Doctoral Psychology Internship

The Central Texas Veterans Health Care System offers psychology doctoral internship training rotations (4-6 months) in primary care mental health integration at each of its primary training sites (Austin, Temple, Waco).  These rotations emphasize development of fast paced skills needed in triage, assessment, and intervention in a primary care setting in direct collaboration with primary care physicians. Major components of these rotations include evaluation and treatment of problems including poor adherence, PTSD, depression, anxiety and other medical ailments causing psychological maladjustment. Interns have the opportunity to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and a wide variety of medical and physical health providers. Psychological assessment opportunities include dementia and other cognitive screening. Interns also conduct brief, solution focused individual therapy and group psychotherapy with patients targeted at specific health conditions, behavioral change, and other forms of mild to moderate mental health issues.

Other opportunities include participation with a Patient Aligned Care Team model through a system of multidisciplinary, primary care teamlets, pain psychology, and involvement in the MOVE! weight management program. Most importantly, interns learn how to interact with professionals of other medical disciplines and share in the holistic treatment of patients with a wide array of psychological and physical ailments. The assessment and treatment orientation for these rotations is primarily cognitive-behavioral, incorporating approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and solution-focused therapy. Interns will be expected to complete an agreed number of assessments, incorporating behavioral medicine and general psychological testing, and carry a treatment caseload. Required readings are provided for specific patient populations and assessment/treatment approaches. Individual supervision is provided in each of the treatment sites.