Behavioral Health Education & Training
Christ Community Health Services trains the next generation of behavioral health professionals to serve urban underserved communities of all ages. Trainees work alongside psychologists, counselors, and social workers in the context of distinctively Christian service, learning to incorporate spiritual practices into whole-person healthcare while delivering evidence-based clinical psychology and primary care mental health interventions.
We offer three distinct levels of doctoral psychology training, each with its own application process and requirements:
• Doctoral Internship in Health Service Psychology(apply only through the APPIC/NMS Match) APPIC Website
• Doctoral Practicum (direct application; University of Memphis HRSA Grant students receive priority)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Health Service Psychology(National Matching Service)
Please review the section below that matches your training level, as application pathways differ for each program.
Doctoral Internship in Health Service Psychology
ChristCommunity Health Services offers an APA-accredited (on Contingency) Doctoral Internship in Health Service Psychology for Clinical and Counseling Psychology students completing their Ph.D. or Psy.D. from APA-accredited or APA-eligible programs.
How to Apply — APPIC/NMS Match Only
Applications to the CCHS Doctoral Internship are accepted ONLY through the APPIC Match, administered by National Matching Services (NMS). We cannot accept applications by email, mail, or through the CCHS careers portal, and we cannot consider applicants outside of the Match.
• CCHS APPIC Member Number: 2509
• Applicants must register with National Matching Services (natmatch.com/psychint) to be eligible to match to our program.
• All applicants and our program abide by APPIC Match Policies (appic.org).
Training Model
Interns completing their primary rotation at Christ Community are trained in the Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) model — a psychological approach to population-based clinical health care that is co-located, collaborative, and integrated within the primary care clinic. Interns are assigned a primary training clinic rotation (six shifts, or 24 hours per week) across two six-month appointments in our community clinics in Frayser, Raleigh, or Broad Avenue to learn life-span skills for generalist behavioral health in the context of integrated care.
In addition, interns choose a “minor” rotation (two shifts, or 8 hours per week) every three months, allowing specialized training in a chosen area such as: HIV Care, Women’s Health, Diabetes and Health Behaviors, Pediatric Primary Care, Refugee/Immigrant Care, Trauma-Focused Family Counseling and Parenting Support, Medication-Assisted Therapy for Opiates, or Homeless Services care.
Program Documents
Internship Training Manual 2026-2027
TRAINEE ADMISSIONS, SUPPORT AND OUTCOME DATE (IR C-27 I)
Clinical Psychology Internship 2026-2027
Accreditation
The CCHS Doctoral Internship is accredited, on contingency, by the American Psychological Association. Questions related to the program’s accreditation status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242
Phone: (202) 336-5979
Email: apaaccred@apa.org
Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation
Doctoral Practicum
ChristCommunity Health Services offers practicum placements for doctoral students in Clinical and Counseling Psychology programs. Practicum students participate in evidence-based clinical psychology and primary care mental health interventions in an integrated primary care setting serving urban underserved communities.
Priority Selection — University of Memphis HRSA Grant Program
Doctoral students affiliated with the University of Memphis HRSA Grant program receive first selection for practicum placements due to a subaward grant partnership between CCHS and the University of Memphis. Remaining practicum slots are then open to qualified applicants from other doctoral and master’s level programs as availability allows.
How to Apply
Applications are required at least 60 days prior to the intended start date for all behavioral health rotations, including shadowing. Due to the large number of applications for a limited number of slots, we regret that we are unable to accommodate every student who applies.
Apply Now - Shadowing
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Health Service Psychology
ChristCommunity Health Services offers a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Health Service Psychology for Clinical and Counseling Psychology graduates who have completed their Ph.D. or Psy.D. from an APA-accredited or APA-eligible program and an APPIC- or APA-approved clinical internship.
The fellowship year consists of 2,000 hours of supervised clinical experience and is designed to satisfy the postdoctoral supervision requirements of the Tennessee State Board of Psychology, as well as most other state licensing boards. The goal of the CCHS Primary Care Psychology Fellowship is to produce psychologists with advanced competencies in primary care psychology who are uniquely aware of the biopsychosocial needs of low-income communities in Memphis, TN, and the Mid-South region. Fellows are involved in supervision and didactic training within the Behavioral Health training program and may participate in supporting the Medical Education residencies in medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy.
Eligibility Requirement
Applicants must be eligible for a Tennessee Provisional License to practice as a postdoctoral fellow prior to beginning the fellowship and cannot begin the fellowship until provisional license status is granted by the State of Tennessee.
How to Apply
Postdoctoral fellowship candidates should contact us directly to discuss current openings and specific opportunities/accommodations.
Program Documents
Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship in Primary Care 2024-2025
