General Information
The Department of Community & Human Services (DCHS) offers psychology training in community mental health. We serve a highly diverse community, and the available tracks provide opportunities to focus on, learn, and develop skills in unique areas while serving the residents of Alexandria.
There are five pre-doctoral clinical psychology externship positions available for current Ph.D./Psy.D. students as part of their training prior to internship. These include two positions in Child and Family Behavioral Health Services (CFBHS), one position in Emergency Services (ES), and two positions at the West End Wellness Center (WEWC). See the links below for more information.
The externship runs from August through June, with a flexible end date subject to consideration. Seminars, group supervision, and team meetings are held on Thursdays.
Externship activities will involve varying levels of in-person contact with clients and staff, depending on need. While telehealth is utilized, most clinical work will be conducted in person.
Position Descriptions and Contact Information
- Child and Family Behavioral Health Services
- Juana Osorio-Ramirez, Psy.D. (she, her, ella) | juana.osorioramirez@alexandriava.gov
- Emergency Services
- Allison Rivera-Guernsey, Psy.D | allison.guernsey@alexandriava.gov
- West End Wellness Center
- Nichole Rohrer, Psy.D. (she, her, hers) | nichole.rohrer@alexandriava.gov
Seminars
We hold weekly seminars on Thursdays mornings in which students from all tracks, along with their supervisors, come together. Supervisors and other DCHS staff present on various areas of expertise or work they do with the community. These seminars are a great opportunity to enhance clinical competencies and cultural awareness, as students are exposed to diverse topics. Additionally, students have at least one case presentation per semester.
Students who are bilingual in Spanish will have the opportunity to participate in monthly seminars focused on building vocabulary and confidence as bilingual mental health professionals working with Latinx communities. The seminar will be offered as long as there are at least two bilingual students across tracks and will be led by a bilingual licensed psychologist. This seminar is intended for students who are already fluent in Spanish and is not designed to teach the language.
How to Apply
- Please include: Cover letter, CV, de-identified testing report for a child or adolescent (only if applying to the child and family track or if interested in testing) and two (2) letters of recommendation. *One must be from a therapy supervisor.
- Please indicate which program you are interested in applying for. Applying to two or all of the options is acceptable.
- Due date: Monday, February 2 by the end of the day. Applications received after the due date will not be considered.
*Send all your materials to DCHSExternships@alexandriava.gov - Email subject: Acronym of the track(s) you are applying to_Applicant's name. e.g., ES-CFBHS_LauraPerez
- Letters of recommendation can be included in the application package or be sent directly by recommender to the same email address. Make sure recommenders include your name in the subject line if sending directly.
- Finalists will be invited for interviews in February 2026.
Mandatory Onboarding Trainings
Several agency-wide and track-specific trainings are required as part of onboarding. Two in-person, full-day trainings will be held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of July. Accepted applicants should plan to attend both dates if possible. If attendance at one or both trainings is not possible, it can be discussed with supervisor in advance.
Contact Information
Juana Osorio-Ramirez, Psy.D. (she, her, ella)
Department of Community & Human Services (DCHS)
Director of Psychology Externship Program
Bilingual Licensed Clinical Psychologist
703.966.5112 | juana.osorioramirez@alexandriava.gov
Del Pepper Community Resource Center
4850 Mark Center Dr.