Training in Iowa

About Training in Iowa

In 2009, the IPA Training Director, Michele Greiner, Ph.D., outlined a model training program to address Iowa’s worsening workforce shortage. After a successful postdoctoral psychology pilot program at Poweshiek County Mental Health Center with the help of a grant from the Iowa Department of Public Health, IPA looked to find ongoing funding for this promising practice. The Iowa Psychological Association in 2010 identified that 53% of Iowa psychologists are now age 55 or older. Dr. Greiner helped to create additional training opportunities across Iowa with the successful partnerships between the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), IPA, the Iowa Psychological Foundation (IPF), and other organizations like the Telligen Community Initiative. These partners have helped to develop and implement training programs to an estimated 14-15,000 Iowans in need of psychological treatment. Since 2008, 53 pre-doctoral interns or post-doctoral residents have been able to serve Iowans during their training. IPA has continued to strengthen their relationships with various organizations across Iowa to create more training opportunities here in Iowa.

A message from the current IPA Training Director, Matthew Cooper, PsyD

As the current IPA Training Director, I have the wonderful opportunity to strengthen and help create psychological training programs across Iowa. Iowa is an incredible place to live, raise a family, and be licensed as a psychologist. IPA and training partners, have recognized the great need for expanding training opportunities for predoctoral internship and postdoctoral residency. My vision is to create a number of unique and valuable training opportunities in Iowa. Likewise, we at IPA are devoted to working with trainees to get them licensable here in Iowa and work towards retaining them as licensed psychologists in our great state. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions: [email protected].

Below are links to current training opportunities for post-doctoral residencies here in Iowa:

Central Iowa Psychological Services Psychological Testing and Psychotherapy Post-doctoral Program
Location: West Des Moines, Iowa
Specialty: Clinical Psychology
Emphasis: Assessment
Training Director: Warren H. Phillips, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Residency in Lifespan Clinical Neuropsychology
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Specialty: Clinical Neuropsychology
Emphasis: Neuropsychology
Training Director: Kristen Caraher, PsyD, ABPP-CN

UnityPoint Health St. Luke’s Hospital Health and Rehabilitation Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship
Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Emphasis: Rehabilitation Psychology
Training Director: Benjamin Tallman, Ph.D.

William R. Bliss Cancer Center Psychology Program
Location: Ames, Iowa
Specialty: Clinical Health Psychology
Emphasis: Health Psychology
Training Director: Sarah Heikens

Iowa Benton Neuropsychology Laboratory
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Specialty: Clinical Neuropsychology
Emphasis: Neuropsychology
Training Director: Daniel Tranel, Ph.D.

Women's Wellness & Counseling Service Postdoctoral Fellowship in Perinatal Mental Health
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Specialty: Health Psychology, Perinatal Mental Health
Emphasis: Perinatal Mental Health
Training Director: Stacey A. Pawlak, PhD

University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital Pediatric Psychology Fellowship - Testing/Assessment Focus
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Specialty:  Clinical Child Psychology
Emphasis: Child/Adolescent
Training Director: Tammy Wilgenbusch, PhD

Mind and Spirit Counseling
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Specialty: counseling (or counseling psychology or counseling and clinical psychology)
Emphasis: holistic mental healthcare
Training Director: Scott P. Young, Ph.D., M.S.C.P., Director of Psychological Services

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Department of Psychiatry Child Clinical Psychology
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Specialty: Clinical Child Psychology
Emphasis: Child/Adolescent
Training Director: Laura L Fuller, PhD, ABPP

University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital Center for Disabilities and Development -Assessment of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Specialty: Clinical Child Psychology
Emphasis: Assessment
Training Director: Meaghan Peters, PsyD

Primary Health Care
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Specialty: Integrated Care -FQHC
Emphasis: Integrated Care Setting
Training Director: Kathy Warren