> ![](media/image1.png){width="1.125in"
> height="1.6979166666666667in"}**Psychology Practicum Training**

**Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial VA Medical Center - Bedford**\
Psychology Practicum Training Program (116B)

200 Springs Road

Bedford, Massachusetts, 01730

> *(781) 687-2378**\
> **<http://www.bedford.va.gov/>*

**Applications due: January 15, 2009**

## Application & Selection Procedures 

Training in the CIP is open to all applicants

Training in neuropsychology is primarily for applicants who have an
interest in pursuing a career in neuropsychology as well as some
documented coursework in assessment and theory, brain-behavior, and
neuropsychology.

Interested students should specify whether they are interested in the
Center for Integrative Psychotherapy or neuropsychology track of
training.

***To apply, please send, [in one envelope]{.underline}:***

-   CV

-   letter of interest

-   graduate and undergraduate transcripts (photocopies of official
    transcripts are fine)

-   three reference letters\
    (if need be, these can be mailed separately, but should arrive by
    the due date)

***Mail application materials to:***

> ***Psychology Practicum Training Program***
>
> Psychology Service (116B)
>
> Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial VA Medical Center
>
> 200 Springs Road
>
> Bedford, Massachusetts, 01730

**Application due date:** January 15^th^

Selected applicants will be invited for interviews in the latter part of
January and through February.

**Questions?**

> ***Judy Bradley***
>
> Psychology Service Administrative Assistant
>
> \(781\) 687-2378 <judy.bradley@va.gov>
>
> ***Richard R. Amodio, Ph.D.***
>
> Director of Psychology Training
>
> \(781\) 687-3056 <richard.amodio@va.gov>

***Psychology Setting***

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The Psychology Training Program at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial VAMC
is a component of the Psychology Service, which employs 24 psychologists
along with a large number of associated staff. The Training Program
offers three tracks of training in clinical psychology: a full-time
yearlong APA-accredited postdoctoral residency; a full-time yearlong
APA-accredited predoctoral internship; and a part-time 20 to 25 hour per
week practicum for ten months. The training program will have eight
postdoctoral residents, six predoctoral interns, and six
practicum/part-time students for the 2008-2009 training year. Full-time
internships and postdoctoral residencies include stipends. Part-time
practicum training positions do not include training stipends.

Psychologists are involved in a range of leadership positions around the
hospital, many of whom are program directors within their respective
areas. Staff areas of expertise are broad, with a particular emphasis on
psychosocial rehabilitation, integrative psychotherapy, PTSD, and
research. Regarding the practice of psychosocial rehabilitation, a
number of Psychology Service-run programs have received national awards
for innovation. In addition, there is a large Psychology Service-run
Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), in
which a number of psychology staff are actively involved in research.
Staff psychologists are also active in a range of outside research,
including NIMH, Boston University, and the nationally recognized
Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC) located on
the Bedford campus.

Psychology Service and the training program are academically affiliated
with the Boston University School of Medicine, where the majority of
ENRM psychologists hold faculty appointments.

## 

## Training Model and Program Philosophy

Within each track of the training program, psychological scientific
data, empirically derived clinical findings, and the theoretical
underpinnings of human functioning are each integrated within all
aspects of training. Throughout the training, students are encouraged to
apply empirical findings and clinical theory to their work and to
critically evaluate the various clinical methodologies to which they are
exposed. Similarly, students are encouraged to actively participate in
research and to use such findings to inform their clinical activities.

Additionally, the program values the development of critical thinking
and the ability to understand diverse theoretical perspectives,
flexibility and independence with regard to professional behaviors, and
clinical sensitivity and empathy in all aspects of interpersonal
interaction. The training program seeks to facilitate professional
development in accord with these values and it recognizes that a
training philosophy incorporating psychological science, applied
research, and clinical theory forms the foundation for such development.

## Program Goals & Objectives

The goals of the practicum training program are to develop entry level
competencies relevant to the practice area of the particular track of
training. With regard to the Center for Integrative Psychotherapy (CIP),
students are expected to develop competencies related to psychological
evaluation, treatment planning and clinical conceptualization, and
individual psychotherapy and group psychotherapy. With regard to
neuropsychology, the student is expected to develop entry level skills
relevant to neuropsychology, specifically emphasizing an understanding
of memory disorders from diagnostic, therapeutic, and research
perspectives.

Specific learning objectives for each student typically are further
articulated via learning contracts the students develop in collaboration
with their graduate program and advisor.

## 

## Program Structure

Practicum training primarily involves two tracks of training: clinical
practice within the Center for Integrative Psychotherapy (CIP) and
neuropsychology. Other tracks of training may also be available. All
practicum training is for ten months, beginning the Tuesday after Labor
Day in September through the end of June. Students either engage a 20 or
25 hour/week schedule, depending on the requirements of their graduate
program.

Each year, the training program provides a two-week orientation for all
new psychology students, which include part-time interns, practicum
students, full-time interns and full-time residents. The orientation
consists of meetings with key Psychology Service staff who share
information regarding medical center programs and clinics, veteran
services, and a range of training opportunities. The students also
receive training in the sophisticated Computerized Patient Record System
(CPRS). Students training within the Psychology Service-run Center for
Integrative Psychotherapy (CIP) also participate in meetings dedicated
to learning about CIP services and procedures. Overall, the orientation
period serves to acquaint new psychology students both with each other
as well as with other Psychology Service and hospital staff, while
receiving an introduction to the mission of the medical center and its
broad scope of services. Part-time students often cannot attend all of
the orientation activities, and it is completely acceptable to only
engage those orientation activities that fit into one's coursework
schedule (with the exception of CPRS training and, for CIP students, the
CIP-specific orientation activities).

Students within the CIP track of training receive two hours per week of
individual supervision and participate in a weekly group supervision
facilitated by the two postdoctoral residents affiliated with the CIP.
Within the neuropsychology track, students receive at least two hours of
individual supervision with doctoral staff as well as mentoring from
postdoctoral residents, while also attending neuropsychological seminars
and case conferences.

In addition to the range of clinical training opportunities available
within each program, practicum students are free to engage any of a
number of didactic training opportunities, such as weekly psychology
seminars and biweekly hospital grand rounds, as well as concentrated
seminars in various topics, such as PTSD (6 hours). A number of yearlong
seminars are also available: a CBT seminar, a seminar in psychological
assessment, an experientially-informed training in mindfulness and DBT,
and a psychodynamically-oriented group psychotherapy training program.
Practicum students are welcome to participate in any training for which
they might be interested.

## Although students receive ongoing feedback on their work via their supervisory relationships, each student\'s graduate program typically requires particular written evaluation forms be completed periodically throughout the year. 

## Training Experiences 

**The Center for Integrative Psychotherapy (CIP)**

The CIP is directed by the Director of Psychology Training in
collaboration with two of the postdoctoral residents. The CIP provides a
range of short-term and longer-term individual and couples
psychotherapy, incorporating dynamic, cognitive, behavioral,
experiential, and humanistic/transpersonal perspectives in an
integrative approach to treatment. Six-month process psychotherapy
groups, a CBT group, a DBT group, a mindfulness group, and a range of
short-term skill-development PTSD therapy groups are also offered within
the CIP.

The PTSD & Returning Veterans Program, in cooperation with the CIP,
provides individual and group psychotherapy services for veterans with
PTSD using a phase treatment model that includes assessment,
psychoeducation, skills training, trauma processing and relapse
prevention. Training and supervision are available in evidence-based
treatments including CBT for PTSD, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Stress
Inoculation Training, and Seeking Safety. Based on the practicum
student's interest, particular training in the evaluation and treatment
of PTSD can be incorporated into the student's overall CIP training
plan.

All psychology students (i.e., practicum students, interns and
postdoctoral residents) train within the CIP, which adds to a rich
interactive environment for stimulating student learning and
professional growth.

**An example of a training structure in the CIP on a weekly basis:**

***For 25 hour per week positions:***

-   9-10 hours of individual psychotherapy

-   One group psychotherapy session per week

-   Two hours of individual supervision

-   One hour of group supervision

-   Approximately two intakes per month in the CIP (average of 1
    hour/week)

-   Weekly CIP administration meeting (1 hour/week)

-   Optional one PTSD assessment per month

-   Optional seminars (group supervision on group psychotherapy, DBT,
    CBT, grand rounds, special trainings)

The above training structure is a guideline, which can be tailored to
meet individual interests and training needs. For example, if a student
has an opportunity and interest to engage more group psychotherapy, then
the expectation for individual hours can be reduced to accommodate the
increased group therapy focus. All students are encouraged to freely
speak to the Director of Training about any issues, questions or
concerns that arise over the course of the year.

**Neuropsychology**

The neuropsychology practicum position places specific emphasis on
understanding memory disorders from diagnostic, therapeutic, and
research perspectives. The practicum student can expect to learn to
administer and interpret a wide variety of neuropsychological
instruments over the course of the year. The neuropsychology service
utilizes a flexible battery approach and as such students have the
opportunity to learn which instruments are appropriate for answering a
variety of referral questions. Referrals come from all over the
hospital, including primary care, neurology, and psychiatry. Veterans
are men and women and generally range in age from their 20's through
their 80's. Practicum students will have the opportunity to participate
in all aspects of the evaluation process beginning with observation of
the clinical interview. Students will first observe and then conduct
comprehensive neuropsychological testing and will then learn the art of
report writing. Students will also participate in patient feedback with
the aide of their supervisor.

Training and supervision are structured around the Boston process
approach. Practicum students are provided ample supervision. Practicum
students are also welcome and encouraged to participate in the service's
didactic experiences including, but not limited to, participation in the
neuropsychology seminar/case discussion, neuropsychology reading group,
functional neuroanatomy seminar, brain cuttings, and participation in
laboratory meetings.            

## 

## Requirements for Completion

Students continue to be in good standing while on practicum training
provided they are able to maintain acceptable minimum levels of
engagement in training-related activities, as well as demonstrate
minimally acceptable levels of competence with regard to their work,
while demonstrating reasonably appropriate ethical and professional
behaviors. Successful completion of the program involves the practicum
student completing the necessary hours as required by their program in
addition to achieving at least an entry level of competency within the
training areas relevant to the practicum position. In cases where there
may be concerns regarding the student\'s level of functioning, the
graduate program is directly involved in any possible remedial plan or
intervention.

## 

## Facility and Training Resources

CIP practicum students are given shared offices within a suite of
offices housing all full-time interns. The office suite also includes a
conference area and a full kitchen. The neuropsychology practicum
students are in a nearby suite of offices in the Neuropsychology Service
area, along with postdocs and interns engaged in neuropsychological
training. Each practicum student has a computer assigned to them and
access to the suite\'s network printer. Computer access allows the
intern internet access as well as access to the sophisticated
Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) of the VA.

The Administrative Assistant to Psychology provides substantial program
and clerical support to the internship program, as does a part-time
administrative assistant dedicated primarily to the training program.
Administrative and support staff throughout the medical center provide
support to interns working within particular areas.

The library service at Bedford has over 5600 professional titles and 275
journal titles, the majority of which are in the fields of psychiatry,
psychology, gerontology, nursing and social work. As a member of the VA
library network, and various biomedical library consortia, it has access
to the collections of major research, university, hospital and public
libraries.

A valuable resource for students is the Assessment Center, which is
staffed by a full-time master\'s level psychology technician who
administers a variety of assessment instruments under the supervision of
the doctoral staff. The Assessment Center provides services throughout
the Medical Center and enables students to see a diverse group of
patients. There are a number of computer terminals in the Assessment
Center with a full Mental Health Users Package on line, allowing direct
administration of over 80 \"interviews," tests and questionnaires.
Additionally, a variety of assessment instruments are stored within the
Center and are available for student use. The program also maintains
computerized scoring and interpretation systems for the MMPI and
Rorschach.

## Administrative Policies and Procedures

Part-time practicum training at the VAMC in Bedford consists of a 20 or
25 hour per week placement for the duration of ten months. The training
year begins on the Tuesday after Labor Day and ends the last Friday in
June. Students typically train at the VA three days per week, however,
other schedules, including four shorter days, are also possible. The
schedule is fairly flexible, allowing students to arrange a schedule
that works best with their outside and school-related activities.
However, there are usually one or two mandatory activities for which the
students need to be present. The one mandatory activity for the
2008-2009 training year with a set time is a weekly administrative
meeting on Thursdays at 1pm for the Center for Integrative
Psychotherapy. There is also a weekly group supervision for all
part-time students, however, the day and time of this activity will be
arranged when all practicum students and part-time interns are on site.
Students are granted up to two weeks of leave (but no more than one week
within any four week period), which can coincide with school vacations
should the student wish.

The training program maintains specific policies regarding grievance
options and procedures, and other relevant policies related to the
medical center and the training program specifically.

Please note, our privacy policy is clear: we will collect no personal
information about you when you visit our website.

## 

## Training Staff

***William H. Alexander, Ph.D.*** is a staff psychologist at the 4-month
inpatient Domiciliary program. His clinical and research interests
include psychosocial rehabilitation, substance abuse, men and
masculinity and the use of cognitive behavioral therapy as it relates to
addiction and recovery.

***Brandon A. Ally, Ph.D.*** is a clinical neuropsychologist who
primarily works on the inpatient geriatric units performing cognitive
assessments and rehabilitation intervention planning. He is an Assistant
Professor of Neurology at the Boston University School of Medicine and
the Director of Neuropsychology Research at the Bedford VAMC Center for
Translational Cognitive Neuroscience. His funded research examines how
memory breaks down in healthy and diseased aging. He has specific
clinical and research interests in the role of parietal cortex in memory
retrieval and its implications in the earliest stages of Alzheimer\'s
disease.

***Richard Amodio, Ph.D.*** is the Director of Psychology Training and
Director of the Center for Integrative Psychotherapy (CIP). He holds a
faculty appointment at the Boston University School of Medicine. His
specialties are in the areas of psychosocial rehabilitation, addiction
treatment, experiential and awareness-based psychotherapy, and
transpersonal theory.

***Douglas Bitman, Ph.D***. is the Associate Director of Psychology
Training and the Director of the Mental Health Intensive Case Management
(MHICM) program. He has special interests in the process of discovering
people's goals and working with them to accomplish their goals, and in
the process of system change during times of multiple paradigms. He also
has interest and experience working with veterans who are living with
the effects of mental illness, trauma, addiction and homelessness.

***Lisa Bloom-Charette, Ph.D***. is a staff psychologist, collateral EEO
manager, and on the faculty at the Boston University School of Medicine.
She is a specialist in clinical gerontology with interests in substance
abuse in the elderly, life review and diversity. She is the co-editor of
the book, Enhancing the Quality of Life in Advanced Dementia.

***Lynn Caesar, Ph.D.*** is a staff psychologist for the telemental
health service. Her specialties include family therapy training and
supervision, complementary and alternative medicine, and laughter yoga.

***Sandra Diaz, Ph.D., C.P.R.P.*** is a staff psychologist for the
Veterans Construction Team, a component of the Compensated Work Therapy
Program. Her special interests include child development and family
therapy, inter-cultural clinical competency, cross-cultural psychology,
the efficacy of culturally sensitive integrated clinical treatment, the
relationship between spirituality and healing, and the efficacy of
complementary and alternative medicine.

***Charles Drebing, Ph.D.,*** a neuropsychologist, is the Chief of
Psychology and the Bedford Site Director of the New England MIRECC. He
is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Boston University School
of Medicine and an adjunct professor at UMASS Boston. His funded
research has included work in the areas of vocational rehabilitation,
healthcare decision-making, and health services research. His special
interests include health outcomes research, employment and vocational
services, and community reintegration.

***Edward J. Federman, Ph.D***., the former Director of Psychology
Training, holds a faculty appointment at Boston University School of
Medicine and has special interests in pathological gambling,
supervision, program development and outcome research.

***David Kalman, Ph.D.*** is on the staff of the Psychology Service and
is a faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry at the Boston
University School of Medicine. He is currently conducting a multi-year
study of smoking cessation treatment with smokers in alcohol recovery
that is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. His primary
interest is in research and treatment pertaining to persons with
nicotine and alcohol dependence.

***Chivi Kapungu, Ph.D.*** is the Program Manager of the Veteran
Community Care Center (VCCC) and is on faculty at M.I.T., Department of
Women and Gender Studies. Her clinical and research interests include
psychosocial rehabilitation as well as transcultural, gender and
community issues related to traumatic exposure.

***Christopher Krebs, Ph.D*** is the Director of the Bedford Positive
Psychology Initiative and a research staff member of the Bedford Mental
Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC). The Positive
Psychology Initiative is dedicated to improving VA healthcare services
and outcomes through promoting understanding and use of positive
psychology principles and practices among VA healthcare providers,
programs, and administrators.

***Charles Lewis, Ph.D.*** is a staff psychologist with special interest
in assessment, rehabilitation, long-term care, and the resolution of
psychological trauma through the use of art.

***Heidi Lilienthal, Psy.D.*** is a staff psychologist at the Bedford VA
& Haverhill CBOC. She has been involved with clinical work, academia and
research for over 15 years. A great deal of her work has involved
program design and implementation (both in clinical settings and in
academic settings). She has diverse interests and experience including
health psychology and biofeedback, the psychology of men, eating
disorders, severe and persistent mental illness, dual diagnosis issues,
working with older adults and dialectical behavioral therapy/trauma
issues.

***Tu Anh Ngo, PhD, MPH*** is the behavioral health psychologist in
primary care. Her special interests include integrated primary care and
mindfulness-based therapies for the treatment of pain and other chronic
disease self-management models using multi-disciplinary approaches and
biofeedback.

***Maureen O'Connor, Psy.D., ABPP-CN*** is the Director of the
Neuropsychology Service. She holds a faculty appointment in the Boston
University School of Medicine. Her funded work includes examining the
effectiveness of exercise on cerebrovascular risk factors and cognitive
functioning, and the development of interventions for caregivers of
individuals with dementia.

**Carolee Rada, Psy.D., MSc.** is a staff psychologist with clinical and
research interests in the areas of PTSD, psychoanalytic psychotherapy,
group psychotherapy, and child development.

***Kathleen Rekart, Ph.D.*** is a staff psychologist working within the
Assessment Center and the Veteran\'s Center for Addictions Treatment
(VCAT). Her primary interests include psychosocial rehabilitation,
cognitive behavior therapy, group therapy, psychological assessment, and
program development

***Karen Ryabchenko, Ph.D.*** is a staff psychologist and the
Coordinator for PTSD & Returning Veterans Programs. She specializes in
the assessment and treatment of PTSD, substance abuse, depressive and
personality disorders. Her major clinical and research interests
include: the influence of life stressors and comorbidity on the course
of PTSD and depressive disorders, pathways to mental health treatment,
and the implementation of evidence-based psychotherapy for treatment of
PTSD.

***Dolly Sadow, Ph.D., ABPP*** is Director of the Empowerment and Family
Services Center. She is on the faculty at the Boston University School
of Medicine and Suffolk University, and she is on the Advisory Board for
Mental Health for Middlesex Community College. Her areas of special
interest include milieu treatment, psychoeducation, and psychodynamic
psychotherapy.

***Patricia Sweeney, Psy.D.*** is a clinical psychologist and the
Education Director for the New England Mental Illness Research,
Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC). Her clinical and research
interests include psychosocial rehabilitation, systems change, and
education activities related to the development of peer support
services.

***Alice Van Ormer, Ph.D.*** is a counseling psychologist who is the
Local Recovery Coordinator for Bedford. As part of its commitment to
shifting all mental health services to a Psychosocial Rehabilitation
framework, the VA has funded a LRC position at each site. Dr. Van Ormer
facilitates the Bedford VA's movement in this direction. She is co-chair
of the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Fellowship, and chair of the Recovery
Work Group. She is also associated with the Mental Illness Research,
Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC). Her clinical and research
interests include psychosocial rehabilitation, working with systems to
create lasting changes and religion/spirituality.

***Brian Zuzelo, Psy.D.*** is a staff psychologist in home based primary
care services providing psychotherapy and assessment services with
veterans in the community. His special interests include research and
clinical work in Geropsychology, psychodynamic therapy, PTSD, mental
health issues facing nursing staff and other direct care providers.

## 

## Trainees

The Psychology Training Program has been training practicum students for
the past 25 years.

Practicum students have typically come from the surrounding universities
and professional psychology programs:

-   Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology

-   Clark University

-   University of Massachusetts

-   Antioch New England

-   Northeastern University

-   Suffolk University

-   Boston College.

## ![](media/image3.jpeg){width="2.25in" height="1.6409722222222223in"}Local Information

The Medical Center is located in Bedford, MA, a town of 14,000 that
retains the charm of a quiet New England town although its expansion
over the years marks it clearly as a suburb of Boston some 20 miles to
the southeast. Bordered by Concord to the west and Lexington to the
south, Bedford lies within earshot of the "shot heard 'round the world"
that initiated the American Revolution (www.lexingtonchamber.org) The
Minuteman National Historical Park offers historical tours and events,
as well as 11 miles of trail for biking, running, or walking.

Heading south from Bedford, metro-Boston and surrounding cities, such as
Cambridge and Somerville are a close and commutable 15-20 mile drive.
Boston is one of America's oldest cities (founded in 1630) and retains
its cozy European charm (www.bostonusa.com; www.boston-online.com). Like
any big city, Boston offers an array of cultural events and
opportunities, such as large theater productions, smaller independent
theater, annual film festivals, and music venues both large and small.
Cambridge and Somerville are smaller cities surrounding Boston and offer
a myriad of restaurants, theaters, and music venues. The famed Charles
River, which runs through Cambridge, offers opportunities for rowing and
miles of trails for running, and serves as the backdrop for many area
festivals. Harvard Square, one of the most well-known areas of Cambridge
and home to Harvard University, is well known for its bookshops,
coffeehouses, music, festivals, and street theater. Harvard University
and Cambridge Center for Adult Education offer an impressive array of
continuing education courses. MIT, Boston University, Boston College and
Tufts are other major schools that make the Boston/Cambridge area a
world center for higher education. The Boston area is also known for its
world class hospitals including Mass General, Mass Eye and Ear, Beth
Israel, Brigham and Women's, Dana Farber Institute, Children's, and
McLean. Various lectures and educational opportunities are available
through area academic centers and teaching hospitals.

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Heading 2 hours north from Bedford one finds the White Mountains of New
Hampshire, and the Green Mountains of Vermont, with some of the finest
hiking, climbing, and skiing in the Northeast. Cape Cod's expansive
beaches lie two hours to the south and Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket
Islands are accessible by ferry from the Cape. Other beautiful ocean
beaches are less than an hour from Bedford. Walden Pond (actually a
small lake), where Thoreau lived and swam, is just 15 minutes from the
hospital and is perhaps the prettiest of the local fresh water swimming
options. Stockbridge, the home of both Alice's Restaurant and the Austen
Riggs Center, is in the southern Berkshire Mountains two hours to the
west. The natural beauty and artistic offerings (music at Tanglewood,
dance at Jacob's Pillow and several first rate summer theaters) of the
Berkshires are among the reasons many urbanites establish this as their
second home.