Nurturing the Next Generation of Mental Health Professionals
Iowa faces a critical shortage of mental health professionals, ranking 45th in the nation for workforce availability, according to Mental Health America’s 2023 report. Nearly half of Iowans with mental health needs report challenges accessing care, a situation worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC has noted a staggering 40% rise in suicides in Iowa between 2014 and 2020, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive mental health services. In response, initiatives that bolster the mental health workforce are essential and we task ourselves into nurturing the next generation of mental health professionals.
The Mind & Spirit Counseling Center’s Clinical Training Program
Since 1980, the Mind & Spirit Counseling Center has been at the forefront of addressing these challenges through its Clinical Training Program. This multi-tiered initiative is designed to equip aspiring mental health professionals with the skills and experience necessary to succeed in the field. The program consists of three key components:
1. Graduate Internship
The Graduate Internship offers a nine-month, 20-25 hour per week opportunity for graduate students pursuing careers in psychology, social work, and counseling. Under the mentorship of experienced clinicians, interns provide direct services to clients, gaining invaluable hands-on experience. This approach not only enriches their education but also helps meet the growing demand for mental health services in Iowa.
2. Clinical Residency
The Clinical Residency is a two-year full-time program designed for provisionally licensed clinicians. Residents receive ongoing supervision while managing a caseload of clients. They are encouraged to specialize in high-demand areas such as trauma, family therapy, and perinatal mental health, ensuring they are well-prepared to address diverse community needs.
3. Postdoctoral Fellowship
The Postdoctoral Fellowship prepares psychologists for independent licensure through supervised clinical activities and training rotations. This experience is crucial for developing the competencies necessary to navigate the complexities of modern mental health care.
Insights from Dr. Scott Young
Dr. Scott Young, Director of Psychological Services, has been instrumental in developing these training programs for pre-and-postdoctoral students. His motivation stems from his own experiences during his Ph.D. program when he found limited internship opportunities in Iowa. “At that time, there were only two VA hospital sites and two University Counseling Centers,” he reflects. “I had to go out of state to find a generalist internship that included sensitivity to religious and spiritual issues in practice.”
Dr. Young emphasizes the importance of local training opportunities, noting, “Where a trainee goes for their internship can significantly influence their decision to stay in the area. Iowa really needs psychologists.” His vision for the training programs focuses on providing comprehensive, well-rounded training to increase the number of qualified mental health professionals in the state.
Insights from Dr. Heidi Bowden
Dr. Heidi Bowden, the Center’s Clinical Training Director, brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role. Inspired by her challenging work with clients, particularly in a jail setting, she has dedicated herself to helping individuals one at a time. “I made a promise to myself to ‘work myself out of a job’ by helping others through each intervention,” she shares. This commitment fuels her drive to train novice professionals who will eventually join her as colleagues.
Dr. Bowden aims to broaden the reach of the training program by partnering with various master’s-level schools across Iowa, fostering a diverse cohort of interns. “By expanding our classes to include participation from providers outside our agency, we can enhance the training experience,” she explains. She also recognizes the critical role of clinical supervisors in guiding interns, advocating for improved training and support for them to create a positive learning environment.
Looking Ahead: Excitement for the Future
Both Dr. Young and Dr. Bowden express enthusiasm for the next cohort of interns. Dr. Bowden notes, “Brenna and Emma’s eagerness and enthusiasm to learn everything about counseling and therapy truly energize our team.” She is excited to see how their unique gifts will contribute to the organization and their future clients.
Dr. Young shares similar sentiments about Mark and Sierra, stating, “They both have clear visions for their future practices but are open to becoming well-rounded generalists.” He expresses his hope that by investing in their training, they may choose to stay in Iowa and continue serving the community. “I’m eager to help them develop into the skilled professionals we need,” he adds, underscoring the importance of nurturing future psychologists to address Iowa’s mental health needs.
Meet the Students: Future Leaders in Mental Health
As part of the Mind & Spirit Counseling Center’s Clinical Training Program, we are thrilled to introduce this year’s student clinicians. Each person is enthusiastic about their training experiences and the opportunities that lie ahead in their careers as mental health professionals. Hear what they have to say about their experiences at the Center so far!
Emma Mraz
Emma Mraz is particularly excited about the continuous learning opportunities provided by the training program. She values the seminars that foster her curiosity and professional growth, stating, “This learning will be beneficial because it allows us to gain information on how to better serve our clients.” Emma appreciates the supportive environment, noting that the clinicians she works with genuinely care about her development both as a person and a professional.
“The clinicians that I work closely with have held space for me to explore who I am becoming as a mental health counselor,” Emma shares. This sense of community has been invaluable to her, and she feels grateful for the chance to develop her skills in such a nurturing setting.
Emma hopes to gain several key skills during her training, including ways to show up as her authentic self for clients, effective case conceptualization, achieving a work-life balance, and tools to help both her and her clients remain present during sessions.
Brenna McConnell
Brenna McConnell is looking forward to the discoveries that await her in the training program. She is particularly eager to deepen her understanding of intersectionality and LGBTQ+ affirmative care. “Expanding on what I know is one of the base expectations of this career,” Brenna explains. “You will never know everything there is to know because of the evolution of mental health support.” This mindset of embracing the unknown is vital to her growth as both an individual and a therapist.
Brenna envisions the support from the staff at Mind & Spirit as a crucial aspect of her development. “I can already tell that everyone in the Center is willing to help and is very supportive of the trainees,” she notes. She values the collaborative environment, where staff members lift each other up while also engaging in constructive discussions about areas for growth.
Through her training, Brenna aims to experience life as a therapist, identifying her strengths and weaknesses to become the best therapist she can be. She is excited about meeting new people and helping them on their journeys, with a specific focus on learning more about the LGBTQ+ community and how she can be an effective ally.
Sierra Lauber
Sierra Lauber is genuinely excited to be joining the Center’s clinical team and has been truly touched by the warmth and kindness shown to her by everyone. The welcoming atmosphere has already made a positive impact on her experience as she looks forward to her postdoctoral training. She is especially eager to continue her work supporting children and families through therapy and assessment. Additionally, Sierra feels encouraged by the support she has received for expanding the group therapy services offered at the Center and remains hopeful about this opportunity.
Mark Thomas
Mark Thomas is excited about the opportunities provided by the training program, particularly the integrated care aspect. He looks forward to engaging in both assessment and therapy, while working alongside various clinicians in the field. This experience, he believes, will contribute significantly to his development as a more well-rounded psychologist, equipping him to meet the diverse needs of future clients.
Mark also values the mentorship and support offered by the program’s staff. Each mentor brings a unique perspective, allowing him to grow in areas of practice where he seeks further development. He appreciates the personable nature of the clinicians he has worked with so far, which has enhanced his learning experience.
One of Mark’s key goals is to broaden his knowledge in conducting assessments, particularly in the area of autism. With guidance of the Center, he hopes to gain more practical experience in evaluating clients with autism, a skill set he believes will be vital in his future career as a mental health professional.
Conclusion
The Mind & Spirit Counseling Center’s Clinical Training Program plays an important role in addressing Iowa’s mental health crisis. By nurturing the next generation of mental health professionals, the program enhances the quality of care available while strengthening the overall workforce. As Iowa continues to navigate significant challenges in mental health service availability, initiatives like this are essential for ensuring that all Iowans have access to the care they need. With passionate leaders like Dr. Young and Dr. Bowden at the helm, the future looks bright for aspiring counselors and psychologists, and the communities they will serve.
If you’re interested in supporting our Clinical Training Program, which is dedicated to strengthening the mental health workforce in Iowa, we invite you to reach out to Director of Development, Heather Stuyvesant. She would be happy to discuss how you can contribute a gift and get involved in making a meaningful impact today.