Mental health workforce shortages create opportunities for innovative training pathways that support the transition from student to provider. This session will highlight one system’s approach to developing and implementing an integrated behavioral health (IBH) internship that supports trainees as they move from graduate training to pre-licensed practice. A recent MSW graduate, now practicing as an LGSW within the same clinic where they completed a year-long internship, will share their experience transitioning from trainee to provider on an integrated care team. The presenter will provide a brief overview of the internship program’s development, describe structured learning opportunities designed for trainees within the clinic, and discuss how these supports continue during the early pre-licensure phase of practice. The session will conclude with a Q&A panel featuring key contributors to the program—including the Director of IBH, clinical supervisors, and program developers—who will discuss lessons learned, implementation strategies, and considerations for replicating similar workforce development initiatives in mental health shortage areas.
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Ogbeide, S. A., Knight, C., Young, A., George, D., Houston, B., Wicoff, M., Johnson-Esparza, Y., & Gibson Lopez, G. (2024). Current Practices in Clinical Supervision in Primary Care. Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings, 31(2), 316–328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-023-10001-5
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Serafin, M., Vang, M., Kammer, R., Much, K., & Olson, M. (2025, February). Unfinished business: Examining barriers to obtaining mental health licensure among Minnesota graduates (54 pp.). Wilder Research & Center for Rural Behavioral Health at Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://www.wilder.org/wp-content/pdf-file/CRBH_UnfinishedBusiness_ExaminingBarriers_2-25.pdf
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