VA psychologists help Veterans take charge of their mental health

Mental health care at VA empowers Veterans to take charge of their well-being and pursue fuller lives, and VA psychologists are a major part of that effort.

After transitioning from military service, many Veterans face challenges adjusting to civilian life. Psychologists like you play a key role in helping them reclaim their lives.

We support this mission by ensuring that our mental health professionals have the newest technologies, facilities and training at their fingertips. When you join VA, you will be a core member of our interdisciplinary care team structure, collaborating with primary care and other mental health providers to create the right course of treatment for patients.

Critical components in mental health care

VA psychologists can take on a leadership role or work in management, research, academia and training. They also can affect system-wide change by consulting on policies and procedures. At VA, you have the opportunity to practice in several specialized areas, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries and serious mental illness.

From counseling to emergency services, our psychologists do what it takes to help Veterans reclaim their mental and emotional freedom. By working for VA, you have the opportunity to provide clinical care, mentor and be mentored, become a principal investigator, provide training, and even move into executive roles.

Education opportunities beyond compare

Whether you are just starting your career as a psychologist or looking to continue your education to better serve your patients, VA provides education and training opportunities that are second to none.

VA provides internships, postdoctoral fellowships and doctoral practicum training at many sites across the country. In fact, we are the largest provider of psychology training in the nation. Each year, we fund 260 fellowship positions and internships at 106 locations.

Our support for psychology training through the Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA) has increased annually. OAA currently funds 711 psychology internship positions across 133 programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. OAA also supports about 454 postdoctoral fellowship positions at 145 VA medical centers.

Care for our Veterans while we take care of you

As a VA psychologist, you and your dedicated colleagues are rewarded with a strong support system. A VA career offers you a balanced, flexible work environment and benefits focused on your unique needs.

• Unrestricted licensing and relocation. With an active U.S. license, you can be a psychologist at any of our 1,255 facilities – in a city or in the countryside. Also, you can relocate with ease. Apply for an open position at VA facilities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa or the Philippines. Typically, you won’t lose any benefits, accumulated paid leave or pay by transferring.
• Competitive starting salaries. We offer our employees strong starting salaries based on education, training and experience. We also offer steady growth, with periodic pay raises that address inflation and local market changes.
• Flexible schedules. Our employees receive 13 to 26 paid vacation/personal days and 13 sick days annually with no limit on accumulation. We also celebrate 11 paid federal holidays each year.
• Robust insurance options. You can choose from a variety of health plans that fit your needs and cover all preexisting conditions. Additionally, we pay up to 75% of health premiums, a benefit that can continue into retirement.

Work at VA

Our team is always ready to assist Veterans when it comes to mental health. As a VA psychologist, you’ll be a key player in determining how we make a difference in those lives.

• EXPLORE a career in psychology at VA.
• IDENTIFY a training opportunity near you.
• LEARN about the benefits we offer.
• APPLY for an open position near you.

NOTE: Positions listed in this post were open at the time of publication. All current available positions are listed at USAJobs.gov.