Clinical Psychologist AL GA

The rewards of serving your country as a Sailor are great, but so can be the stresses of being away from family, managing challenging work and dealing with the pressures unique to military service. That’s why the Navy needs caring and capable Clinical Psychologists like you who can provide Sailors with the support and guidance they need to maintain positive mental health and be their best selves.

Whether you’re counseling Sailors’ families on Naval bases or providing therapy to SEAL Team members who face impossible situations on a regular basis, your carefully honed skills are a critical asset to keep the Navy performing at its best.

As a Clinical Psychologist and Officer in America’s Navy, you will provide clinical care to service members and their families. You will encounter a wide array of clinical conditions, including those unique to the military environment. In addition to providing clinical care to address the full spectrum of mental health concerns, Navy Clinical Psychologists provide support to the Navy and Marine Corps by:

• Conducting therapy and providing clinical care to service members in deployed settings
• Administering and interpreting assessments and evaluations
• Conducting seminars to help service members, including upper leadership, maintain positive mental health
• Participating in military training exercises that enhance our ability to reach service members in a wide variety of settings
• Providing training and mentorship to new generations of psychologists
• Serving in leadership and policy positions aimed at sustaining mental health within the military
• Presenting at professional conferences

In your role providing therapy and clinical care to service members, you may gain experience in the following mental health specialties:

• Post-traumatic stress
• Family relationships
• Crisis intervention
• Stress management
• Depression and anxiety
• Grief after loss
• Anger management
• Financial issues and planning
• Career, productivity and leadership issues

Navy Clinical Psychologists serve all over the world, from both U.S. coasts, to overseas locations such as Spain, Japan, Italy or Guam. You may find yourself working at one of our major Medical Centers located in San Diego, CA, Portsmouth VA, and Bethesda, MD. You could also be assigned to a smaller hospital or clinic at other locations around the globe.

Navy Clinical Psychologists serve aboard aircraft carriers, alongside SEAL Teams, with Marine Corps Units and at the Naval Academy.

Navy Clinical Psychologists must either be licensed psychologists or must enter the Navy through one of our advanced training programs listed below.

Upon entering the Navy and before beginning any advanced training, you must attend Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport, RI. ODS is a five-week program that provides a comprehensive and intense introduction to the responsibilities of Navy Staff Corps Officers. Here you will learn about the military structure of the U.S. Navy, its rich history of traditions and customs, leadership development and military etiquette.

Advanced Training Programs

Psychologists may partake in advanced training as a means to enter the Navy or to further education. Available programs include:

• Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology Program at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS)
• Doctoral Internship Program in Clinical Psychology at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, or at Naval Medical Center in San Diego, CA
• Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Clinical Psychology at Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA
• Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)

Promotion opportunities are regularly available but competitive and based on performance.

Post-Service Opportunities

It’s also important to note that specialized training received and work experience gained in the course of service can lead to valuable credentialing and occupational opportunities in related fields.

Wherever you are in your professional career, the Navy can help ease your financial burdens and advance your career with generous financial assistance and continuing education programs. Opportunities for further education within this platform include:

• Navy College Program
• VOLED…