Clark Community Mental Health Center | National Psychology Training Consortium

Clark Community Mental Health Center, a nonprofit Certified Community Behavioral Health Organization, offers comprehensive outpatient mental health services to residents of Southwest Missouri. Clark Center’s mission underpins our commitment to providing accessible and inclusive care for all clients, regardless of their financial ability to pay for services. With a focus on underserved and rural populations, Clark Center provides outpatient therapy, school-based therapy, psychological assessment, psychiatric medication management, substance use treatment, crisis support, case management, and peer support services. Our dedicated interdisciplinary team, comprised of psychologists, counselors, social workers, nurses, nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, and other behavioral health staff members, ensures high quality integrated behavioral healthcare.

Clark Center’s internship program is distinguished by its strong supervision model and wide-ranging clinical experiences. Interns are supported by multiple psychologists who serve as primary supervisors, as well as other specialists who contribute as ancillary supervisors—each offering distinct expertise and perspectives that enrich the training experience. Interns receive a minimum of four hours of supervision each week, delivered through both individual and group formats. The program offers a broad array of training opportunities tailored to interns’ interests, including individual therapy with diverse populations, couples and family therapy, psychological assessment, school-based services, crisis intervention, substance use group treatment, community psychoeducation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and exposure to evidence-based practices such as PCIT and EMDR. Postdoctoral opportunities may be available to well-qualified candidates who have successfully completed internship at Clark Center.

Clark Center’s office environment is known for its comfortable, collaborative, and collegial atmosphere. Interns are valued as peers, fostering a balanced blend of professionalism and camaraderie. Interns who previously matched with Clark Center have described their experience as challenging, enriching, and transformative.

Training Opportunities

Positions: 3

Setting

Outpatient

Services Provided by Interns

Clark Center offers a single, comprehensive rotation that provides a wide range of training experiences across multiple service locations. This rotation is designed to prepare interns for clinical work in rural, underserved areas while offering exposure to a variety of service settings and modalities.

The primary training site is our Monett outpatient office, where interns will provide individual therapy to clients across the lifespan, participate in psychological assessment regularly, and engage in occasional couples and family therapy. Additional experiences may include facilitation of substance use treatment groups, exposure to Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), crisis intervention, supervision of master’s level interns, opportunities for community psychoeducation.

Interns will also spend at least one day per week in a local public school, which they will be assigned to for the full academic year. In this setting, interns focus on building collaborative relationships with school staff, serving as a mental health resource, and most importantly, delivering accessible, school-based therapy services to K–12 students.

Additionally, interns will have the opportunity to spend one day per week at our Mt. Vernon outpatient office, where training emphasizes EMDR therapy, couples and family therapy, and continued individual therapy work.

Schedule Considerations

Normal operation hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Placement Locations

Clark Center has outpatient counseling offices in Monett, Cassville, Greenfield and Aurora and provides counseling services in 10 school districts within the three county catchment area. Interns will have an office in the Monett office and can expect to spend one-two days each week in one of the adjacent schools.

Didactics

Didactic trainings are typically held every other Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Two times per year interns will attend an all-day training from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm which will allow in-person socialization and interaction. Interns spend a minimum of eight hours each month in seminars and workshops with required learning objectives and a reading list covering relevant journal articles, etc. Please email applicant@psychologyinterns.org for access to our current training manual which includes the full didactic training policy (policies subject to change).

Supervision

All interns receive at least four hours of supervision per week. The requirement includes at least two hours with a licensed psychologist in individual, face-to-face supervision. The other two hours include secondary supervision with a licensed psychologist and/or ancillary supervisor in a group or individual setting. Please email applicant@psychologyinterns.org for access to our current training manual which includes the full supervision policy (policies subject to change).

Clerical and Technical Support

Clark Center’s primary outpatient facility in Monett hosts approximately 15 clinical staff members across various specialties and licensures, supported by six full-time administrative professionals. Interns may elect to spend some time at an additional outpatient site in Mt. Vernon, which is staffed by around six clinical providers and its own dedicated support personnel. School-based therapy services are supported by staff based across multiple Clark Center offices.

Core administrative functions—including executive leadership, human resources, and IT—are based in a nearby Monett facility called “The Hub,” which doubles as a community resource center. Clark Center employs two full-time IT specialists, two full-time human resource professionals, and a competent maintenance crew, all of whom are accessible and responsive to staff needs related to troubleshooting, employment questions, or systems support.

A defining strength of Clark Center is its executive leadership, known for its integrity, transparency, and commitment to servant leadership principles.

Training Materials and Equipment

Clark Center utilizes InSync as its Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. Upon hire, interns receive a comprehensive orientation, which includes training on the EHR. Ongoing support is available through weekly “Lunch and Learn” sessions that build microskills necessary for efficient use of the system. Dedicated EHR specialists are on staff to provide technical assistance and oversee customizations and training.

Each intern is provided with a private furnished office space, which they are encouraged to personalize, along with a personal laptop equipped with Microsoft Office 365 and a secondary monitor.

We maintain a well-stocked library of psychological assessment tools designed to address the most common referral questions—each originating internally through Clark Center. As a rural community mental health center, we intentionally do not provide specialized assessments such as forensic or full neuropsychological evaluations; these are referred externally. Instead, we focus on essential, gold-standard psychological assessments that support accurate diagnosis, actionable treatment planning, and access to appropriate services. In addition to paper-and-pencil formats, much of the testing is conducted using dedicated computers and iPads. Modern technology supports this work, including shared subscriptions to Pearson Q-global, Pearson Q-interactive, PARiConnect, MHS Online Assessment Center, and WPS Online Evaluation System. We also offer a specialized office space with A/V monitoring and a two-way mirror for supervision, observation, training, and PCIT. By the end of the training year, interns are expected to demonstrate competency in generalist psychological assessment across a range of common presenting problems.

Common assessment domains include:

Cognitive and intellectual functioning
Neurodevelopmental disorders
Personality structure
Mood and anxiety disorders
Bipolar spectrum
Psychosis
Trauma-related disorders
Neuropsychological screening

Schedule

Each intern’s schedule may vary according to special interests and needs of the training site.

Example Schedule

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
AM	Office-based individual therapy and/or psychological assessment administration: Monett office	School-based individual therapy: Local K-12 public school	1 hour of individual supervision, followed by office-based therapy: Monett office	1 hour of individual supervision, followed by office-based therapy: Mt. Vernon office	NPTC training/didactics
PM	1 hour of supervision provided to a master’s level intern, followed by office-based individual therapy: Monett office	School-based individual therapy: Local K-12 public school	2 hours of group assessment supervision, followed by office-based therapy: Monett office	Office-based therapy focused on EMDR and/or couples/family therapy: Mt. Vernon office	Psychological assessment administration and/or report writing: Monett office

Our Supervisors

While we won’t know your exact supervisor assignments until the internship starts, these are examples of some of the individuals you may work with over the course of your year at the site.

Site Training Co-Directors

Richard Brewer, Psy.D.

Dr. Brewer earned his master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton Graduate School in Wheaton, Illinois, and his doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Forest Institute in Springfield, Missouri. His internship was completed at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners and his post-doctoral residency was completed at the Family Institute of the Ozarks. Dr. Brewer’s theoretical orientation is Cognitive-Behavioral. Before joining Clark Center, he was a professor of psychology for 33 years. Dr. Brewer meets with each intern individually, on a weekly basis, where he addresses on the intersectionality of personal growth and professional development. His approach to supervision is person-centered, collaborative, and interpersonal.

Matthew Dzak, Psy.D.

Dr. Dzak earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from Forest Institute in Springfield, Missouri. He currently serves as the Integrated Outpatient Counseling Supervisor for Clark Center. He has 11 years of experience working as a psychologist in rural mental health settings, where he has served in both clinical roles and leadership capacities. As the Internship Training Director for Clark Center, his interests include psychological assessment, program development, clinical supervision, and administration. Dr. Dzak oversees the supervision of psychological assessment and school-based therapy using individual and group formats. His approach to supervision is Socratic, growth-minded, scaffolding-based, and feedback-heavy. He mentors interns in writing reports that are accurate, integrated, and ultimately helpful to the client. He especially enjoys facilitating group supervision discussions about contentious professional topics.

Primary Supervisors

Jacob Fantin, Psy.D.

Dr. Fantin earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in Counseling Psychology from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington. He completed his internship and post-doctoral residency at Clark Community Mental Health Center. His theoretical orientation is Client-Centered & Cognitive-Behavioral. Dr. Fantin is trained in EMDR, the Gottman Method, and other evidence-based modalities. His supervision style emphasizes creating an environment that builds confidence, encourages growth through challenges, and embraces vulnerability, ensuring that supervisees provide the highest quality care to their clients.

Holly Henderson, MA, LPC

Holly earned her master’s degree in Counseling from AGTS in Springfield, Missouri. She currently serves as the Outpatient Counseling Director for Clark Center. She is a Trauma Informed Care trainer, a Crisis Team member, and a Zero Suicide committee member. She is trained in EMDR therapy, in addition to more traditional modalities. She also has experience with children and families, including work as a school-based therapist in rural Missouri. Rather than engaging in clinical supervision with interns, Holly’s role with the internship program is predominantly administrative, as she oversees the daily operations of Clark Center’s multiple outpatient counseling clinics spread across a three-county region of southwest Missouri.

Example treatment modalities (as listed by APPIC):

Assessment	Experience (21% to 30%)
Individual Intervention	Major Area (50%+)
Couples Intervention	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Family Intervention	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Group Intervention	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Community Intervention	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Consultation/Liaison	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Crisis Intervention	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Brief Intervention	Experience (21% to 30%)
Long-Term Intervention	Experience (21% to 30%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation	N/A
Primary Care	N/A
Supervision of Prac. Students	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Evidence-Based Practice	Major Area (50%+)
Evidence-Based Research	Exposure (1% to 20%)

Supervision is taken seriously at Clark Center. Time will be scheduled to ensure supervision is provided on a consistent, timely basis. Interns can expect to receive the minimum number of the hours of supervision as stipulated by NPTC. Supervision is a two-way street, a collaborative relationship between individuals who learn from each other. Being prepared to ask questions, express concerns, share successes, review cases, discuss theories, address ethical elements of providing counseling, and explore other issues relevant to counseling, all of which are potential “grist” for the supervision “mill.” While supervision is not therapy, individual issues and personal concerns that may impact the delivery of counseling services are also important elements of supervision. Interns are encouraged to be assertive, to be invested in the process, and to expect the supervisors to be responsible and responsive colleagues who are part of a team.

Example supervised experiences (as listed by APPIC):

Health Psychology	Exposure (1% to 20%)	Forensics / Corrections	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Women’s Health	Exposure (1% to 20%)	Sexual Offenders	N/A
HIV / AIDS	Exposure (1% to 20%)	Geropsychology	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Eating Disorders	Exposure (1% to 20%)	Pediatrics	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sexual Disorders	Exposure (1% to 20%)	School	Experience (21% to 30%)
Sports Psychology	N/A	Counseling	Major Area (50%+)
Rehabilitation Psychology	N/A	Vocational / Career Development	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Physical Disabilities	Exposure (1% to 20%)	Multicultural Therapy	Experience (21% to 30%)
Learning Disabilities	Exposure (1% to 20%)	Feminist Therapy	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Developmental Disabilities	Exposure (1% to 20%)	Religion / Spirituality	Experience (21% to 30%)
Assessment	Experience (21% to 30%)	Empirically-Supported Treatment	Major Area (50%+)
Neuropsychology – Adult	Exposure (1% to 20%)	Public Policy / Advocacy	N/A
Neuropsychology – Child	Exposure (1% to 20%)	Program Development/Evaluation	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Serious Mental Illness	Emphasis (31% to 49%)	Supervision	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Anxiety Disorders	Major Area (50%+)	Research	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Trauma/PTSD	Major Area (50%+)	Administration	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sexual Abuse	Experience (21% to 30%)	Integrated Health Care–Primary	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Substance Use Disorders	Experience (21% to 30%)	Integrated Health Care–Specialty	Exposure (1% to 20%)

Barry, Lawrence, and Dade counties in southwest Missouri comprise the primary service area for Clark Community Mental Health Center, a Certified Community Behavioral Health Organization (CCBHO). These largely rural counties are home to a combined population of over 80,000 residents. The region is predominantly White, though the Hispanic population is steadily growing—particularly in Barry and Lawrence counties, where up to 30% of students in some classrooms identify as Hispanic. Across the three counties, it is estimated that about 7% of individuals over the age of five speak a language other than English at home. Over 60% of students in local schools qualify for free or reduced lunch, underscoring the socioeconomic challenges faced by many families in the region.

Median household incomes in these counties generally range from $31,000 to $36,000, and poverty rates hover around 13–17%, exceeding state and national averages. Despite high levels of financial hardship, visible street homelessness remains rare, largely due to the prevalence of informal support networks—friends and extended family often step in to provide housing for individuals in need. Still, access to mental health care can be limited by financial barriers, transportation, and a lack of local providers. Clark Center plays a critical role in meeting these needs, with a commitment to providing care regardless of a person’s ability to pay.

As a CCBHO, Clark Center offers a full continuum of behavioral health services, including crisis response, psychiatry, outpatient therapy, case management, and substance use treatment. Services are offered through an Open Access model, meaning anyone can walk in for a free initial screening, with no billing to insurance or other pay sources. To further increase access for those without financial resources, Clark Center utilizes graduate-level practicum students and interns, and is designated as a National Health Service Corps (NHSC) site, offering loan repayment incentives to licensed providers who serve underserved populations. The hub of operations is based in Monett, Missouri, where the primary administrative and outpatient offices are located. This location also serves as the central training site for interns, offering valuable experience in providing care to a diverse, low-income, and rural population. Additional satellite offices across Clark Center’s coverage area further increase the accessibility of services.

Children	20%
Adolescents	20%
Adults	50%
Family	5%
Older Adults	5%
Inpatients
Outpatients	100%
LBGTQIA+	10%
Ethnic Minorities	15%
Spanish Speaking	5%
French Speaking
Deaf/Hearing Impaired	1%
Students	25%
International Students
Rural	100%
Urban
Low Income	80%
Homeless	3%

Number of Counties Served	3
Total Number of Clients Served	4500

Annual Pay for the 2025-2026 Training Year: $39,500

Benefits provided at this site include:

- 112 hours PTO for vacation/sick
- 24 hours of Professional Development
- Professional liability insurance
- Health insurance at NO cost for the employee
- Vision, dental, life insurance available paid by employee
- Cafeteria plan

Clark Center observes the following holidays:

- New Years Day
- President’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Election Day
- Thanksgiving
- Friday after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
- Personal Holiday(s)

Please note that available benefits and observed holidays are subject to change. Matched interns will receive full benefit orientations at their site which will go over all benefit information for the training year. More information about the Support and Benefits offered in each of our regions can be found here.

All employees of the Clark Center are required to pass a drug screen and pass a background check before starting employment. Individuals taking medications that may cause a positive screen must be able to produce a valid prescription.

The Clark Center maintains a zero-tolerance policy against recreational marijuana use. Applicants without a valid medical card who test positive for marijuana will not be considered for employment.

Interviews are conducted virtually by a team of supervising psychologists. Clark Center sets aside a number of days for interviews, which are scheduled on the hour. The duration of each interview is kept to 45 minutes, which allows the interview panel enough time to discuss, break, and regroup for the next interview.

Interviews are typically conduced in a semi-structured style. We will have a few scripted questions for each candidate and we will allow each candidate ample time to ask their questions of the Clark Center. Beyond this, we prefer that interviews are conversational and organic, which gives us an opportunity to really “get to know” each other.

Accommodations can be made for candidates who are interested in visiting Clark Center in person, but this is neither required or expected of anyone, nor does it increase one’s ranking or chances of a successful match.

The intern selection process at Clark Center is a highly collaborative undertaking that involves a team of supervisors, managers, and human resource professionals. Each application is reviewed by the site training director, all principal supervisors, and the outpatient counseling director. Applications are evaluated on a number of factors, including but not limited to therapy experience, psychological testing experience, client contact hours, appeal of the cover letter, strength of essays, report writing ability, diversity of training experiences, academic performance, reference letters, resume quality, career aspirations, and overall goodness-of-fit with Clark Center. Over multiple consultations and meetings, our team arrives at a consensus of the candidates who are most promising, who then receive invitations to interview.

Rather than we as supervisors developing a cliché list of “what makes an intern a good fit at Clark Center,” we pass this question along to current and past Clark Center interns. Below is a list of what they have shared over the last few years:

Expectation of changes in your personal and professional self.
Openness to feedback that is intended to help you grow.
Prepare to have your biases explored and respectfully challenged.
An ability to be vulnerable and dig deeper in supervision.
Being capable of self-advocacy while also knowing how to pick your battles.
Openness to being observed when doing therapy and testing.
Understanding that internship should be your most demanding training experience to date.
Having ambition and being a self-starter.
Ready for a new kind of diversity in the rural Midwest.
Flexibility and stress tolerance.
Fortitude to witness the crush of poverty, intergenerational trauma, and dysfunctional systems on a struggling populace, and the tenacity to persist in the work despite it all.
Accepting that sometimes you’ll be wrong, but still supported by your supervisors.
Finding a positive work life balance early on and learning to maintain it throughout your career.

Central Region Sites

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Central Region

Great Lakes Region

Cascades Region

Cy-Hawk Region

Pacific Region

Match # 192515 – Clark Community Mental Health Center

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