Universal Psychology Postdoctoral Directory Entry

Southern Arizona VA Health Care System; emphasis on trauma treatment

Southern Arizona VA Health Care System
Tucson, Arizona

Starts on Monday, July 28, 2025

Applications due Friday, January 3, 2025

Elements of quality clinically focused postdoctoral training

This training experience is a planned and programmed sequence of training that aims to ensure preparation for advanced practice rather than one that is focused on providing supervised hours for licensure. Yes

This training experience ensures that training takes precedence over service delivery regarding the nature, content, volume, and quality of the postdoc’s activities. Yes

This training experience ensures that postdocs receive at least two hours of individual supervision per week for the duration oof the experience. Yes

This training experience is administered by a doctoral-level licensed psychologist who directs and organizes the training experience and its resources, is responsible for the selection of postdocs, and monitors and evaluates the goals and activities of the experience. Yes

This training experience has two or more doctoral-level licensed psychologists who have sufficient time to provide quality supervision and training.   Yes

This training experience includes regularly scheduled structured educational activities that help postdocs its defined goals. These activities may include didactics, seminars, case conferences, and/or research activities. Yes

This training experience has written Due Process and Grievance procedures. Yes

This training experience has the stable and necessary financial (e.g., stipend) and physical resources (e.g., computers, physical space) needed for effective training. Yes

The Postdoctoral Fellowship Program at Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) seeks energetic, personable, and well-qualified applicants with strong skills in the areas of assessment, individual therapy, group therapy, and consultation. We welcome and encourage multicultural, LGBTQ+ and in other ways diverse individuals to apply. A strong desire and evident dedication to treating veterans who have experienced trauma is a must. Interest and experience in the area of PTSD treatment should be evident in past training and/or experience. Applicants must be able to take initiative and function with good judgment, flexibility, and maturity.

SAVAHCS offers a psychology postdoctoral fellowship in advanced training and competency in the assessment and treatment of trauma. The postdoctoral fellow primarily works within the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program for PTSD and outpatient PTSD programs. Evidence-based therapies are used, to include but not limited to, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Written Exposure Therapy. Group work includes DBT skills.

Required elements of the training program include co-leading the Supervision Seminar for interns, monthly presentations regarding trauma interests, development of a program review and/or improvement project, and involvement in the interdisciplinary teams providing care.

Additional information about the program can be found at:

https://www.va.gov/southern-arizona-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/

The deadline for receipt of all completed application materials is January 3, 2025. All materials must be received by this date.

https://www.va.gov/southern-arizona-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/

Additional Information

Agency Type: VA Medical Center
APPIC Membership: Yes
APA Accredited: Yes
Recognized Specialty: Clinical Psychology
Emphasis or focus area: PTSD (Trauma)
Research Time: Less than 25%
Training Director: Kelly Obert. PsyD
Contact Email: kelly.obert2@va.gov
Contact Phone: 520-667-7543
Virtual Interviews: Virtual Only
Duration in Months: 12
Hours Per Week: 40
# of Licensed Supervisors: 3
Number of Positions: 1
Applications recieved last year: 2
Stipend: $53,520
Will follow APPIC Selection Standards: Yes
Estimated offer date: Monday, February 24 2025
Created Date: Friday, July 1 2016
Unfilled Positions: 1
Fringe Benefits: Vacation and sick leave; federal holidays, health care insurance
Research opportunities: Research opportunities include program evaluation and program improvement projects. Some past projects include developing a DBT program for PTSD, In vivo exposure group in the local community, and implementing a STAIR-NST group in the Substance Use Disorder program.
Additional Comments: Tucson is a vibrant and progressive city that offers many activities and opportunities. We are a high desert area, surrounded by mountains. This makes for many possibilities for hiking, camping, and enjoyment of the outdoors. Additionally, there is a vibrant arts community, with painting, pottery, glass blowing, and other activities. We also have frequent off Broadway shows and concerts. On 15 December 2015, Tucson, Arizona, became the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy designated in the United States, joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).
Application Instructions: Please apply using APPA CAS. We extend offers on the Common Hold Date. Start date is flexible, however resident must start at the beginning of a pay period. Please contact Kelly Obert at kelly.obert2@va.gov with any questions about the program or application process.

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