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Clinical Psychology Programs

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The aim of the pre-doctoral internship program is to provide generalist training that will prepare interns to work as entry level or early career psychologists.
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TVHS offers two clinical psychology programs: doctoral internship in clinical psychology and advanced fellowship in clinical psychology. These cutting-edge programs are accredited and highly sought out by those looking to further their practice and skill within the field.
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Doctoral Internship Brochure (PDF)
Advanced Fellowship Brochure (PDF)

As a part of the Psychology Section at VA TVHS, the training program seeks to increase cultural sensitivity and awareness through education, training, and the promotion of an enhanced culture of inclusion and social justice. We value the multiple perspectives deriving from differences in culture, race/ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical ability, religion/spirituality, socioeconomic status, national origin, and aging. The training program seeks to build appreciation and respect among diverse populations through our policies, programs, and practices. We are committed to fostering an academically enriching and supportive climate for all levels of training. We hold the mission of promoting diversity and inclusion as a core value around which training decisions are made and believe this mission to be fundamental to who we are as a training facility. 

Doctoral Internship in Clinical Psychology

The Nashville VA Medical Center and the Alvin C. York (Murfreesboro) Medical Center trained psychology interns as part of a Consortium since 1980 and 1994, respectively. The two medical centers merged administratively, into the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS), in the late 1990s.  When the medical center merger was first contemplated, the psychology sections at both medical centers began working to integrate their training programs, eventually merging into one and funding six intern positions, with a single training committee coordinating the training program. In 2018, the Internship Consortium dissolved, and TVHS has operated as a separate program since that time, continuing to offer rotations at both the Nashville and Murfreesboro campuses.

The aim of the doctoral internship program is to provide generalist training that will prepare interns to work as entry level or early career psychologists or fellows within a variety of clinical settings within VA health care system as well as the private sector. 

We are recruiting to fill six internship positions for the upcoming training year; five of these positions are generalist positions and one position is for a neuropsychology specialty focus. 

This doctoral internship requires a 52-week full-time commitment.

Program eligibility and requirements

Program eligibility information

According to VA policy, internship funding can only be provided to those who are U.S. citizens and are enrolled in an accredited doctoral program (APA, CPA, or PCSAS) in clinical or counseling psychology. 

Interns are subject to fingerprinting, background checks, and drug screening at the time of hire. Selection decisions are contingent on passing these screens. VA also conducts random drug screening on employees. More specific information regarding drug screening can be found here. Additionally, as a condition of appointment, interns must:

  • furnish evidence or a self-certification that they are physically and mentally fit to perform the essential functions of the training program
  • have up-to-date vaccinations for health care workers as recommended by CDC
  • have undergone baseline tuberculosis (TB) testing per CDC health care personnel guidelines

More information regarding eligibility requirements can be found here.

Accreditation Status:

The VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Doctoral Internship in Clinical Psychology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. The next site visit will be in 2029.

Questions related to the program’s accreditation status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street NE
Washington, D.C. 20002
Phone: (202) 336-5979 or Email: apaaccred@apa.org
Website: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Locations

The Internship is co-located between two campuses approximately 30 miles apart. Interns are required to complete a portion of their training at each campus.

Nashville VA Medical Center
1310 24th Ave South
Nashville, TN 37212

Alvin C. York VA Medical Center
3400 Lebanon Pike
Murfreesboro, TN 37129 

Advanced Fellowship in Clinical Psychology

Geropsychology, Health Psychology, or SMI Focus

The VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Psychology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. The next site visit will be in 2025. We are recruiting to fill three fellowship positions for the upcoming training year.

We are seeking applicants who have a strong interest in working in inter-professional teams. The TVHS Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship program received funding through the Inter-professional Mental Health Education initiative. Fellows may choose one of three emphasis areas: Health Psychology, Serious Mental Illness (SMI), or Geropsychology.

Fellows will spend at least 70% of their time in rotations directly related to the emphasis area:

Health Psychology

Fellows completing the Health Psychology Emphasis will complete at least two six-month rotations over the course of the year, some of which may be split. Rotations may include Palliative Care, Transplant Psychology, Pain Psychology, and/or Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PCMHI). Fellows will be required to complete 6 months of training at the Nashville campus and 6 months of training at the Murfreesboro campus.

Geropsychology

Fellows completing the Geropsychology Emphasis will complete at least two six-month rotations over the course of the year, some of which may be split. Rotations include the Community Living Centers (CLCs), Outpatient Capacity Evaluation Clinic (OCEC), Palliative Care, and Dementia Care Center (DCC). Geropsychology fellows will be required to complete 6 months of training at the Nashville campus and 6 months of training at the Murfreesboro campus.

Severe Mental Illness (SMI)

Fellows completing the SMI Emphasis will complete two six-month rotations over the course of the year. Rotations include the Veterans Recovery Center (VRC) and Acute Inpatient Unit. SMI fellows will spend the entire 12 months at the Murfreesboro campus.

Additionally, all fellows, regardless of emphasis area, will rotate through a psychological assessment clinic one day per week for 4-12 months, depending on their own and other trainee schedules. Fellows will have the opportunity to engage in tiered supervision with interns and/or practicum students in the assessment and possibly in emphasis area rotations.

Strong candidates will have solid clinical skills in assessment, intervention, and consultation. Candidates should also possess good interpersonal skills which will allow for success in working on inter-professional teams. Finally, we are seeking candidates who have training, experiences, and professional goals which are consistent with the VA mission.

This postdoctoral residency requires a 52-week full-time commitment.

Program eligibility and requirements

Program eligibility information

According to VA policy, postdoctoral fellowship funding can only be provided to those who are U. S. citizens, have graduated from an accredited doctoral program (APA, CPA, or PCSAS) in clinical or counseling psychology, and have completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship.

Interns are subject to fingerprinting, background checks, and drug screening at the time of hire. Selection decisions are contingent on passing these screens. VA also conducts random drug screening on employees. More specific information regarding drug screening can be found here. Additionally, as a condition of appointment, interns must:

  • furnish evidence or a self-certification that they are physically and mentally fit to perform the essential functions of the training program
  • have up-to-date vaccinations for health care workers as recommended by CDC
  • have undergone baseline tuberculosis (TB) testing per CDC health care personnel guidelines

More information regarding eligibility requirements can be found here.

Accreditation Status:

The VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Advanced Fellowship in Clinical Psychology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. The next site visit will be in 2025.

Questions related to the program’s accreditation status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street NE
Washington, D.C. 20002
Phone: (202) 336-5979 or Email: apaaccred@apa.org
Website: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation 

Locations

Alvin C. York VA Medical Center
3400 Lebanon Pike
Murfreesboro, TN 37129 

Nashville VA Medical Center
1310 24th Ave South
Nashville, TN 37212

Program Leadership

Maria Cottingham, PH.D, ABPP-CN, Director of Training
Phone: 615-873-8941; maria.cottingham@va.gov 

Eun Ha Kim, PH.D. ABPP, Assistant Director of Training
Phone: 615-873-6074; eun.kim@va.gov 

Jennifer Moore, PH.D., Assistant Director of Training
Phone: 615-225-3755; jennifer.moore4@va.gov 

Eligibility and Benefits 

Resources for Health Professions Trainees Coming to VA | Eligibility and Forms - Office of Academic Affiliations 

Am I Eligible? Checklist for VA HPTs

VA Drug-Free Workplace Program Guide for Veterans Health Administration Health Professions Trainees