Our Programs

Practical support for people, clinicians, and the communities they serve.

Empowering Lives Initiative develops affordable mental health programs that reduce barriers to care, support the behavioral health workforce, and give communities access to useful mental health education.

How We Serve

Programs designed around real access gaps.

ELI focuses on the places where people are most likely to fall through the cracks: the cost of care, shortages in the behavioral health workforce, and limited access to trustworthy mental health education.

01

Affordable Mental Health Services

Low-cost virtual therapy provided by graduate-level MSW interns under licensed clinical supervision.

02

Workforce Development

Supervised internships, practicums, mentorship, structured education, and professional development.

03

Mental Health Education

Workshops, psychoeducation, outreach, and community partnerships that reduce stigma and improve access.

Program One

Affordable Therapy Through Supervised MSW Interns

ELI helps make virtual therapy more affordable through a supervised intern therapy program. Graduate-level Master of Social Work interns provide individual therapy under the guidance and oversight of licensed clinical professionals.

Sessions are offered on a sliding-fee basis, typically ranging from $35 per session. Fees are determined based on financial need, available program funding, and current placement capacity. Services are available to clients who reside in states where the intern and supervising clinician are authorized to provide care. Because availability is limited, some individuals may be placed on a waitlist or referred to another provider when the program is full.

Program services may include:

Individual virtual therapy
Support for anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, burnout, and life transitions
Care from graduate-level MSW interns
Ongoing supervision by licensed clinical professionals
Trauma-informed and culturally responsive support
Structured intake, matching, and clinical evaluation

Program Two

Behavioral Health Workforce Development and Clinical Training

ELI supports graduate students and developing clinicians through supervised field education, practical training, professional mentorship, and structured evaluation.

The program is designed to help future behavioral health professionals build strong clinical foundations while preparing to provide ethical, culturally responsive, community-centered care.

Training opportunities may include:

Graduate-level social work internships and practicums
Licensed clinical supervision and case consultation
Structured orientation and clinical education
Performance feedback and formal field evaluation
Trauma-informed and culturally responsive practice development
Professional mentorship, licensure preparation, and leadership development

Program Three

Community Mental Health Education and Outreach

ELI provides accessible mental health education intended to reduce stigma, strengthen coping skills, and help people recognize when and how to seek additional support.

Programs may be delivered through public workshops, partner organizations, community groups, educational institutions, employers, and other mission-aligned settings.

Potential education topics include:

Stress management and emotional wellness
Trauma awareness and healthy coping skills
Burnout prevention for working adults and caregivers
Mental health access and help-seeking
Supporting youth and families
Workforce wellness and community resilience

Eligibility and Availability

Who our programs are designed to support

ELI primarily serves people and communities affected by financial barriers, gaps in insurance coverage, provider shortages, and limited access to culturally responsive mental health care.

Depending on the program, eligibility may consider:

State of residence or geographic service area
Household income or demonstrated financial need
Clinical appropriateness for intern-provided care
Academic enrollment or professional training requirements
Partner referral or program-specific application
Current program funding and provider availability

Participation is not guaranteed and is subject to current capacity, legal service limitations, clinical appropriateness, and program-specific requirements.

Clinical Safety

What supervised intern therapy means

MSW interns are graduate students completing supervised clinical education. They are not independently licensed therapists. Their work is reviewed and supported by qualified licensed clinical professionals.

Clinical safeguards should include:

Supervision by appropriately licensed professionals
Informed consent explaining the intern’s role
Secure and confidential clinical systems
Structured documentation and case review
Referral procedures when a higher level of care is needed
Emergency and crisis response instructions

ELI programs are not emergency services. Anyone experiencing an immediate mental health crisis should contact local emergency services or an appropriate crisis resource.

Program Questions

Frequently asked questions

Learn more about affordable therapy, supervised intern services, clinical training opportunities, and how to contact ELI.

Are therapy sessions available for $35?

Yes. Individual virtual therapy sessions through the supervised intern program are typically offered at $35 per session.

Fees are determined based on financial need, available program funding, and current placement capacity. Because program availability is limited, some individuals may be placed on a waitlist or referred to another provider when the program is full.

Who provides the affordable therapy sessions?

Sessions are provided by graduate-level Master of Social Work interns completing supervised clinical education.

Interns are not independently licensed therapists. They provide care under the guidance and oversight of qualified licensed clinical professionals. Clients are informed of the intern’s training status and supervision arrangement as part of the intake and informed consent process.

Where are therapy services available?

Virtual therapy services are available to eligible clients located in Texas and Ohio.

Services may only be provided when both the intern and supervising clinician are authorized to practice in the client’s state. Availability may vary based on current placements, supervision capacity, and applicable state licensing requirements.

How do I apply for an internship or practicum?

Internship and practicum applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants should be prepared to submit:

A current résumé
A cover letter explaining their interest and learning goals
Required school or field-placement paperwork
An academic transcript, when requested
Professional or academic references
Availability for an interview

Placement decisions depend on supervision capacity, school requirements, applicant qualifications, program openings, and applicable Texas social work licensing and supervision requirements. Submission of an application does not guarantee placement.

Can an organization request mental health education, outreach, or a partnership?

Yes. Community groups, schools, nonprofits, employers, and other mission-aligned organizations can use the Contact page to describe what they are looking for.

ELI reviews requests based on current capacity, program fit, geographic location, available resources, and alignment with the organization’s mission.

What happens if I am not eligible or the program is full?

When appropriate, ELI may place eligible individuals on a waitlist or provide referrals to other providers or community resources.

Referral availability is not guaranteed. Recommendations depend on the person’s location, clinical needs, insurance or payment options, and the availability of outside providers.

Have a question that is not answered here? Contact ELI for information about therapy availability, training applications, community outreach, or other program requests.

Contact ELI

Choose Your Next Step

Connect with the program that fits your current need.

Use the appropriate link below so ELI can route your request to the right person and respond with accurate eligibility, availability, and next-step information.