Universal Psychology Postdoctoral Directory Entry

South Texas Veterans Health Care System: Clinical Psychology Fellowship with Emphasis in Trauma

South Texas Veterans Health Care System (aka San Antonio VA)
San Antonio, Texas

Elements of quality clinically focused postdoctoral training

This training experience is a planned and programmed sequence of training that aims to ensure preparation for advanced practice rather than one that is focused on providing supervised hours for licensure. Yes

This training experience ensures that training takes precedence over service delivery regarding the nature, content, volume, and quality of the postdoc’s activities. Yes

This training experience ensures that postdocs receive at least two hours of individual supervision per week for the duration oof the experience. Yes

This training experience is administered by a doctoral-level licensed psychologist who directs and organizes the training experience and its resources, is responsible for the selection of postdocs, and monitors and evaluates the goals and activities of the experience. Yes

This training experience has two or more doctoral-level licensed psychologists who have sufficient time to provide quality supervision and training.   Yes

This training experience includes regularly scheduled structured educational activities that help postdocs its defined goals. These activities may include didactics, seminars, case conferences, and/or research activities. Yes

This training experience has written Due Process and Grievance procedures. Yes

This training experience has the stable and necessary financial (e.g., stipend) and physical resources (e.g., computers, physical space) needed for effective training. Yes

This emphasis area aims to train the selected fellow in the area of trauma-related disorders and PTSD. The fellow will gain expertise for work as a psychologist with veterans who have experienced both combat and non- combat related trauma. Training goals focus on the fellow’s development of skills in providing time-limited, empirically supported individual and couples treatment interventions delivered in person and virtually, administering and interpreting psychological tests and psychosocial assessments/intake evaluations, enhancing skills in supervision and teaching, trauma-focused treatment planning, suicide-risk assessments/safety planning, working effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team enhancing patient care, gaining advanced skills in research and scholarly inquiry, expanding on areas of professional development and identity, and developing proficiency in issues related to diversity and ethics. Evidence-Based Therapies available in this emphasis include: Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Written Exposure Therapy (WET), Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD (CBCT), Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders Using Prolonged Exposure (COPE), and Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy (ERRT). The fellow will be given the freedom to choose a minor specialization area outside of the trauma psychology. The trainee will complete an administrative and a research project with a special focus on trauma, in line with their emphasis area.

https://https://www.va.gov/south-texas-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/clinical-psychology-fellowship-program/

Additional Information

Agency Type: VA Medical Center
APPIC Membership: Yes
APA Accredited: Yes
Recognized Specialty: Clinical Psychology
Emphasis or focus area: PTSD (Trauma)
Other Emphasis: Trauma (PTSD, MST)
Research Time: Less than 25%
Training Director: Ashlee Martinez, Psy.D.
Contact Email: Ashlee.Martinez@va.gov
Contact Phone: 210-617-5300
Duration in Months: 12
Hours Per Week: 40
# of Licensed Supervisors: 35
Number of Positions: 1
Applications recieved last year: 12
Accepts Int'l Students
Stipend: $54,097
Will follow APPIC Selection Standards
Created Date: Tuesday, November 23 2021
Unfilled Positions: 0
Fringe Benefits: STIPEND INFORMATION UPDATE ON 11/06/2024. This is the stipend for the 2025-2026 year. Stipend and benefits are competitive with other similar training programs nationally. The stipend is set by VA Central Office, Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA). There is no state income tax in Texas. Health insurance and life insurance are available. The STVHCS is an equal opportunity employer. Fellows earn 4 hours of annual leave and 4 hours of sick leave per pay period (13 days of each per year). Sick leave can be used for personal illness, medical/dental care, or to care for members of immediate family who are ill or injured. In addition, fellows receive leave for Federal holidays. Training or travel leave may be granted for off-site educational workshops, seminars, and other approved training activities. There is no fixed limit on the amount of training leave that can be requested; we encourage fellows to attend at least one conference per year. The Education Service may provide up to $400 reimbursement for conference registration and/or continuing education fees. Full travel costs may be covered for conferences if the trainee is presenting. Up to three days of authorized absence may be requested for professional development activities (e.g., VA job interviews, licensure examinations).
Research opportunities: Fellows are expected to work on a research project and an administrative project, of their choosing, in the emphasis area. Typically, when planning their individualized training plan, 2 - 4 hours a week are allocated for these projects; however, it is possible to choose research as a minor emphasis and allocate additional time, generally up to 25% time for research.
Application Instructions: Fellow Qualifications: Applicants must have earned their doctorate in Clinical or Counseling Psychology from an APA-accredited program and successfully completed an APA-accredited internship. All requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed prior to the start of the fellowship year. The VA requires that applicants are citizens of the United States and that people assigned male at birth have registered for selective service. We are looking for highly motivated and independent trainees who are clinically flexible and enjoy working collaboratively with other members of a multidisciplinary team. All recruitment and notification procedures comply with the rules set forth by APPIC and follow APA ethical guidelines. One fellow is recruited nationally each year. We seek applicants with a strong academic foundation from their university programs who are well rounded with regard to assessment, treatment, and research experiences. We encourage applicants with interest in, or experience with, cultural and ethnic diversity issues. Qualified applicants should submit the following materials through the APPA CAS: A cover letter clearly indicating their interest in the Fellowship program and outlining training and career goals • A current CV including anticipated graduation date • Copy of APPIC Autobiographical essay • Dissertation abstract (one page, approximately) • Three letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable about the applicants work • Transcripts of all graduate work. Selection: Applicants are rated on (1) academic preparation, including coursework, practicum experiences, internship training, and research, (2) assessment and treatment experience with relevant patient populations, (3) research productivity, (4) writing skills, and (5) letters of reference. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted; this position will remain open until filled. Application Process: Submit materials through APPA CAS by the deadline of 15 December. Top applicants selected for interviews via phone or video will be emailed shortly thereafter. Applicants not selected for interviews will be notified by email as soon as possible. Applicants should feel free to email the Training Director with any questions regarding the application process.

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