Training mental health counseling interns to serve medically-underserved populations: A qualitative analysis of clinical and interdisciplinary experiences

Individuals most in need of mental health care are often the ones who lack equitable access. Medically-underserved populations (MUPs) consist of marginalized groups who do not have adequate access to medical care, including mental health care, due to geographical or systemic barriers. These populations include rural, low-income, LGBTQ+, homeless, migrant workers, and others. Marymount University's School of Counseling has been provided a $1.2 million dollar grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support selected clinical mental health counseling interns to provide psychotherapy, psychological evaluation, and other mental health services to MUPs at approved clinical sites. The purpose of this grant is to provide additional training, support, and incentives for interns to work at clinical sites that serve these populations through the HRSA Scholars Program. This qualitative study examines the clinical and interdisciplinary experiences of interns working with MUPs, exploring outcomes on skills and knowledge acquisition, attitudes, competence, and confidence in working with at-risk, marginalized, and multiculturally diverse clients. The implications of these findings are discussed, along with discussion points for supervision and education of psychotherapists and other mental health professionals.