Interns are given the opportunity to learn a variety of evidence-based therapies for PTSD with a principle focus on Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy. All of the cases may be supervised by the same supervisor or different supervisors, depending on the model used and the expertise of the supervisor.
- Operational Psychology Seminar: This seminar is an informal facilitated discussion with senior Navy Psychologists from Department of the Navy communities (Marine Corps, Navy Air, Submarine, Surface, Navy Special Warfare). Interns receive information about the different assignments and duties Navy psychologists can perform outside of the traditional mental health setting. Topics address military-specific competencies to include discussions about military culture, military-specific psychological evaluations, and exposure to Navy and Marine Corps mental health policies and instructions.
III. Clinical Didactic Training Presentations:
A program of scheduled and sequenced seminars and other workshop presentations accompanies the intensive direct supervision on the clinical rotations. These didactic presentations are designed to expose the intern to contemporary information and training relevant to the practice of behavioral health, both as a clinical psychologist and as a Navy psychologist. The faculty, the presenter, and the level of interest of the attendees determine the particular format for a topic and the amount of time devoted to it. The presenters of these didactic programs frequently are distinguished colleagues from the Navy and civilian clinical/academic communities. Interns are also required to attend weekly Psychiatry Grand Rounds and periodic special training opportunities lasting a full day or longer.
IV. Operational Experiences:
A. The major operational experience is a deployment, lasting approximately one week, aboard a major Navy combat vessel during which the interns will experience shipboard living conditions and stresses, work in the ship’s Medical Department, interact with sailors, and learn about the industrial and psychological demands of working and living aboard a large ship. This deployment is typically aboard a US Navy aircraft carrier, under the guidance and supervision of the Navy Psychologist assigned to the carrier. In rare circumstances where the ship has no psychologist on board, a uniformed and experienced member of our Internship faculty will accompany interns to supervise their professional work and guide their experiential education.
B. When possible, a second operational experience is scheduled with the Second Marine Division or the Marine Special Operations Command, both at Camp Le Jeune, NC, and/or with Marine Security Group (MSG) at Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA. Particular emphasis is placed on gaining familiarity with the operational plans and stresses unique to the Marine Corps, and on developing skills for effective consultation with Marine Corps Commands.
V. Additional Intern Functions and Roles:
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