WHERE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TRAINING MEETS community impact

Adler Community Health Services (ACHS) is the University’s clinical training center, delivering trauma-informed behavioral health services in collaboration with local partners. Most services are provided at no cost by graduate students under faculty supervision — expanding access to care while preparing future clinicians for systems-level practice.


Why Adler Community health services

A clinical training center embedded in the community. Designed for impact. Driven by partnership. Here’s what makes ACHS different.

Embedded partnerships in real settings

ACHS doesn’t operate in isolation. Every service is delivered in close collaboration with mission-aligned organizations—integrated into schools, clinics, and community-based agencies. This ensures that services are tailored, coordinated, and relevant, while student clinicians build experience in real-world, interprofessional teams. 

Three women stand side by side outdoors in front of green bushes, smiling at the camera, reflecting the positive spirit found among caregivers and those seeking mental health support.

No- or low-cost, high-quality behavioral care

The majority of clients never pay for services through ACHS. This no- to low-cost model increases access to mental health and substance use support for individuals who may otherwise go without care — especially in under-resourced neighborhoods. Students learn how to reduce barriers, build trust, and support care continuity within complex systems. 

A group of thirteen people stand indoors in Vancouver, smiling, while holding a large ceremonial check for $25,000 made out to a university foundation in support of youth mental health from the RBC Foundation.

Practice that prepares future leaders

Students engage in immersive, supervised practice throughout their training. From day one, they learn how to lead with confidence, navigate systems of care, and understand the broader impact of behavioral health on individuals, families, and communities. ACHS bridges learning and leadership through direct service.

Photo of ACHS and VCC event

By the numbers

ACHS works across cities, programs, and partners to improve behavioral health access. 

12k+
direct clinical service hours provided annually.
8K+
clinical support and consultation provided to community partners annually.  
4K
hours of direct supervision to student trainees.

Chicago training programs

The Chicago Behavioral Health Workforce Training Programs serve a diverse range of people throughout the Chicagoland region at the following agencies: After School Matters, BUILD Chicago, Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts), City Year Chicago, I Am Abel Foundation, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, St. Leonard’s Ministries, and Thresholds.

Click here for the Chicago-based APA-accredited Community Mental Health Internship Program information on the aggregate postdoctoral positions of the previous three intern year cohorts, internship program admission requirements, and internship program financial and benefit support.

Training Programs

APPIC Membership

The Adler Community Health Services Chicago Behavioral Health Workforce Training Programs have been a member of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) since 2004. Our APPIC member number is 1254.

Accreditation

The Community Mental Health Internship Program at Adler Community Health Services is accredited by the American Psychological Association. The Commission on Accreditation of the APA can be contacted at:

Commission on Accreditation
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First St. NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
(202) 336-5979
apaaccred@apa.org


Vancouver training programs

The Vancouver Behavioural Health Workforce Training Programs serve a diverse range of people throughout the Vancouver region at the following agencies: Coast Mental Health, Columbia College, Gordon Neighbourhood House, LaSalle College Vancouver, Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House, RISE Community Health Centre, Squamish Nation, and Vancouver Community College.

Training Programs

APPIC Membership

The Doctoral Psychology Internship in Clinical Psychology program is applying for APPIC membership in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Accreditation

The Doctoral Psychology Internship in Clinical Psychology is an unaccredited internship program. The program is actively in the process of preparing a self-study for accreditation consideration with the Canadian Psychological Association.


An international student with a bun hairstyle sits on a green sofa, smiling at the camera, wearing a green t-shirt and denim shorts, with plants in the background.

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