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Washington
Match # 204412 – Community Health of Central Washington
About Us
Mission: Community Health of Central Washington was founded with one bold and clear vision: All people in our region should enjoy access to affordable and appropriate health care. Our mission is to provide quality healthcare through service and education.
Community Health of Central Washington (CHCW) is a Community Health Center (CHC) in Yakima, Washington. Yakima is a metropolitan agricultural community rich in culture and, for a health professional, rich in opportunities to make a difference in people’s lives. CHCW provides quality healthcare through service and education. CHCW has been recognized as a level three Patient-Centered Medical Home that uses teams to provide integrated primary care behavioral health and other services for its patients. Primary care (PC) teams include a physician, medical resident or advanced practice clinician, as well as a nurse, medical assistant, behavioral health consultant, and care coordinator.
Since 2006, CHCW has implemented the Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) Model in which the behavioral health consultant (BHC) functions as a core member of the PC team. Behavioral health interventions look like primary care visits (rather than specialty care visits). Visits are typically 20-30 minutes and the patient may get what they need in that first visit, or they may choose to have additional visits. PCBH services are provided in the primary care practice area so that the patient views meeting with the BHC as a routine primary care service.
In addition to a robust PCBH program, the CHCW internship stands out in its integration with medical resident training. CHCW houses a residency program and interns start the year alongside the incoming medical residents, sharing many of the orientation experiences. This interprofessional development continues throughout the year via PCBH service delivery, didactics, and other shared experiences. Because of this, the medical residents and psychology interns view one another as peers and colleagues.
Interns will have exposure to patient groups, such as chronic pain. Interns will also complete critical analysis and quality improvement projects on relevant clinic topics, allowing for a deeper level of knowledge in areas of need for CHCW. Lastly, interns will progress in their training with other medical professionals and receive exposure to the Behavior Scientist role of family medicine residencies.
Training Opportunities
Positions: 3
Interns at CHCW will rotate through three 16-week rotations.
Pediatric Rotation
Setting
Medical Clinic
Services Provided by Interns
- Assist the PC team in the recognition, treatment, and management of mental health and addiction concerns, chronic diseases, psychosocial issues, and health risk behaviors
- Improve patient functioning via evidence-informed strategies
- Generate one or more recommendations for the PC team in working with the patient
- Transfer skills and knowledge about behavior change principles to the patient and the PC team
Rural Rotation
Setting
Medical Clinics
Services Provided by Interns
- Assist the PC team in the recognition, treatment, and management of mental health and addiction concerns, chronic diseases, psychosocial issues, and health risk behaviors
- Improve patient functioning via evidence-informed strategies
- Generate one or more recommendations for the PC team in working with the patient
- Transfer skills and knowledge about behavior change principles to the patient and the PC team
Mixed Rotation
- Assist the PC team in the recognition, treatment, and management of mental health and addiction concerns, chronic diseases, psychosocial issues, and health risk behaviors
- Improve patient functioning via evidence-informed strategies
- Generate one or more recommendations for the PC team in working with the patient
- Transfer skills and knowledge about behavior change principles to the patient and the PC team
Didactics
Didactic trainings are typically held the second Friday of each month from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm. The trainings will be hosted at one of the partner agencies throughout the year. Psychology interns are given a schedule of didactic training dates and locations at the beginning of each training year and will be notified in advance via email if the schedule or location has changed. Please email applicant@psychologyinterns.org for access to our current training manual which includes the full didactic training policy (policies subject to change).
Supervision
All interns receive at least four hours of supervision per week. The requirement includes at least two hours with a licensed psychologist in individual, face-to-face supervision. The other two hours include secondary supervision with a licensed psychologist and/or ancillary supervisor in a group or individual setting. Please email applicant@psychologyinterns.org for access to our current training manual which includes the full supervision policy (policies subject to change).
Clerical and Technical Support
Office locations have support staff on-site, and a 24-hour support line for IT.
Training Materials and Equipment
CHCW will also provide interns with laptops, access to the University of Washington Health Sciences Library, and access to the University of Washington’s Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI) Family Medicine Residency Practice and Research Network (WPRN).
Schedule
Each intern’s schedule may vary according to special interests and needs of the training site.
Example Schedule
| Time of Day | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| AM |
PCBH Clinic CWFM
|
Individual Supervision/Journal Review
|
PCBH Clinic YP
|
PCBH Clinic YP
|
PCBH Clinic CWFM
|
| PM |
PCBH Clinic CWFM
|
PCBH Clinic CWFM
|
Group supervision, Experiential Learning
|
PCBH Clinic YP
|
Paperwork/Charting |
Example treatment modalities (as listed by APPIC):
| Assessment | Exposure (1% to 20%) |
|
Individual Intervention
|
Major Area (50%+) |
|
Couples Intervention
|
Exposure (1% to 20%) |
|
Family Intervention
|
Experience (21% to 30%) |
|
Group Intervention
|
Exposure (1% to 20%) |
|
Community Intervention
|
Experience (21% to 30%) |
|
Consultation/Liaison
|
Major Area (50%+) |
|
Crisis Intervention
|
Experience (21% to 30%) |
|
Brief Intervention
|
Major Area (50%+) |
|
Long-Term Intervention
|
Exposure (1% to 20%) |
|
Cognitive Rehabilitation
|
N/A |
|
Primary Care
|
Major Area (50%+) |
|
Supervision of Prac. Students
|
N/A |
|
Evidence-Based Practice
|
Major Area (50%+) |
|
Evidence-Based Research
|
Exposure (1% to 20%) |
|
Other (Quality Improvement Project)
|
Experience (21% to 30%) |
Example supervised experiences (as listed by APPIC):
| Health Psychology | Emphasis (31% to 49%) |
Forensics / Corrections
|
N/A |
| Women’s Health | Experience (21% to 30%) |
Sexual Offenders
|
N/A |
|
HIV / AIDS
|
Exposure (1% to 20%) | Geropsychology | Exposure (1% to 20%) |
| Eating Disorders | Exposure (1% to 20%) | Pediatrics | Experience (21% to 30%) |
| Sexual Disorders | Exposure (1% to 20%) | School | Exposure (1% to 20%) |
| Sports Psychology | N/A | Counseling | N/A |
| Rehabilitation Psychology | N/A |
Vocational / Career Development
|
N/A |
| Physical Disabilities | Experience (21% to 30%) |
Multicultural Therapy
|
Emphasis (31% to 49%) |
| Learning Disabilities | Exposure (1% to 20%) |
Feminist Therapy
|
N/A |
| Developmental Disabilities | Exposure (1% to 20%) |
Religion / Spirituality
|
N/A |
| Assessment |
Emphasis (31% to 49%)
|
Empirically-Supported Treatment
|
Major Area (50%+)
|
| Neuropsychology – Adult | Exposure (1% to 20%) |
Public Policy / Advocacy
|
Experience (21% to 30%) |
|
Neuropsychology – Child
|
Exposure (1% to 20%) |
Program Development/Evaluation
|
Experience (21% to 30%) |
| Serious Mental Illness | Exposure (1% to 20%) | Supervision | Exposure (1% to 20%) |
| Anxiety Disorders | Emphasis (31% to 49%) | Research | Exposure (1% to 20%) |
| Trauma/PTSD | Emphasis (31% to 49%) | Administration | Exposure (1% to 20%) |
|
Sexual Abuse
|
Emphasis (31% to 49%) |
Integrated Health Care–Primary
|
Major Area (50%+) |
| Substance Use Disorders | Experience (21% to 30%) |
Integrated Health Care–Specialty
|
N/A |
In general, 19% of CHCW clients were older adults, 35% were adults, 18% were adolescents, 27% were children, 32% were Latinx, 13% were agricultural workers, 3% were veterans, and 50% were below poverty level. As a CHC, CHCW provides exposure to underserved, marginalized and diverse populations.
Our Supervisors
While we won’t know your exact supervisor assignments until the internship starts, these are examples of some of the individuals you may work with over the course of your year at the site.
Site Training Director
David Bauman, Psy.D.
Regional Training Director for NPTC-Cascades
Site Training Director
Dr. Bauman is the PCBH Academic Director at Community Health of Central Washington, where he is also a core faculty member of the family medicine residency and practices as a behavioral health consultant at CHCW’s Central Washington Family Medicine clinic. Dr. Bauman is the Regional Training Director for NPTC-Cascades and assists with overseeing the HealthPoint and CHCW doctoral internships. Dr. Bauman is passionate about the Primary Care Behavioral Health model/philosophy, as well as contextual behavioral approaches (e.g., Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and fACT) and the delivery of compassionate, evidence-based medicine.
Supervisors
Bridget Beachy, Psy.D.
Dr. Beachy, a licensed psychologist, is currently the Director of PCBH at Community Health of Central Washington (CHCW) where she leads a team of 11 Behavioral Health Consultants (BHC). She is also a behavioral health faculty member and BHC at CHCW’s Central Washington Family Medicine Residency. Dr. Beachy completed both her internship and fellowship within the PCBH model of services and regularly presents around the country and globe on PCBH and contextual behavioral approaches to common concerns seen in primary care. She values training future psychologists to work seamlessly and effortlessly within fully integrated primary care teams.
Emily Faust, Ph.D.
Dr. Faust graduated with her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Washington State University in 2020. Dr. Faust is an alumni of CHCW’s predoctoral internship and completed her post-doctoral fellowship in PCBH. She has specific interests in PCBH, anxiety influenced conditions, and women’s health.
Carrah James, Ph.D.
Dr. James is a graduate of the University of Georgia and has extensive experience in pediatric, neurodevelopmental, and child clinical assessment, as well as intervention, and multidisciplinary/ interprofessional consultation. Dr. James has worked in general clinical, research, and government settings in various capacities serving parents, families, students, educators, adults with developmental disabilities, physicians/ medical providers, and community organizations/stakeholders.
Ruth Olmer, Psy.D.
Dr. Ruth Olmer is a Behavioral Health Consultant at CHCW. She earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in 2015. She spent her internship at Otis R. Bowen Center, a Community Mental Health Center, and her residency at VA Black Hills Healthcare System, a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Olmer’s research interest include Neuropsychological screening within the PCHB model; effect of group treatment access on frequency of primary care utilization; couple and parenting interventions within the PCBH model. Her theoretical orientation is Systemic and Solution-Focused.
Steven Olmer, Psy.D.
Dr. Steven Olmer is a licensed psychologist and is a 2014 graduate of The School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute He spent his internship and residency in Community Mental Health Centers, with an emphasis on psychological testing and individual/group/family therapy. His Theoretical Orientation is Family Systems; CBT; Solution Focused, and he has research interest in how medical conditions impact family relationships, and psychological assessments/testing relevant for primary care.
Amelia McClelland, Ph.D.
Dr. McClelland completed her undergraduate training at Gonzaga University in Spokane Washington before spending 2 years teaching outdoor environmental education to 5th and 6th graders. She went on to do her graduate training at the University of Utah School Psychology Program and worked in multiple schools and districts in Utah. She completed both her internship and doctoral fellowship at Community Health of Central Washington. Dr. McClelland is passionate about working with pediatric populations, gender care, school-based health, and social justice.
Brenna Boyd, Ph.D.
Dr. Boyd earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Washington State University, where she also completed her doctoral internship and fellowships in Primary Care Behavioral Health at Community Health of Central Washington. She is passionate about creating a compassionate and inclusive healthcare system, with a particular interest in serving the LGBTQ+ population. Dr. Boyd values teamwork and collaboration in integrated care settings and is committed to spreading the benefits of the Primary Care Behavioral Health model.
Shanice Santa Olivo, PhD
Dr. Santa Olivo earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Albizu University in Puerto Rico. She completed both her doctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at Community Health of Central Washington, where she developed specialized experience in primary care behavioral health. Dr. Santa Olivo is particularly interested in supporting children and families, with clinical focuses including chronic health conditions, family functioning, and parent training. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and is passionate about providing culturally responsive care to diverse populations.
Mayra Correa Barada, PsyD
Dr. Mayra Correa Barada earned her PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Albizu University in Puerto Rico and completed her fellowship in Primary Care Behavioral Health at Community Health of Central Washington. She is passionate about serving underserved populations and providing culturally responsive care, particularly within Latine communities. Bilingual in Spanish and English, Dr. Correa Barada brings a strong commitment to equity and inclusion in healthcare. She also values education and mentorship, contributing to the PCBH Academic Department and the CWFM Family Medicine Residency.
Annual Pay for the 2025-2026 Training Year: $41,000
Benefits provided at this site include:
-
- 112 hours of PTO (vacation / sick leave)
- 24 hours of Professional Development
- Free health insurance
- Free vision insurance
- Free dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Access to life insurance
- Professional liability insurance (for those not already covered)
- $3,000 relocation bonus to assist with moving/travel costs
CHCW observes the following 9 holidays:
-
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- President’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Friday after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
Please note that available benefits and observed holidays are subject to change. Matched interns will receive full benefit orientations at their site which will go over all benefit information for the training year. More information about the Support and Benefits offered in each of our regions can be found here.
CHCW does require a background check prior to internship. This background check is the Washington State Patrol background check. If there is a history of criminal activity on the background check the site would then request additional details of the situation from the individual. After receiving those details they would make a determination as to whether they could proceed with employment based on the relevance of the criminal activity to the job, if there is repeated history and what the potential risk is to employ them. In addition they take into consideration the amount of time between the conviction(s) to the present. Past criminal history does not immediately disqualify an individual for employment.
All interns are also required to be drug tested on their first day. The outcome of this test could potentially cause issues with the intern start date and/or match.
All staff (including interns) are required to receive both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (if applicable) and a 10 day waiting period prior to their first day. Some medical and/or religious exemptions are allowed and are reviewed by either a medical professional panel or an ethics panel for approval.
All intern applicants will be considered for placement, though receipt of a master’s degree is required at this site (rather than education-equivalent). Licensed or license-eligible applicants are preferred. Candidates are expected to have skill sets commensurate with applicants at the pre-internship level. A successful candidate will be one who is interested in working in a challenging and innovative setting of primary care. Applicants that have past experience working in integrated care teams, primary care or other medical centers, and rural and underserved areas are preferred. An intern can be successful at CHCW regardless of theoretical orientation, however experience with 1st or 3rd wave behaviorism, single session approaches, and providing intentional interventions for a variety of concerns is beneficial. Candidates should also be willing and able to work successfully on an integrated care team, be self-motivated, and have high energy to meet the demands of primary care. They are expected to be dependable, prepared, curious, non-defensive, and open to constructive feedback.
Interviews will be conducted virtually. Candidates will be invited to interview at CHCW in January. Location of interview will not influence selection of interns. Those candidates not invited to interview will be notified by letter.
CHCW will be offering virtual Interview Days on Tuesday, January 20th; Friday, January 23rd; and Monday, January 26th 2026. Virtual interview days will consist of an overview of the program (e.g., Primary Care Behavioral Health philosophy, organization, faculty) and training opportunities, three interviews with relevant CHCW personnel (e.g., BHC current interns, BHC faculty/attendings, family medicine faculty/attendings and residents, etc.), opportunities for video review of site locations and rotations, meeting and Q&A with current BHC interns, meeting and Q&A with CHCW CEO, and a final Q&A with the PCBH Education Director. If possible, ad-hoc on-site open houses will be made available for applicants to attend. Attendance to these open-houses will not impact the ranking of applicants and are provided solely as informational gathering for applicants. More information and videos regarding CHCW PCBH Doctoral Internship can be found at https://www.chcw.org/doctoral-clinical-psychology-internship-program/.