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Training Opportunities

Training Opportunities

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology

The Emory Healthcare Veterans Program (EHVP) fellowship provides advanced training to prepare trainees to assume a variety of roles as professional psychologists, with in-depth training in serving the mental health needs of our nation’s veteran population. The EHVP Fellowship is structured with a dual focus on advanced clinical training and clinical research. Fellows obtain outstanding training in the practice of clinical psychology under the direction of Drs. Barbara O. Rothbaum and Sheila A.M. Rauch, with in-depth training in evidence-based treatment for invisible wounds (PTSD, MST, TBI, SUD, and depression, among others) among a diverse veteran population. Fellows practice within an interdisciplinary team that provides holistic care including outpatient and innovative intensive outpatient settings.

Trainees contribute to the leading edge of knowledge in evidence-based care. Research interests among EHVP faculty include, but are not limited to: PTSD, anxiety, mental health disparities and access to care, psychotherapy outcomes, military sexual trauma (MST), exposure therapy, substance use disorders, virtual reality-based exposure therapies (VRET), adjunctive pharmacological therapies (MDMA, THC), neurobiological predictors/outcomes of treatment, and early intervention/prevention of PTSD. Participation in research provides opportunities to gain a breadth of practice and collaborate with colleagues across the Emory community and nationwide. The Emory Healthcare Veterans Program Postdoctoral Fellowship has a one- and two-year clinical fellowship where postdoctoral fellows typically engage in some research in addition to their clinical training and a dual-focused research and clinical fellowship that has training in both clinical research and clinical care.

As a program housed within Emory University and Emory Healthcare, the full and rich resources of this thriving community are available to fellows, including access to events, museums, and scholarly fellowship. The program also actively fosters professional development, with support for licensure and frequent opportunities for specialized training, consultation networks, and community outreach. The stipend is currently $60,000 and will be updated in line with any changes to the NIH postdoctoral fellow stipend levels.

The Atlanta metropolitan area is the largest in the state of Georgia, the ninth largest in the United States, and home to a diverse population of more than five million residents. Atlanta is home to numerous museums, art galleries, and cultural landmarks, as well as thriving music, film, and sports scenes. Past EHVP fellows have valued the city’s cosmopolitan atmosphere, vibrant green spaces, and reasonable cost of living.

EHVP seeks to create a work environment and organizational culture that reflects the community and society we serve and a climate that appreciates the unique contributions of diverse employees that facilitate their success. We actively encourage applications from members of all groups traditionally underrepresented in clinical psychology and higher education, including ethnic and racial minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities.

Postdoctoral Fellow Application Requirements

Applicants for the postdoctoral fellowship must have satisfactorily completed all requirements of a graduate program toward a Ph.D. or PsyD in clinical psychology or expect to complete all requirements before the start of the fellowship. Additionally, applicants must have completed an APA-accredited predoctoral psychology internship, or be in the process of completing an APA-accredited internship at the time of application. Experience working with veterans and/or active duty service members; treatment of PTSD and associated comorbidities; cognitive-behavioral therapy; exposure therapy; structured clinical interviews (e.g., CAPS-5, DIAMOND); and clinical research is desired.

To Apply:

  1. Send a cover letter, CV, and three letters of recommendation to Dr. Maria Nylocks at mnylock@emory.edu.
    - Please copy Dr. Katie Lanier, Associate Director of Training, at kathleen.ann.ragsdale@emory.edu
    (Dr. Lanier is currently on parental leave).
    - Specify in your cover letter whether you wish to be considered for (1) the one-year clinical focus; (2) the two-year clinical focus; and/or (3) the two-year dual clinical/research focus. You may apply to more than one focus but should specify your preferred position.

Once you’ve completed step 1 above, please complete the Emory application. We will provide this link to you following receipt of your e-mail application.

Interviews are conducted and offers are made on a rolling basis, so early application is strongly encouraged.

Please direct any questions to Dr. Maria Nylocks at mnylock@emory.edu and copy Dr. Lanier at kathleen.ann.ragsdale@emory.edu .

Pre-doctoral Practicum in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology

The Emory Healthcare Veterans Program (EHVP) is part of the multi-site (Emory, UCLA, UMass, and Rush) Warrior Care Network and specializes in evidence-based assessment and treatment for the invisible wounds of war, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), substance use disorders (SUD), depression, and anxiety. EHVP serves a diverse veteran and service member population as well as their families. EHVP consists of an interdisciplinary team under the direction of Dr. Barbara O. Rothbaum and Dr. Sheila A.M. Rauch and provides comprehensive care including standard outpatient (OP) and innovative intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment. EHVP is committed to the integration of science and practice, and we conduct ongoing research to improve the scientific understanding and clinical care of invisible wounds of war. Our primary treatment modalities include Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Unified Protocol (UP), both offered within our two-week IOP or traditional OP.  

Given the daily nature of our IOP, practicum student availability has historically prioritized assessment training as opposed to intervention training; however, treatment opportunities exist.  

Training Focus

Psychosocial assessment of adult veterans and active duty service members, including training in structured diagnostic interviews (i.e., the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale [CAPS-5-R] and the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Anxiety, Mood, OCD, and Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders [DIAMOND]), report writing, and multiple disciplinary team case presentation and consultation.

Training opportunities may include exposure to:

  • Individual OP and IOP therapy for adults with PTSD, SUD, depression, and other anxiety disorders, including PE and UP  
  • Group therapy for adults, including in vivo exposure, UP, family education, wellness, TBI psychoeducation, and anger management groups  
  • Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRE) for PTSD and other anxiety disorders   
  • Couples and family therapy with a focus on the effects of military service on families 
  • Program evaluation and program development opportunities 

Research opportunities: students will have access to rich archival data and may have the opportunity to prepare a poster or manuscript during the practicum year if interested. Research interests among EHVP faculty include, but are not limited to: PTSD, anxiety, psychotherapy outcomes, military sexual trauma, TBI therapy, virtual reality-based exposure therapies, adjunctive pharmacological therapies, neurobiological predictors/outcomes of PTSD treatments, and early intervention/prevention of PTSD.

Supervision

Students will be supervised individually for at least one hour per week by a licensed clinical psychologist and/or postdoctoral fellow supervised by a licensed clinical psychologist (i.e., tiered supervision).  Supervision will include case review from a cognitive-behavioral case conceptualization lens, review of audio or video recorded assessment and psychotherapy sessions, and didactic training as indicated. Supervisors will also review written clinical materials (e.g., intake assessment reports) and provide feedback. Students may have opportunities to receive feedback based on live observation of psychotherapy in group and family contexts.  

Depending on availability, students may also join: 

  • Tape Review, led by Dr. Rothbaum and attended by the clinical team, which involves a review of session recordings (Mondays 1-1:30 pm) 
  • IOP Clinical Case Review (1-2 pm on Wednesdays and 1-2 pm on Thursdays) 
  • EHVP Postdoc Didactic Series (2-3 pm on the 4th Monday) 

Application Process  

Interested applicants should verify with their training director or Dr. Lanier that an MOU exists between the graduate school and EHVP. Current MOUs include UGA, GSU, and Emory.  

For a Fall start date, students should contact Dr. Lanier, Associate Director of Training at kathleen.ann.ragsdale@emory.edu beginning in January and include (1) a cover letter; (2) a CV; and (3) three letters of recommendation. Recommendations may be e-mailed separately if preferred.   

Required 

Before the start of the practicum, applicants should be advanced clinical students who have obtained their master’s degree. Applicants will be expected to commit to three semesters (one full calendar year) and a minimum of 12 hours per week. Practicum students are expected to attend the case conference (Monday afternoon case conference 4-5:30 pm) and to participate in case conference presentations. 

Desired 

Experience administering structured clinical interviews (e.g., CAPS-5, DIAMOND) and/or working with veterans and/or active duty service members. Preference will be given to applicants who can commit to 16 hours per week. 

Additional Information

Distribution of hours will follow ASPPB guidelines on practicum hour requirements, such that at least 50% of student time will be devoted to service-related activities (including treatment/intervention, assessment, interviews, report-writing, case presentations, and consultation). At least 50% of service-related activity time will be devoted to direct face-to-face client contact (at least 25% of total practicum time). The remaining practicum hours will include individual and group supervision (1-2 hours/week), case conferences (1.5 hours/week), and didactic and/or research time (1-4 hours/week, depending on student goals for research and additional training interests).  

Students are required to complete didactic training in Prolonged Exposure therapy before beginning any PE therapy within the practicum. Students may be provided advanced on-site training and consultation in PE if interested. 

Availability for graduate student training varies by year and may or may not be offered to students following interviews for the practicum. 

Disability Access

Our building is a medical facility equipped for accessibility for patients, with elevators, accessible restrooms with automatic door openers on every floor, and braille signs. However, there is no current automatic door with access to the staff areas on our floor – a student would need to be able to open doors without assistance. We are evaluating methods to increase accessibility moving forward. We intend to work within our facility to improve access for those using wheelchairs who may have difficulty opening doors. However, the timeline for this change is currently unclear.  

For more information, contact: 

Katie Lanier, PhD, ABPP 
Associate Director of Training
kathleen.ann.ragsdale@emory.edu
404-778-0827  

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