Predoctoral Internship in Professional Psychology

The VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, Manhattan Campus offers a one-year, full time Pre-Doctoral Internship in Professional Psychology to advanced students in accredited doctoral psychology programs.  Based in the psychology division of the mental health service, the program is affiliated with the New York University School of Medicine.  The training program provides participants with exposure to the professional roles assumed by psychologists, including concentrated training in areas such as neuropsychology, health psychology, post-traumatic stress disorder, and acute inpatient psychiatry.  Training is also provided in a range of treatment modalities, including psychodynamic, psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, supportive psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, and intensive treatment of psychological trauma.  The internship has three primary goals: 1) train interns in integrated assessment, diagnostic, and intervention strategies that prepare them for the general practice of professional psychology in a healthcare setting; 2) train interns to be culturally-competent practitioners; and 3) train interns to value professionalism and dedicate themselves to the highest standards of patient care and ethical conduct.  

Interns learn how factors such as race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, and socioeconomic background interact with both psychological issues and with the unique culture of the armed services.  Inpatient and outpatient mental health services are available to both male and female veterans; the main treatment modalities utilized in the Manhattan VA system are individual and group psychotherapy.  The internship emphasizes basic clinical principles and skills that are essential to the ethical and competent practice of psychology. The program utilizes a practitioner-scholar model, with strong clinical emphasis on clinical practice that is informed by scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and active learning.  Integration of science and practice is emphasized in all facets of the program, including clinical training assignments, supervision, and didactics.   Interns work alongside staff psychologists to conduct and jointly treat patients during their rotations and/or assignments; in addition, interns carry their own cases and participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and peer review presentations along with their supervisors and independently.  The program utilizes a variety of treatment orientations and approaches, including psychodynamic, psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, dialectical-behavioral, interpersonal, systems, supportive, and eclectic modalities.  Interns receive advanced training in performing in-depth assessment of interviews; constructing test batteries to respond to specific diagnostic issues and referral questions; evaluating and integrating clinical findings to provide appropriate treatment; and developing formulations and recommendations and communicating these in articulate written and/or oral reports.