Guam-PIC Launches Today to Develop Local Psychology Professions

Hagåtña, Guam – The Leon Guerrero-Tenorio Administration together with the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC), in partnership with the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), is pleased to announce the launch of the Guam Psychology Internship Consortium (Guam-PIC). After 18 months of planning and development, the program begins today with its first cohort of two psychology doctoral student interns.

The Guam-PIC offers two full-time paid internship positions for one year and, upon graduation, provides an opportunity for immediate employment. Interns gain doctoral level education and clinical training at GBHWC and the Department of Corrections based on the standards and competencies of the American Psychological Association, and are trained in culturally relevant psychological services pertinent to Guam’s diverse population. The goal of the Guam-PIC is to prepare, train, and retain psychology doctoral interns to provide culturally competent, collaborative behavioral healthcare on Guam upon graduation.  

“This marks another significant milestone in our efforts to improve our state of healthcare through investment in the growth of medical specialists right here at home,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “For too long, our island has been designated as a health professional shortage area and a medically underserved population. The Guam-PIC is key to addressing the mental health crisis, strengthening our pathways to develop more homegrown medical specialists, and building a more sustainable healthcare system that better serves our people in their time of need.”

“Our Administration worked hard to secure the funding needed to create this program, because investing in opportunities for our people is an investment in the advancement of our island,” said Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio. “With psychology internships now readily available with the possibility of immediate employment upon graduation, we encourage students interested in the field and those passionate about mental healthcare to take full advantage of the Guam-PIC.”

“After hearing of Hawaii’s Internship Program during a WICHE Behavioral Health Advisory Council meeting in 2019, the conversation to stand up a similar program on Guam began,” said GBHWC Director Theresa Arriola. “We are so pleased today, as this program provides the means to address the national shortage of psychologists, who are needed now more than ever.”

For more information, visit guam-pic.org or contact GBHWC Director Theresa Arriola at 671-647-1901 or theresa.arriola@gbhwc.guam.gov, Guam-PIC Program Director Dr. Mary Fegurgur at mary.fegurgur@gbhwc.guam.gov, or Assistant Program Director Dr. Angela Laygo at angela.laygo@gbhwc.guam.gov.

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