MIRECC / CoE
VA Interprofessional Fellowship Program in PSR and Recovery Oriented Services
West Haven
The VA Connecticut Health Care System offers a one-year post-graduate fellowship in psychosocial rehabilitation based at the Errera Annex and the Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC). The PSR Fellowship provides advanced training to mental health professionals from various disciplines (chaplaincy, nursing, occupational therapy, psychiatry, psychology, and social work) over a yearlong (full-time) commitment. Through the Errera programs, multidisciplinary mental health professionals provide an array of community-based rehabilitative programs including day and crisis intervention programs (for individuals struggling with mental illness and/ or substance abuse disorders, homelessness, and/or aging), vocational programs, housing programs, homeless outreach and engagement, advocacy and clinical case management programs. Fellows develop individualized projects with close mentoring from faculty; projects may include research in areas such as peer support, mental health service outcomes, and vocational and neurocognitive rehabilitation; the development of new clinical programs; and consultation with community partners. Many opportunities exist for participating in ongoing collaborative research and scholarly writing. Applicants should have a strong interest in community mental health; Fellows will be undertaking innovative outcome-based work and facilitating the transformation of the national VA mental health care system from a traditional, hospital-based system to an information-driven, community-based system whose focus is partnering with consumers within their natural environments. Fellows receive appointments from the Yale School of Medicine, our academic affiliate.
Our Directors
Anne Klee, Ph.D., CPRP
Director | PSR Fellowship and Peer Services
Associate Professor | Yale School of Medicine
PI VA HSR&D SWIFT Inclusion of Chaplains in Outpatient Primary Care
Division 18 APA Council Representative
President | CT Psych Association
Michele Roberts, LCSW
Supervisor | Health Care for Reentry Veterans Program
DoT, SW Postgraduate Training
Community Services Social Work Awardee
Professional Interests: Forensic Social Work and Jail Diversion
Joshua Bullock, Ph.D.
Psychology Training Director | PSR Fellowship
VA Connecticut Local Recovery Coordinator
Assistant Clinical Professor | Yale School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Recovery and Serious Mental Illness
The Fellowship Class 2022 - 2023
Haley Woods, LCSWA
Clinical Social Worker
Professional Interests: Serious and persistent mental health disorders, trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, substance use recovery, and the intersection of psychology and the human nervous system in regard to trauma-focused psychotherapy. Passionate about providing strengths-based, recovery-oriented services to individuals with serious mental health challenges, particularly those diagnosed with posttraumatic stress and serious mental illness. Therapeutic approaches include an integration of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
Kirstin Gutierrez, OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapy
Professional Interests: Serious mental health disorders, women’s mental health, substance abuse recovery, and community reintegration. I am also interested in pursuing research opportunities that advocate for occupational therapy’s role in the mental health setting and that explore non-traditional OT settings. I am committed to assisting individuals in getting back to activities they find meaningful and help support individuals throughout their recovery.
Melanie W. Fischer, Ph.D.
Professional Interests: I am interested in helping those who have experienced psychosis to recover and lead productive, meaningful lives. My clinical approach centers on utilizing clients' strengths and personal aspirations to help them to establish lives in line with their goals and values. Related to this, my research focuses on improving quality of life for those with psychotic disorders, with a specific focus on reducing elevated rates of medical comorbidities and mortality.
Amy Endres, MDiv.
Clinical Pastoral Education | Chaplaincy
Professional Interests: Trauma-informed and intersectional chaplaincy, spirituality in recovery models, innovative spiritual care interventions for those with psychosis, chaplaincy in non-traditional settings, meaning-making, exploring ritual’s role in recovery.
Ben Bayley, LCSW
Social Work
Professional Interests: Serious Mental Illness, PTSD, stigma against mental health treatment within the military. Having spent my 2nd year MSW internship at the Boston VA’s Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center, I witnessed firsthand how helpful the recovery model can be in assisting those living with SMI. As a Navy veteran, I also witnessed firsthand the stigma around seeking treatment or even admitting to mental health conditions and I plan to spend a career working with individuals living with PTSD and SMI and helping address the stigma around those conditions.
Additional Information
For more information on application process, deadlines, and training opportunities see the
Director:
Anne Klee, Ph.D., CPRP
Anne.Klee@va.govor (203) 640-1727
Interprofessional Program Description »
VA Connecticut PSR Fellowship Information
West Haven Discipline Specific Contacts:
Director, Psychology Training:
Joshua Bullock, Ph.D.
Joshua.Bullock@va.gov or (203) 516-8013
Psychology Program Brochure
Psychiatry Program Description »
Director of Social Work Training:
Michele Roberts
Michele.roberts2@va.gov 203-479-8004
Director of Occupational Therapy Training:
Mary Sperrazza, OTR/L
Mary.sperrazza@va.gov 203-508-7904
Occupational Therapy Brochure
Director of Chaplaincy Training:
James Cooke, S.S.T.,BCC
James.cooke2@va.gov 203-932-5711x2422
