Eric Shult, Ph.D.

Dr. Eric Shult received his doctorate in counseling psychology at the University of Memphis and his undergraduate degree from Humboldt State University. He is a licensed psychologist in the state of Missouri. After completing his postdoctoral residency at Truman Medical Centers in 2013, Dr. Shut became a psychologist at Truman Medical Centers Inpatient Units. He has extensive experience treating chronic mood, anxiety, and personality issues in both outpatient and inpatient settings. He has extensive experience providing didactic presentations on multiculturalism and suicide prevention and is an adjunct instructor at Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri. Furthermore, Dr. Shult has extensive experience training and providing supervision of masters-level and doctoral-level interns.

Jennifer Keller, Psy.D.

Dr. Keller obtained training in various settings, including inpatient psychiatric hospital, community mental health center, university counseling center, learning diagnostic clinic, multicultural center, and hospice. She works primarily with children and adolescents, though she provides some specific services for the adult population. Dr. Keller was previously employed at the University of Tennessee Martin both as a staff psychologist and later as the clinical coordinator of counseling services. Dr. Keller was also formerly the preadolescent program director at Royal Oaks Hospital, where she provided and supervised clinical services on the preadolescent unit. Dr. Keller was previously an adjunct professor at Forest Institute of Professional Psychology and Missouri Valley College, and she is currently an adjunct professor at Avila University. Dr. Keller is the Section Chief for Psychology at University Health and an outpatient psychologist at UH Lakewood Counseling Service in Lee’s Summit, Missouri where she provides evidence based treatments. She is a licensed psychologist and health service provider in the state of Missouri. She has retired her license in Tennessee. Dr. Keller is a registrant with the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, APA Division 53 (Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology), APA Division 12 (Society of Clinical Psychology), and the Missouri Psychological Association. Dr. Keller currently sits on the board for the Greater Kansas City Psychological Association.

Abbey Gripka, Ph.D.

Dr. Gripka is a Missouri and Kansas licensed psychologist at University Health Crossroads Counseling in Kansas City, Missouri. She is the primary supervising psychologist for the adult outpatient internship rotation. She completed her doctoral training at The University of Kansas in counseling psychology. Dr. Gripka has extensive training and expertise in assessment and treatment of PTSD and trauma-related concerns, having completed internship and post-doctoral training with emphasis on PTSD and trauma. Dr. Gripka currently provides outpatient individual and group psychotherapy for treatment of various mental health diagnoses, with emphasis on trauma-informed and evidence-based interventions. Additionally, through The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Athletics Department, Dr. Gripka provides consultative services to coaches and mental health treatment to student athletes. She supervises several masters and doctoral level practicum students, and also teaches a course of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy with adjunct in-session supervision to Psychiatry Residents at University Health.

Jennifer Osborne, Ph.D.

Dr. Osborne is a Missouri licensed psychologist at University Health – Crossroads Counseling in Kansas City, MO. She is a Clinical Psychologist Supervisor and Team Leader for the adult clinic and has been with University Health since 2011. Dr. Osborne completed her doctoral training in the Counseling Psychology program at Fordham University in New York. She has extensive training and expertise in assessment and treatment of PTSD and trauma-related concerns. Dr. Osborne currently provides adult outpatient psychotherapy for treatment of a variety of mental health diagnoses. She has experience supervising and training masters and doctoral-level interns and supervises licensed staff in the department. She holds a faculty appointment in the UMKC Department of Psychiatry and is involved in training third- and fourth-year psychiatry residents. Dr. Osborne currently serves as primary supervisor overseeing group supervision for our doctoral psychology interns.

Carlie Nikel, Psy.D.

Dr. Carlie Nikel is a Missouri and Kansas licensed psychologist at University Health Lakewood Medical Center where she provides integrated behavioral health services. She is the primary supervising psychologist for the integrated behavioral health internship slot. Additionally, Dr. Nikel supervises doctoral psychology practicum students and facilitates the postdoctoral fellowship in integrated behavioral health. In addition to her clinical and supervisory roles, Dr. Nikel is an Associate Program Director and Director of Behavioral Science at the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) Family Medicine Residency. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community and Family Medicine at UMKC School of Medicine. With these roles, Dr. Nikel engages in residency program development, education of medical student, resident physicians, and faculty physicians on behavioral science, and facilitates the professional wellbeing programming for the department. Dr. Nikel serves on professional wellbeing committees at a department, hospital, university, and national level.

Prior to onboarding, all intern applicants will have the following background checks provided by UH:

• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services – Employee Disqualification List
• US Department of Health and Human Services List of Excluded Individuals/Entities
• Criminal background check with the local jurisdictions as well as the Missouri Highway Patrol
• Local County, State, and Multi-State Criminal/Sex Offender check
• Social Security Number Tracer
• Government Services Administration Excluded Parties Listing System
• Review for outstanding warrants
• Family Care Safety Registry

Interns must also pass an initial employment drug screen and verify the following occupational health requirements:

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella
• Varicella
• Flu Shot
• 2-Step TB Test
• COVID-19

All UH employees, including interns, are bound by the company’s policy against tobacco and vaping use, which includes time when not at work.

University Health reviews applications in a series of steps to determine which applicants are to be offered interviews. Applications are reviewed for initial evidence of goodness-of-fit for each setting, assessment experience, commitment to empirically-supported treatments, and other factors that might contribute to a successful year for the intern and quality of care for patients. Interviews consist of answering applicant questions, orienting applicants to the demands of the settings, and asking a series of standard questions pertaining to supervision, treatment, assessment, ethics, and diversity. Applicants are graded in each area for the content of their responses and demonstration of critical thinking. Successful interviews are generally marked by displays of good clinical rationale, quality risk analysis, and commitment to assessment and intervention methods most supported by research for the setting. Qualities that thrive in the high demands of the combination setting include dependability, professional mindset, honesty, and flexibility. While not a requirement, applicants having received a master’s degree (rather than educational equivalent) is preferred. Applicants who have a master’s degree may be given preference in the match selection process.

Interviews will be held virtually via Zoom. Interview length is an typically 45-60 minutes. Interviews will be scheduled as needed. Applicants will submit date availability and preference for interview time and then will be assigned a specific interview time within the preferred date. Flexibility will be given regarding times and dates as needed. Applicants will meet with the site supervisors who will provide overview of each site rotation. Standard interview questions will be asked and then the applicant will have some time to ask site specific questions.

University Health follows CDC guidelines for COVID-19 safety protocols. Currently, all employees are not required to be vaccinated for COVID-19. UH does not currently require masks for employees or clients. Employees may be asked to wear a mask due to COVID-19 exposure or recent illness in alignment with current CDC guidelines. Masks are always available for employees in each clinic and will be worn as needed according to the PPE matrix, with elevated levels being required for patient contact, which includes protective eyewear and level III masks. Due to the nature of the setting, all interns will provide in-person care while on the inpatient units. During outpatient rotations, interns may provide services via a combination of in-person and telehealth depending upon a variety of patient and payer factors, although all telehealth services will be provided on-site (i.e. no University Health interns work from home).

Policies are made at the corporate level and generally maintained in accordance with CDC guidance and local health policies when possible. Changes are made as the COVID-19 situation waxes and wanes.