Dr. Alfred D. Vonetes, Psy.D

Indian Creek Correctional Center
Dr. Vonetes began his professional journey with a one-year practicum at Indian Creek Correctional Center in Chesapeake, VA—a non-voluntary substance abuse treatment community. During his time at Indian Creek, he played an instrumental role in forming and leading therapy groups, conducting psychological assessments, and providing individual therapy for inmates. This foundational experience solidified his interest in helping those in challenging environments and honed his skills in group dynamics and individualized care.

Walter Reed Army Medical Center Building on this foundation, Dr. Vonetes completed a two-year practicum at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., under the supervision of Michael Lynch, Ph.D., Chief Tele-behavioral Psychologist. At Walter Reed, Dr. Vonetes conducted neuropsychological assessments for veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families. He also extended his expertise to Fort Belvoir in Alexandria, VA, where he conducted cognitive assessments for soldiers as part of a study exploring the impact of video teleconferencing (VTC) on cognitive testing. His work was pivotal in improving methods for detecting TBI-related symptoms without requiring assessors to be present in combat zones, enhancing the accessibility and effectiveness of mental health assessments for military personnel.

Internship at Park Place Behavioral Health Care
Dr. Vonetes completed his Clinical Psychology Internship at Park Place Behavioral Health Care in Kissimmee, FL, a community mental health center that provided him with diverse and enriching experiences. On the inpatient crisis unit, he worked with both children and adults, conducting suicide assessments and providing crisis intervention. His work extended to therapy within juvenile detention centers and child/adolescent group homes for troubled youth, where he formed and led therapy groups as part of the partial hospitalization programs (PHP). Dr. Vonetes' broad scope of experiences at Park Place also included providing substance abuse therapy for adults in rehabilitation communities, allowing him to develop a comprehensive understanding of addiction and recovery.

Post Graduate Work
After earning his doctorate, Dr. Vonetes expanded his skill set by working in both a special needs school and a Montessori school. His primary focus was supporting students with executive function deficits, particularly those diagnosed with ADHD. In addition, Dr. Vonetes gained valuable experience working with children on the Autism spectrum, as well as those with Bipolar Disorder and terminal illnesses. This phase of his career deepened his empathy and understanding of the unique challenges faced by children with complex emotional and developmental needs, reinforcing his commitment to providing compassionate, individualized care.

Veteran Evaluations and Expanding Practice
Once Dr. Vonetes obtained his clinical license, he began working for a company that provided social security disability evaluations for the state of Florida. Shortly after, he transitioned to a role that would become the primary focus of his career: working with veterans. Dr. Vonetes began conducting Compensation and Pension (C&P) evaluations, which focus on assessing mental health issues related to military service. These evaluations are critical for veterans seeking disability benefits, and Dr. Vonetes quickly became highly regarded for his expertise and compassionate approach.