Supervisor(s): Melissa Broome, Ph.D., Cara Freudenberg, Psy.D., Erica White, Ph.D., Kristin Reed, Ph.D.
Location: Alvin C. York VAMC 3400 Lebanon Pike, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Clinical or Research Rotation: Clinical
Number of Positions Available: 1
Anticipated Number of Face-to-Face Clinical Hours per Week: 3 to 6 hours
Description:
What Interns Will Do: Interns on the Outpatient rotation will have the opportunity to conduct: intake evaluations, personality testing/cognitive screening, individual therapy, couples counseling, and group psychotherapy with outpatients. Both brief and longer-term treatment modalities are available with a variety of presenting problems including mood disorders, PTSD (combat- or non-combat-related), schizophrenia spectrum, relationship difficulties, personality disorders, depression, addictive behaviors, adjustment problems, and more. During this rotation interns have the opportunity to co-lead ongoing groups, as well as begin new groups. Some examples of ongoing groups include: Anger Management, DBT, Coping Skills, and Growth Group. Interns may elect to begin a new group, as well. Interns on these rotations will develop appropriate psychotherapy treatment plans and referrals, conduct brief and long-term individual psychotherapy with a diverse population of veterans, including couples therapy when available, and co-lead existing groups and/or organize new groups to meet the intern's areas of interest and work in the context of an interdisciplinary team. The specific breakdown of these activities can be tailored to the needs and interests of the student. Treatment modalities and approaches include but are not limited to: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Brief/Time- Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy, Gottman Method Couples Psychotherapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), and mindfulness-based approaches.
Supervision: Interns will receive 1 hour of individual supervision per week.
Population: Veterans who are receiving care in a BHIP are diverse in their military and life experiences. Some will have recently separated from the military and may be adjusting to life post military while others are from the Vietnam or Korea era. There are a wide range of diagnoses and complexity in presenting issues, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, substance abuse, bipolar disorder, readjustment problems, relationship difficulties, and personality disorders. This population also is quite diverse regarding: age (early 20’s to 80’s); military experience; SES status (e.g., education, economic status, geography/community); gender; sexual and gender identity; race/ethnicity; physical ability/medical conditions (e.g., individuals ambulating via wheelchair, visual impairments).
Research: There is not currently any on-going research in Outpatient Psychotherapy, but supervisors are open to interested interns’ ideas.
Competency Goals: This is an opportunity to enhance and learn skills related to diagnosis, intake evaluations, personality testing/cognitive screening, individual therapy, couples counseling, and group psychotherapy with outpatients. Specific competencies related to types of presenting concerns, mental health disorders, types of therapy will be tailored to the needs and wishes of individual interns.
Prerequisites: None
Contact Information: Dr. Melissa Broome at melissa.broome2@va.gov, Dr. Erica White at erica.white5@va.gov, Dr. Cara Freudenberg at cara.freudenberg@va.gov