Click here to self-schedule your appointment.

Behavioral Health Therapy Student Training

Training the next generation of behavioral health care providers


Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC) provides the opportunity to work within a fast-paced environment, where students train in a supportive environment, under supervision of a licensed behavioral health staff member. Students will treat an underserved patient population.  The practicum year provides students the exposure to a broad clinical experience through individual and group therapy.

Program Highlights

  • Weekly group and individual supervision
  • Peer consultation with an advanced trainee
  • Professional presentation development
  • Multicultural, Provider Resilience, Opioid Use Disorder/Substance Use Disorder (OUD/SUD), and Case Management Case Conferences
  • Didactic training in:
    • Best practices in telehealth
    • Treating clients in groups
    • Trauma responsive care
    • Treatment of substance use and opioid use disorders
    • Motivational interviewing
    • Treating chronic health conditions

Program Highlights

  • Weekly group and individual supervision
  • Peer consultation with an advanced trainee
  • Professional presentation development
  • Multicultural, Provider Resilience, Opioid Use Disorder/Substance Use Disorder (OUD/SUD), and Case Management Case Conferences
  • Didactic training in:
    • Best practices in telehealth
    • Treating clients in groups
    • Trauma responsive care
    • Treatment of substance use and opioid use disorders
    • Motivational interviewing
    • Treating chronic health conditions

Child Track
Trainees will participate in the program highlights and these track-specific elements

  • Weekly group supervision of group therapy
  • Monthly child case conference
  • Child Specific Didactics
    • School involvement including IEP/504s
    • DCF reporting and families with DCF involvement
    • Pediatric risk assessment and safety planning
    • Treating trauma in children

Generalist Track

Population Lifespan

Setting Integrated, primary care with medical, dental, and behavioral health services

Locations Danbury, Meriden, Middletown, New Britain, New London, Norwalk, Stamford, Waterbury

Trainee eligibility
3rd-5th year doctoral students only – Dual Assessment and Therapy placement (Middletown)

Child Track

Population Children, adolescents and young adults

Setting Integrated, primary care that offers medical, dental, and behavioral health services*
Outpatient**

Locations
Hartford – Connecticut Pediatrics @ CHC*
Stamford – Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut (CGC)**

Trainee eligibility
All years

Program Schedule

Master’s students should adhere to their school’s required hours and start times. The placement requires a minimum of two consecutive semesters.

Doctoral students must complete a minimum of 20 hours a week with a July or August start for onboard training. The placement ends in alignment with a school’s spring semester.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must complete the online application. Prepare to submit:

  • A cover letter with a brief statement on your interest in working with underserved populations
  • A CV (master’s optional; doctoral required)
  • The name and email addresses for two references (doctoral only).

Note: References must complete the reference form, letters of recommendation are not accepted.