Become a Clinical Psychologist with the Defense Health Agency
Are you a licensed professional looking to make a meaningful impact on the mental health and readiness of our nation's military personnel? The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is currently inviting applications for a Clinical Psychologist position based at the Naval Branch Health Clinics in Norfolk, Virginia. This role offers a unique intersection of clinical practice and national service.
Job Responsibilities
As a Clinical Psychologist, your primary objective is to provide high-level mental health support to beneficiaries. Your daily tasks will include:
- Delivering individual and group therapy using evidence-based modalities like cognitive-mental therapy.
- Assessing acute mental health conditions and formulating effective treatment plans.
- Performing detailed biopsychosocial evaluations.
- Providing psychoeducational training to clinic staff to foster a supportive mental health culture.
- Coordinating with medical providers to ensure holistic patient care.
Requirements and Qualifications
To be considered for this role, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Education: A Doctoral Degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in clinical psychology.
- Licensure: A current, active, and unrestricted license to practice psychology independently.
- Experience: At least one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 level, focusing on counseling and evaluation.
- Residency: Must be a U.S. citizen.
Requirements Comparison Table
| Requirement | Essentiality |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | Mandatory |
| Clinical License | Mandatory |
| Federal Experience | Highly Desirable |
| Security Clearance | Must be eligible for Secret |
Salary and Benefits
The position offers a competitive annual salary ranging from $108,019 to $140,426, depending on qualifications and locality pay. Beyond the salary, the federal government offers a robust benefits package, including health insurance, retirement planning, and paid time off. Incentives, including student loan repayment, may be available for qualified candidates.
Application Tips
- Keep it Brief: Your resume must not exceed two pages.
- Be Specific: Detail your hours per week for every position held.
- Documentation: Ensure you attach your clinical license and transcripts immediately to avoid being marked incomplete.
This role with the Defense Health Agency is a rare opportunity to apply your professional clinical skills in a mission-driven environment. If you meet the qualifications and are eager to support the military community, submit your application before the closing date.
Why This Clinical Psychologist (Mental Health) Job Matters
Advance your clinical career while supporting those who serve—join the Defense Health Agency as a Clinical Psychologist at Naval Base Norfolk.
Clinical Psychologist (Mental Health) Job Overview
The Defense Health Agency is seeking a dedicated Clinical Psychologist to join our team at the Naval Branch Health Clinics in Norfolk, Virginia. In this role, you will play a critical part in the mental health support system for service members and their families. Utilizing a blend of evidence-based modalities, you will provide individual and group counseling, conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial evaluations, and contribute to the overall readiness of the force. This is a unique opportunity to apply your expertise within a collaborative, integrated healthcare environment.
Requirements for Clinical Psychologist (Mental Health)
- U.S. Citizenship.
- Possession of a Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in clinical psychology.
- Current, active, valid, and unrestricted clinical license to practice psychology independently in a U.S. state, territory, or district.
- At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the federal service.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
- Completion of a one-year probationary period.
- Submission of a resume that does not exceed two pages.
Preferred Qualifications for Clinical Psychologist (Mental Health)
- Experience with brief, problem-focused interventions.
- Proficiency in cognitive-behavioral therapeutic modalities.
- Demonstrated ability to perform comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments.
- Experience in developing and delivering psychoeducational training to multidisciplinary teams.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Competitive federal salary with locality pay.
- ✓Potential for recruitment or relocation incentives for highly qualified candidates.
- ✓Opportunities for student loan repayment programs.
- ✓Comprehensive federal benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance.
- ✓Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
- ✓Generous paid leave and federal holiday schedule.
💡 How to Apply Clinical Psychologist (Mental Health) Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Clinical Psychologist (Mental Health) Job
- Create or log into your USAJOBS account.
- Prepare a resume that is two pages or less, highlighting relevant specialized experience.
- Gather necessary documentation, including your doctoral transcripts and a copy of your current clinical license.
- Access the official online application portal to complete the required questionnaire.
- Submit your complete application package before the closing date of August 14, 2026.
💡 General Tips
- Ensure your resume strictly adheres to the two-page limit; submissions exceeding this will be excluded.
- Explicitly state your hours worked per week for each position listed to verify specialized experience.
- Use plain language and avoid internal acronyms to ensure clarity for HR reviewers.
- Submit your application early to account for potential technical delays or document virus scanning times.
- Carefully review the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements to confirm all required supporting documents are attached.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a substitution of education for experience allowed?
No, for this specific position, you must meet the specialized experience requirements through work experience alone.
Can I submit a resume longer than two pages?
No. Per the announcement instructions, resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
What level of security clearance is required?
This position requires a Secret level security clearance.
Is relocation assistance offered?
Relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates, but this is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
What is the closing date?
The application window closes on August 14, 2026.
Job from Military Treatment Facilities Under Dha
The Defense Health Agency is an integrated healthcare system responsible for delivering services across the Department of Defense. Supporting more than 9.5 million uniformed service members, retirees, and their families, the DHA serves as a strategic partner to the Joint Force. By providing high-quality medical and behavioral health care, the agency ensures the health and readiness of our military community anywhere and anytime.