Montana VA/Fort Harrison Medical Center

Website Address:  https://www.va.gov/montana-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/psychology-internship-program/

Primary Geropsychologist:
Joanna McCormick, Ph.D.
Joanna.McCormick@va.gov

Geropsychology Supervisor(s):
Primary Supervisor: Joanna L. McCormick, Ph.D.
Supplemental Experiences: Aaron W. Grusonik, Psy.D.

Membership / Certification: 
_X_  APA Accredited
_X_  APPIC Member

Training Program Components: 
Geropsychology Training Opportunities / Settings:
Outpatient Mental Health Clinic
Home Based Health Care
Caregiver Support Services
Telehealth / Telemedicine
Training in Supervision of Interns / Practicum Students
Other: Geriatric Evaluation and interdisciplinary team engagement with geriatric psychiatry, geriatric medicine, and neuropsychology

Format of Geropsychology Training:
Major Rotation
Minor Rotation
Opportunities to work with older adults included in other rotations

Additional Program Information:
Training at Montana VA Psychology Internship focuses on helping interns to appreciate the diversity of experience of older adults; the biopsychosocial and lifespan developmental perspectives that are critical for understanding older adult patients; the complex ethical dilemmas that can arise in geriatric care; the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration; and the growing research base that can inform practice.

Veterans served in the Geriatric MH clinic present with a range of mental health concerns, some long-term and others with onset in late life. Typical clinical issues include depression, grief, generalized anxiety, PTSD, dementia with behavioral concerns and/or caregiver distress, complex neuropsychiatric presentations requiring assistance with differential diagnosis and treatment planning, adjustment issues (e.g., coping with disability, role changes), chronic disease management, end-of-life issues, and family stress/conflict.  Most interns on the Clinical Geropsychology Rotation will have an opportunity to co-facilitate a psychotherapy group for older adults, such as the Enhancing Social Function in Older Veterans with PTSD (EVSP);  facilitate psychoeducation for veterans who are caregivers for family members with dementia; and provide individual treatment using CBT for insomnia, Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression, or CPT for PTSD.

Please review the Training Program Brochure (download from the program webpage) for further details and opportunities working with older adult veterans at Montana VA Health Care System.