VA Durham Healthcare System
Contact Information:
Complete program descriptions, contact information and brochures for both the internship and fellowship can be found at the VA Durham Psychology Training webpage below. Please email Rachel Rodriguez, Ph.D., M.P.H., ABPP with questions (Rachel.Rodriguez2@va.gov).
Director of Psychology Internship Training:
Jessica Fulton, PhD (Jessica.Fulton@va.gov)
Director of Psychology Fellowship Training:
Carolina Clancy, PhD, ABPP (Carolina.Clancy@va.gov)
Geropsychology Supervisor(s):
Rachel Rodriguez, Ph.D., M.P.H., ABPP., Brea Salib, Ph.D., Jeffrey Gregg, Ph.D., Craig Libman, Ph.D., Saule Kulubekova, Ph.D., ABPP
Website Address:
https://www.durham.va.gov/services/Psychology_Training.asp
Membership / Certification:
_X__ APA Accredited
_X__ APPIC Member
Geropsychology Training Opportunities / Settings:
_X_ Outpatient Mental Health Clinic
_X_ Neuropsychology / Memory Clinic
_X_ Community Living Center
_X__ Home Based Health Care
___ Primary Care
___ Inpatient Geropsychiatry/Mental Health
___ Physical / Cognitive Rehabilitation
_X_ Caregiver Support Services
_X_ Hospice / Palliative Care
___ Telehealth / Telemedicine
_X_ Training in Supervision of Interns / Practicum Students
___ Other:_________________________
Format of Geropsychology Training:
_X_ Specialty Track in Geropsychology
_X_ Major Rotation
_X_ Minor Rotation
___ Opportunities to work with older adults included in other rotations
Training Program Components:
Pre-doctoral internship trainees have the opportunity to provide clinical services and receive supervision in the VA Community Living Center, Hospice and Palliative Care, and Neuropsychology Clinic. These settings serve primarily older veterans. Beginning with the 2019-2020 training year, interns will also have the opportunity to complete a rotation with the Home Based Primary Care Program. All training settings emphasize the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes consistent with the Pike’s Peak Model.
Starting with 2017-2018 training year, Durham VAHCS received additional funding for a Fellowship position with emphasis in Clinical Geropsychology. Training experiences within the Durham VA Health Care System include Community Living Center (Rehabilitation & Long-Term Care), Palliative and Hospice Care, Neuropsychology Clinic, Home Based Primary Care Program, and Late-Life PTSD & General Outpatient Mental Health. Setting were chosen to provide trainees with the opportunity to hone their clinical skills in the major core competencies defined in the Pike’s Peak Model for Geropsychology Training (Theoretical/Conceptualization Skills, Psychological Assessment, Psychological Intervention, Consultation, Program Development and Evaluation, Clinical Supervision, and Teaching). Fellows receive advanced training in selecting, adapting, and implementing assessments and evidence-based interventions for older adults and their supports. Interdisciplinary teamwork and provision of consultation to other healthcare professionals are also emphasized across training settings.
Didactic Training Offerings:
Durham VAHCS Psychology Training Program holds a monthly Geropsychology Journal Club through which all geropsychology competencies are discussed. Intern attendance is optional, but Fellows are required to attend. Fellows are also required to lead at least 2 discussions in journal club. Interns also receive didactics through their seminar series on topics such as Providing Culturally Competent Care to Older Veterans, Elder Abuse, and Hospice and Palliative Care. All trainees are also encouraged to participate in geropsychology-relevant webinars, including the VA’s monthly “Meeting the Mental Health of Aging Veterans” and “Decision Making Capacity” webinar series.