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Dr. Campos, APPI LOR for Kyle Erwin

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Kyle Erwin
Kyle Erwin

The letter strongly recommends Kyle Erwin for an internship program. It details Kyle's experience working on a mental health team that treats substance use disorders and veterans. Kyle showed eagerness to learn, effectively using supervision and receiving praise from his supervisor and colleagues. He pursued training in evidence-based practices and has shown commitment to a career as a VA psychologist. The supervisor offers her strong recommendation and belief that Kyle would be highly successful in the internship program.

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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS North Texas Health Care System In Reply Refer To: 116A October 1, 2013 Dear Selection Committee: I am writing this letter to offer my strong recommendation of Kyle Erwin for your internship program. He is highly motivated, passionate about the profession, and quick to learn and integrate new skills. He would make a valuable addition to your pre-doctoral internship training program. I had the pleasure of supervising Kyle in 2011 when he joined our mental health team (MH Gold) at Dallas VA Medical Center. Our team specializes in treating substance use disorders. We run a CARF-accredited Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Program (SARRTP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and provide a full range of outpatient therapy services. Our population is particularly challenging as the majority of veterans we treat are homeless, unemployed, and have co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses. He initially shared with me that he had very little experience working with traditional men and was eager to address this gap in his training. He admitted feeling nervous, but also emphasized his determination to confront this challenge in the service of professional growth. Kyle actively takes an evidence-based approach to his clinical training. For example, he administered brief rating scales to assess therapeutic alliance and intervention effectiveness after each session and reviewed these with patients. Also, he continually reviewed the science base on therapy with traditional men to increase his knowledge and cultural competence with this population. I have consistently been impressed by Kyles authenticity and willingness to challenge himself. He shows great ability for self-reflection, and regularly evaluates his own clinical work with a focus on cultural diversity, case conceptualization, and areas for growth. Kyle makes great use of supervision. His eagerness to learn is indicated by his open requests for constructive feedback and non-defensive manner. He shows a ready willingness to learn experientially by trial-and-error as evidenced by his implementation of my recommended clinical interventions despite his previous unfamiliarity with them. Kyle is also very creative, often coming up with novel ideas to increase momentum in therapy sessions, which he discussed with me for approval prior to implementing them. I was able to see direct evidence of his effectiveness and growth as a clinician through my live observations of his group work, and regular evaluation of audio-recorded therapy sessions. Kyle is an effective interdisciplinary team member. He was well-received and respected by our staff members. In fact, Kyle was personally asked by our team leader to provide an in-service on LGBT culture and best treatment practices for this population. Such a request is highly unusual as in-services are conducted by postdoctoral-level rather than practicum level trainees. After the presentation, staff members approached me privately to offer strong praise of Kyles presentation Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center Fort Worth Outpatient Clinic Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center 4500 South Lancaster Rd. 300 West Rosedale 1201 East Ninth St. Dallas, TX 75216 Fort Worth, TX 76104 Bonham, TX 75418 Corporate Office: 4500 South Lancaster Rd., Dallas, TX 75216
style and the usefulness of the information. I continue to be approached by staff expressing their wish for another such presentation, as well as offering compliments about their positive experiences with Kyle when he was on our team. Kyle has actively pursued training experiences in evidence-based practice such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy, and Seeking Safety. He had the unique opportunity to observe me conduct an entire protocol of PE therapy with a combat veteran from the Seeking Safety group he co-facilitated. Thus, he has direct knowledge of specific challenges associated with PE and effective methods for addressing these to achieve a positive therapy outcome. He has repeatedly shared his interest in developing competency in EBPs related to substance abuse and PTSD. Further, Kyle has demonstrated a strong commitment to a career as a VA psychologist, and has already registered an account with the American Board of Professional Psychology in anticipation of eventually becoming board certified. In sum, Kyle Erwin is fully prepared to be highly successful in your internship training program. I offer my strong recommendation without reservation. I would be happy to have Kyle on our team again; I believe any VA would be lucky to have him. Sincerely, Emilia A. Campos, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist Mental Health Gold Team; SARRTP (116A) North Texas VA Healthcare System Dallas, TX 75216 Office: (214) 857-0889 Clinic: (214) 857-0835 2

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Dr. Campos, APPI LOR for Kyle Erwin

  • 1. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS North Texas Health Care System In Reply Refer To: 116A October 1, 2013 Dear Selection Committee: I am writing this letter to offer my strong recommendation of Kyle Erwin for your internship program. He is highly motivated, passionate about the profession, and quick to learn and integrate new skills. He would make a valuable addition to your pre-doctoral internship training program. I had the pleasure of supervising Kyle in 2011 when he joined our mental health team (MH Gold) at Dallas VA Medical Center. Our team specializes in treating substance use disorders. We run a CARF-accredited Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Program (SARRTP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and provide a full range of outpatient therapy services. Our population is particularly challenging as the majority of veterans we treat are homeless, unemployed, and have co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses. He initially shared with me that he had very little experience working with traditional men and was eager to address this gap in his training. He admitted feeling nervous, but also emphasized his determination to confront this challenge in the service of professional growth. Kyle actively takes an evidence-based approach to his clinical training. For example, he administered brief rating scales to assess therapeutic alliance and intervention effectiveness after each session and reviewed these with patients. Also, he continually reviewed the science base on therapy with traditional men to increase his knowledge and cultural competence with this population. I have consistently been impressed by Kyles authenticity and willingness to challenge himself. He shows great ability for self-reflection, and regularly evaluates his own clinical work with a focus on cultural diversity, case conceptualization, and areas for growth. Kyle makes great use of supervision. His eagerness to learn is indicated by his open requests for constructive feedback and non-defensive manner. He shows a ready willingness to learn experientially by trial-and-error as evidenced by his implementation of my recommended clinical interventions despite his previous unfamiliarity with them. Kyle is also very creative, often coming up with novel ideas to increase momentum in therapy sessions, which he discussed with me for approval prior to implementing them. I was able to see direct evidence of his effectiveness and growth as a clinician through my live observations of his group work, and regular evaluation of audio-recorded therapy sessions. Kyle is an effective interdisciplinary team member. He was well-received and respected by our staff members. In fact, Kyle was personally asked by our team leader to provide an in-service on LGBT culture and best treatment practices for this population. Such a request is highly unusual as in-services are conducted by postdoctoral-level rather than practicum level trainees. After the presentation, staff members approached me privately to offer strong praise of Kyles presentation Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center Fort Worth Outpatient Clinic Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center 4500 South Lancaster Rd. 300 West Rosedale 1201 East Ninth St. Dallas, TX 75216 Fort Worth, TX 76104 Bonham, TX 75418 Corporate Office: 4500 South Lancaster Rd., Dallas, TX 75216
  • 2. style and the usefulness of the information. I continue to be approached by staff expressing their wish for another such presentation, as well as offering compliments about their positive experiences with Kyle when he was on our team. Kyle has actively pursued training experiences in evidence-based practice such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy, and Seeking Safety. He had the unique opportunity to observe me conduct an entire protocol of PE therapy with a combat veteran from the Seeking Safety group he co-facilitated. Thus, he has direct knowledge of specific challenges associated with PE and effective methods for addressing these to achieve a positive therapy outcome. He has repeatedly shared his interest in developing competency in EBPs related to substance abuse and PTSD. Further, Kyle has demonstrated a strong commitment to a career as a VA psychologist, and has already registered an account with the American Board of Professional Psychology in anticipation of eventually becoming board certified. In sum, Kyle Erwin is fully prepared to be highly successful in your internship training program. I offer my strong recommendation without reservation. I would be happy to have Kyle on our team again; I believe any VA would be lucky to have him. Sincerely, Emilia A. Campos, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist Mental Health Gold Team; SARRTP (116A) North Texas VA Healthcare System Dallas, TX 75216 Office: (214) 857-0889 Clinic: (214) 857-0835 2