Home Careers & Education Graduate Medical Education Graduate Medical Education Programs Psychology Internship Program
The Samaritan Health Services Psychology Internship Program prepares future psychologists for the realities of modern health care practice. Interns train in integrated, patient‑centered settings, working collaboratively with medical providers and other health professionals to support both physical and psychological health through a biopsychosocial approach.
As psychologists increasingly practice in primary care and medical clinics, broad generalist training is essential. Our program emphasizes core areas of training for primary care practice, including traditional mental health services, health psychology, and psychological assessment. This foundation prepares interns to work effectively across diverse settings and patient needs.
The program follows a practitioner‑scholar model, developing strong clinical skills alongside the ability to critically evaluate and apply research. Interns learn to integrate evidence‑based practice into clinical decision‑making and to collaborate effectively with patients, supervisors, and interdisciplinary care teams.
Equip the psychologists of tomorrow by providing ethical, comprehensive, integrated and innovative training in the field of health psychology.
For the 2026-2027 academic year, the Samaritan Health Psychology Internship Program is offering positions in the Medical/Health Psychology track. The track consists of three different rotations and each rotation consists of a “Major” area of emphasis (24-32 hours per week) and “Minor” area of emphasis (8 hours per week; optional). The other 8 hours of the training week are divided amongst didactics, research activity, diversity seminar, group supervision, class socialization, and administration activities. Interns work with the training committee to develop their training plan for the year at the outset of internship.
Samaritan Health Services’ Psychology Internship Program is currently accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) effective April 15, 2018. Questions related to the program’s accreditation status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:
Office of Program Consultation & AccreditationAmerican Psychological Association750 1st St. NE, Washington DC, 20002Phone: 202-336-5979
Samaritan Health Services’ Psychology Internship Program is a member of APPIC and participates in the APPIC Match. This internship site agrees to abide by the APPIC policy that no person at this training facility will solicit, accept, or use any ranking-related information from any intern applicant.
The psychology internship program at Samaritan Health Services abides by the APPIC and APA standards, policies and selection procedures. Applicants must be qualified and participate in the interview process.
Internship applications must be submitted by Nov. 6, 2025.
For each cohort year see our alumni, their graduate program and postdoctoral placement.
Faculty members with the Samaritan Psychology Internship Program, Petra Zdenkova, PsyD, PMH-C, MBA, and Jules Cunningham, PhD, describe the unique opportunities that drew them to the internship program.
Hear more about the Samaritan Psychology Internship Program from faculty members and a resident as they share their thoughts and unique experiences.
Meet faculty members Petra Zdenkova, PsyD, PMH-C, MBA, Associate Director of Clinical Training for the Samaritan Psychology Internship Program, and Jules Cunningham, PhD, Assistant Director of Clinical Training for Samaritan’s residency program. Watch the Faculty video.
Dr. Zdenkova and Dr. Cunningham discuss the unique aspects of the training program and how trainees can customize their experience to meet their goals while working in a clinical setting. Watch What Makes Our Program Unique video.
Hear what doctors Zdenkova and Cunningham appreciate most about working with trainees in the Samaritan Psychology Internship Program. Watch The Program video.
Doctors Zdenkova and Cunningham share their thoughts about the culture of the program. Highlights include a collaborative culture grounded in warmth, openness, supportive relationships, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Watch The Culture video.
Postdoctoral Resident Rachel Wakefield, PsyD, explains what made her want to continue with the Samaritan Psychology training program after completing her initial internship. Watch the Samaritan Program video.
Dr. Rachel Wakefield speaks about her major and minor rotation options and how she was able to vary her experiences to align with her generalist training. Watch the Choosing Rotations video.
Dr. Wakefield shares what she has enjoyed most about her training including the many experiences she gained while working with a wide variety of patients. Watch the Experience video.
Dr. Wakefield explains how her internship and residency with the Samaritan Psychology training program prepared her for her career and starting an independent practice with confidence.Watch the Career video.
Hear Dr. Wakefield describe opportunities and experiences she has had during her residency at Samaritan including work with committees and specific populations. Watch the Goal video.
Dr. Wakefield shares what she loves about the Pacific Northwest and the variety of activities in the region including outdoor recreation and finding fellow trainees with shared interests. Watch the Living in This Area video.
Get to know our faculty as they share their thoughts and unique perspectives.
Get to know Dr. Andrew Iraheta, a behavioral health supervisor and clinician at Samaritan Family Medicine – Geary Street, in Albany. Watch the Andrew Iraheta, PsyD, video.
Get to know Dr. Geoff Schaubhut, a behavioral health supervisors and clinician at Park Street Clinic and Main Street Family Medicine in Lebanon. Watch the Geoffrey Schaubhut, PhD, video.
Get to know Dr. Alexandra Bernal, a long-term therapy supervisor and clinician at Samaritan Mental Health in Corvallis. Watch the Alexandra Beranal, PhD, video.
See Dr. Jules Cunningham discuss the importance of managing behaviors for improving and maintaining heart health. Watch the Dr. Jules Cunningham video.
For more information, contact Terra Bennett-Reeves, PsyD, Director of Clinical Training:
Samaritan Graduate Medical Education3600 NW Samaritan DrCorvallis, OR 97330Email: [email protected]Phone: 541-768-2146Fax: 541-768-5355
Learn more about Samaritan and living and working in the communities we serve in Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties.
Samaritan’s Graduate Medical Education Programs don’t just round out your medical training, they give you the opportunity to discover who you are outside of medicine, in one of the most idyllic settings in the U.S.
