CWU revives mental health counseling grad program with grant | Columbia Basin

ELLENSBURG –  In a move to combat the critical shortage of behavioral health specialists in central Washington, Comprehensive Healthcare and Central Washington University (CWU) have announced a significant initiative. Comprehensive Healthcare is gifting nearly $770,000 to the CWU Foundation to reestablish the CWU Mental Health Counseling (MHC) graduate program, aiming to prepare master’s-level candidates for graduation and community work by 2026.

The Comprehensive Healthcare Fund, established through this gift, will finance a two-year launch of programmatic staff responsible for designing and implementing the curriculum, with classes set to begin in January 2025. The funding will support the hiring of a dedicated team, including two faculty members (one serving as the program coordinator), a clinic manager, an interim program coordinator, and graduate assistants, as well as cover additional operational costs.

Community behavioral health organizations have faced a significant workforce shortage in recent years, struggling to meet the rising demand for mental health services. By reviving the MHC graduate program, Comprehensive Healthcare and CWU aim to create pathways that expand access and success for students while providing innovative and integrated healthcare, education, and services to individuals, families, and organizations in the region.

“We’re confident in this partnership that develops a pipeline to significantly impact the workforce shortage we’ve seen over the years in community behavioral healthcare,” said Jodi Daly, PhD, Comprehensive Healthcare Chief Executive Officer and CWU Foundation Board member. “We’re proud to be able to offer this gift to reestablish the CWU MHC graduate program, which will make a significant impact on the lives of local residents by preparing more counselors to deliver high-quality mental health care in the community within a couple of years.”

The MHC program, part of CWU’s Department of Psychology, provides clinical training to graduate students, preparing them to seek state licensure as Mental Health Counselors (LMHC). Established in the 1970s, the program was put on hiatus in 2023 due to a lack of faculty.

The program’s comprehensive training will equip CWU’s graduate MHC students to offer ethical and culturally relevant behavioral health services within their communities. Students will complete practicums and internships at CWU’s clinic or through community placements, such as at Comprehensive Healthcare, under the supervision of department faculty and field supervisors. These experiences enhance students’ clinical skills, expose them to diverse populations, and help develop their professional identities.

“The demand for the MHC program among potential students has been so strong, and the need for mental health support in the community far outstrips the current resources,” said Heidi Perez, CWU Psychology Department Chair. “We are excited to partner with Comprehensive Healthcare to begin the reestablishment of the program so that everyone can benefit.”

Supported by the Comprehensive Healthcare Fund, the program aims to serve up to 12 students annually, with the first cohort expected to graduate by summer 2026. The graduate program will be temporarily housed in an existing facility on the CWU campus in Ellensburg. Comprehensive Healthcare will be recognized for their support within the facility, and certain program roles will bear their name on a fixed-term basis.

“Central Washington University would like to express our sincere gratitude to Comprehensive Healthcare for this generous, and much-needed, donation,” said CWU President Jim Wohlpart. “With the demand for mental health professionals growing every year, these funds will help our psychology department respond to an increasing need for service providers across the Northwest. We believe this partnership represents a significant step in our ongoing effort to train more qualified mental health counselors.”

This initiative marks the beginning of a collaborative effort between Comprehensive Healthcare and CWU, with future opportunities to strengthen clinical opportunities for students while addressing community needs.

“On behalf of the CWU Foundation, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to Comprehensive Healthcare for their generous donation and partnership,” said Wendy Iwaszuk, Chair of the CWU Foundation Board. “This support is invaluable not only to the students in this program but also to the broader community we serve and partnerships we are working to build.”

“The Comprehensive Healthcare board of directors and I believe that when we develop partnerships that can bring resources to communities, students, and those we serve, we’re making a significant impact,” Daly added. “All of this aligns with Comprehensive Healthcare’s strategic pillars that prioritize clients and community relationships, build infrastructure, stabilize financial resources, and increase the workforce.”