Sanford Bemidji Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic (SBBH)

Sanford Bemidji is the region’s leading provider of mental health services, offering a broad continuum of care including psychological evaluations, substance use treatment, and school-based therapy for children and adolescents. The organization employs 145 mental health professionals across 18 distinct programs. In addition to outpatient services and an eight-bed inpatient psychiatric unit, Sanford Behavioral Health provides residential treatment, crisis stabilization beds, and an EmPATH (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing) unit serving adults, children, and families.

Sanford’s Bemidji and Park Rapids clinics are designated as Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs). A CCBHC is a federally recognized model that delivers comprehensive, coordinated, and accessible behavioral health services to all individuals, regardless of ability to pay. These clinics emphasize crisis care, evidence-based treatment, and integration with physical health services.

The Sanford Bemidji Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic offers a full-time, 12-month Postdoctoral Psychology Residency Program. The clinic operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Residents are expected to spend approximately 85–90% of their time providing direct clinical services, with the remaining 10–15% dedicated to didactic learning, supervision, and educational activities.

The Outpatient Mental Health Department is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of practitioners and professionals, offering a comprehensive range of services including CTSS (Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports), ARMHS (Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services), psychiatry, and outpatient psychotherapy. The team includes clinicians with diverse licensure backgrounds, such as Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LICSWs), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs), and Licensed Psychologists (LPs).

Mental health providers in this department work collaboratively to deliver integrated care to a diverse client population ranging in age from 3 to over 80 years, with at least half their ongoing caseload consisting of children under age 17. Residents training in this department will have the opportunity to provide individual, family, and couples counseling in addition to psychological assessments across the lifespan. Conducting comprehensive evaluations and developing treatment plans are included in clinical responsibilities. Referrals come from internal and external sources, as well as self-referrals.

Psychological testing opportunities include evaluations for ADHD, diagnostic clarification, and assessments related to pre-surgical considerations for bariatric and spinal cord stimulation procedures. Clients seeking therapeutic services present with a broad spectrum of mental health concerns, with commonly seen diagnoses including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), personality disorders, and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

Site Supervisors: 

• Sarah Weinzierl, Psy.D., LP, LMFT