Become a Counseling Psychologist with the Defense Health Agency
Are you looking to transition your clinical skills into a mission-driven environment? The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is currently seeking dedicated Counseling Psychologists to serve at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in Fort Hood, Texas. This is a unique opportunity to provide critical mental health services to the men and women who serve our nation, as well as their families.
Job Responsibilities
As a Counseling Psychologist, your role is multifaceted. You will engage in both direct patient care and systemic support. Key duties include:
- Clinical Counseling: Providing evidence-based individual, couples, and family therapy.
- Assessment: Conducting comprehensive clinical assessments using standardized tools and interviews.
- Treatment Planning: Developing and monitoring individualized treatment plans to improve outcomes.
- Consultation: Offering in-service training and expertise to primary care and behavioral health staff.
- Collaboration: Engaging with interdisciplinary teams to address the evolving needs of the installation.
Requirements
To be considered for this role, you must meet specific federal eligibility standards:
| Requirement Type | Detail |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Must be a U.S. Citizen |
| Education | Master’s degree or 2 years graduate study in Counseling Psychology |
| Experience | 1 year of specialized experience (GS-11 level equivalent) |
| Licensing | Active, unrestricted Psychologist license highly preferred |
Salary and Benefits
The annual salary for this position ranges from $89,508 to $116,362, depending on experience and qualifications. Federal employees enjoy a robust benefits package, including:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Comprehensive retirement planning (FERS).
- Accrued annual and sick leave.
- Potential relocation incentives.
Application Tips
Applying for federal positions requires attention to detail. Ensure your resume is exactly two pages or less. Use plain language to describe your past clinical roles, ensuring you explicitly mention the hours worked per week and the dates of your employment. Don't forget to attach your transcripts, as they are mandatory to prove you meet the educational threshold.
Serving as a Counseling Psychologist in a military treatment facility is a deeply rewarding career move. You will provide vital support to the military community while enjoying the stability and benefits of federal employment. Review the official announcement and prepare your application package today to start your journey with the DHA.
Why This Counseling Psychologist Job Matters
Empower our military families and service members by providing expert clinical counseling and support at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center.
Counseling Psychologist Job Overview
The Defense Health Agency is seeking dedicated Counseling Psychologists to join the team at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in Fort Hood, Texas. In this vital role, you will provide comprehensive clinical assessments, individual and family therapy, and evidence-based interventions to support the behavioral health needs of our military community.
Requirements for Counseling Psychologist
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Possess a master's degree or two full academic years of graduate study directly related to counseling psychology.
- One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the federal service.
- Ability to provide individual, couples, and family counseling.
- Must be able to develop and implement individualized treatment plans.
- Must be able to provide professional consultations to clinical and primary care staff.
Preferred Qualifications for Counseling Psychologist
- Current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a Psychologist from a State, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory.
- Proven experience conducting thorough clinical assessments using standardized tools.
- Experience in crisis intervention and collaborative care within a multidisciplinary medical environment.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Competitive federal salary with locality pay.
- ✓Comprehensive federal health and life insurance options.
- ✓Generous annual and sick leave accrual.
- ✓Potential for salary negotiation for candidates new to federal service.
- ✓Potential recruitment or relocation incentives for qualified hires.
- ✓Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
💡 How to Apply Counseling Psychologist Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Counseling Psychologist Job
- Create or log into your USAJOBS account.
- Prepare a resume that is two pages or less, clearly detailing your specialized experience, hours worked per week, and dates of employment.
- Gather your graduate transcripts as they are required for this position.
- Complete the online questionnaire via the provided application link.
- Submit your resume, transcripts, and any supporting documentation before the closing date.
- Monitor your application status through your USAJOBS dashboard.
💡 General Tips
- Keep your resume strictly to two pages or less; longer resumes will be automatically excluded.
- Use plain, clear language and avoid internal jargon or acronyms.
- Ensure your transcript clearly shows your graduate studies related to counseling psychology.
- Double-check that your specialized experience includes specific examples of counseling, assessments, and treatment planning.
- Submit your application early to allow for the mandatory document virus-scanning process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a license required to apply?
While the basic education requirement is a master's degree or two years of graduate study, a current, active, and unrestricted license as a Psychologist is highly preferred.
What is the page limit for the resume?
Your resume must be two pages or less. Resumes exceeding this limit will be removed from consideration.
Can I substitute education for experience?
No, for this specific position, you must meet the specialized experience requirement directly; education substitution is not permitted.
Job from Military Treatment Facilities Under Dha
The Defense Health Agency is an integrated health care system tasked with delivering medical services across the Department of Defense. By joining the DHA, you become part of a global team that supports the Joint Force, retirees, and military families. Working at a medical center like Carl R. Darnall, you will be on the front lines of healthcare, ensuring that our service members remain ready, resilient, and supported.