Dougan and Walden Wellness
Greater Richmond Virginia
Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

Clinic Overview:

Dougan and Walden Wellness, PLLC is an outpatient private practice in the greater Richmond area. Both clinic locations offer a full range of mental health care services including individual, couple and group therapy, psychological assessments, psychopharmacology consults, and supportive services. The clinic consists of over a dozen providers with a wide range of specializations and theoretical orientations.

Holistic Care:

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Our holistic approach to clinical practice is based on the view that psychological concerns must be understood as comprised of many interacting and intersecting contributing factors. An individual’s presenting concerns are seen as multiply determined by biological, psychological, and sociocultural experiences and identities. While these components can be explored individually, each person’s care can only be comprehensively cared for by their provider as far as they are understood as a complex whole that is more than the sum of their parts. Thus, holistic practice is a culmination of perspectives that informs theory, methodology and intervention through a client-centered approach.

Training Model:

Our program is built on a practitioner-scholar model of training. We support the view that good clinical practice is an integration of evidence-based theory and innovative scientific knowledge with a breadth and depth of direct clinical experience. We encourage our clinicians to develop both theoretical knowledge and practical strategies for providing culturally appropriate care. This means educating oneself on diverse cultures and identities, yet maintaining an accepting curiosity for the unique individual and avoiding making assumptions based on normative data. This approach goes beyond minimizing harm to traditionally underserved populations to take a stance of active allyship and promote empowerment. While trainees may ultimately pursue careers that favor either the practitioner or scholar aspect of the model, our expectation is that either career path is best built on a combination of scholarly and clinical sensibilities and skills.

Based on the holistic care model, our providers treat patients with a variety of expressions of psychological distress. We believe that awareness of and sensitivity to diversity and unique cultural context is necessary for responsible professional functioning. Understanding how these factors interact to influence an individual’s desired outcomes is a critical facet of holistic care. Thus, we incorporate diversity and cultural sensitivity training into all aspects of our program, from supervision to didactics. We focus on training fellows to assist clients in understanding all aspects of themselves and achieving optimal psychological, physical and sociocultural functioning. Successful fellows will demonstrate an integration of best-practice knowledge with their patients’ unique needs and collaborate to create and implement treatment plans with their patients and other providers across disciplines.

Fellows receive specialty training with clinical populations including those experiencing trauma, comorbid health issues, and complex sociocultural issues.

Expected Training Outcome:

The objective of this postdoctoral fellowship is to prepare fellows for licensure with a unique and relevant practitioner-scholar training experience, with special emphasis on holistic care and culturally competent practice. Training in holistic psychology focuses on the practice of assisting individuals in achieving optimal psychological, physical, and social functioning. This requires competencies in the following areas, consistent with the standards for licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as board certification in Clinical Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP-CP): Assessment, intervention, consultation, ethical and legal standards/professional behavior, as well as applying scientific knowledge to practice.

Our graduating fellows will be able to provide competent assessment and appropriate interventions and consultation in clinical psychology at a level of independent practice (not requiring supervision), as well as exhibit behavior that is consistent with professional standards. Graduating fellows will possess the requisite skills to bring clinical literature to bear on their applied work and to communicate and collaborate across and within disciplines regarding clinical care and professional interests.

Satisfactory completion of the DWW Psychology Postdoctoral Residency Program fulfills the licensure requirements for postdoctoral supervised practice in the state of Virginia. Psychology candidates considering licensure in another state(s) may want to study the licensure requirements of the state(s) of interest and plan accordingly.

Program Aims and Competencies:

Our overarching aim is to prepare fellows for independent practice as licensed clinical psychologists with a training experience that meets the criteria to pursue board certification in clinical psychology. Graduates of the fellowship will also be prepared for employment providing direct patient care and/or engaged in program evaluation and improvement in health care settings. Training is consistent with the competencies outlined by ABCP (American Board of Clinical Psychology) and fellows are encouraged to pursue Board Certification as a Clinical Psychologist (ABPP) after graduation. Subsumed under this overarching goal are the following training competencies:

Competency 1: Fellows will demonstrate proficiency in specified cognitive and personality assessments.

Objective 1: Fellows will be able to conduct interviews, review charts and select, administer and score assessment instruments (including objective, projective, self-report, structured interview, and neuropsychological screening instruments). Fellows will be able to formulate accurate differential diagnoses based on findings and generate integrated treatment plans and recommendations which reflect the holistic needs of clients. Fellows will be able to provide clear and concise feedback (verbal and written) regarding results and recommendations to referral sources, other providers, clients, and families.

Competency 2: Fellows will demonstrate proficiency in specified psychological interventions.

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Objective 2: Fellows will be able to formulate case conceptualizations, treatment goals, and choose and deliver appropriate interventions in alignment with their preferred theoretical orientation(s). Fellows will also seek out professional writings, as necessary.

Competency 3: Fellows will be competent professionals in providing consultation, and clinical presentations.

Objective 3: Fellows will be able to effectively share and receive knowledge of clinical psychology and treatment recommendations with other healthcare professionals within and across healthcare disciplines. This may also involve presentation of research and clinical findings in professional conference settings.

Competency 4: Fellows will demonstrate professional behavior consistent with professional standards and ethical guidelines.

Objective 4: Fellows will demonstrate actions consistent with an understanding of professional ethics, state laws of practice, laws related to and including the American Disabilities Act (ADA), awareness and sensitivity to cultural and individual factors, and issues related to patient confidentiality and privacy.

Competency 5: Fellows will demonstrate an ability to translate and apply science to practice.

Objective 5: Fellows will demonstrate the ability to apply scientific knowledge to the local clinical setting, be educated consumers of empirical research and deliver empirically validated treatments. Fellows are expected to think critically and to evaluate the findings of research-based knowledge within the context of practical experiences and cultural factors. Fellows will actively seek out relevant literature and, if necessary, further consultation or supervision when faced with a clinical situation for which they are unprepared.

Program Structure:

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Postdoctoral psychology fellows’ time is expected to be dedicated to clinical rotations (75%) and practitioner development (25%). Fellows are expected to remain on the primary rotation for 12 months (i.e., Primary rotation at DWW from August 2023 – July 2024). Concentration(s) of study will be developed with the supervisor and clinical director. Fellows typically spend around 40-45 hours per week in training activities during their fellowship year.

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Training Experiences:

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Primary Rotation:

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• Outpatient Mental Health Clinic (Required): Dougan and Walden Wellness, PLLC operates as an outpatient mental health treatment center for individuals with a wide variety of biopsychosocial concerns. This program admits individuals from the greater Richmond area and offers telehealth services to individuals anywhere within Virginia. This offers rich opportunities for clinical psychology fellowship training in the following:

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1. Trauma-Informed Care: Fellows will provide psychotherapeutic services on an outpatient basis to individuals who have experienced trauma. The clinic also works with individuals with psychological needs due to prolonged stress, chronic health issues, and social stressors. These individuals require a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to optimally treat their complex needs. Thus, fellows may coordinate and provide a wide variety of services to holistically address the sequelae of trauma, including psychotherapeutic interventions from psychodynamic, relational, CBT, DBT and ACT orientations, psychological evaluations, interdisciplinary consults, and family conferences. Training will apply best practices for working with trauma to minimize the potential of recreating harm and to maximize the potential for healing and growth.

2. Culturally Competent Interventions: Our clinic serves a wide variety of patients from a diverse array of cultural backgrounds and identities. Our training program strives to recognize the harm that the field of psychology has caused individuals and communities based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, ability, neurodiversity, socio-economic status, and more. Fellows will be trained to adopt an approach of allyship, cultural humility and curiosity, to minimize harm and maximize healing and empowerment for oppressed persons. This entails fostering an awareness of non-Eurocentric, anti-racist, non-cisheterosexist/monogamist, intersectional, holistic, inclusive approaches to treatment. This may include working clinically from psychodynamic, multicultural, narrative-based, intersectional feminist and/or emotion-focused theoretical orientations. Fellows will participate in treatment planning and psychotherapeutic interventions based on research as well as the unique stressors and needs of the individual.

3. Physical Health Concentration (Optional): Participation in this concentration will be based on trainee interest, as well as breadth and depth of training needs. Similarly, in the selection process, attention will be appropriately given to overarching program competencies and long- term career goals of the fellow. This Concentration focuses on the psychological, social, and behavioral aspects of weight management. The following experiences may be available: Assessment of patients being considered for bariatric surgery or medical procedures; assessment of personality and cognitive processes in relation to physical health problems as well as individual and group psychotherapy. Fellows will gain experience with a variety of theoretical orientations, including Motivational Interviewing, CBT, ACT, DBT, Solution Focused Therapy, and Problem-Solving Therapy. When concurrent services are provided, residence may have the opportunity to shadow integrative services conducted by members of the interdisciplinary team (i.e., acupuncture, Tai Chi, chiropractic care, etc.).

Teletherapy Work:

The Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship at Dougan and Walden Wellness, PLLC is dedicated to providing fellows with outstanding clinical training while offering a rich array of educational activities. Should circumstances warrant fellows work from home, all clinical team meetings and didactics will be available via online options. If telework is necessary, the Clinical Director and rotation supervisors will work with fellows to modify their individual training plans to maintain continuity of care for patients as well as continuity of training for fellows.

The clinic offers a secure telehealth option for patients, which can also be used by fellows working remotely. Telehealth services are a growing area of practice. After training related to teletherapy, fellows will provide appropriate telehealth to individuals within the Commonwealth.

Educational Activities:

Fellows will participate in structured educational activities, both as participants and as leaders, at Dougan and Walden Wellness, PLLC. Current required educational activities at Dougan and Walden Wellness, PLLC include those below. Fellows will also have the opportunity to participate in lunch & learns, didactics, and accredited continuing education courses which assist in developing the fellows’ understanding of holistic care, cultural competencies, and trauma informed care.

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• Multicultural Care Didactic Series: A two-hour monthly meeting for fellows, open to staff psychologists, on various topics of diversity as applied to clinical work. Didactics and case presentations from fellows, staff psychologists and invited guest speakers are discussed and reflected upon to foster personal awareness and multicultural sensitivity/humility to improve professional practice and research. Recommended readings are provided in advance. This seminar also provides an opportunity to review current APA guidelines on multiculturalism and clinical decision making with diverse populations using relevant peer-reviewed literature.

• Holistic Care Didactic Series: A two-hour monthly meeting for fellows, open to staff psychologists, focused on the competencies needed to integrate holistic approaches into clinical practice. Lectures are offered by staff psychologists and invited guest speakers on assessment, theoretical orientation and intervention, health and wellness allied intervention, and ethical/legal topics of interest. Recommended readings are provided in advance of each lecture. Fellows are expected to present at least once at this series over the course of their training.

• Trauma-Informed Care Series: A two-hour monthly meeting for fellows focused on prominent issues central to the work associated with trauma informed care. Each meeting is devoted to didactic presentations on topics including perception of safety, will/choice, therapeutic collaboration, empowerment, and trust. Part of each meeting will focus on collaborative consultative skills and exposure to complex clinical cases presented by supervisors and peers. Opportunities are available for trainees to present topics of personal/professional interest.

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Supervision:

Fellows are guaranteed two hours of individual supervision per week from their primary supervisor or Clinical Director. Fellows will also participate in a minimum of one hour of group supervision per week to augment individual supervision. This supervision can be used to fulfill licensure requirements in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Requirements for Completion:

To successfully complete the program, fellows must:

1. Successfully meet or exceed expectations in above competencies, as determined by supervisor evaluations (see below).

2. Not be found to have engaged in any significant ethical transgressions.

Stipend and Benefits:

The fellowship program offers a full-time stipend of $52, 300 for the fellowship year. Benefits include: 14 days of vacation/sick leave, authorized, paid leave for conferences and to take the EPPP, health/dental insurance, and 401k.

Administrative Policies and Procedures: 

This program supports and adheres to Equal Employment Opportunity policies and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applications from racial, ethnic, and sexual minorities and women are strongly encouraged. No applicant will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, place of national origin, or age. We do not require self-disclosure. We actively recruit potential fellows from diverse backgrounds. Our full diversity recruitment and retention plan is available upon request.

Fellow’s Evaluation of Program:

1. At the outset of the fellowship, fellows are informed that they may schedule a meeting with the Clinical Training Director at any time to discuss concerns or provide feedback regarding their training experiences. Fellows are also supplied with formal rating scales (see below).

2. Fellows will complete formal rating scales after six months and twelve months in the program to indicate their satisfaction with their training experiences and outcomes, quality of supervision provided, didactic experiences and resources available.

3.  The Clinical Training Director will review the fellows’ satisfaction ratings and meet with fellows individually to discuss. The training director will also share results with the fellows’ supervisors and training committee and take reasonable steps to address any areas of concern.

4. Separate exit-interviews with the Clinical Training Director and, if requested, the Clinical Training Director and Lead Psychologist at completion of fellowship. Exit-interviews are non-evaluative, and the information and impressions shared will be presented anonymously to the Training Team to promote improvements in our program.

Program’s Evaluation of Fellow:

1. At the outset of the fellowship, all evaluative rating scales and criteria for successful completion of the program will be made available to the fellows. Methods of evaluation include the use of rating scales and interviews with the fellows, their supervisors, and affiliated staff members. Fellows will be rated on their level of competence in the core areas of the goals described above.

2. The performance of fellows will be evaluated with the above measures throughout the training year (at the end of month 3, 6 and 9) and upon completion of the training program (at the end of month 12).

3. After each review, the fellows will meet with their supervisors to review the ratings and discuss goals for further development. The Clinical Training Director receives copies of the evaluations and meets with each Fellow to review the performance ratings and provide any additional guidance or recommendations. Fellows’ ideas or concerns will be addressed by their supervisor and/or the Clinical Training Director to ensure the best possible training is provided.

4. Monthly training meetings: Staff psychologists and the Clinical Training Director will meet to review all fellows’ progress.

5. Private, scheduled meetings:  If needed, additional meetings may be scheduled with the fellow to address concerns or development. Based on needs, the meeting may include their supervisor and/or the Clinical Training Director.

6. If at any time there are deficiencies, the Due Process proceedings outlined in the DWW handbook will be followed.

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Application and Selection Procedures:

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The goal of the DWW is to select residents that will be the best match for the program. Candidates selected into the program have demonstrated strong clinical knowledge and exhibited global traits that include motivation, dedication to the field and training, and perseverance. It is required that applicants have successfully completed an APA/CPA-accredited and regionally-accredited graduate program in clinical, counseling, or school psychology prior to beginning their postdoctoral training. It is required that applicants have successfully completed an internship (preferably APA/CPA-accredited) prior to beginning their postdoctoral training with DWW. Applicants from non-APPIC listed internships are required to 1) submit a detailed description of the structure and content of their internship. 2) The submitted description is reviewed by the Training Director/Chief Psychologist and compared to APPIC internship criteria. 3) Based on this review, a brief summary is written and shared with program supervisors.

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This fellowship uses the APPA CAS (APPIC Psychology Postdoctoral Application) for all applications. This program adheres to the APPIC Selection Process Guidelines, including the Uniform Notification Date. You can find more information at the APPIC website.

Click on the following link to access the APPA CAS (APPIC Psychology Postdoctoral Application). Complete the basic demographic, education, clinical training information and transcripts required of all applicants for all APPA CAS programs. Select the appropriate program. The specific requirements for our program are stated below as well as within the APPA CAS system. More specific instructions can be found within APPA CAS.

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ONCE YOU HAVE SUBMITTED ALL DOCUMENTS, PLEASE EMAIL jwalden@dwwellness.org SO WE CAN CONFIRM THEY HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND THE APPLICATION IS COMPLETE.

Please submit the following application materials:

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1. A cover letter that includes in detail the following elements:

   • Previous clinical, educational and research experience in generalist core competencies of clinical psychology

   • A description of your career goals and the way in which the Fellowship will advance them

2. Curriculum Vitae

3. Official transcripts from graduate school, including date of doctoral degree if awarded. If the doctoral degree has not yet been awarded, we will require an official transcript and letter of “anticipated award date” before admission to the Program.

4. Three letters of recommendation, including:

   • One from the DCT of your graduate program noting the status of your dissertation, anticipated completion date, and clinical training during your doctoral program

   • One from an internship supervisor regarding pre-doctoral internship training

   • One from a clinical supervisor who is especially familiar with your clinical work

5. A clinical psychology-related writing sample that has been de-identified according to HIPAA Standards

Selected candidates who have completed all doctorate requirements will be able to begin the fellowship, as well as selected candidates who have a documented date of anticipated completion of all requirements. Please note, the anticipated completion date may be after the start of the fellowship; however, further documentation may be required to ensure the fellow will have a conferred degree within a reasonable time from the start of the fellowship.

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Psychology Training Team

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Clinical Training Director

Jeremy T. Walden, Psy.D., MSCP

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Assistant Training Directors

Rae-Anne Dougan, Psy.D.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Celeste Kelly, Psy.D.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

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Questions regarding the program may be directed to Dr. Jeremy Walden, PsyD., LCP, at jwalden@dwwellness.org or at 804-893-5555.