The Clinical Psychology Training Program at the Togus campus of VA Maine Healthcare System currently offers ACT training in the Pain Psychology and Geropsychology rotations.
The Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Intensive Outpatient Program (Pain IOP) within the Pain Psychology rotation is an intensive ACT training experience. In addition to interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation inclusive of pain education and mindful movement, ACT is presented to a cohort of veterans who live with chronic pain in a "workshop" format across 14 classes (groups) over five to six days. Veterans who have completed from the 1- to 2-week-long program are offered aftercare follow-up support in the form of additional groups (unlimited) or individual "coaching" sessions. This intervention is structured in an intensive outpatient program treatment model unique to pain rehabilitation (virtual programs span 6 days over two weeks, face-to-face programs follow a 5-day weeklong schedule). The program conducts 6-9 cohorts per year. ACT is also a major component of the Functional Pain School series, introduced via the ACT matrix in two of four educational sessions. The remaining weeks are for assessment, individual sessions, consultation and program development. Interns and Residents function as junior colleagues within a multidisciplinary team of pain medicine providers and rehabilitation specialists in this dynamic educational process.
Geriatric and Extended Care Psychology offers ACT for older adult veterans in our Outpatient Clinic and inpatient Community Living Center. Following important significant life events like retirement, functional impairments due to chronic illness, or end-of-life issues, older adults may experience losses and lose connection with their deeply held values in the process of trying to solve problems that are unchangeable. The goal of our ACT interventions are to reconnect veterans with their values by helping them to accept declines that are unchangeable and identify goals that are attainable in the context of values-driven behavior. Interns and Residents have opportunities to deliver ACT interventions, to provide consultation to multidisciplinary teams, and to engage in program development and evaluation.
Place: VA Maine Healthcare System
APA Accreditation: Accredited
Training Director & Lead / Jennifer H. Breslin, Ph.D.
Chief Psychologist:
Positions: 3
Stipend: 26,297
Primary Agency Type: Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Website: https://www.va.gov/maine-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/psychology-training-program/
(This page was updated November 28, 2022).