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*PSYCHOLOGY RESIDENCY TRAINING PROGRAM*

GULF COAST VETERANS HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

Biloxi, Mississippi

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height="1.332638888888889in"}

*TRAINING BROCHURE*

**For the**

**2008-2009 Training Year**

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| ####### TABLE OF CONTENTS                                             |
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**TOPIC PAGE**

**Mission Statement 4**

**Goal 4**

**Philosophy 4**

**Vision 4**

**Unique Experience 5**

**The Facility 5**

**Photographs of the GCVHCS 6**

**The Setting 7**

**Photographs of Gulf Coast Life 8**

**Overview of the Residency 10**

**Training Settings/Rotations 10**

**Clinical Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine 10**

**Inpatient Psychology 11**

**Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Clinic 11**

**Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Program (PRRTP)
12**

**- Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program 12**

**- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder PRRTP 12**

**Women's Mental Health Clinic 12**

**Geropsychology 13**

**Research 13**

**Administrative Rotation 13**

**Neuropsychology Rotation 13**

**Employee Wellness and Assistance Program 14**

**Mental Health Clinic 14**

**Other Training Activities 15**

**Psychology Triage Service 15**

**Neuropsychology Program 15**

**Thursday Seminars and Programs 15**

**Professional Issues Seminar 16**

**Psychopharmacology Seminar 16**

**Neuropsychology Seminar 16**

**Diagnostics and Psychopathology Seminar 16**

**Psychological Assessment Seminar 17**

**Special Topics in Psychology Seminar 17**

**Continuing Professional Education 17**

**Psychology Grand Rounds 17**

**Neuropathology Rounds 18**

**Supervision 18**

**Competency Evaluation 18**

**Continued on next page.**

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| ####### TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)                                 |
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TOPIC PAGE

**Problems and Due Process Resolution 19**

**Resources 19**

**Research 19**

**Research Facility 19**

**Dissertation Support 19**

**Information Resources/Computerized Medical Record System 20**

**Additional Psychology Training Programs 20**

**Summer Traineeship/Internship 20**

**Externship (Clinical Practica) 21**

**Training Faculty 22**

**Dr. Nathaniel Abston, Jr. 22**

**Dr. Ronald W. Alexander 22**

**Dr. Scott A. Cardin 23**

**Dr. Jack Carney 23**

**Dr. Stephanie L. Dutton 24**

**Dr. Clinton W. Martin, Jr. 24**

**Dr. Benjamin Parker 25**

**Dr. Susan K Rhodes 25**

**Dr. Jefferson O. Rogers 26**

**Dr. Gustave F. P. Sison 26**

**Dr. Kelly D. Woods 27**

**Adjunct Faculty 28**

**Academic Programs Represented in the Residency 29**

**Past 10 Years 29**

**Prior to 10 Years 31**

**Application Information 32**

**Stipend and Benefits 32**

**Qualifications 32**

**Documentation 32**

**Interviews 32**

**American Psychological Association Accreditation 33**

**Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers
Membership 33**

**Correspondence 33**

**In Memoriam: John C. Hanson, Ph.D. 34**

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| ####### MISSION STATEMENT                                             |
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  **Goal**

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The Psychology Residency Training Program at the Gulf Coast Veterans
Health Care System (GCVHCS) prepares talented individuals for a broad
range of careers as professional psychologists, but especially for
working in VA and other medical settings.

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  **Philosophy**

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The Psychology Residency Program embraces the philosophy that the
pre-doctoral residency year represents a transition period for the
emerging professional psychologist during which the Resident moves from
the graduate student role to that of the autonomous professional.
Training and supervision during the year should prepare the Resident to
enter the field of professional psychology with those skills needed to
function independently and with the confidence and professional
self-awareness to make maximum use of the individual's talents.
Therefore, our training goal is to develop generalists who can function
in a broad range of professional settings using a wide variety of
skills. Reciprocally, our training program stimulates and enriches the
Training Faculty and enhances the quality of patient care.

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  **Vision**

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The Residency Program emphasizes and develops a broad range of skills
(i.e., personality, intellectual, neuropsychological, psychodiagnostic
assessment, psychotherapy, scholarly inquiry, research competence,
consultation) with diverse patient populations. However, the training
year provides time to develop professionally and to set the stage for
further post-doctoral specialization in the areas of primary care
psychology, health psychology/behavioral medicine, neuropsychology,
geropsychology, posttraumatic stress disorders, and women's mental
health. To enhance the diversity of the training experience, the faculty
encourages applications from individuals with a variety of competencies
and interests. The program facilitates professional development of
Residents by increasing their sensitivity to the cultural and individual
diversity of the patients we serve and the professionals we work with.
Significant attention is given to assisting the Resident develop
professional and ethical behavior of a psychologist, enhancing personal
adjustment compatible with the demands of being a psychologist, and
functioning effectively with medical and allied health professionals.
For Residents interested in careers that will involve teaching and
supervision, opportunities are sometimes available to gain experience in
supervision of lower level trainees.

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  **Unique Experience**

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Even among VA internships, the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System
provides a truly unique training experience for psychologists.
Psychologists at this facility are full members of the medical staff, as
opposed to being allied health affiliates. This grants psychologists an
independence rarely seen inside or outside the VA system. While many
facilities are organized within a "product line" or "system line"
administrative structure in which psychology is subordinated under a
mental health product line, the Psychology Service at the GCVHCS is
fully independent and managed by a Chief Psychologist who answers
directly to the Chief of Staff and System Director. Among health care
systems and medical centers, there is great variability in the
"penetration" or representation of psychological services across various
domains of the system. In this setting, psychologists have remarkable
levels of penetration within and across the system, with several
psychologists playing either leadership (program directors) or key roles
in critical GCVHCS programs within both traditional mental health and
general health care. Psychologists and Residents serve in highly visible
and essential roles at this facility and are widely considered to be
"problem solvers," who are relied on by administrative and professional
staff. [After repeatedly hearing comments of this nature in multiple
settings in our health care system, a recent APA accreditation site
visitor described our training program as "one of the best kept secrets
of the VA."]{.underline}

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| ######## THE FACILITY                                                 |
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The Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System is composed of four major
divisions: the Biloxi, Mississippi Medical Center, the Mobile (AL)
Outpatient Clinic, the Pensacola (FL) Outpatient Clinic and the Panama
City (FL) Outpatient Clinic. (The Gulfport, MS Division was destroyed by
Hurricane Katrina on September 29, 2005. A planned consolidation of
Gulfport with Biloxi was hastened rather dramatically). Psychology
Residents train at the Biloxi site. The Biloxi Medical Center is
composed of administrative functions, medical and surgical in- and
outpatient programs, Primary Care Medical teams, Emergency facility,
extended care programs providing rehabilitative therapies and geriatric
(Nursing Home) care, and various specialty clinics. Mental health care
is now also located in Biloxi. There is an Inpatient Psychiatric Ward
and treatment team and a Geropsychiatric Unit. Outpatient programs
include a Mental Hygiene Clinic, Day Treatment Program, Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorders Clinic, and Women's Mental Health Clinic. The
Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program is an
intensive bed program for Substance Abuse and/or Posttraumatic Stress
Disorders. The Mobile, Pensacola, and Panama City Outpatient Clinics
provide community-based primary medical and mental health care to
eligible southern Alabama and northwest Florida veterans with the Biloxi
Division providing tertiary inpatient care as needed. All treatment
(i.e., mental health, medical, or elder care) is formulated under the
primary care model with patients assigned with single providers
supported by specific health care teams.

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| ######### PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE GCVHCS                                   |
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height="1.917361111111111in"}
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Aerial View of the Biloxi Facility, Aerial View of the Gulfport
Facility,

with the Gulf of Mexico at top of photo with the Gulf of Mexico at
bottom of photo.

Largely destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

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![](media/image6.jpeg){width="2.9277777777777776in"
height="1.9715277777777778in"}

Biloxi Clinics, Surgery, other Services Outpatient Mental Health Clinic
-- Gulfport.

Destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

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height="1.9736111111111112in"}
![](media/image8.jpeg){width="2.876388888888889in"
height="1.9965277777777777in"}

Mobile, AL Outpatient Clinic Pensacola, FL Outpatient Clinic

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| ######### THE SETTING                                                 |
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The Gulf Coast area is a relaxed, cosmopolitan, beach resort setting.
French and Spanish explorers settled the area in the late 1600's
attempting to gain strategic and economic control of the mouth of the
Mississippi River. The area has been home to Native Americans (the
Biloxi Indians), French Acadians ("Cajuns"), African Americans, Slavic
Fishermen, and more recently, Vietnamese Americans. Since the 1950's,
the Gulf Coast has been home to numerous federal agencies and large
industries including the National Space Technologies Laboratories, the
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Keesler Air Force
Base (a major Air Force electronics, communication, and medical/surgical
training facility, and home to the "Hurricane Hunters"), the home of the
Naval Construction Battalion (Seabees), and the Pensacola Naval Flight
Training Center (home of the Blue Angels precision flying team). The
Mississippi Gulf Coast, affectionately know as the "Red Neck Riviera,"
is a major tourist destination and is home to several casinos with their
related hotels, fine dining and entertainment facilities. As of
September, 2006, 8 of the 16 casinos have reopened since Hurricane
Katrina, but many will reopen in expanded editions, as repairs and new
building is completed. Each year, the residents enjoy many Coast
diversions including *Mardi Gras*, art and entertainment festivals,
yacht and powerboat racing, and various fishing rodeos and seafood
festivals. Some other noteworthy annual events include: "Cruisin' the
Coast" hosting some 5000 antique and classic cars, "Smokin' the Sound"
offshore powerboat races, and the Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo.
Fine cuisine and entertainment have always been a part of the
Mississippi Gulf Coast tradition, as has the 26 miles of beach, and the
bays, bayous and rivers with their associated water sports and
recreation. The Gulf Coast Coliseum and Convention Center is host to
professional hockey (the Mississippi Sea Wolves) and arena football (the
Mississippi Fire Dogs), big name concert entertainment, boat and camper
shows, arts and crafts exhibitions, and numerous conventions.

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The climate includes mild winters, long and comfortable springs and
falls, and hot, sticky summers. Pictured above are several varieties of
azaleas in bloom in April.

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| ######### PHOTOGRAPHS OF GULF COAST LIFE                              |
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Grayed-out pictures below were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina on
8/29/06.

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height="1.7909722222222222in"}
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height="1.5833333333333333in"}
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height="1.5402777777777779in"}

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height="1.5409722222222222in"} ![](media/image17.png){width="1.5in"
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height="1.707638888888889in"}

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height="1.4569444444444444in"}
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height="1.4305555555555556in"}![](media/image24.jpeg){width="1.0006944444444446in"
height="1.4604166666666667in"}![](media/image25.jpeg){width="1.625in"
height="1.4305555555555556in"}

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| ######### PHOTOGRAPHS OF GULF COAST LIFE (Continued)                  |
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Grayed-out pictures below were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina on
8/29/026.

![](media/image26.jpeg){width="2.6805555555555554in"
height="1.9715277777777778in"}
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height="1.9722222222222223in"}
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![](media/image29.jpeg){width="1.43125in"
height="2.3159722222222223in"}![](media/image30.jpeg){width="1.3472222222222223in"
height="2.334722222222222in"}![](media/image31.jpeg){width="2.4034722222222222in"
height="2.3340277777777776in"}
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height="2.3333333333333335in"}

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height="1.707638888888889in"}
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height="1.707638888888889in"}
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height="1.7208333333333334in"}

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height="1.4986111111111111in"}
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height="1.4986111111111111in"}
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height="1.4986111111111111in"}

A good web site for more information about life on the Mississippi Gulf
Coast is: http://gulfcoast.org.

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| ######### OVERVIEW OF THE RESIDENCY                                   |
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The Residency is designed to provide a broad range of training
experiences in the contemporary practice of psychology with some
opportunity for subspecialty training. The program is designed so that
Residents have interactions with and supervision by several of the
training faculty. This provides for a broad range of experiences with
professional psychologists who have diverse racial, gender, academic,
theoretical, practice, and specialty backgrounds. Each Resident
completes four, three-month rotations of approximately 3 ½ days per
week. One half day per week is devoted to long-term therapy and
supervision or research activity and supervision. Each Resident selects
a year-long mentor for supervising these areas. The remaining day,
Wednesday, is devoted to training seminars, group supervision, or other
meetings (monthly Staff Meeting, CE program, Grand Rounds presentations,
Training Supervisors Meeting). Other training activities include
conducting neuropsychological assessments, serving a term as Chief
Resident, providing tiered supervision of lower level trainees (as
available), and developing and implementing work stress/anger management
programs for medical center employees. The Inpatient Psychiatry Rotation
is currently the only required rotation but can be waved by the Director
of Training if the resident has documented evidence of substantial prior
experience and training. Three rotations are optional and, with approval
of the supervisors involved and the Director of Training, the Resident
may repeat a prior rotation. Split rotations are possible, again with
the prior approval of the supervisors involved and the Director of
Training. Individual supervision is provided weekly in both formal and
informal settings, and comprehensive written evaluations by supervisors
and residents are completed at the end of each rotation.

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| > ***TRAINING SETTINGS/ROTATIONS***                                   |
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  **Clinical Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine**

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The **Clinical** **Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine** program
emphasizes use of the biopsychosocial perspective in the prevention and
treatment of health-related conditions. The mission of Health Psychology
is to increase the physical and psychological well-being of individuals
through health promotion programs, individual goal-oriented treatments,
and group psychoeducational programs that teach self-management of
chronic medical conditions; and to reduce overall reduce health care
costs through application of these programs. We operate under the
premise that learned ways of thinking and behaving can compromise health
or promote wellness. During their rotation, residents are trained to
respond to consultations and referrals from healthcare providers, to
assess and treat a wide variety of medical conditions that are caused or
affected by lifestyle factors. Medical conditions frequently treated at
by health psychologists include: chronic pain, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, cancer, tension and migraine headache,
temporomandibular disorders, insomnia and other sleep disorders,
diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, obesity, preparation for painful
medical procedures, and compliance with difficult medical regimens. The
may also offer disease management, primary prevention, and health
promotion programs (e.g., tobacco cessation), as well as programs in
population health management. Residents may work with interdisciplinary
teams comprised of a variety of health-care professionals. Current
programs of this type include the OEF/OIF Traumatic Brain Injury
program, Pain Clinic, and the MOVE! weight management program.

Another important component of this rotation involves the Mental
Health/Primary Care Integration clinical initiative. Under this
initiative, psychologists (as well as other MH disciplines) are
co-locating within the Primary Care Clinics and providing "front line"
psychological services. Effective practice in primary care requires new
ways of looking at consultation and intervention, rather than simply
\"transporting\" standard mental treatments to a new office with a
different sign on the door. By placing psychologists directly into the
primary care setting and adapting our practices to the primary care work
environment (e.g., screening tools, briefer appointments/fewer
follow-ups, psychoeducational groups), psychologists can more
effectively assess and change the health of our patient population. As
the "resident" experts, and using some basic "triage" principles,
Primary Care psychologists optimize care by insuring appropriate
services are delivered at the appropriate location. (i.e., patients with
less severe issues or problems are handled within primary care level,
while more severe cases receive specialty mental health referrals.) This
is typically a very "eye-opening" experience for residents, as they
learn to think and communicate with fellow healthcare providers and
patients in a new and different way.

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| > **Inpatient Psychology**                                            |
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## 

## [This Rotation is required of all Residents]{.underline}. (Exceptions made only for trainees with substantial prior inpatient experience): During the inpatient psychiatry rotation, the Resident will become a part of the interdisciplinary treatment team consisting of representatives from psychology, psychiatry, social work, nursing and allied health disciplines. The Resident is afforded an opportunity to assess and intervene with patients from diverse backgrounds, exhibiting florid presentations of a wide range of psychiatric disorders. The Resident will be involved with various activities including, but not limited to, intake interviewing, development of treatment plans, consultation, providing patient education, individual and group psychotherapy, and conducting diagnostic assessments.

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| > **Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Clinic**                            |
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The PCT (Post-traumatic stress disorder Clinical Team) Clinic is
designed to provide multidisciplinary outpatient services to veterans
challenged by both acute and sustained traumatic stress. These services
include broad-based assessment, treatment, and liaison activities with
members of various service areas within the medical center.
Psychological interventions offered by the clinic include group therapy,
case management, and individual psychotherapy. Group treatments span a
variety of group types that are focused on adaptive skills development,
enhancement, and sustainability to manage traumatic stress, confront the
symptoms of commonly co-occurring disorders, and improve overall quality
of life. The resident on this rotation will have opportunities to
facilitate group treatments, conduct biopsychosocial assessments,
perform individual psychotherapy, and engage in treatment planning.

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| > **Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Program**   |
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The Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System opened a 40 bed Psychosocial
Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Program (PRRTP) in 2006.  A
psychologist is the coordinator of this program, and an
interdisciplinary team provides treatment, including psychology, social
work, psychiatry, nursing, recreational therapy, chaplain services, and
mental health technicians.  The PRRTP provides residential treatment for
veterans who are not acutely medically or psychiatrically ill and are
capable of relatively independent functioning, but who need residential
care to assist in dealing with chronic problems.  The semi-structured
environment provides dormitory-like shelter, meals, and a range of
therapeutic interventions.  The Resident who selects the PRRTP rotation
participates in admission screening, psychological
interview/assessments, consultation, treatment and discharge planning,
program development, psycho-educational services, and psychotherapy.
This intensive program provides services for two tracks of veterans,
those seeking treatment for substance abuse and those with PTSD.

[Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program (SUDTP):]{.underline} The
SUDTP track services veterans with addictive disorders. This five week
program offers individual and group therapy. Veterans participate in a
variety of psychoeducational and process-oriented groups. The Resident
who selects the PRRTP rotation will gain experience in working with
substance abuse and veterans who have been dual diagnosed.

[Post-traumatic Stress Disorder PRRTP:]{.underline} The PTSD track
services veterans through a Cohort Model in which approximately 10-20
male and female veterans enter the program together and remain for 8
weeks. Their treatment consists of intensive psychoeducational and
process-oriented groups focusing on military-related trauma.

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| > **Women's Mental Health Clinic**                                    |
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The Women's Mental Health Clinic is designed to meet the special
assessment and treatment needs of women veterans and is [open to both
male and female]{.underline} Residents. A psychologist is the
coordinator of this clinic. Nearly all women receiving outpatient mental
health care are assigned to the Women's Mental Health Clinic. Services
to women veterans are provided through both individual and group
counseling as well as medication management. Groups that target
gender-related mental health problems are offered, as well as depression
management, sexual trauma recovery, and assertiveness training.
Residents who select this rotation participate in these services and are
encouraged to design new groups that might meet the needs of women
veterans. Interested Residents are encouraged to develop and conduct
research related to women's issues.

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| > **Geropsychology**                                                  |
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Residents who select the Geropsychology rotation work primarily in the
geriatric units of Extended Care performing psychological and
neuropsychological assessments and interventions. The Resident works in
conjunction with geriatricians, often attempting to upgrade patient
functioning so that they can return to a home-based environment.
Opportunities are available to work with the Hospice Program, Home
Health Care, the Geriatric Outpatient Clinic, Rehabilitation Program,
the Dementia Unit, and families. Supervised training in the special
problems of the elderly is provided.

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| > **Research**                                                        |
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All Residents are encouraged to engage in Research. A half-day per week
may be used for this purpose and the Resident selects a faculty research
mentor for the year to sponsor and supervise their projects and assist
in getting proposals approved by the Research and Development Committee
and Institutional Review Board. This component is optional and the
Resident may decide to use this half day for long term therapy should
they prefer (see Overview of Residency above and Long Term Therapy
below). The goal of this program is to provide an intensive experience
in conducting research in a clinical setting. Residents may assist
mentors with ongoing research and/or pursue independent research
projects under the supervision of their mentor. Several past Residents
have gathered data for use in their dissertation in conjunction with
this training experience (though we cannot guarantee its availability
for this purpose).

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| > **Administrative Rotation**                                         |
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Residents may elect the Administrative Rotation upon approval of the
Director of Training and the Chief of Psychology. Residents will observe
and participate in administration of Mental Health functions in
collaboration with the Chief of Psychology. Training goals include
exposing the Resident to methods of administering a mental health
program and interdisciplinary interface from an administrative
perspective. Prior Residents who have participated in this rotation have
been assigned special projects including grant preparation, conducting
special investigations, and developing new programs. This rotation is
typically part-time and must be coordinated with another supervisor
willing to provide a part-time rotation placement.

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| > **Neuropsychology Rotation**                                        |
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Residents may elect this optional rotation upon approval of the Director
of Training. This is a part-time, three-month experience at a nearby
medical center (our affiliation agreement does not allow identifying the
medical center in this brochure). The Resident assists in conducting
neuropsychological assessments in a tertiary care teaching hospital that
provides services to patients from the local population as well as
patients referred from other states. The ages of these patients are
variable, but they tend to be somewhat younger and better educated than
clientele of many neuropsychological services. Referral questions
include differentiating normal aging and early dementia, cognitive
functioning after moderate-to-severe head injury or after a significant
illness affecting the central nervous system, and patients with
cognitive complaints reportedly affecting their work performance.

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| > **Employee Wellness and Assistance Program**                        |
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Psychology Service has been at the forefront in providing psychological
assistance for employees of the Health Care System. The goal of this
program is to help employees deal with stressors in their work setting
or away from work which interfere with their ability to perform their
work satisfactorily. This can range from dealing with major stressors
such as the aftermath of hurricane devastation to marital difficulties
to interpersonal conflicts on the job. This program is not a true
rotation experience, but residents are called upon to conduct or help
conduct stress and anger management workshops as a component of the
Administrative Rotation.

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| > **Mental Health Clinic**                                            |
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The Mental Health Clinic (MHC) is multidisciplinary and includes
psychology, psychiatry, physician assistants, nursing and social work
staff. It is an open clinic and accepts consults from all services. The
clinic provides a wide range of services associated with a general
mental health outpatient clinic. Residents are involved in all aspects
of the MHC and provide intake assessment, treatment planning, individual
and group therapy, consultation and full participation in staff
activities.

![](media/image39.jpeg){width="6.05in" height="2.4180555555555556in"}

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| > ***OTHER TRAINING ACTIVITIES***                                     |
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| > **Psychology Triage Service**                                       |
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Psychology Triage is a component of the Primary Care Rotation. Residents
provide psychological triage evaluations and crisis intervention to
patients in the hospital emergency room. Virtually all patients admitted
to inpatient psychiatry are processed through the Emergency Room of the
Biloxi Center. Psychologists and Residents manage the Psychology Triage
Service, which provides initial assessment for all patients presenting
with mental health problems. After evaluating patients, the Resident
determines the most appropriate intervention and/or resource for the
individual patient's needs, which may range from emergency psychiatric
hospitalization, to outpatient mental health care, to substance abuse
treatment, to community lodging. We believe that the Psychology Triage
Service is a unique contribution of psychology at this medical center
and affords Residents superior training in rapidly assessing and
determining appropriate dispositions for patients typically presenting
on a crisis basis. This service is highly valued by the medical and
allied health staff, and has lead to a level of respect for our
Residents which we believe is unique in comparison with other
residency/internship programs. Appropriateness of admissions is
monitored with extensive feedback provided to Residents through the
weekly Diagnostics and Triage Seminar.

THIS PROGRAM IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, THOUGH SOME
OF THESE EXPERIENCES MAY BE AVAILABLE IN THE PRIMARY CARE ROTATION.

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| > **Neuropsychology Program**                                         |
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The Neuropsychology Program provides services to the Biloxi Center and
the Mobile and Pensacola Outpatient Clinics. Consultation requests are
received from a wide range of sources: neurology, medicine, primary
care, psychiatry, extended care, and even employee health. After
learning to properly administer the assessment tools, Residents are
assigned up to eight full neuropsychological assessments per year. This
training experience is supported through the weekly Neuropsychology
Seminar (see below) and individual and group supervision.

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| > ***THURSDAY SEMINARS AND PROGRAMS***                                |
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Thursdays are set aside as a training and staff consultation day for
both Residents and Faculty. Throughout the residency year a variety of
training/supervisory meetings are held. All experiences are provided on
a weekly basis unless otherwise indicated.

(Continued on next page)

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Professional Issues Seminar**                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

The Professional Issues Seminar meets on the second and fourth
Wednesdays of each month. The coordinator of this didactic program or
guest experts discusses topics such as ethics, professional
relationships, counseling on future employment, the relationship of
psychologists to other professions, multicultural issues, coping with
the stresses of a career in psychology, scholarly inquiry and ways to
maintain awareness of contemporary research, methods of conducting
research in a clinical setting, the licensing process and preparing for
the Examination for the Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP),
professional issues relating to a career in psychology, the importance
of professional organizations, issues in serving as a supervisor, ways
to begin and maintain a private practice, and topics of interest
identified by Residents.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Psychopharmacology Seminar**                                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

The Psychopharmacology Seminar meets weekly for approximately 4-6 weeks.
One of our adjunct faculty members, a psychiatrist, provides a basic
overview of kinetics, dynamics, side effects, risks, and clinical
application of psychotropic medications. This program is part of the
Special Topics Seminar Series (see below).

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Neuropsychology Seminar**                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

The Neuropsychology Seminar meets weekly for the entire year. Our staff
neuropsychologist provides training in the use of standardized tests to
evaluate neuropsychological status. The Halstead-Reitan
Neuropsychological Battery, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - III,
Wechsler Memory Scale - III, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
and other measures are used to assess neurocognitive functioning. A
variety of neuropathological conditions are reviewed and
neuropsychological assessment results of different conditions are
illustrated with patient data. As the year progresses, Residents process
data from individually assigned neuropsychological cases, write
consultation reports, and give feedback and make recommendations to
patients and their families. The seminar and related practica are
designed to approximate the level of work of a full-time, two-month
rotation.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Diagnostics and Psychopathology Seminar**                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

The Diagnostics and Psychopathology Seminar is designed to assist
Residents become more proficient in relating psychopathological signs
and symptoms to diagnostic criteria. In addition to a thorough review of
the DSM-IV diagnostic nomenclature, specific case examples are used to
illustrate the diagnostic picture. This seminar also provides an
opportunity to discuss and process unusual and problematic cases that
present in various settings that residents may rotate through during the
training year.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Psychological Assessment Seminar**                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

The Psychological Assessment Seminar meets weekly for the entire year.
The goal of the assessment seminar is to help the resident acquire the
skills necessary to select, administer, score and interpret a battery of
diagnostic psychological tests. In addition to training in the use of
objective and projective assessment instruments, the resident will learn
to conduct, and document the results of, a mental status examination.
Relevant concepts will be richly illustrated through the use of case
history materials gathered from past and present medical center
patients. The seminar also includes instruction in the preparation of
the psychological testing report, a review of current literature related
to assessment, and a discussion of ethical considerations. Residents are
encouraged to bring test data to the seminar for discussion.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Special Topics in Psychology Seminar**                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

The Special Topics in Psychology Seminar meets weekly. The coordinator
of this seminar arranges for didactic presentations by training faculty
and adjunct faculty consisting of VA and community experts on a variety
of topics. Examples of these topics include caring for veterans,
advanced trauma therapies, diversity issues, death and dying, disaster
mental health, and psychopharmacology. Special interest topics have
included, but are not limited to, assessing lethality, competency
assessment, sleep and sleep disorders, biofeedback, hypnosis, HIV pre-
and posttest counseling, infection control in a medical center setting,
physical problems that masquerade as psychiatric disturbances, etc. In
addition, Residents may present treatment cases, as well as contemporary
treatment methods and special techniques with which they are familiar.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Continuing Professional Education Series**                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

The Continuing Education Program Series meets as arranged, though often
on the first Wednesday of the month. The Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care
System in the only agency on the Gulf Coast, and the first agency in the
state, certified by the Mississippi Board of Psychology to provide
continuing education for the relicensure of psychologists. Residents are
expected to attend. Training includes lectures by members of the
Training Faculty, community experts, guest lecturers, and occasionally
by APA-approved CE video presentations and satellite teleconferences.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Psychology Grand Rounds**                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Psychology Grand Rounds programs are held monthly. Residents, on a
rotating basis, present one to two cases over the course of the year
that illustrate a particular diagnostic or therapeutic problem. Faculty,
Residents and other students attend and participate. Residents must
present assessment case material, review contemporary literature for the
disorder, and lead discussion concerning the diagnosis and treatment of
the individual patient. Attention is given to the diversity of
individual differences in patients and populations presented. Toward the
end of the year, with permission of the Director of Training, a Resident
may elect to present their current VA research or dissertation project.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Neuropathology Rounds**                                           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Neuropathology Rounds are held as specimens are available and can be
arranged. Presented by the staff pathologist with assistance of the
neuropsychologist, Residents and other students participate in
neurological autopsies. Both healthy and diseased brains are examined.
Occasionally, these cases have had prior neuropsychological or
neurological assessments prior to death. Thus, neuropsychological data
can be compared /related to postmortem neuroanatomical findings.
Pathological findings/diagnoses of postmortem studies have included
Pick's disease, Alzheimer's dementia, cerebrovascular accident,
multi-infarct dementia, and lung cancer with metastatic brain
involvement.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > ***SUPERVISION***                                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Supervision is as an integral part of the training program and is
designed to foster education, professional competence, personal and
professional growth, ethical responsibility, and personal integrity. At
the beginning of the residency year, the Director of Training reviews
the goals of supervision, process of supervision and characteristics of
good supervisors and supervisees. Outlines of this information are
provided for each Resident to reference from time to time over the
training year. Supervisors are licensed psychologists who share their
knowledge and expertise, model technique and professional behavior, and
encourage residents to develop their skills using a variety of
assessment/diagnostic, intervention, treatment team consultation, and
research methods. Residents are expected to apply critical thinking and
contemporary, empirically-based skills to professional, legal, and
ethical issues related to the practice of psychology. Residents can
expect to receive a [minimum]{.underline} of two hours of individual,
and one to two hours of group supervision per week.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > ***COMPETENCY EVALUATION***                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Specific rotation/activity goals and objectives are communicated to
Residents in writing at the onset of each rotation/activity. Faculty
supervisors meet monthly to discuss the progress of Residents toward
meeting these goals and objectives. At mid-rotation, supervisors and
Residents are prompted to exchange feedback on the rotation experience
and goals/objectives are reviewed. At the end of each rotation,
Residents and their primary supervisors complete formal, written
competency evaluations that are forwarded to the Director of Training.
The information in these evaluations is used by the DOT to provide
ongoing feedback to Residents, supervisors, and academic training
directors. Typically, evaluation letters are sent to the Residents'
academic programs at midyear and at the completion of the Residency.
Successful completion of relevant rotations, seminars and general
activity objectives constitute exit criteria for completion of the
program.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > ***PROBLEMS AND DUE PROCESS RESOLUTION***                           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Normally, problematic behavior or less than satisfactory performance is
resolved by the Resident and the major rotation supervisor. In rare
instances, formal remediation is necessary. We have a written Due
Process document which details policies and procedures that are
implemented in these cases. These procedures for handling grievances are
specific and detailed and are designed to protect the rights of the
student, the supervisor and the training program. You may obtain a copy
of this document by sending an e-mail request to Dr. Rogers at
<jefferson.rogers@va.gov>.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > ***RESOURCES***                                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Research**                                                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Training faculty may have research interests and ongoing externally and
internally funded research programs. The Chief of Psychology is also the
Coordinator of Research and Development and a strong advocate for and
supporter of research. Psychologists are members of the region's
lnstitutional Review Board and the Research and Development Committee.
Residents are encouraged to participate in ongoing projects or to
develop research projects of their own. Of particular interest are
psychotherapy and other outcome studies.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Research Facility**                                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

The Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System is accredited as a research
facility by the National Committee for Quality Assurance and supports
the Behavioral Medicine and Applied Psychology Laboratory and Research
Center located at the Biloxi Division. This facility has excellent
hardware including a Grass Polygraph with computer interface and
laboratory microcomputer with statistical, optical scanning data entry,
and graphic software. The research lab has PC-based statistical software
available for use.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Dissertation Support**                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Although Residents will be very busy with their residency work, the
training faculty encourages Residents to organize their time so that
progress continues on the dissertation. While support in completing the
dissertation is available on a limited basis, it is presumed that
Residents have proposed their projects, collected data, and are in the
final stages of analysis and write-up when they begin their residency
year. Some dissertation topics, however, require samples that can only
be obtained in settings like our health care system. In the past, some
Residents have utilized our VA population to collect dissertation data.
Our goal for Residents is that they complete their dissertations during
the residency year so that licensure and postdoctoral employment can be
obtained.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Information Resources/Computerized Medical Record System**        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

The Department of Veterans Affairs has been a national leader in the
development of the computerized medical record, currently the most
sophisticated system in the world, and the Gulf Coast Veterans Health
Care System uses this paperless medical record.  Residents will utilize
the Computerized Patient Records System (CPRS) for chart review of
progress notes, consults, radiological reports, health care summaries,
discharge summaries, and pharmaceutical information. All employees and
Residents have accounts on the health care system computer network
(VISTA -- a VA internal intranet system), general Internet access, and
an Internet address.  [All]{.underline} psychology stations (including
Resident offices) have computers.  The vast majority of health care
system communications are made via the computer.  Psychology Service led
the way in moving the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System into the
computerized medical record.  Internet access allows for instant
literature searching for an enormous variety of psychology and medical
topics.   The Information Management Service-Information Center staff
supports the clinical, educational, and research activities of the
health care system by proving knowledge-based resources in electronic
and printed format.  There is a core collection of traditional text
resources (book titles, subscriptions, and audiovisual materials and
equipment), and an extensive collection of electronic resources
available on the Electronic Library webpage.  Interlibrary Loan service
is available to acquire resources not available locally.  Additionally,
assisted computerized literature searches are available.  Information
Center staff also supports satellite teleconference training, using
national and international experts and allowing for live interactions.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ####### ADDITIONAL PSYCHOLOGY TRAINING PROGRAMS                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Psychology Service supports several levels of training for students of
psychology. This provides Residents the opportunity to gain experience
in mentoring and supervising lower level trainees in a tiered
supervision format. Participation in these programs cannot be
guaranteed, as students are placed in these programs on an as-needed
basis by the university training programs.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Summer Traineeship/Internship**                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Two or three students may be selected for the Summer Internship. They
are either terminal master's students or doctoral students from Clinical
or Counseling Psychology programs in the Southeast. The internship is a
500-600 hour requirement for graduation and certification. These
students do not currently receive a stipend, but may be able to obtain
room and board. Residents provide additional mentoring and supervision
beyond that of the Intern's primary Faculty supervisor(s).

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Externship (Clinical Practica)**                                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Students from nearby universities spend one or two days per week under
the supervision of Faculty who have volunteered to assist in meeting
their practicum needs. Their placement is for the duration of the
academic semester. Occasionally, a student will train for more than one
semester. Externs receive no stipend, but are awarded a letter grade as
determined by their local supervisor. Residents may be called upon to
assist in the professional development and supervision of these Externs.

![](media/image40.jpeg){width="5.514583333333333in"
height="3.2805555555555554in"}

View of Fort Massachusetts on Ship Island, some 12 miles south of the
Mississippi Gulf Coast.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ####### TRAINING FACULTY                                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

![](media/image41.jpeg){width="2.06875in"
height="2.4930555555555554in"}Name: Nathaniel Abston, Jr., Ph.D.

# Title(s): Mobile Outpatient Clinic Psychologist

School: University of Southern Mississippi, 1984

Internship: Biloxi VA Medical Center, 1983

License: Licensed Psychologist in Mississippi, 1984-present

Licensed Psychologist in Alabama, 1998-present

Duties: Dr. Abston is assigned to the VA Outpatient Clinic in Mobile,
Alabama where he works in the Mental Health Clinic and consults with the
Primary Care Medical Clinic.

Professional: Dr. Abston's professional interests include Health
psychology, Minority issues in psychology, Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder, and Substance Abuse. His theoretical orientation is eclectic
with a cognitive-behavioral emphasis. Dr. Abston is a Lecturer in
Psychology at the University of South Alabama in Mobile and a member of
the Alabama Psychological Association.

Personal: His personal interests include fishing and listening to blues
and jazz music.

![](media/image42.jpeg){width="2.06875in"
height="2.638888888888889in"}Name: Ronald W. Alexander, Ph.D.

Titles(s): Clinical Health Psychologist

School: University of Alabama, Birmingham, 1997

Internship: Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX

Post-doctoral Fellowship: Clinical Health Psychology,

Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX

License: Licensed Psychologist in the State of Kansas, 1999-present

Duties: Dr. Alexander is responsible for providing a full spectrum of
health psychology/ behavioral medicine services within the medical
center. He is currently involved the Health Psychology/Behavioral
Medicine Clinic, MH Integrated Primary Care, Pain Clinic, MOVE! Program
and the Traumatic Brain Injury/Polytrauma screening program.

Professional: Dr. Alexander's theoretical orientation is primarily
cognitive/behavioral with an emphasis on comprehensive biopsychosocial
assessment and treatment. He is an avid supporter of the integration of
mental health professionals into primary care clinics, with strong
emphasis on the behavioral health consultant (BHC) model of care. He has
special interest in the proper referral, and comprehensive assessment
and treatment of veteran's returning from the current conflicts in
Afghanistan and Iraq. Other clinical and research interests include
sleep and sleep disorders, as well as the impact of behavioral medicine
interventions on improvement of patients' quality of life and the
overall reduction of health care costs. He currently coordinates the
Professional Issues seminar. He is in the process of obtaining ABPP
certification in Clinical Health Psychology.

![](media/image43.jpeg){width="2.06875in" height="2.625in"}Name: Scott
A. Cardin, Ph.D.

Titles(s): Outpatient Mental Health Psychologist

School: Texas A&M University

Internship: U. Houston Counseling and Psychological Service

Post-doctoral Fellowship:

Michael E. DeBakey VAMC, Houston, Texas

License: In process

Duties: Mental Health Clinic; Co-coordinator of Diagnostics and
Psychopathology and Assessment Seminars.

Professional: Dr. Cardin's primary clinical interests include
psychotherapy process, supervision/training and language factors. His
theoretical orientation is eclectic with an emphasis on psychodynamic
therapy. He recently completed a two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship in
Advanced Psychology with an emphasis in research. His research efforts
have centered on using language analyses to inform treatment of veterans
suffering from PTSD. More specifically, a recent funded project examined
identification of linguistic markers of change.

Personal: Dr. Cardin enjoys reading, creative writing, recreational
sports (such as golf and Frisbee golf), and exploring the Gulf Coast
with his girlfriend.

![](media/image44.jpeg){width="2.0618055555555554in"
height="2.5in"}**Name: Jack C. Carney, Ph.D.**

Title(s) Home Based Primary Care

School: Tennessee State University, 2005

Internship: James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, 2004-2005

License: January 2006, Alabama, #1374

Duties: Dr. Carney is responsible for providing psychological services
for veterans enrolled in the Home Based Primary Clinic. These services
include: helping caregivers cope with the care of veterans with chronic
disease and nearing end-of-life; individual and family therapy;
assessment of cognitive disorders; decisional capacity (health care and
financial); case management; and participating as a member of the HBPC
interdisciplinary treatment team. In addition to these services, he
supervises residents on the HBPC rotation as well as lectures on the
Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) and Millon Clinical Multiaxial
Inventory-III (MCMI-III).

Professional: Dr. Carney's professional interests include personality
assessment, acceptance and commitment therapy, end-of-life care,
traumatic stress, and health psychology. His theoretical orientation is
object relations with interpersonal and cognitive-behavioral
interventions.

Personal: Favorite avocations include swimming with his one-year-old
son, Jacob, attending local plays, boogie boarding at Perdido Key,
finding new sushi restaurants, and going walking with his wife.

![](media/image45.jpeg){width="2.1034722222222224in"
height="2.4340277777777777in"}

Name: Stephanie L. Dutton, Psy.D.

Titles(s): PTSD Psychologist

School: Regent University, Virginia

Internship: Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System

License: In process

Duties: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Programs; Coordinator of the
Special Topics in Psychology Seminar.

Professional: Dr. Dutton's professional interests include Posttraumatic
Stress Disorder, Health Psychology and Spiritual/Religious issues in
psychology. Her theoretical orientation is eclectic with a
cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal emphasis. Dr. Dutton is a member
of APA.

Personal: Dr. Dutton's personal interests include spending time with
friends, traveling, camping, and enjoying music and movies.

![](media/image46.jpeg){width="2.1131944444444444in"
height="2.625in"}Name: Clinton W. Martin, Jr., Ph.D.

# Title: Staff Psychologist

School: University of Southern Mississippi, 1978

Internship: Topeka VA Medical Center, 1977

License: Licensed Psychologist in Mississippi, 1982--present

Duties: Dr. Martin is responsible for the provision of a full range of
psychological services to an inpatient psychiatry interdisciplinary
team. He coordinates the Assessment Seminar within the Psychology
Residency program. He is a member of the G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA
Medical Center Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Professional: Dr. Martin's professional interests include personality
assessment, training and supervision, and research. His orientation is
psychodynamic.

Personal: His personal interests include computers, photography,
tinkering with a variety of mechanical objects and historical research.

![](media/image47.jpeg){width="2.06875in" height="2.75in"}**Name:
Benjamin Parker, Ph.D.**

Title(s) PTSD Psychologist

School: West Virginia University, 2007

Internship: Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System, 2007

License: Pending

Duties: Dr. Parker is responsible for providing psychological services
for the PTSD Outpatient Clinic. These services include: performing
biopsychosocial assessments; conducting psychoeducational and process
groups for veterans seeking treatment for PTSD; providing individual
therapy for veterans seeking treatment for PTSD and the related sequelae
of mental disorders, e.g., depression, generalized anxiety, panic;
engaging in case management activities; and participating in liaison
services with members of the multidisciplinary PCT treatment team and
providers from various service areas in the hospital.

Professional: Dr. Parker's professional interests include traumatic
stress, behavioral medicine, prevention strategies, and positive
psychology, especially in the area of forgiveness. His theoretical
orientation is behavioral.

Personal: Dr. Parker's personal interests include music, movies, and
enjoying time with family and friends.

![](media/image48.jpeg){width="2.0659722222222223in"
height="2.6194444444444445in"}Name: Susan K. Rhodes, Ph.D.

# Title(s): Primary Care Psychology, Mobile Clinic

School: Oklahoma State University, 1993

Internship: Medical University of South Carolina/VAMC Consortium,
1992-1993

Post-doctoral Fellowship:

Medical University of South Carolina, Weight Management Center

License: Licensed Psychologist in Alabama, 1998-Present

Duties: Dr. Rhodes serves as the Primary Care Psychologist at the Mobile
Outpatient Clinic, consulting with other disciplines for the Health
Psychology/Behavioral Medicine needs of veterans in the ambulatory care
arena.

Professional: Dr. Rhodes' professional interests include teaching. She
is an adjunct faculty member at the University of South Alabama where
she teaches course in General Psychology and Lifespan Development. Her
interests include the treatment and prevention of obesity. Her
theoretical orientation is primarily behavioral and cognitive-behavioral
and her approach to therapy is evidence-based.

Personal: Dr. Rhodes enjoys running with and training her three dogs.
She is the mother of three grown sons and looks forward to spending time
with them and her grandchildren whenever possible.

![](media/image49.jpeg){width="2.051388888888889in"
height="2.5444444444444443in"}Name: Jefferson O. Rogers, Psy.D.

# Title(s): Director of Training, Geropsychologist;

# Chairperson, Ethics Committee

School: Florida Institute of Technology, 1992

Internship: Washington, DC VAMC 1991-1992

Postdoctoral Fellowship:

Geropsychology, Little Rock VAMC, 1993

License: Licensed Psychologist in Mississippi, 1995-present

Duties: Dr. Rogers supervises students on the Geropsychology rotation
and lectures on geropsychology. Clinical duties include providing
psychological services to Nursing Home Care Units, Home Based Primary
Care patients, the Dementia Unit, the Intermediate Medical Care unit,
and Hospice patients. He additionally serves as Chairperson of the
Ethics Committee of the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System and
provides Tobacco Cessation treatment.

Professional: Dr. Rogers' professional interests include Geropsychology,
neuropsychology, assessment of decisional capacity, and ethics. His
theoretical orientation is eclectic/pragmatic with a
cognitive-behavioral emphasis.

Personal: Favorite avocations include writing and performing music at
local haunts, cooking, dining, projects around the house, and indulging
his dog & wife. He admits to watching TV, often while reading, with an
inclination toward cinema and documentaries.

![](media/image50.jpeg){width="2.0208333333333335in"
height="2.375in"}**Name: Gustave F.P. Sison, Ph.D.**

Title(s): Chief, Psychology Service; Coordinator of Research and
Development; Administration,

> Research and Long Term Therapy Supervisor

School: University of Southern Mississippi, 1982

Internship: Albany Medical Center/VA Medical Consortium,

Albany, New York, 1981-82

License: Licensed Psychologist in Mississippi, 1986-Present

Duties: Dr. Sison is Chief Clinical Psychologist and Employee Assistance
Program Coordinator at the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System, where
he also coordinates all medical, surgical, and mental health research
activities.

Professional: Dr. Sison is a practicing clinical psychologist with over
20 years experience as a clinician, researcher, and behavioral
health/change consultant. In addition to heading a consulting firm that
specializes in organizational behavioral change, management consulting,
stress/conflict management, and outcomes measurement, he teaches a
doctoral course in health psychology, and is the author of 18
professional publications in the behavioral sciences.

Personal: Dr. Sison's personal interests include canoeing, kayaking,
numismatics, and history.

![](media/image51.jpeg){width="2.063888888888889in"
height="2.2888888888888888in"}Name: Kelly D. Woods, Ph.D.

Title(s): Assistant Chief, Psychology Service

> Program Manager. Psychosocial Rehabilitation
>
> Chairperson, Disruptive Behavior Committee

School: University of Southern Mississippi, 1998

Internship: Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System, 1996-97

License: Licensed Psychologist in Mississippi, 1999-Present

Duties: As the Assistant Chief, Dr. Woods monitors the day-to-day
operations and administrative functions of Psychology Service. He track
employee workload, training activities and has clinical oversight in
working with the Staff Psychologists. As Program Manager for the PSR, he
oversees program operations and activities of vocational staff who work
with our veteran population. His duties as Disruptive Behavior Committee
Chair allows him to work closely with the VA Police Service in
monitoring workplace disruptions and/or incidents of violence in an
effort to make the workplace safe for both employees and veterans.

Professional: Dr. Woods' professional interests include teaching such
courses as Abnormal Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology and
Development as an adjunct faculty member of the University of Southern
Mississippi-Gulf Park. His theoretical orientation is eclectic, and his
approach to therapy is interpersonal.

Personal: Dr. Woods enjoys being a family man and spending as much time
as possible with his wife of twelve years and their three children. In
October of 2003 Dr. Woods completed a ten-month mobilization at Fort
Benning, Georgia in support of Operation Noble Eagle. He is a member

of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and is also a Cub Scout Leader
with a local Boy Scout

troop.

![](media/image52.jpeg){width="4.846527777777778in"
height="2.4972222222222222in"}

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ####### ADJUNCT FACULTY                                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

**Moses Adedeji, M.D.** Neuroanatomy-Neuropathology Case Conferences

**Kevin Blakley, Psy.D. Neuropsychological Assessment**

**Marvett Burns, M.L.S.** Library and Information Resources

**William L. Clayton, M.D.** Psychopharmacology

**Richard H. Crosby, CADC** Primary Care Substance Abuse Issues

**Elizabeth Curry, Ph.D.** Gay and Lesbian Issues in Therapy

**Arthur J. Dawson, M.Div.** Spiritual Issues in Working with Patients

**Bruce Dennings, Ph.D.** Business of Practice, Impaired Psychologist

**Dorothy Dickson-Rischel, Ph.D.** Coping with Grief, Death and Dying

**Fr. Joseph A. Diletusso** Spiritual Issues of Trauma Survivors

**Patrick Evans, Ph.D.** Private Practice, Working with Couples

**Stephen L. Farrow, M.D.** Interdisciplinary Treatment for Hypertension

**Bill Gasparrini, Ph.D., ABPP** Children's Neuropsychology, Licensing
and

#####  Ethical Issues

**Chester D. Gaston, Jr., Ph.D** Neuropsychology, Supervision Issues,
Licensing

**Tanya Griego, LCSW** The Vet Center

**Sarah Herring, LMSW** Social Work in Conjunction with Psychology

**Nowal Jamhour, Ph.D.** Assessment and Treatment of Sleep Disorders

**Beth Koch, Ph.D.** Business of Practice

**Jamie C. Landry, Ph.D.** Developmental Disabilities

**Ruth McPherson, Ph.D.** Child and Adolescent Issues

**Linda Reynolds, R.N.** HIV Counseling and Infection Control

**Linda Rogers, R.N.** Hospice Care

**William F. Seith, M.D.** Physical Neurological Examination, EEG

**Sheree Starr, Ph.D.** Dialectical Behavior Therapy

#### 

**Julie Teater, Psy.D.** Bariatric Surgery Evaluations, Police
Evaluations,

Private Practice

**Daniel Vujnovich, Ph.D.** Neuropsychology in Disability Determination,

Business of Practice

**Francine Wolpe, M.D.** Single Positron Emission Computed Tomography

(SPECT imaging), HIV Issues

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| #######  ACADEMIC PROGRAMS REPRESENTED IN THE RESIDENCY               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Past 10 Years: University, Program, Degree**                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

2008. University of Alabama-Clinical Ph.D.

> Auburn University-Clinical Ph.D.
>
> Georgia School of Professional Psychology-Clinical Psy.D.

Jackson State University-Clinical Ph.D.

Marshall University-Clinical Psy.D.

University of Southern Mississippi-Counseling Ph.D.

2006-2007 Argosy University, Hawaii-Clinical Psy.D.

Jackson State University-Clinical Ph.D.

Louisiana Tech University-Counseling Ph.D.

University of North Dakota-Counseling Ph.D.

University of Southern Mississippi-Clinical Ph.D.

West Virginia University-Clinical Ph.D.

2005-2006 Central Michigan University-Clinical Ph.D.

Louisiana State University-Clinical Ph.D.

Regent University (Virginia)-Clinical Psy.D.

Southern Illinois University-Counseling Ph.D.

University of Southern Mississippi-Counseling Ph.D.

2004-2005 Nova Southeastern University-Clinical Ph.D.

University of Central Florida-Clinical, Ph.D.

Jackson State University-Clinical Ph.D.

Auburn University-Counseling Ph.D.

Biola University-Rosemead School of Psychology-Clinical Ph.D.

2003-2004 Auburn University-Clinical Ph.D.

> Carlos Albizu University-Clinical Psy.D.
>
> Forrest Institute of Professional Psychology-Clinical Psy.D.
>
> Louisiana State University-Clinical Ph.D.
>
> University of South Carolina-Clinical Ph.D.
>
> University of Southern Mississippi-Clinical Ph.D.

2003. Argosy University, Atlanta-Clinical Psy.D.

> California School of Professional Psychology-San Diego-Clinical Ph.D.
>
> Florida State University-Counseling Ph.D.
>
> George Fox University-Clinical Ph.D. (2)
>
> University of Southern Mississippi-Clinical Ph.D.

2002. American School of Professional Psychology-Virginia-Clinical
      Psy.D.

Biola University-Rosemeade School of Psychology-Clinical Psy.D.

Florida Institute of Technology-Clinical Psy.D. (2)

University of Southern Mississippi-Clinical Ph.D.

University of Southern Mississippi-Counseling Ph.D.

2001. Florida Institute of Psychology-Clinical Psy.D.

> Georgia School of Professional Psychology-Clinical Psy.D.
>
> Nova Southeastern University-Clinical Psy.D.
>
> Texas Woman's University-Counseling Ph.D.
>
> Western Michigan University-Clinical Ph.D.

2000. Chicago School of Professional Psychology-Clinical Psy.D.

> University of Alabama-Birmingham-Clinical Ph.D.
>
> University of Georgia-Counseling Ph.D.
>
> University of Mississippi-Clinical Ph.D. (2)

1999. University of Albany, State University of New York-Clinical Ph.D.

> University of Houston-Clinical Ph.D.
>
> Illinois School of Professional Psychology-Clinical Psy.D.
>
> Oklahoma State University-Counseling Ph.D.
>
> University of Southern Mississippi-Clinical Ph.D.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Academic Programs Prior to Above**                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

University of Alabama

University of Arkansas

Auburn University

Ball State University

Baylor University

California School of Professional Psychology, Fresno

California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego

University of Colorado

University of Florida

Florida Institute of Technology

Florida State University

Georgia School of Professional Psychology, Atlanta

Georgia State University

University of Georgia

University of Houston

Illinois Institute of Technology

Louisiana State University

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

University of Memphis

Memphis State University

North Texas State University

Nova University

Oklahoma State University

University of Mississippi

University of South Florida

Southern Illinois University

Spalding University

University of Southern Mississippi

University of Tennessee

University of Texas

Texas A&M University

West Virginia University

Vanderbilt University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ####### APPLICATION INFORMATION                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Stipend and Benefits**                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

The Residency stipend is \$22,898 per annum. There are ten federal
holidays. Twenty-six days of leave are accrued during the year.
Residents are eligible for optional Government Life and Health Insurance
benefits.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Qualifications**                                                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Applicants for the Residency Program must be degree candidates in
APA-accredited doctoral programs in clinical or counseling psychology
who have fulfilled departmental requirements for residency/internship as
certified by their university training director. Only US citizens are
eligible to receive stipend support. A physical exam certifying good
health is required of applicants who are selected for the Residency
Program at the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System. A security
background check is also required.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Documentation**                                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Applications must be received no later than [December 1]{.underline} and
must include:

1.  A current vita.

2.  Official Transcripts of all graduate work.

3.  APPIC Application for Psychology Internship (AAPI), including the
    verification of internship eligibility and readiness from your
    university training director.

4.  A cover letter indicating the particular interests you have in our
    program (i.e., rotations you would be interested in), your long-term
    professional goals, and why you think you would be a good fit at our
    site.

5.  Letters of recommendation from at least [four (4)]{.underline}
    persons who are familiar with your academic and applied performance
    in psychology. Two of these letters should be from individuals
    familiar with your academic work and two from individuals familiar
    with your applied work (e.g., practicum placements).

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > **Interviews**                                                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Interviews are given in person on an invitation-only basis and are
[required]{.underline} for those who are seriously interested in our
program. Interviews will be scheduled beginning approximately December
15 (or approximately 2 weeks after the deadline for receipt of
application materials. Telephone interviews are typically not conducted.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ####### AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (APA) ACCREDITATION        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

The Psychology Residency Program at the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care
System is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and
has been since 1980. Contact APA at: 750 First Street, NE, Washington,
DC 20002-4242. Phone: (202) 336-5500. Visit the APA web site at:
[www.apa.org](http://www.apa.org/). We have been training students in
psychology since 1950.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ####### ASSOCIATIO                                                    |
| N OF PSYCHOLOGY POSTDOCTORAL AND INTENSHIP CENTERS (APPIC) MEMBERSHIP |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

The Psychology Residency Program at the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care
System is a member of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and
Internship Centers (APPIC) and fully subscribes to their selection
procedures and policies. This site agrees to abide by the APPIC policy
that no person at this training facility will solicit, accept or use any
ranking-related information from any intern applicant. Please visit the
APPIC web site to obtain additional information including the Uniform
Application and Match Rules
([http://www.appic.org](http://www.appic.org/)).

APPIC Match Number: 1401

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ####### CORRESPONDENCE                                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Download application materials (AAPI) from the APPIC web site, above.

Send completed application materials and requests for information to:

Jefferson O. Rogers, Psy.D.

Director of Training

Psychology Service (116B)

Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System

400 Veterans Boulevard

Biloxi, MS 39531-2410

Telephone: (228) 523-4792

Fax: (228) 523-4754

E-mail: <jefferson.rogers@va.gov>

(Note: For FedEx, and other such deliveries, specify "Building T-102,
Room F117" in the address).

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ####### IN MEMORIAM                                                   |
|                                                                       |
| ####### JOHN C. HANSON, PH.D.                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

![](media/image53.jpeg){width="2.0034722222222223in" height="2.375in"}

This publication of the Psychology Residency Brochure is dedicated to
our good friend and colleague, Dr. John C. Hanson who died unexpectedly
in November, 2005 of cardiac arrest. Dr. Hanson was a former Psychology
Resident of our program, was actively involved with training and
supervision and was instrumental in providing disaster response support
and treatment for VA employees following the devastation caused by
Hurricane Katrina. We all miss him and his contributions to Psychology
Service and the Training Program.