Training Opportunities

ISU's Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) offers a variety of training options for master's and doctoral students from the counseling and clinical psychology departments. Additional training opportunities are available on our Idaho Falls campus for masters and doctoral students from the counseling department. Students may specialize in individual or couple therapy, group counseling (e.g. interpersonal, DBT, etc.), or biofeedback/stress management modalities. Training details and applications are listed below. Interested students are encouraged to submit an application, the earlier the better. Applicants will then meet with CMHC staff members for an interview. We accept, on average, between 3 and 6 students per semester and ask all trainees to make a commitment to be here for at least two semesters, excluding summer. We are also pleased to offer paid practicum/internship opportunities to qualified graduate students through the CPI program.

For more information, please contact our office:

Pocatello: Kristin Stewart Yates, Ph.D. - (208) 282-2130

Idaho Falls: Blaney Hanvey, M.Coun. - (208) 282-7750

Individual and Group Practicum/Internship

The Counseling and Mental Health Center provides free, personal counseling to any enrolled ISU student. Our clients are as diverse as the ISU student population in age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, nationality and religion, and they seek help with a wide variety of concerns. We commonly see students working to overcome mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, and traumatic events in childhood and adult life. CMHC operates within a short-term, goal-oriented counseling model. Although we do not set session limits, most of our clients are able to achieve their treatment goals within the current academic semester. We provide individual, group, and crisis counseling. We welcome graduate students from the clinical psychology and counseling programs to apply for practicum and master's level internship experiences here. We require trainees be here for at least two semesters (not counting summer). Trainees typically have a consistent weekly caseload of 5-10 client hours (individual and group), and receive one hour of individual and one hour of group supervision weekly. Trainees are encouraged to participate in providing education/prevention presentations and co-leading groups alongside our staff. All sessions are recorded for supervision.

A variety of groups are offered during the fall and spring semesters contingent upon client enrollment. Currently offered groups include Interpersonal Process/Understanding Self and Others, Anxiety ACTion, and Mindfulness Skills.

Clinical Training Application 2024

Biofeedback and Stress Management Practicum/Internship

The Counseling and Mental Health Center offers a 1-credit biofeedback practicum in our Stress Management and Biofeedback Center. Practicum students will devote around 10 hours per week for at least 2 semesters. This practicum will provide graduate students with extensive training regarding several biofeedback modalities that are helpful in promoting overall health and relaxation as well as effective treatment for stress, pain, and anxiety. Practicum students will learn how to utilize biofeedback technology to measure biological signals such as heart rate, breathing, muscle activity, sweat, and temperature. Training will also include the teaching of proper breathing techniques, relaxation skills, and pain management procedures to ISU students who are referred for biofeedback services.

Biofeedback Practicum Application Form 2024

CPI Funding for Practicum/Internship

All graduate students accepted for training opportunities will be considered for CPI funding. This funding allows the practicum/internship trainee to be paid while learning valuable skills for their future career path.

CPI Information