flight collegiate competitive events such as basketball, tennis, and
track to offer the sports fan a varied and entertaining assortment of
diversions. The full spectrum of participating sports is also available
to residents. Kansas City is proud of its top quality rodeo and the
annual American Royal Livestock and Horse Show, as well as the annual
BBQ Cook offs.

Cultural attractions include the Missouri Repertory Theater, the Sprint
Center, the Power and Light District ( a new concept entertainment
center), the Lyric Opera, Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Ballet, and
several dinner theaters. The William Rockhill Nelson Gallery of Art and
the Mary Atkins Museum of Fine Arts rank with the country\'s best.