University of Virginia Health System

Postdoctoral Fellowship
in Behavioral Health & Technology

The Behavioral Health & Technology program area primarily focuses on the development and evaluation of medical-behavioral treatments delivered via the Internet.  Emphasis is placed on the scientist-practitioner model of clinical psychology.  Faculty in this program are among the first researchers to test the feasibility and effectiveness of delivering Internet interventions, having received NIH and other grants to create and test behavioral treatment programs delivered over the Web.  In addition to Internet interventions, the Behavioral Health & Technology program utilizes numerous cutting-edge technologies to improve project design, implementation, data collection, and treatment delivery.  Ongoing projects include development and evaluation of: 1) an Internet intervention for insomnia for adults and specifically one for cancer patients, 2) an Internet intervention for pediatric encopresis, 3) an Internet intervention to evaluate risk and assist high-risk drivers with Type 1 diabetes to avoid hypoglycemia driving, and 4) a diabetes related Internet-based application.  In addition, researchers in this program serve as co-investigators on colleagues' grants to support the bridge between psychology/psychiatry and technology in the areas of hypoglycemia and driving, parent and child co-regulation of pediatric diabetes, bio-behavioral feedback and control of Type 1 diabetes, and stage-based tailored support for alcohol counseling.  During the upcoming fellowship period, faculty plan to submit new projects focusing on an expansion of the current trial of their Internet insomnia intervention as well as use of this system in different populations (returning soldiers, heart disease patients, patients with PTSD, pediatrics/families). 

Fellows will work closely with faculty, spending half their time conducting clinical research in ehealth.  Behavioral Health and Technology Fellows will have opportunities to create intervention content, develop treatment protocols, manage large national trials, write grants, write manuscripts (including first-authored publications), review manuscripts, and present findings at both national and international conferences.  In addition to working with faculty on already-established clinical research protocols, Fellows will have the opportunity to initiate their own research projects.  More specific information about clinical, research, and educational opportunities is provided below.

Research Focus (45%)

Fellows will engage in clinical research throughout the fellowship. Specific research projects are determined by the professional goals and interests of the Fellow and include:

• Evaluation of an Internet intervention for the treatment of pediatric encopresis, including a stepped-care arm
• Development and evaluation of an Internet intervention for insomnia for adults and cancer patients
• Evaluation of an Internet intervention for patients with Type 1 Diabetes
• Evaluation of an Internet intervention to help high-risk drivers with Type 1 diabetes avoid hypoglycemia driving
• Design and development of a prevention program for pediatric sleep problems
• Neurocognitive consequences of sleep impairment

Fellows will also have the opportunity to develop small, original research projects in one of the current areas of research, or a related area in which the Fellow has a strong interest.

Clinical Focus (45%)

Clinical hours will be obtained from faculty in the Neurocognitive Assessment Lab at the University of Virginia medical center.  In the Neurocognitive Assessment Lab, the clinical component typically consists of providing health psychology therapy to Division I athletes for depression, anxiety, stress management, insomnia, and eating disorders.  Opportunities for participating in the psychological assessment of organ transplant candidates and brief psychotherapy with HIV patients are possible and are negotiated on an individual basis.  A sufficient number of hours for licensure will be obtained during the two year fellowship.  Please read the section on the Neurocognitive Assessment Lab for more details about that clinic and related clinical experiences.

Educational & Professional Development (10%)

The Behavioral Health and Technology program holds a monthly seminar on research issues (i.e., methodology, design, analysis, etc). In addition, The Program Director schedules meetings for the postdoctoral fellows across sub-specialty areas during the academic year to discuss administrative issues and professional development issues. the Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences holds a monthly seminar for all Postdoctoral Fellows in Psychology within the UVA medical school. These seminars provide Fellows with ongoing didactic training as well as an opportunity to discuss training issues and experiences. Topics typically covered in the didactic training include professional issues, psychopharmacology, multicultural issues, specific therapeutic interventions, and dealing with managed health care, as well as topics of interest chosen by the Fellows. The Fellow will also have the opportunity to participate in weekly research meetings with both Core Faculty members and a team of interdisciplinary co-investigators.

There are numerous other opportunities for educational and professional development, including:

• Grand Rounds in Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences
• Sleep Lab Seminar/Case Conference
• Neuropsychology' Seminar and Journal Club
• Introduction to Clinical Investigation, a six-month course offered for fellows and new faculty through the UVA medical school.

Core Faculty

• Lee Ritterband, Ph.D.
• Frances Thorndike, Ph.D.
• Elaine Bailey, Ph.D.
• Holly Lord, Ph.D.
• Donna K. Broshek, Ph.D. (Neurocognitive Assessment Lab)
• Jason Freeman, Ph.D. (Neurocognitive Assessment Lab)

Current Fellows

• Desi Vásquez, Ph.D.

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR BHT:  Until Filled

• Behavioral Medicine
• Behavioral Psychology
• CARE 
• Forensic Psychology
• Neuropsychology
• Rehabilitation Neuropsychology

Faculty and Fellows
Psychology Residencies Home Page and Application Instructions