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.

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 Kyle’s 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 Kyle’s 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
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