Residency Sites

At MABHC, the Resident will have the opportunity to gain experience in multiple areas of psychology which include, but are not limited to, individual and group psychotherapy, psychological testing, report writing, consultation, and supervision. Residents not only work directly with adult clients, they also have the opportunity to learn within a multi-disciplinary behavioral health team and collaborate with psychologists, master’s level therapists, social workers, nurses, psychiatrists, psychiatry residents, and mid-level psychiatry providers. Residents who complete this program with MABHC are expected to be well-rounded in the practice of psychology and leave with the skills necessary to treat and assess diverse populations as well as those who live with various mental health conditions and stressors. Residents will have the opportunity to provide psychotherapy among individuals and groups spanning from young adults to seniors. Our clinic regularly provides care to patients with LGBTQ+ related concerns, as well as offers specialized care for patients pursuing gender affirming care in coordination with appropriate medical professionals. Patients present from varied socioeconomic backgrounds and diverse cultures. Referral for behavioral health services is required, so patients are most often referred from primary care clinics and from our psychiatry team, but we receive referrals from specialty medical providers all over the health system. While patients present to the clinic for a variety of reasons, common presenting problems include depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder, trauma effects, sleep issues, and relationship concerns. We also work with patients who have severe and persistent mental health conditions (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia). Many patients are referred by primary care providers and other medical specialists, so an integral part of therapeutic intervention focuses on coping with comorbid health concerns, such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, chronic pain, and gastrointestinal problems. Residents may also have additional opportunities to receive training that complements their area of clinical interest or specialization.

The Sanford Behavioral Health Clinic-Thief River Falls (SBHC-TRF) Center offers a 12-month, full-time Postdoctoral Psychology Residency program with one available position. Each role consists of 85-90% clinical duties and 10-15% didactic, educational, and supervisory responsibilities. Residents are expected to provide clinical services Monday through Friday, with typical clinic hours from 8 AM to 5 PM. There may be flexibility to work evening hours, depending on interest. The total time commitment is approximately 40-45 hours per week.  Residents will be involved in providing services in both outpatient and inpatient settings at Sanford Behavioral Health. Key clinical responsibilities include consultation and treatment in a psychiatric hospital setting, conducting diagnostic assessments, creating treatment plans, providing ongoing treatment in the clinic, and performing assessments in both outpatient and inpatient environments.  Residents will have the chance to explore diverse interest areas, including: court-appointed examinations, civil commitment assessments, pre-employment psychological evaluations for law enforcement, mental state assessments related to criminal cases, evaluations to assess competency to stand trial, capacity-to-parent assessments, mobile crisis team interactions, and consultations within medical and surgical settings. Opportunities for didactic training and consultation with inpatient nursing teams, as well as community-based training with agencies such as group homes, nursing homes, public health organizations, businesses, and schools, are also available. Additionally, residents may supervise master’s level students and pre-doctoral psychology students during clinical rotations and licensure hours. Additional areas of focus could include play therapy and/or EMDR.

Sanford Wahpeton Clinic (Rural Psychology – Integrated Primary Care) Wahpeton, ND

The Sanford Health Wahpeton Clinic is a multi-specialty group practice of four family practice medical doctors, one internal medicine doctor, one surgeon, one optometrist, three physical therapists, one occupational therapist, one social worker, and Specialty Outreach from the Fargo-Moorhead metro area, including dermatology, obstetrics/gynecology, podiatry, orthopedics, oncology/hematology, nephrology, and cardiology. The Behavioral health team includes psychology, psychiatry and counseling. The behavioral health services offered at the Wahpeton Clinic include psychological assessment, individual therapy, crisis support, psychiatric medication management, social work services, and interdisciplinary consultation to provide comprehensive healthcare to treat the whole person. At the Wahpeton Clinic residents will have the opportunity to gain experience in multiple areas of psychology, which include, but are not limited to, individual psychotherapy, psychological testing, report writing, crisis intervention, and consultation with other specialty providers. Many patients who receive behavioral health services are also seen within the medical clinic for primary care/routine wellness visits and specialized health services. Because many patients are referred by primary care providers and other medical specialties, an integral part of the therapeutic intervention may include focusing on coping with premorbid health conditions, such as diabetes, chronic pain, neurological issues, or limitations in functioning. Therapeutic services are delivered in a traditional office-based setting or by telehealth. Residents will conduct initial intake assessments and provide individual therapy interventions. They may be asked to consult with medical providers where a patient is reporting safety concerns, or the provider is needing additional support to determine suicide risk and appropriate interventions. The Resident is given the opportunity to provide a variety of treatment modalities to help patients achieve their treatment goals.

The Sanford Health Detroit Lakes Medical Clinic offers a 12-month, full-time Postdoctoral Psychology Residency with one training position available annually. The residency consists of approximately 85-90% clinical service and 10-15% didactic, educational, and supervisory activities. Residents are expected to provide clinical services Monday through Friday during typical clinic hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), with opportunities for evening hours based on resident interest and clinic needs. The total time commitment is 40 hours per week.

The residency is housed within the Sanford Behavioral Health outpatient department and is embedded within a multidisciplinary medical clinic that includes a broad range of healthcare professionals co-located at the Detroit Lakes Medical Clinic. This setting provides residents with extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and integrated behavioral healthcare. Residents will gain valuable experience working in a rural healthcare environment while serving children and adolescents from birth through 18 years of age.

A key strength of the program is its close collaboration with primary care providers and other healthcare professionals to address the comprehensive needs of patients and families. Clinical responsibilities include conducting diagnostic evaluations, providing evidence-based psychotherapy, and delivering specialized interventions such as play therapy and sand tray therapy. Residents also receive training and experience in psychological and neuropsychological assessment for a variety of referral concerns, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), prenatal exposure to alcohol and other substances, learning disorders, intellectual and developmental concerns, and other cognitive, behavioral, and emotional difficulties.

This residency is designed to provide broad-based training in pediatric psychology while fostering the development of advanced competencies in assessment, intervention, consultation, and interdisciplinary care within a rural healthcare setting.

Highlights of Training

• 12-month, full-time postdoctoral residency
• One resident position available annually
• 85-90% clinical service; 10-15% didactic, educational, and supervisory activities
• Integrated outpatient behavioral health setting within a multidisciplinary medical clinic
• Direct service to children and adolescents (birth through age 18)
• Opportunities for collaboration with primary care and specialty medical providers
• Training in diagnostic assessment, psychotherapy, play therapy, and sand tray therapy
• Experience conducting psychological and neuropsychological evaluations for ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, prenatal substance exposure, learning disorders, and developmental concerns
• Rural healthcare experience serving a diverse pediatric population

Site Supervisor: Jodi Boerger Wilder, Psy.D., LP

Secondary Site Supervisor: Brian Gatheridge, Ph.D., LP