Wayne G. Siegel, Ph.D., ABPP
Director of Training
Thad Strom, Ph.D.
Assistant Director of Training

 Actually, a good understanding of our Internship and our dedication to excellent clinical training

 8:00 - 9:00 Intros. Brief Program Description
 9:00 – 9:30 Overview of Research Opportunities
 9:30 - 10:20 Interview block
 10:30 - 11:20 Interview block
 11:30 - 1:30 Lunch/ Rotation/Adjunctive
Supervisors (2 nd Floor Atrium – see map)
 1:30 - 2:30 Interview block
 2:30 - 3:15 Meet with current interns
 3:15 - 3:45 Tour by Postdoctoral Residents
 345 – 4:14 Wrap up with TDs
 Each applicant will have 2 interviews of approximately 45 minutes.
Two interviews in three blocks.
 The second interview will include a clinical vignette.

 Approximately 500,000 veterans residing in our primary service area,
 Tertiary referral center for VSIN 23
 Ethnic minorities - 7% of those treated
 65+ is the largest single clientele category but a growing mid 20’s cohort
 Women Veterans Comprehensive Health Center
 VA Lead Polytrauma Center
 State of the art Spinal Cord Injury center (SCI )
 Telemedicine / CBOC Opportunities
 Will host VISN Tertiary Chronic Pain Tx Center

 Psychologists - more than $11,000,000 in meritreviewed, multi-year research grants
 One of the largest education and training programs in the VA system
 Affiliations with 50 colleges, universities, and technical schools in allied health professions

 70 doctoral psychologists many of which hold clinical faculty positions at the University of MN
 Psychologist are assigned to one or more of the specialized treatment units an have a strong presence in almost every area of the medical center
 Many psychologists are in key leadership roles in the medical center and nationally.
 Staff hold a diversity of interests, expertise, theories, and techniques
 The discipline of Psychology is highly valued in the
Medical Center

 Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the
APA
 Member of APPIC and abides by its guidelines
 Member of APCS
 Scientist Practitioner Model
 Scientific data and scholarly work are incorporated into all training experiences
 Significant opportunity to be involved in research through the internship year

 Close supervision, mentorship, and intensive instruction to relatively autonomous functioning over the course of the year
 Interns take an active role in developing their training plan
 Graduating interns develop the competencies and a sense of professional identity needed for entry-level positions or post docs

 Goal 1: Psychological Evaluation and
Assessment Diagnostic interviewing
 Goal 2: Psychological Interventions
 Goal 3: Providing Consultation & Supervision
 Goal 4: Ethics & Diversity
 Goal 5: Maturing Professional Identity
 Goal 6: Interface Between Science and Practice

 2 tracks with 2 separate Match numbers
 Think of them as separate internships
 6 General Clinical/Counseling positions
 2 Neuropsychology positions
 Emphasis on neuropsych training meeting APA Division 40 and Houston Guidelines (at least 50%)
 Training is still broad and general in clinical psychology

 Neuropsychology and neuropsychological assessment
 Meets the Houston Conference and APA Division 40 specialty training guidelines
 Approximately 50% of his or her time to neuropsychology
 2 rotations 17 week-long rotation in neuropsychology and rehabilitation psychology as well as providing assessment and intervention services in our GRECC.
 3rd rotation areas outside of neuropsychology, usually dealing with severe mental illness
 Weekly neuropsychology case conference, neurology rounds, and PM&R team rounds
 Supervisors: Drs. Carter, Clason, Eidson, Lamberty,
Lundgren, and Sim.

 Assigned by interest and training needs
 Orientation week
 Learn about different rotations
 Work with TDs to choose and sequence rotations so that intern training goals and program competency standards are met
 Track activities are guaranteed, rotations are not
 Schedules can be adjusted as needed later in the year

 Supervisors: Drs. Deloyski, Silversmith, and Siegel
 Flexible and individual treatment by matching patient needs with interventions
 Assessment and intervention services to patients with primary SUDs and those dually diagnosed
 Individual and group therapies (process-oriented and structured skill-building), behavior and case management, and patient education
 Diagnostic interviewing, objective and projective testing, and neuropsychological screening
 Provide consultation in the context of a multidisciplinary team

Supervisor: Drs. Arbisi
 Main intake and evaluation center
 Work closely with the Medical Center ER
 Diagnostic interviewing, psychological and neuropsychological screenings and assessments, brief therapy, crisis management

 Supervisors: Drs. Hess, Perry, and Walden
 Specializes in mood disorders and general psych patients
 Diverse theoretical perspectives
 Emphasizes diagnostic interviewing, psychological assessment, and psychological intervention
 Intake evaluations, outpatient personality assessment, and neuropsychological screening evaluations, individual and group psychotherapy

 Supervisor: Drs., Carter, Clason, Eidson, Lamberty,
Lundgren, and Sim.
 Ok for specialization as well as those wanting just experience
 Eclectic test battery
 Competence in consultation skills - TBI Team,
Neuropsychology Case Conferences, and MS Team
 Variety of patients – dementia, strokes, TBI, tumors, seizures, and MS, etc.

 Supervisor: Dr. Isenhart, Peterson, Schumacher, and
Broden
 Not a treatment team - cost-effective and clinically viable alternative to full hospitalization
 Intensive treatment while avoiding some of the malignant regressive temptations often associated with inpatient care
 Organized within a therapeutic community or milieu setting, the broad range of treatments include:
 Case management, educational therapy, group therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, and medication management
 Opportunity for psychoeducational and process group experience

 Supervisors: Drs. Curry, Ferrier-Auerbach, Kaler
Meyers, Polusny, Voller, and Wagner
 Training in the assessment and treatment of patients with acute and chronic trauma-related disorders
 Assessment – diagnostic interviewing, objective, projective, and neuropsychological instruments
 Individual, family, and group psychotherapy
 EST – CPT, PE, MI and Seeking Safety
 Consultation to the multidisciplinary team
 Psychoeducational activities
 Ongoing research
 Female veterans, OIF/OEF service members
 Variety of traumas.

 Supervisors: Drs. Billig, Helbok, Mallen Olson, Chiros, and
Skroch
 Integration of mental health with primary care
 Co-located working collaboratively with PC staff
 Rapid access and tx for acute psychiatric disorders
 Innovative models of co-managing care for patients with chronic medical and mental health conditions.
 Interns will have the opportunity to learn innovative models and skills for managing mental health conditions within an integrated primary care clinic setting.
 Chronic pain assessment and intervention,
 Training in the assessment, treatment and consultation of medical patients.
 Orientation - Integrative, emphasizing contemporary behavioral approaches.
 Telemedicine opportunities

 Supervisors – Drs. Petska, Collins, Blahnik,
Lamberty, McGuire, Sim, Howard, Kennedy, and
Merladet
 Training in Rehabilitation and Neuropsychology
 Recognized as a center of excellence
 1 of 4 such programs in the country
 Provides a full range of intensive inpatient treatment to brain injured veterans and active duty patients, many in their late teens and early 20's
 Psychotherapeutic and behavioral interventions
 Neuropsychological evaluations
 Family interventions
 Bed rounds
 Neurological and psychiatric examinations

 New VSIN Tertiary Pain Center
 New rotation or part of rehab rotation?
 Staff being hired.
 We will know more at start of training year
 Assessment and intervention with chronic pain

 Supervisors: Dr. Hegeman, Nienow, Rogers, and
Sponheim
 Assessment and treatment of patients with psychotic disorders including bipolar disorders
 Patients vary in their level of functioning and persistence of psychopathology
 Competence in the conceptualization and assessment of psychosis and other psychiatric symptoms as well as in the assessment of cognitive and social functioning in outpatients and inpatients
 Individual therapy, group therapy, and couples or family interventions
 New Programs – CBSST, Family Program, recovery
Oriented

Main
Rotations
Standard interns
Neuropsych
Neuropsych
22.5 hours per week
Rotation 2 Rotation 1 Rotation 3
Neuropsych II
Neuropsych I Rotation 3
GRECC Memory Clinic
Neuropsych I Rotation 2
GRECC Memory Clinic
Neuropsych II
Adjunctive
Experiences
Adjunctive
Exp.
DBT, Family Therapy, TLDP, MI, CPT, Admin., ACT, Extended Psychodynamic
Therapy Clinic, Research, AIC (17.5 hrs per week)
-------------------------------6 hours per week ---------------------
Adjunctive
Exp.
-------------------------------6 hours per week ---------------------
Assmt. Clinic ------------------------------1.5 Hrs. per week----------------------
.
Reading/misc --------------------------------2 Hrs per week----------------------
Seminars --------------------------------2 Hrs per week----------------------
This chart is intended to serve as a planning guide and should not be rigidly interpreted. Time estimates are based on a 40 hour work week. Interns should expect to work 40 to 50 hours per week in order to complete training activities.

Rotations
Adjunctive experiences
Assessment Clinic
Seminars/Didactics
Readings

 Interns select 3 Adjunctive Training Experiences:
 Family Therapy Training Clinic (FTTC)
 Dialect Behavior Therapy (DBT)
 Anxiety Intervention Clinic (AIC)
 Time-Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy (TLDP)
 Motivational Interviewing (MI)
 CBSST
 Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
 Prolonged Exposure (PE)
 Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
 Assessment Clinic
 Administration
 Research

 Supervisor: Drs. Leskela and Erbes
 Training in the assessment and treatment of couples and family-related concerns
 Staff, postdoctoral fellows, and interns participate
 Didactic presentations
 Clinical experience using structural, strategic, solution-focused, and narrative techniques
 Group supervision

 Supervisor: Dr. Possis
 Utilizes empirically-supported approaches to treat
Anxiety disorders
 Critical thinking and professional development are emphasized
 Interdisciplinary training setting
 Peer consultation/supervision model

 Supervisors – Drs. Polusny and Strom (VA National
Trainers); Drs. Voller and Ferrier-Auerbach
 Didactics starting with 1.5 day PE training and weekly readings
 Weekly 90 min. appointments with 1-2 veterans
 Bi-monthly consultation group
 Weekly group and individual supervision
 Video tape and review by supervisor
 Will be PE certified with the VA (same as staff)

 Supervisors: Drs. Curry & Petska (VA Regional
Trainers)
 Utilizes empirically-supported time-limited approach to treat trauma-related disorders such as PTSD
 Readings and discussions of didactic material, review of video and audio tapes of interactions with patients, and role-playing
 Interdisciplinary training setting
 Peer consultation/supervision model
 Opportunity to serve as individual therapist and coleader for group
 Ongoing clinical outcome assessment

 Supervisor: Dr. Wagner
 Empirically-based treatment model:
 Strupp and Binder (
 Training in a group/peer supervision/consultation format

 Supervisor: Dr. Isenhart
 Empirically supported directive, client-centered therapeutic style for eliciting behavioral change
 Help clients explore and resolve ambivalence about making changes
 Applicable to SUDs and other psychological disorders
 Will learn basic MI goals and principles
 Readings and discussions of didactic material, review of video and audio tapes of interactions with patients, and role-playing

 Supervisors: Drs. Billig & Hess (VA Consultants)
 A functional contextual therapy that views psychological problems dominantly as problems of psychological inflexibility.
 Uses acceptance and mindfulness processes, and commitment and behavior change processes, to produce greater psychological flexibility.
 Six months for the later part of the year

 Supervisors: Drs. Meyers and VanEgeren
 Empirically-supported, manualized treatment approach developed by Linehan, 1993)
 Used to treat male and female patients who share key features with those diagnosed with Borderline
Personality Disorder, particularly emotion deregulation
 Didactic, group supervision, consultation group
 Individual and/or group interventions

 New pilot program
 Co-lead skills group (6 week intensive module)
 Co-lead mindfulness exercises
 Lead community outings – skill practices
 Individual patient if experience with DBT

 Supervisor: Dr. Walden
 This year-long clinic is intended to give trainees experience with psychoanalytic-informed approaches to psychotherapy with individuals.
 One to two cases, meeting once or twice weekly, for a total of two clinical hours per week.
 Process notes for use in a weekly group supervision meeting.
 Readings covering various psychoanalytic ways of thinking about and working with people are assigned and discussed in supervision.

 Supervisors: Drs. Arbisi and Siegel
 Ensures that all interns get good training in psychodiagnosis
 Diagnostic interviewing
 Intellectual assessment
 Objective instruments
 Exposure to projective instruments
 Meets weekly for entire year
 Wide range of cases are assigned on a rotating basis
 Interns provide consultation and peer supervision
 Interns can expect to become familiar with the relevant assessment related literature

 Research: Consistent with our Scientist Practitioner
Model, interns may participate in a research or other scholarly project for six or 12 months of the training year
 Averaging four hours of release time per week.
 Can devote more on own time.

 Interns may elect to obtain administrative experience with psychologists who are actively involved in clinical administration.
 This experience will involve some didactic, readings, shadowing staff and completion of a project based on intern’s interests.

 Seminars: weekly Psychology Training Seminar
 Didactic focus (interns help choose)
 Adjunctive experiences have a didactic component
 One of the presentations occurs in Mental Health
Grand Rounds (formal and multidisciplinary in nature)
***** Want to foster development of competency, critical thinking abilities, knowledge, and professional identity

 Neuropsychology Case Conference
 Year-long conference involves didactics and case presentations
 Opportunity to improve their competence in interpretation of neuropsychological tests, consultation and peer supervision
 Other educational seminars and case conferences throughout the hospital and community

Main
Rotations
Standard interns
Neuropsych
Neuropsych
22.5 hours per week
Rotation 2 Rotation 1 Rotation 3
Neuropsych II
Neuropsych I Rotation 3
GRECC Memory Clinic
Neuropsych I Rotation 2
GRECC Memory Clinic
Neuropsych II
Adjunctive
Experiences
Adjunctive
Exp.
DBT, Family Therapy, TLDP, MI, CPT, Admin., ACT, Extended Psychodynamic
Therapy Clinic, Research, AIC (17.5 hrs per week)
-------------------------------6 hours per week ---------------------
Adjunctive
Exp.
-------------------------------6 hours per week ---------------------
Assmt. Clinic ------------------------------1.5 Hrs. per week----------------------
.
Reading/misc --------------------------------2 Hrs per week----------------------
Seminars --------------------------------2 Hrs per week----------------------
This chart is intended to serve as a planning guide and should not be rigidly interpreted. Time estimates are based on a 40 hour work week. Interns should expect to work 40 to 50 hours per week in order to complete training activities.

Rotations
Adjunctive experiences
Assessment Clinic
Seminars/Didactics
Readings

 A one-year, full-time training commitment - averaging
45 to 50 hours a week on site
 Expected that some work will occur off site as well


 2 + hours of individual supervision per week
 2 + hours of group supervision per week
 Style and modes of supervision vary
 Videotapes, audiotapes, observation, role-plays, process notes, and co-therapy are among the tools used to aid in supervision
 May be assigned readings and literature searches
 Mostly consultative in nature

 Each intern will choose a mentor
 A non-evaluative but not absolutely confidential relationship
Role:
 Help the intern negotiate the internship program
 Integrate feedback from various supervisors
 Plan for post-internship goals

 2 postdocs in the specialty of Clinical Neuro (2 years)
 4 Postdocs in Clinical Psychology – emphasis (1 year)
 PCMH/Health
 Rehab Psychology/Polytrauma
 SMI (interprofessional center)
 Trauma
 Accredited – Clinical focus with 25-49% time in research
 Current interns very competitive but no overt preference (about 50% selection)

We seek applicants who have:
1. A sound clinical and scientific knowledge base
2. Strong basic skills in standard assessment, intervention, and research techniques
3. Personal characteristics necessary to function well in our internship setting
 Open to supervision, thirst for learning, strong initiative
 Selection criteria are based on a "goodness–of–fit" with our scientist-practitioner model

 Full-time for one year beginning on about the 3 rd week of August
 One year at full-time equals 2080 hours
Leave:
 10 federal holidays
 Sick leave and annual leave (4 hours of each per two-week pay period (a total of 13 days of each)
 Authorized leave for conferences, presentations, PD interviews, and to complete activities required by your university - # day is flexible

 $25,402 per year
 Health and life insurance is available.
 The United States Government covers interns for malpractice under the Federal Tort Claims Act


 Many training options
 Can be overwhelming!
 Cannot pick them all
 Need to try and prioritize
 Many ways to get training goals met
 Several rotations/options can meet goals

 Training Program
 Dr. Siegel
 APPIC Board of Directors
 Co-Chair VA National Professional Standards Board
 Associate Editor - TEPP
 Past - APA Commission on Accreditation – Executive Committee
 Past Chair, VA Psychology Training Council
 National VA Trainers and Clinical Consultants
 Dr. Billig
 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
 Drs. Polusny & Strom
 Prolonged Exposure Therapy
 Dr. Hegeman
 Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training
 Dr. Nienow
 Family Psychoeducational Program for Schizophrenia
 Drs. Petska & Curry
 Cognitive Processing Therapy

 Research Staff
 Dr. Sponheim
 Continuously funded psychopathology research lab for the past
15 years.
 Dr. Arbisi
 Author of MMPI-2 F(p) scale, co-author MMPI RF
 Consulting editor, Personality Assessment
 Dr. Polusny
 RINGS project
 Dr. Erbes
 RINGS project
 Dr. Nienow
 Cognitive training intervention for individuals with schizophrenia
 Dr. Hagedorn
 Contingency management in addictions treatment

 Highly skilled supervisory staff dedicated to training
 No pressure to produce billable hours
 Focus in on TRAINING
 Want about 15 clinical contact hours per week by mid year
 Balance learning with productivity
 Goal: prepare you for postdoc or job
 Assessment and testing is the clinician’s decision
 Very few sites that don’t limit testing especially personality assessment
 Affiliated Medical Center – academically productive
 Access to female patients
 Telemedicine

 We ask that you do no send us thank you notes or emails.
 Communication with TDs and staff is encouraged if you have questions about our program and how it may meet your training needs and goals.

Yes, it gets cold, but….
 Kiplinger rated the Twin Cities #2 on their list of “50 smart places to live”.
-”Hip and progressive with a Midwestern sensibility, multiple cultural outlets, and pro teams in all four major sports.”
 Forbes ranked Minneapolis #1 on their list of most affordable places to live well.
 Twin Cities suburbs are consistently ranked “best places to live” by Money magazine.
-Past winners include: Apple Valley, Eagan,
Plymouth and Chaska.

 8:00 - 9:00 Intros. Brief Program Description
 9:00 – 9:30 Overview of Research Opportunities
 9:30 - 10:20 Interview block
 10:30 - 11:20 Interview block
 11:30 - 1:30 Lunch/ Rotation/Adjunctive
Supervisors (2 nd Floor Atrium – see map)
 1:30 - 2:30 Interview block
 2:30 - 3:15 Meet with current interns
 3:15 - 3:45 Tour by Postdoctoral Residents
 345 – 4:14 Wrap up with TDs
 Each applicant will have 2 interviews of approximately 45 minutes.
Two interviews in three blocks.
 The second interview will include a clinical vignette.