A new UVU mental health clinic offers affordable, quality therapy to students and members of the community while providing learning opportunities for students in Utah Valley University’s Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MTF) program.
The clinic offers individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and pre-marital therapy to students for $10 per session, and $15 per session for members of the community. The clinic is prepared to assist a variety of clients with unique mental health situations — from individuals dealing with anxiety and depression to couples working through a divorce, grief, or trauma. Sessions typically last around 50 minutes and are generally scheduled once per week.
“Mental health and the quality of someone’s relationships are crucial aspects of well-being,” said Clinic Director and Assistant Professor Todd Spencer, Ph.D. “However, there are often financial barriers to people receiving the therapy care they need. Far too often, therapeutic services have primarily been available for individuals who have [or] are economically advantaged. We hope to be a source of healing and growth for our students and families in the community who may not otherwise be able to have the support they need. That’s why the goal of the UVU Community Family Mental Health Clinic is to make quality therapy services accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation.”
While the UVU Community Mental Health Clinic is equipped to see a wide range of clients, there are a few services they don’t provide. They are not an emergency clinic, and patients in need of immediate treatment are encouraged to call 911. They also do not directly treat substance abuse. While service providers cannot prescribe medication, they are willing to work in conjunction with a client’s psychiatrist or prescribing doctor if a prescription medication is a part of a treatment plan.
Nearly one in five adult Utahns suffers from poor mental health. To keep up with growing needs, Utah must double its current workforce of mental health providers. The new UVU Community Mental Health Clinic provides unique educational opportunities for students to meet the demand while preparing to enter the workforce.
“The UVU Community Family Mental Health Clinic allows the MFT faculty and students to put the UVU core values of exceptional care, exceptional accountability, and exceptional results as championed by President Tuminez into action,” said Spencer.
Graduate students in the MFT program receive intensive clinical and classroom training and direction. The UVU Community Mental Health Clinic will allow MFT students to also gain real-world experience. “Clients coming to the clinic can expect to receive quality, research-based care from well-supervised student therapists,” said Shelli Densley, a current MFT student.
While master’s-level student clinicians conduct the therapy sessions, faculty oversight is given. “Part of the students’ clinical training includes the use of video supervisor,” said Spencer. “MFT students may record sessions that they show during their weekly supervision. The process in which video and/or audio is recorded and stored maintains clients’ confidentiality and is HIPAA compliant. The purpose of the recording sessions is to ensure that therapists are providing the best services possible for our clients. Recording of sessions is consistent with other training clinics.”
The UVU Community Mental Health Clinic is located in what was formerly the president’s home on the UVU campus at 602 College Drive, Orem, Utah, 84058. Clients are seen by appointment only. Office hours are Tuesdays-Thursdays from 1-9 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call (801) 863-4780. If calling outside regular business hours, patients are encouraged to leave a voice message.
