The Walla Walla University Billings Mental Health Clinic was recently recognized by local news for helping community members “rebuild a sense of control and empowerment through accessible, no-cost focused therapy,” according to Simran Kumari, NonStop Local multimedia journalist.
WWU’s Billings, Montana, campus opened a mental health clinic in 2014. It continues to serve as a graduate training facility where student clinicians provide therapy for individuals, couples, adolescents, and families through a collaborative process with a licensed clinical social worker.
Peggy Barta has served as clinical supervisor at WWU Billings Mental Health Clinic for almost nine years now because, she said, “I enjoy mentoring upcoming clinicians, and supporting them while they discover their unique therapeutic approaches.”
Since its founding, the clinic has served as a tremendous aid to both patients and developing mental health practitioners. It was recognized by the Family Tree Center in 2018 for their efforts to end child abuse and aid families impacted by incarceration, and has received significant support from community members and organizations
The WWU Wilma Hepker School of Social Work and Sociology offers its master of social work program at both the Billings and College Place campuses. In 2021, Deisy Haid, dean of social work and sociology, worked alongside social work professionals located near College Place to open Blue Mountain Health Cooperative—a nonprofit, walk-in mental health clinic for the Walla Walla community. College Places students are able to build their field practice at the clinic and other similar organizations like Comprehensive Healthcare and YWCA. They can also be placed outside of the Walla Walla valley, and even internationally—working with student missions.
To learn about the Wilma Hepker School of Social Work and Sociology, visit smcun.com/social-work, and for more information about on-campus and local mental health services, visit smcun.com/counseling.
Posted Sept. 16, 2024
