> ![](media/image1.png){width="1.125in"
> height="1.6979166666666667in"}**Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship
> Program**
>
> **Pacific Islands Health Care System (PIHCS)**\
> Director, Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship Training (116)
>
> 459 Patterson Road
>
> Honolulu, HI 96819-1522
>
> *808 433-0612**\
> **<http://www.va.gov/hawaii/>*

**Applications due: January 12, 2009**

## Accreditation Status

This newly established postdoctoral fellowship program at the **Pacific
Islands Health Care System (PIHCS)** is not yet accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association.
An application for accreditation is in process, and a site visit is
expected by 2011. PIHCS also has a National Center for PTSD (NC-PTSD)
psychology postdoctoral fellowship program. The NC-PTSD postdoctoral
fellowship program is APA accredited. Please see the VANC-PTSD
postdoctoral fellowship section of this website for a full description
of that program. PIHCS has four psychology postdoctoral fellowship
positions, two in each of the programs.

## Application & Selection Procedures 

**Applicant Qualifications:**

We are seeking bright, conscientious, personable, diverse, and
well-qualified applicants with sound clinical training in psychological
assessment, individual and group therapy with adults, ability to
function independently with initiative under appropriate supervision,
with flexibility, maturity and judgment, cultural sensitivity, interest
and experience in the area of emphasis for which they are applying.
Applicants must be in good-standing with APA-approved doctoral programs
in clinical or counseling psychology and in their internship. The
applicant\'s dissertation must be completed or expected to be completed
before the start of the Fellowship in September. Qualifications for
Fellowship include: U.S. citizenship, earned doctorate in psychology
from an APA-approved program by start date, and completed APA-approved
internship.

Upon review of the written materials submitted by all applicants, a
select number of individuals will be invited to interview by telephone.
On-site interviews will not be required, but may be scheduled if an
applicant resides in or plans to visit Hawaii.

We realize that the expense of travel makes personal interviews in
Hawaii difficult.

Please note that we do not place a higher preference for those who
conduct in-person interviews than those who interview by telephone.

***The selection of the postdoctoral fellows is primarily based on a
rating of the applicant's qualifications using the following
criteria:***

a.  Letters of recommendation from professionals who know the applicant
    well and preferably are familiar with the person's clinical skills,
    research activities, and professional demeanor;

b.  Breadth of previous general clinical experience, including prior
    supervised experience in behavioral health or psychosocial
    rehabilitation;

c.  Previous experience and scholarly accomplishments in clinical
    research;

d.  Evidence of a core of multicultural psychological knowledge and/or
    interests;

e.  Evidence of personal maturity and accomplishments that distinguish
    the applicant from peers;

f.  The goodness-of-fit between the applicant's stated objectives and
    the capability of the training resources to meet those objectives;

g.  Evidenced completion of the doctoral degree by the start date (i.e.,
    letter from your clinical training director attesting to completion
    of degree requirements by the start date);

h.  The transcript of academic work, as an indication of the scope of
    psychological knowledge; as well as the quality of scholarship;

i.  The thoughtfulness of the written materials that accompany the
    application.

***Inquiries should be directed to:***

Preceptor for Integrated Mental Health -- Primary Care / Tele-health
emphasis - Dr Steven Miyake steven.miyake@va.gov or (808) 433-0695.

Preceptor for Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery emphasis - Dr
Robert J. Porter robert.porter@va.gov or (808) 433-0612.

***Application: To apply, the following are required:***

-   letter of interest that includes the fellowship emphasis you are
    interested in and how you envision this training will further your
    aspirations as a clinical psychologist, your theoretical
    orientation, experience working with diverse populations and
    research interests

-   autobiographical statement to help us begin getting to know you

-   current CV that includes a description of your internship rotations
    and anticipated graduation date

-   copy of your graduate transcript(s)

-   letter of reference from your internship director, describing your
    progress and anticipated completion date

-   letter of reference from your department or dissertation chair,
    documenting your dissertation completion or anticipated defense and
    completion date if applicable

-   letter of reference from a supervisor familiar with your work in the
    special emphasis area for which you are applying

-   Please send these materials in a [single envelope]{.underline}
    marked \"Fellowship Application Materials\".

Applications must be postmarked by January 12, 2009, interviews will be
conducted in February, and preliminary offers may be expected on
February 26, 2009.

***Application materials should be directed to:***

> ***Robert J. Porter, Ph.D.***
>
> Director, Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship Training (116)
>
> Honolulu VA Pacific Islands Health Care Center
>
> 459 Patterson Road
>
> Honolulu, HI 96819-1522
>
> *robert.porter@va.gov*
>
> *808 433-0612*
>
> *Fax: 808 433-0392*

**Selection Process:**

We will notify you by email that your application materials have been
received. A recruitment committee consisting of Psychology Postdoctoral
Fellowship Training Program staff and current fellows review all
applications and select for interview those applicants who appear to
offer a good fit with our program. Interview teams will include staff
and a fellow from the selected area of emphasis. Upon completion of all
interviews, the interviewing teams meet to agree on the ranking of
applicants. The Postdoctoral Fellowship Program supports and welcomes
both staff and interns from differing ethnic, racial, and personal
backgrounds. Successful recruits complete federal job application forms
(including Form OF 0306, which requires information such as law
violations and federal debt delinquency) for a security check required
for clearance for hiring. Any misrepresentation of facts in the
application may be cause for dismissal. Prior to starting, fellows are
required to have immunizations (or proof of immunity) for measles,
mumps, rubella, and varicella.

***Psychology Setting***

Our four psychology postdoctoral fellows and five psychology interns
work in a variety of clinical rotations offered by psychologists
throughout the Pacific Islands Health Care System (PIHCS). The number of
PIHCS psychology positions has recently increased from 10 to 18 with
psychologists on teams in an outpatient mental health clinic, a
psychiatric evaluation team, a traumatic stress recovery program,
substance abuse treatment, mental health rehabilitation, a mental health
in primary care team, a traditional-alternative-complementary healing
program, an inpatient/day-hospital program, geriatric services,
home-health care, neuropsychology, compensation and pension
examinations, and telehealth services to veterans on other islands.

There are two fellowship positions in the PIHCS Honolulu Psychology
Postdoctoral Training program. One fellow specializes in mental health
integration in primary care, and one fellow focuses on the recovery
model in mental health rehabilitation. The other two postdoctoral
fellows are in the National Center for PTSD (see their website for a
detailed description of their training program.) Fellows and Interns
also may work with trainees in psychiatry, nursing, social work, and
occupational therapy. The psychology staff is especially committed to
upholding the principles and standards related to education and
training. They serve as excellent role models in all aspects of their
professional behavior, whether in clinical practice, research, or
training

## Training Model and Program Philosophy

***The Mission of the Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship Training
Program at the PIHCS is to:***

1.  Provide evidence based, culturally sensitive psychological
    assessment and treatment training to fellows, resulting in fellows
    who are highly qualified and competent to provide psychological
    services,

2.  Address the psychological needs of our veterans especially in high
    priority areas designated by the VA Mental Health Strategic plan,
    and

3.  Encourage fellows to consider careers in the VA serving our
    veterans.

Training provided through the Psychology Training Programs supports the
Mission of the PIHCS by training competent psychologists who are well
prepared \"to provide integrated and innovative health services and
benefits to eligible veterans and their beneficiaries\" and the national
VA Missions of patient care, education, research and back-up to the
Department of Defense.

The Fellowship will provide diverse clinical experiences which offer
breadth and depth to develop advanced general clinical skills and skills
that are specific to the Fellow's chosen area of emphasis; either Mental
Health-Primary Care Integration or Psychosocial Rehabilitation and
Recovery. Detailed descriptions of each area of emphasis can be found
below.

The purpose of this fellowship program is to provide the training
environment and experiences for fellows to build upon the foundation of
knowledge, skills and proficiencies learned in predoctoral training so
they may develop the necessary skills to practice independently as a
professional, ethically-grounded and culturally-aware clinical
psychologist. All fellows will be trained in assessment, intervention,
interdisciplinary consultation, policy-making, program design and
implementation, provision of supervision, and clinical research or
program evaluation.

The training philosophy of the fellowship program at PIHCS is that of
practitioner-scientist. We believe that an empirically-informed
psychological knowledge base provides the best foundation for
psychological assessment and intervention. It is expected that fellows
will seek out current scientific knowledge and use the professional
literature to support and enhance their practice. The philosophy of the
training program is tied to no particular school or theory of
psychology. Rather, the philosophy is open-ended and inclusive.

## Program Goals & Objectives

The goal of the Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship Training Program at
the PIHCS is to develop an advanced level of competence in 5 areas:
professional and ethical development; clinical assessment, diagnosis,
intervention and consultation; program development and administration;
supervision and training; research / program evaluation.

***Through intensive training and supervision in evidence based
psychological assessment and treatment, the fellow will:***

1.  Realize and strengthen his/her unique characteristics as a
    professional psychologist

2.  Include ethno-cultural factors in the understanding and treatment of
    Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Asian Americans and other
    underserved populations

3.  Assume greater independence of functioning over the course of the
    training year

4.  Recognize the unique contribution to be made to quality of care
    through the application of psychological knowledge

5.  Participate in interdisciplinary teams and/or work through a
    consultation model with staff from

> other disciplines, sharing relevant information about patients from a
> psychological perspective.

## Program Structure

**PIHCS Psychology Postdoctoral Training program Areas of Emphasis:**

We currently have two full time 12 month Fellowship positions. One
provides an emphasis on a Mental Health-Primary Care integrated model of
care and incorporates telehealth opportunities. The other offers an
emphasis on the provision of care from a Recovery Model of psychosocial
rehabilitation for diverse veterans with serious mental illness and
other diagnoses that require assistance in community reintegration.
Fellows are expected to utilize current literature with emphasis upon
empirically supported assessment and treatment in planning and
delivering services, and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary
teams within the veteran\'s health care system.

**PIHCS Psychology Postdoctoral Training Program Structure:**

The Psychology Postdoctoral Programs of PIHCS and NC-PTSD adhere to a
very systematic and comprehensive approach to training. At the beginning
of the training year, an individualized training plan will be developed
by the fellow, training director, and direct supervisors. This training
plan will describe the sequence of direct service experiences, training
objectives, performance expectations and individual training goals
identified by the fellow. The written competency assessment will also be
reviewed with each fellow at this time. The individual training plan may
be modified during the training year as needed.

The PIHCS and the psychologist members of its professional staff place
high priority on clinical services and quality of care. While the
quality of care for the patients seen by the fellow is an integral part
of the training philosophy, the quality of the training also is a high
priority. Consequently, the fellow is expected to be a productive and
contributing member of the professional staff, and to the extent that
training goals should reflect the realistic demands of practice, issues
of productivity and accountability will be routinely addressed. However,
the emphasis of the fellowship, as with our pre-doctoral psychology
training programs, is upon training not workload.

Postdoctoral fellows are expected to operate like any other professional
psychologist. In addition, the amount of clerical and administrative
activities demanded of the fellow will be comparable to those expected
of the faculty. Wherever possible, fellows will have access to the same
resources and clerical support as their immediate supervisors. As such,
fellows are expected to conform to the organizational demands, learning
the same flexibility and adaptive skills as full-time staff
psychologists.

The postdoctoral fellowship strives to include the most current
strategies of assessment and treatment with an emphasis placed upon
those that are empirically supported. The postdoctoral fellowship
program does not require that services be limited to manualized or
empirically validated treatments, but does expect that fellows operate
from specific theoretical orientations and are able to discuss the
psychological knowledge relevant to case conceptualization and rationale
for treatment to be instituted.

The psychologist will serve as a model for the fellow in as wide a
variety of roles as possible, such as diagnostician, psychotherapist,
teacher, supervisor, administrator, policy-maker, professional leader,
consultant and researcher. The development of the necessary knowledge,
skills, and attitudes by the fellow will be fostered and encouraged in
order to assume similar roles independently in the future. The fellow
will be able to demonstrate in supervisory and case conference
discussions an awareness of the unique role for the psychologist in a
variety of settings. The fellow will recognize and discuss with
supervisors and psychologists in leadership and administrative positions
the impact of organizational structure, dynamics, and changing demands
on the profession. Given the interdisciplinary nature of this training
site, consultation from providers of other disciplines is readily
available.

To increase their awareness of agency functioning, psychology fellows
are encouraged to attend and serve on PIHCS committees. Fellows will be
expected to make two formal case presentations that include videotaped
sessions and present two didactic / professional development seminars
for psychology interns, fellows and staff. The fellows will also have
opportunities to supervise psychology interns. The PIHCS and NC-PTSD
fellows share the responsibility of conducting a Peer Mentorship program
to the five pre-doctoral psychology interns throughout the year.

**PIHCS Psychology Didactic Training:**

Fellows and Interns may participate in a wide variety of clinical
didactic presentations, workshops, seminars and grand rounds. Fridays
are largely reserved for training purposes. The University Of Hawaii
Department Of Psychiatry conducts weekly Grand Rounds. The PIHCS
Psychology Fellowship Training Program provides didactics relevant to
Mental Health-Primary Care, Telehealth or Recovery-oriented Psychosocial
Rehabilitation once or twice a month. The NC-PTSD provides twice monthly
presentations relevant to PTSD, understanding of cultural factors and
professional development, e.g., ethno-cultural training augmented by
community site visits and outings; ethical issues; provider resilience
and self care; dialectical behavior therapy; combat stress, military
sexual trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder and their treatment;
pain management and psychopharmacology. Drs. Shigezawa and Aosved
arrange for meetings of interns with psychologists practicing in various
community settings and Fellows are welcome to attend according to their
interests. Dr. McNamara, Lead Professional for Psychology, conducts a
monthly professional issues seminar. Dr. Perez may be providing a weekly
multicultural therapy seminar. VA interns and postdoctoral Fellows may
attend two-day workshops by prominent mainland psychologists sponsored
by the Tripler Army Medical Center Department of Psychology which is an
APA approved sponsor of continuing education, e.g., advanced
psychological assessment, hypnosis, ethical issues and risk management,
pain management. In addition, there are weekly Medical Grand Rounds
sponsored by the University Of Hawaii Medical School and various
national VA conference calls that may be of interest to Fellows. Fellows
and interns also are encouraged to present their dissertation research
or provide didactic training in other areas of interest. Fellows will
have the opportunity to participate in the annual Hawaii Psychological
Association conference and will be encouraged to seek additional
training at one or more professional conferences during the training
year and to become active members of professional organizations (e.g.,
HPA, APA, USPRA).

**Compensation and Benefits:**

Each of the fellow positions receives a stipend of \$45,625 plus
benefits for the 1 year fellowship September 2008 to August 2009 (this
amount may be adjusted annually). State and federal income tax are
withheld from fellows\' checks. The VA allocates additional funds for
FICA and other benefits that include health and life insurance.

**Time Commitment:**

Fellows work five eight-hour days each week (7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with
half-hour lunch break) and a total of 2080 hours (including vacation and
sick leave) for the fellowship. About 80% of time is devoted to clinical
services (assessment, individual and group therapeutic interventions,
case consultation, program development and administration, outcomes
monitoring, case conferences, treatment planning, clinical
documentation, supervision, etc.) and 20% to attending didactic clinical
and cultural training, peer consultation, consulting with mentors, work
on special projects, administrative meetings, some necessary
bureaucratic functions, etc.

**Evaluation:**

Each Fellow will have at least three supervisors during the training
year. Interns meet individually with each rotation supervisor at least
one-hour per week (thus 2-3 hours per week of individual supervision)
and have a total of at least four hours per week of supervision (other
supervision may include co-therapy with a supervisor, group supervision,
presenting cases in team meetings with the supervisor present, etc.)
Supervisors provide ongoing verbal feedback regarding the fellow's
progress in weekly individual supervisory sessions, following co-therapy
sessions and as needed

Fellows will be required to videotape one of their treatment sessions
for a formal case presentation, do readings in relevant areas, and
maintain the ethical standards of the profession of Psychology. The
Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship Training Program will evaluate and
determine if the fellow is attaining the training goals specific to the
two postdoctoral training positions at the mid-point and end of the
fellowship year. Each supervisor will complete a psychology competency
evaluation (adapted from Janet Willer, Ph.D., VA Chicago Health Care
System) of the Fellow's progress in meeting nineteen specific objectives
organized under four general goals: 1) Competence in Professional
Conduct, Ethics and Legal Matters, 2) Competence in Individual and
Cultural Diversity, 3) Competence in Theories and Methods of
Psychological Diagnosis and Assessment, and 4) Competence in Theories
and Methods of Effective Psychotherapeutic Intervention. This competency
evaluation will be reviewed with the fellow, and alterations to the
individual training plan will be made as needed to ensure they are
developing at the appropriate rate. Program and individual effectiveness
in reaching designated training goals are monitored regularly at the
monthly faculty meetings.

Fellows will also be asked to complete a written Supervisor Evaluation
and discuss it with their supervisors at least twice during the training
year. Fellows will also meet in a retreat at midpoint and at the end of
the year to evaluate the Fellowship Program. They will provide a written
evaluation report to the training committee with recommendations for
improvement of the program. Fellows will participate in a monthly
business meeting of the Training Committee where they are invited to add
any concerns to the agenda. Additional meetings with the postdoctoral
training director will be regularly scheduled. Exit interviews will be
conducted with the postdoctoral fellowship training director and
psychology lead professional.

**Mentorship**:

During the first 2 months, each fellow selects a psychologist on staff
to serve as a mentor during the fellowship. The mentor supports the
fellow\'s training endeavors and assists the fellow with non-clinical
questions relating to professional development, problem resolution,
administrative issues or other advising needs not related to direct
patient care.

## Training Experiences 

**(1) Integrated Mental Health -- Primary Care / Telehealth Emphasis**

The Mental Health-Primary Care Integration Fellow will gain specific
expertise integrating Mental Health Services and Primary Care. Training
in this position will focus on an integration of conventional
psychological assessment and treatment strategies with culturally
appropriate traditional, alternative and complimentary healing
strategies, e.g., spirituality group, biofeedback, mindfulness and
meditation, pain management. Additionally, the Primary Care Integration
Fellow will participate in the Pacific Islands Health Care Systems
expansion of mental health services to veterans on the neighbor islands
of Maui, Kauai and Hawaii through our system of Community Based
Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) through the growing application of telehealth
technology. The fellow assigned to the mental health in primary care
position will have an opportunity to work in several facility programs
during the course of their training year:

a.  The fellow will be working under the supervision of Dr. Christine
    Chukabarah, team leader of the mental health in primary care at the
    ACC and will be working in this clinical setting. The fellow will be
    a member of the mental health in primary care interdisciplinary team
    and will also have opportunities to work with other allied health
    professionals.

b.  The fellow will be establishing close functional relationships with
    all of the mental health programs since the Fellow will be referring
    some patients to these programs. The fellow will have an opportunity
    to work with members on the interdisciplinary team in each mental
    health program.

c.  The fellow will be involved with Dr. Kathleen Pierce in providing
    tele-mental health services to the CBOCs. The fellow will be
    supervised by and closely working with Dr. Kathleen Pierce and the
    psychology technician. The fellow will coordinate psychological
    assessment and treatment interventions with mental health and
    medical health care professionals at the CBOCs.

d.  The fellow will have an opportunity to work with Dr. Miyake and
    learn to integrate conventional evidence based psychological
    treatment with Traditional, Alternative and Complementary (TrAC)
    Healing strategies through the TrAC program.

***Mental Health-Primary Care Integration Training Objectives:***

a.  Respond immediately and effectively to requests for primary care
    mental health services from the ACC and CBOCs by completing mental
    health screenings, determining psychiatric diagnoses and developing
    psychological and mental health treatment plans,

b.  Provide evidence based, culturally sensitive and appropriate,
    biopsychosocial-spiritual treatment to veterans for the most
    prevalent mental health disorders in primary care settings including
    depressive and anxiety disorders, substance abuse, somatoform
    disorders, and borderline personality disorders.

c.  A special emphasis of intervention will be placed on targets of the
    Mental Health Strategic Plan intervention including mental heath
    screening evaluations for every returning service member, suicide
    risk assessment and intervention, women's' mental health needs,
    tele-mental health, military sexual trauma, substance abuse,
    traumatic brain injury, traumatic physical injury and chronic pain
    conditions.

d.  Integrate evidence based psychological assessment and intervention
    strategies with Traditional, Alternative and Complementary (TrAC)
    healing strategies (e.g. biofeedback, spirituality, mindfulness and
    meditation, culturally accepted health practices).

e.  Work effectively with the primary care interdisciplinary mental
    health team and allied health professionals in the primary care
    clinics to coordinate health care for VA beneficiaries.

f.  Prepare patients to accept and refer patients to appropriate mental
    health programs if more extensive mental health interventions are
    required.

g.  Develop the technical skills necessary to use telemental health
    technology and coordinate efforts with the telehealth practitioner
    in each CBOC.

h.  Learn the advantages and limitations related to working with
    patients via tele-mental health.

**(2) Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery (PSRR) Emphasis**

The PSRR Postdoctoral Fellowship position will provide training in
advanced clinical psychology, with a special emphasis on
empirically-informed assessment and recovery-oriented psychosocial
rehabilitation in the core placement in the Mental Health Rehabilitation
program (MHR). The mission of the Mental Health Rehabilitation program,
aligned with the VA Mental Health Strategic Plan, is to promote the
recovery journey of healing and transformation of individuals with
severe & persistent mental health problems enabling them to live a
meaningful life in the community while striving to achieve their full
potential. Mental Health Rehabilitation provides comprehensive
biopsychosocial-spiritual recovery-oriented rehabilitation to a
culturally & diagnostically diverse population of veterans. This
multi-disciplinary program provides psychology-based interventions,
occupational therapies, and expressive, social & recreational therapies,
vocational services, computer training, and a variety of transitional
work programs. Psychiatric consultation is provided regularly by staff
psychiatrists and Advance Practice Registered Psychiatric Nurses. The
PSRR Fellow will have opportunities to broaden their training in a
variety of elective mental health programs.

***Training Objectives***

*a. Attaining a working knowledge in core content areas, the fellow
will:*

> Obtain an extensive foundation in the most current, recovery-oriented
> psychosocial rehabilitation principles (USPRA, et.al) and their
> application in a broad range of treatment modalities and techniques,
> including social skills, independent living skills, work skills,
> medication management and self help skills, rational thinking skills,
> and family / community integration; be sensitized to cross cultural
> issues mental health with emphasis on Asian American and Pacific
> Islanders; identify family/developmental issues common to working with
> seriously mentally ill; develop a strong professional identification
> in the context of an interdisciplinary team, an appreciation for the
> unique contributions of other disciplines, and provide consultation to
> other staff and trainees as appropriate; understand ethical concerns
> that typically arise in a PSRR setting (APA Ethical Guidelines, USPRA
> Code of Ethics).

*b. Developing advanced clinical skills and the integration of the
psychological knowledge base with clinical practice, the fellow will:*

> Apply clinical expertise in a variety of evidence based therapeutic
> practices, e.g., Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (both individual and
> group), Illness Management and Recovery program that facilitates
> symptom self-management, skills development & strengthening, Family
> Psychoeducation, and Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment; become adept
> in individual psychotherapy to promote insight, self acceptance,
> social, coping and problem solving skills, motivation for
> rehabilitation, treatment adherence, lifestyle changes to enhance
> wellness, finding meaning and value in one's experiences, healing from
> trauma and loss, reduction of internalized stigma / learned
> hopelessness and relapse prevention; provide consultation in other
> modalities of PSR, e.g., Peer-provided services, Supported Employment,
> Supported Education and other transitional work experiences; routinely
> utilize language recommended in IAPSRS / USPRA language guidelines
> (2003); utilize the recovery model of care to identify the veteran's
> stage of change / recovery to further guide the process of recovery
> toward the next stage, uncover strengths and assets in the individual
> and their life situation, identify and address barriers to recovery
> using a strengths-based assessment, identify and foster natural
> supports for recovery outside the VA; enhance cultural sensitivity &
> competency in providing culturally appropriate care with the diversity
> of cultural and ethnic backgrounds represented in Hawaii (Principles
> of Multicultural Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, IAPSRS 1996; DSM
> IV-TR Outline for Cultural Formulation, APA, 2000); conduct program
> development in PSR based upon current literature consistent with the
> recovery approach to rehabilitation; educate individuals so they may
> make informed choices and convey their wishes known in a Psychiatric
> Advance Directive.

*c. Displaying aspects of the professional role which reflect good
judgment in clinical and professional decision-making in:*

> Developing good working relationships with other treatment staff in an
> interdisciplinary environment; providing training & education to staff
> and trainees in the recovery model of care throughout the PIHCS,
> including CBOCs via telehealth or in person if the travel budget will
> support it; developing expertise in mentoring and provision of
> clinical supervision to psychology interns and practicum students;
> providing supervision and training to 1 or more Peer Support
> Specialists as well as consultation in the development of new program
> of Peer Support Services in PIHCS; respecting the individual
> differences inherent in the multicultural community; providing
> consultation to the Veteran's Voice of the Pacific {VA mental health
> advisory council}; learning about available recovery-oriented services
> in the Honolulu community; conducting program evaluation of the impact
> of recovery-oriented psychosocial rehabilitation services using
> measures of community involvement, SAMSHA Quality of Life Self
> Assessment, Recovery Assessment Scale, Internalized Stigma Scale of
> Mental Illness in order to contribute to the accumulation of
> evidence-based practices outcomes and additional research
> opportunities may also be available; developing further expertise in
> administration & interpretation of psychological assessments with a
> predominantly seriously mentally ill population and provide feedback
> to the veteran and referring individuals to enhance their recovery
> efforts; enhance skills in assessment of dangerousness and suicide
> prevention through involvement in the local Suicide Prevention
> initiative; expand knowledge base and professional identity through
> participation in local and national recovery-oriented conferences
> (e.g., AMHD Hawaii Annual Best Practices conference, USPRA, VA
> conferences); adhering to the ethics and standards of the profession
> of Psychology.

The breadth of experiences and sites will be determined at the outset of
the year through discussions with the members of the Psychology Training
Advisory Committee. The PSRR Fellow will choose a minimum of 2 elective
sites, and a training plan will be developed detailing a planned
sequence of supervised training experiences based on the Fellows' needs
and interests. This will contribute to the breadth of experience and
provide exposure to a variety of supervisors. All programs described
below provide extensive opportunities for interaction between the
trainees and staff in psychology and other disciplines. The training
plan will be re-evaluated at the mid-point of the training year and
revised or adjusted as necessary.

**The Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Elective Sites:**

a.  The Critical Care programs will provide an opportunity to provide
    recovery-oriented therapeutic intervention to the full range of
    continuum of care {David Bremer, PhD, MPH, Mental Health Critical
    Care (Inpatient / Day-Hospital) and outpatient anger management and
    tobacco cessation}.

b.  The Psychiatric Evaluation Team can provide a richer experience in
    both rapid psychological assessment (triage) and treatment planning
    {Cole K.Y. Lew, PhD (PET)}.

c.  Psychological and Neuropsychological Assessment training with a
    predominantly seriously mentally ill population is also available
    {Patrick Armistead-Jehle, PhD, Psychiatric Evaluation Team}.

d.  The Traumatic Stress and Recovery Program will offer an opportunity
    to provide recovery-oriented groups to veterans with PTSD {Nadine
    Shigezawa, Ph.D.}.

e.  The Mental Health Clinic can provide opportunities to co-facilitate
    recovery-oriented groups with psychiatry staff and to work with a
    variety of veterans in psychotherapy {Joanne Magee, PhD, Mental
    Health Clinic}.

f.  With the SATP psychologist under recruitment, the PSRR Fellow may
    collaborate in the further development and implementation of an
    Integrated Dual Disorders program following evidence-based
    practices, to include fidelity and outcomes monitoring.

g.  The Telehealth Psychologist {Kathleen Pierce, Psy.D.} will provide
    opportunities for the PSRR Fellow to collaborate in the development
    and delivery of recovery-oriented services reaching a greatly
    underserved rural mental health population in the CBOC's. This would
    extend the reach of PSRR services that are now limited largely to
    Oahu.

## Requirements for Completion

To maintain good standing in the fellowship program, fellows need to
satisfactorily engage in their individualized training plan, reviewing
their progress in weekly supervision, attend required administrative
meetings and didactic training, and comply with other administrative
requirements of the fellowship program. By the end of the postdoctoral
training year, fellows need to have satisfactorily completed their
primary and two or more elective rotations.

## Facility and Training Resources

A trainee chart room equipped with computer work stations and storage
areas provides a common area for fellows and interns to complete
charting and administrative tasks. Fellows may reserve interview rooms
in the trainee area as needed for providing clinical services. In many
of the rotations, clinical services are provided by the fellow in group
and interview rooms available to the clinical program. Audio and video
recording equipment is available, along with necessary consent
procedures and forms, to enable interns to record sessions for review in
supervision. We maintain a small library of relevant clinical and
research materials on mental health integration in primary and
recovery-oriented psychosocial rehabilitation as well as more general
psychology assessment and other clinical materials. Fellows have access
to a medical library at Tripler Army Medical Center. Also available are
an OVID searchable data base, including psychological and other medical
journals, and other online reference resources. Clerical support for
clinical scheduling and documentation needs is available through the
clinical programs of the various rotations. The office of the ACOS for
Education provides clerical support for administrative aspects of the
training program, e.g., timekeeping, payroll, etc.

## Administrative Policies and Procedures

Authorized absence (paid leave time) of up to five days per year may be
granted with approval of the Psychology Training Committee for purposes
of attending external didactic training or conferences, employment
interviews or other training activites consistent with our mission of
ensuring that veterans have continuing access to highly qualified
psychological staff.

Problem resolution and complaint procedures to ensure fellows have due
process in addressing concerns are available and described in our
Psychology Fellowship Training Manual.

We collect no personal information about you when you visit our website.
That is, we do not employ \"cookies\" or other procedures monitoring
website visitors.

## Training Staff

***Dr. Allison Aosved*** is a Staff Psychologist in the Traumatic Stress
Recovery Program. She is also the Military Sexual Trauma Services
Coordinator for the Pacific Islands Health Care System. Dr. Aosved
completed her graduate training at Oklahoma State University with a
clinical internship at the Seattle VA Medical Center. She completed a
postdoctoral fellowship with the National Center for PTSD, Pacific
Islands Division. Her research focuses on the role of cultural factors,
attitudes, and victimization in the perpetration of sexual assault; rape
prevention; and mental health issues in survivors of sexual
victimization and other traumas. Her clinical interests include
treatment of PTSD, use of evidence-based interventions, culturally
appropriate care, working with survivors of sexual trauma, working with
women veterans, and working with combat veterans. Dr. Aosved is involved
in the VA national initiative to disseminate Prolonged Exposure (PE) for
PTSD as a consultant and is in the process of being trained as a PE
trainer.

***Patrick Armistead-Jehle, Ph.D.,*** is a neuropsychologist who joined
the PIHCS in the summer of 2007 and devotes half-time to
neuropsychological assessment and half-time to the Psychiatric
Evaluation Team. Dr. Jehle has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from
Virginia Commonwealth University in 2004 and is a veteran Psychologist
of the U.S. Army.

***David A. Bremer, Ph.D., M.P.H.,*** is the Psychology Internship
Training Director and the Clinical Psychologist for the Critical Care
Program, which includes a combined inpatient unit and day hospital. Dr.
Bremer has interest in the development of insight and coping strategies
in veterans with schizophrenia and other severe mental illness. With an
internship at Hawaii State Hospital, he has a doctorate in clinical
psychology from Washington University and a master in public health from
the University of Hawaii. Prior to joining the VA in 1991, he was
involved in psychological services, grant writing, consultation and
education, and children\'s services in the Central Oahu Community Mental
Health Center from 1975. Dr. Bremer provides tobacco cessation and anger
management groups.

***Christine Jamison Chukabarah, Ph.D.*** is Team Leader for the Primary
Care/Mental Health Integrated Care Team. She has expertise in applied
clinical research, clinical program development, and leadership
training. She received her bachelor\'s degree from Rutgers University,
and her doctorate from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. She
completed her internship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
Medical School. She served as a fellow in medical rehabilitation
psychology at the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific and as a
visiting fellow in neuropsychology at Tripler Army Hospital. She is
certified in interactive imagery by the Academy of Guided Imagery. She
is a graduate of the VA Healthcare Leadership Institute. While serving
as Director of Organizational Consulting for the U.S. Air Force, she
provided consultation to leadership, facilitated team development and
provided executive coaching. She has served as a Visiting Professor at
Auburn University and taught courses in health psychology and behavior
modification. She served as a clinical coordinator for an
epidemiological research project by the VA to study Posttraumatic Stress
Disorder and co-morbidity in Native Hawaiian and Japanese-American
veterans. Dr. Chukabarah has published and presented nationally in the
areas of depression, chronic pain, and guided imagery. She developed and
served as director for two rehabilitation programs for veterans. One
program was for management of chronic pain at the Central Alabama
Veterans Healthcare System and the other program was for Posttraumatic
Stress Disorder symptom management at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center.
Both programs followed a stress reduction and skills training model. Her
current clinical interests include health psychology, stress management,
chronic pain and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

***Tanya J. D\'Avanzo, Ph.D.,*** APPP-CN is a consulting psychologist
with the Honolulu VA. She is board-certified in Clinical
Neuropsychology, and has a private practice in Honolulu specializing in
adult neuropsychological assessment. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical
Psychology with a specialization in neuropsychology from the San Diego
State University/University of California at San Diego joint doctoral
program. She completed her clinical internship at the Honolulu VA, and
was a postdoctoral fellow in neuroscience at the Queen's Medical Center.
She is involved in both research and practice within her field. In
addition, she is active in the Hawaii Psychological Association, and
served as president of the organization. She also has a strong interest
in the arts, and in her personal time she enjoys painting, dancing, and
attending museums across the United States and Europe. Her personal
interests also include reading, running, and learning about the natural
world.

***Cole K. Y. Lew, Ph.D.*** is a psychologist for the Psychiatric
Evaluation and Treatment (PET) Team. He received his Bachelor\'s degree
and his first Master\'s degree in Psychology from San Francisco State
University, and received his second Masters and his doctoral degree in
Clinical Psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Dr. Lew\'s
clinical interests include children, family, and geriatric treatment,
PTSD, CISD, cross-cultural and minority issues. He provides PET Team
supervision.

***Kathleen M. Lysell, Psy.D.*** is the Associate Chief Consultant for
Informatics with the Office of Mental Health Services, out of VA Central
Office. Her position is a "virtual" one, based in the field. She remains
on staff at the VA Pacific Islands, and carries a small clinical panel
for individual psychotherapy. She received her doctorate in psychology
from Florida Institute of Technology. Clinical areas of interest include
women\'s health, assessment, acute psychological stress, and
informatics.

***Joanne V. Magee, Ph.D.*** is a staff psychologist for the Mental
Health Clinic. Dr. Magee received her Masters degree in clinical
psychology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her doctoral degree
from the clinical psychology program at the University of South Dakota.
She completed her internship with the VA system and was a staff
psychologist for six years at the Chilicothe, Ohio VA prior to
transferring to Honolulu. In 1985 she won the Handicapped Federal
Executive Association Employee of the Year award. Dr. Magee utilizes a
cognitive-behavioral approach to therapy. Her clinical interests include
preventive medicine, couples and parenting strategies.

***Kathleen M. McNamara, Ph.D.,*** ABPP is the Lead Professional (LP)
for Psychology at the Honolulu VAMC, holding responsibility for
administrative issues which may affect the discipline of Psychology. She
presently is assigned as the staff psychologist providing services to
veterans on the neighbor islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. She served
for ten years as the Assistant Chief for Psychology and the Director of
Training for the Honolulu Psychology Internship Program. Previously, she
was the Director of Training for the internship program and an Associate
Professor at the Wright State University School of Professional
Psychology. Dr. McNamara has a diplomate in Clinical Psychology from the
American Board of Professional Psychology, is a Fellow of the American
Psychological Association, was elected as a member of the National
Academies of Practice, and is a member of the National Register of
Health Service Providers in Psychology. She has been and is active in
state and national professional organizations, and was recently elected
as the President-Elect of the Association of VA Psychologist Leaders
(AVAPL). She has served on the APA Board of Directors, Board of
Education Affairs, College of Professional Psychology, Committee for the
Advancement of Professional Practice, Committee on Psychology and AIDS,
and the Steering Committee for the APA Postdoctoral Training Conference,
among other positions. Her clinical interests are neuropsychology, rural
health and telehealth applications, and integrated behavioral health and
primary care. Other professional areas of special interest include:
clinical training, ethics, and professional development. Dr. McNamara
emphasizes personal health and quality of life for all trainees
throughout the year. Her personal interests include many outdoor
activities on the land, in the air, and in the water!

***Steven M. Miyake, Ph.D.*** is the psychologist assigned to the
Traditional, Alternative, and Complementary (TrAC) Healing program. Dr.
Miyake is a graduate of the University of Hawaii\'s Clinical Psychology
Program. He utilizes a social learning/cognitive behavioral approach to
psychological assessment and treatment. His general clinical interests
include Behavioral Health Psychology utilizing a holistic approach to
achieving health and well being including mindfulness meditation and
spiritually oriented strategies. His specialty areas of clinical
intervention include biofeedback treatment of stress related
psychophysiological and anxiety disorders, self-management of chronic
pain, and lifestyle disorders (e.g. weight management). He is currently
involved in the implementation of an innovative integrative chronic pain
management program utilizing medical, psychological and complementary
and alternative healing strategies. He is also in the process of
establishing biofeedback telehealth access to all of the Clinic Based
Out-patient Clinics in the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System.

***Leslie Morland, Psy.D.*** Research Health Scientist. Dr. Morland
received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine
University. Her clinical experience with PTSD includes individual,
couples, and group therapy for child and adult survivors of sexual
assault, domestic violence, childhood abuse, community violence, and
war-related trauma. Dr. Morland has presented and published literature
in the areas of child and adolescent PTSD, war-related PTSD, and
community violence. Additional interests include developing guidelines
for the assessment and treatment of PTSD in an integrated health care
model.

***Dennis J. Perez, Ph.D.*** is the staff Compensation and Pension (C&P)
Psychologist performing mental health C&P exams for the C&P unit. Dr.
Perez received his Ph.D. from Loyola University Chicago. He worked for
eleven years at the University of Illinois-Chicago Counseling Center as
a staff psychologist providing psychotherapy, coordinating the
Multicultural Committee and coordinating the career counseling program.
He began his employment with the Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center in
January of 2008. His areas of interests include multicultural therapy,
PTSD, CBT and existential treatment modalities.

***Kathleen Pierce, Psy.D,*** received her doctorate from the California
School of Professional Psychology. Although trained from a psychodynamic
orientation, her training included an emphasis on Health Psychology. Dr.
Pierce completed 2 pre-doctoral internships, the first emphasizing
substance use disorders with adolescent and adult populations at Kaiser
Permanente. She came to the National Center for PTSD in Honolulu for her
second pre-doctoral and post-doctoral internship, and continued on for
several years as a Health Research Scientist. Her clinical and research
interest were focused on traumatic grief, telehealth in PTSD treatment,
and the integration of traditional indigenous Hawaiian healing practices
with combat related PTSD. Her non-VA clinical experience includes
hospital settings, community mental health (Native Hawaiian and Native
Alaskan), residential treatment, rural health, private practice, and
professional consultation. She strives to bring culturally congruent
mental health approaches to the assessment and treatment of indigenous
populations. Her current position is as the telehealth psychologist for
the Hawaii/Pacific region.

***Robert J. Porter, Ph.D.,*** is the Team Leader and staff psychologist
in Mental Health Rehabilitation. He earned his Master of Arts and
Doctorate degrees in the Clinical Psychology program at the University
of Rhode Island. He completed a clinical psychology internship at the
University of California, San Diego, where his training focused upon
serving the severely mentally ill and treatment of substance dependence.
His therapeutic orientation is influenced by cognitive-behavioral,
social learning and stages of change perspectives. Clinical interests
include helping those with substance dependence and severe prolonged
mental illness in their recovery from the illness, enhancement of coping
skills, concerns related to HIV and other life-threatening conditions,
death & dying, men\'s issues and sexual orientation. Away from work, he
especially appreciates friends & family, the nature and culture of
Hawaii and international travel.

***Nadine Shigezawa, Ph.D.*** is the clinical psychologist with the
Traumatic Stress Recovery Program. Born and raised in Honolulu, she
received her doctorate from the University of Hawaii after completing
her clinical internship at Tualatin Valley Mental Health Center in
Portland, Oregon. Her training included work at several Department of
Health and Department of Education sites in the State including Hawaii
State Hospital, Diamond Head Health, and several public elementary
schools. Her interest in the trauma field began with experience working
with abused children, and then expanded through work with adults
molested as children. Dr. Shigezawa utilizes a dynamic or systemic
orientation in the conceptualization of client\'s problems, yet she
integrates behavioral, cognitive, and Gestalt approaches in her
treatment. In addition, she frequently utilizes a combination of
artwork, biofeedback, stress management techniques, and community
service in her work with PTSD veterans. Her clinical interests in trauma
work include: the effect of trauma on the family; ethnic as well as
generational differences in symptomatology and treatment; and, the
effects of trauma on the sleep cycle. Her personal interests outside of
work include: travel, reading, working out, eating an assortment of
ethnic foods, and getting together with family and friends.

***Barbara G. Thacker, Ph.D.*** is a psychologist at the Honolulu Vet
Center, 1680 Kapiolani Blvd F-3, specializing in the treatment of Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder incurred as a result of war and sexual trauma.
She has expertise in crisis management, bereavement counseling,
dialectical behavior therapy, and outreach services to veterans and
their families. With a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California
School of Professional Psychology in San Diego, Dr. Thacker served as
Team Leader of the Eugene (OR) Vet Center from 1994-2002 before
transferring to her current position with the Honolulu Vet Center.

***Julia M. Whealin, Ph.D.*** is a supervising psychologist/researcher
and the Deputy Director for Education at the Pacific Islands Division of
the National Center for PTSD. Her professional activities focus upon the
formulation and implementation of research and education policy and
programmatic initiatives related to PTSD. She consults various
organizations within the federal government on issues of resilience to
and early intervention among active duty and other public service
workers. She collaborates with other NC-PTSD sites to develop and employ
education interventions and materials for professionals,
pre-professionals, and the general public. Dr. Whealin\'s clinical
experience with PTSD includes individual, couples, and group therapy for
survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, childhood abuse,
accidents, and war-related trauma. Additionally, she has published and
presented nationally in the areas of child sexual abuse and sexual
harassment. Her present clinical, research, and education interests
include PTSD prevention, resilience, early intervention, child sexual
abuse, as well as the interaction between culture and trauma. Dr.
Whealin received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The
University of Georgia. Her personal interests include good friends,
hiking, jogging, water sports, art, and music.

## Trainees

**Year Emphasis School Program Degree**

**08-09** MH-PC Loma Linda University Clinical PhD

PSRR Argosy University -- Honolulu Clinical PsyD

## Local Information

VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, Honolulu

THE SPARK MATSUNAGA VA MEDICAL CENTER

The Spark M. Matsunaga Medical Center is located on the grounds of the
Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) overlooking the Honolulu
International Airport and Pearl Harbor Oahu is the most populous island
in the Hawaiian chain and means \"the gathering place\" in Hawaiian;
this is an apt name - numerous ethnic groups are represented here. The
PIHCS Psychology Postdoctoral Training program offers a unique
opportunity for learning in a multicultural environment. Veterans
reflect the predominant cultures - native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander,
Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Samoan, European, African, and
other descent. The diversity and richness of the cultures and the people
provide a special environment for psychologists to be trained for a
pluralistic society. Hawaii's multi-cultural environment serves as a
model for the nation in terms of the integration of different cultural
groups in contrast to different cultural groups coexisting relatively
independently with each other. This cultural characteristic provides a
unique and rich training opportunity for the trainee that is not
available in any other VA site. The year round temperate weather helps
keep Hawaii in the list of the healthiest states in the country. Year
round activities range from snorkeling, surfing, sport fishing, golfing
and hiking to theater, symphony, film festivals, and a rich variety of
cultural events.

***For information on Oahu and links to island resources, check:***

> [http://www.ehawaii.gov](http://www.ehawaii.gov/)
>
> <http://satftp.soest.hawaii.edu/space/hawaii/>
>
> <http://www.alohafriendshawaii.com/movetoHawaii.html>
>
> <http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage>

***Other websites of special interest:***

> <http://www.hawaiiweb.com/oahu/beaches>
>
> [http://www.backyardoahu.com](http://www.backyardoahu.com/)
>
> [http://www.kumukahua.org](http://www.kumukahua.org/)
>
> [http://www.hawaiidiner.com](http://www.hawaiidiner.com/)
>
> [http://www.artsatmarks.com](http://www.artsatmarks.com/)
>
> <http://www.manoavalleytheatre.com/>
>
> [http://www.diamondheadtheatre.com](http://www.diamondheadtheatre.com/)
>
> <http://taghawaii.net/>
>
> and so many more.