Supervisor Ryan Trim, Ph.D. & Travis Cook, Ph.D.
Facility VA Medical Center – Dual Diagnosis Recovery Program (DDRP)
Address 3350 La Jolla Village Drive (115B), San Diego 92161
Phone 858-552-8585 x3693
Email Ryan.Trim@va.gov
Placement Type VA Medical Center (La Jolla) – Outpatient
Patient Type Veterans with mental health and substance use disorders (i.e. PTSD, depression, anxiety), ranging in age from early 20s to 60s, primarily male, ethnically diverse
Experience Type

Students establish a training schedule that includes:

1) Co-facilitating integrated group therapy protocols for mental health and substance use disorders (i.e. CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention, Graduated Exposure, ACT, CPT, CBT-Insomnia)

2) Individual therapy (typically MET/MI and CBT-SUD) based on trainee preference

3) Diagnostic clinical assessments (to differentiate substance-induced from independent psychiatric symptoms)

4) Weekly group supervision for addictions trainees; includes 16-week didactic seminar (Sep-Dec) that fulfills requirement for CA licensure

5) Weekly multidisciplinary team rounds

6) Individual supervision with primary supervisor
Number Of Students 1-2
Experience Necessary Prior experience with CBT and/or interviewing patients is helpful; strong preference that students are in clinic Tues/Wed/Thur
Time Commitment 10 hrs/week (~6 hours of direct care and 4 hours supervision & didactics)
Practicum Length Full Year
Start Date 7/1/2021
Limiting Factors

All therapy groups are on Tues/Wed/Thur during the late morning/afternoon (~11am-4pm); DDRP Team meets Tues from 10:30-12:00; Addictions Seminar on Wed 1-2 pm; supervision and individual therapy times flexible

***COVID Restrictions: All DDRP services are being offered remotely (videoconference) until further notice.
Other Issues

This rotation offers a wide range of clinical opportunities working with veterans presenting with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. This practicum is an excellent training opportunity for psychology trainees to work in a VA specialty mental health clinic with a multidisciplinary treatment team. Practicum trainees who complete the year-long rotation in the DDRP are well-prepared for a wide range of future training/internship opportunities in mental health and SUD clinics within the VA system.

Recent JDP trainees include: Robbie Lyons, Joe Happer, April May, Mariam Hussain, Taylor Bos
Description Revised 03/16/2021