Clinical Training

At Morningstar Counseling, we are committed to supporting the development of multiculturally-competent and ethical professionals with specific expertise in working across the lifespan with and within tribal nations and communities. Our clinical training programs are designed to equip mental health practitioners with the skills, knowledge, and cultural sensitivity needed to provide effective care to Indigenous populations.

Our Clinical Training Philosophy

Our training philosophy is rooted in:

• Cultural humility and responsiveness
• Evidence-based practices integrated with traditional healing methods
• Trauma-informed care with an understanding of historical trauma
• Community-centered approaches to mental health

Training Programs Offered

APA Internship Program

Our comprehensive internship program is designed for advanced graduate students and includes:

• Intensive training in culturally responsive assessment and treatment planning
• Opportunities to engage in research projects focused on Indigenous mental health
• Participation in multidisciplinary team meetings and case consultations

This program is a unique, specialized learning experience, working with tribal nations and communities across Nebraska. Interns will work collaboratively alongside psychologists from Morningstar Counseling and Consultation, P.C., (MCC) who have extensive experience in treating trauma, issues in diversity, and serving rural and reservation areas. This focus ultimately serves to reduce health disparities among Native/American Indian peoples while providing interns with diverse and comprehensive training opportunities. These training opportunities include outpatient treatment, school consultation and treatment, collaborative opportunities in integrated behavioral healthcare, and consultation, treatment, and outreach with tribal colleges. Our partners include: the Santee Sioux Nation, UMÓⁿHOⁿ Nation Public Schools, Winnebago Public Schools, Lincoln Public Schools, Nebraska Urban Indian Health Medical Center, Little Priest Tribal College, the Nebraska Indian Community College, and other tribal nations and colleges across the U.S.

Externship Training 

Morningstar Counseling and Consultation, P.C. aims to lead the disruption of oppressive mental health education, training, and service delivery systems to honor and reclaim indigenous healing practices as standardized care.

In service of this vision, Morningstar promotes hope and healing for Native/American Indian children, adults and families by providing culturally appropriate and competent therapeutic services through a holistic approach. This holistic approach represents a circular model of well-being and health through a relational worldview.

Our training objectives are:

1. To offer culturally appropriate and empirically supported interventions across the populations we serve.
2. To provide experiential learning opportunities in reservation life and/or working within Native/American Indian communities.
3. To offer extensive supervision that is infused with cultural competence and humility and aligns with our practice.
4. To assist in the development of culturally responsive and culturally informed practitioners.

We accept students from master’s and doctoral programs in counseling, clinical, and school psychology. We do ask that you have one semester of practicum experience (at minimum) prior to starting your training year with Morningstar. Our supervisors utilize a decolonized framework for supervision and consultation. Our supervisors have unique experience in serving Native/American Indian reservations and training clinicians to serve in these communities. Learn more here.