Universal Psychology Postdoctoral Directory

Elements of quality clinically focused postdoctoral training

The postdoctoral residency program at the John D. Dingell VAMAC provides training in general clinical psychology.  While the training is delivered through the emphasis areas, or tracks, described below, and residents gain a good deal of experience in those areas, it is not considered a specialty program.  For the 2025-2026 training year, we will be accepting applications four four one-year, full-time postdoctoral residency positions across three emphasis areas or tracks: interprofessional general mental health care, psychosocial recovery and rehabilitation, and health psychology & primary care-mental health integration (2 positions in this track).

Two postdoctoral residency positions are available in clinical psychology with an emphasis in health psychology and primary care-mental health integration (PC-MHI).  Residents will complete six-month rotations in Health Psychology and Primary Care-Mental Health Integration.  As part of these rotations, residents will supervise a pre-doctoral intern, receive supervision of their supervision, and participate in didactic trainings.  Residents may also have the opportunity to elect minor rotations with the Community Living Center (which includes works with hospice and palliative care) and our interdisciplinary Pain Clinic, and also gain experience with the assessment and treatment of sleep disorders.

Health Psychology/Health Promotion Disease Prevention Rotation

The Health Psychology rotation focuses on the integration of biological, psychological and social factors affecting medical patients. The rotation has a particular emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention. Evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention services focused on core prevention messages including regular exercise, healthy eating, and tobacco use cessation are integrated into clinical care delivery. Residents will be actively involved in interdisciplinary collaboration.  In conjunction with primary care providers, residents will co-facilitate shared medical appointments for patients with chronic health issues.  They will work as part of the Bariatric Surgery Referral Team and conduct psychological evaluations for patients interested in the procedure. Residents will have opportunities to provide group and individual counseling through an intensive Tobacco Use Cessation Program and an interdisciplinary weight management program known as MOVE!. In these programs, residents will work alongside clinical pharmacists, dietitians, addiction therapists and other healthcare professionals.  Residents will gain experience in the provision of treatment via video conferencing technology and engage in health coaching focused on health maintenance and prevention/management of chronic disease.

Residents will participate in psychological evaluations for organ transplantation and will serve as a liaison with specialty care programs such as cardiology, renal, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease programs. Residents will provide consultation and coaching to primary care and other medical staff and assist in the provision of formal staff training programs on the use of patient self-management approaches.  Throughout the rotation, residents will apply cognitive behavioral techniques and motivational interviewing approaches aimed at health-related behavior change.  Residents will also participate in program development and evaluation activities and will serve as a clinical supervisor for a psychology intern completing a health psychology rotation.

Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PC-MHI) Rotation

PCMHI services, co-located within primary care, are designed to help manage depression, anxiety, and other behavioral health needs of primary care patients. Patients are first evaluated using a brief, structured interview.  Follow-up assessments are offered, and serve as a platform to specific disease management modules for mild to moderate depression and anxiety based on cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. After initial assessment, patients receive services by a PC-MHI team member, or they are referred to appropriate providers, within or outside of the medical facility, if in need of specialty care or other services.  PC-MHI services are short-term and symptom-focused.  They address the importance of evidence-based practices and outcome research by quantifying the degree of impairment and co-morbid psychiatric disorders and tracking patient progress throughout disease management. Residents will have the opportunity to perform brief individual and group psychotherapy, conduct initial “core assessments” and more in-depth psychological testing and evaluation when appropriate.  They will actively participate in treatment planning conferences, and lead a group aimed at relieving symptoms of mild to moderate mood problems via behavior change.  Residents will also have the opportunity to work closely with the Psychiatrist, Physician Assistant and Nurse Care Managers who are part of the PC-MHI team.

Please note that an updated version of our program brochure is expected to be uploaded to our website by early October.  If you would like the updated brochure before it is posted to our website, please contact the Training Direct (Eileen.Bent@va.gov).