Training
Overview
Metrocare is the premiere training organization for clinicians and mental health professionals looking to maximize their experience in the community mental health setting.
Field-Based Training Opportunities
Metrocare’s Altshuler Center for Education and Research (ACER) is the premiere training and research institute for community mental health professionals across the State of Texas. ACER is a unique partnership between Metrocare, UT Southwestern as well as other academic medical institutions. ACER trains the best and the brightest medical students in psychiatry, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing, occupational therapy, emergency response, and other disciplines interested in training in community mental health. In addition to preparing the behavioral health workforce of the future, ACER leads the way in advancing innovative research to implement new mental health treatment methods. Interested in applying for an internship?
Our training program exposes students, residents, and fellows to the community mental health model and allows everyone to gain a wide variety of experiences. All Students in the Medical-Psychiatry field will complete rotations that are set up based on their school requirements. Areas of rotation are in the outpatient adult and child/adolescent mental health clinic settings,, pharmacy, forensic with actual court attendance, homeless services, assertive community treatment (ACT) teams and medical assistants. Supervision is provided.
Metrocare is committed to meeting the needs of people with developmental disabilities. Trainees will receive clinical training in the principles of applied behavior analysis in the community mental health model, including training focused on implementing behavior modification techniques as well as practical experience in the design and implementation of behavior intervention programs. Apply to be a Behavioral analyst and intervention trainee.
Advanced nurse practitioners who wish to become experts in mental health treatment are offered training in both child/adolescent and adult psychiatry. These clinical rotations are offered at six outpatient clinics at this time.
Interested Training for Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists, Medical Assistants or Allied Health Services, who wish to become experts in community mental health at one of our 8 outpatient clinics, – apply here
Our training program for clinical psychology, social work, counseling, and marriage and family therapy exposes trainees to various evidence-based screening and assessment tools and various evidence-based therapy models. These clinical rotations are offered at several outpatient clinics and specialty programs.
Interested candidates must be Masters or Doctoral students, and their academic institution must have an Affiliation Agreement with Metrocare Services before beginning their training experience. To ensure full consideration, you must submit your application during the application acceptance period. Please ensure that you adhere to the application acceptance dates for full consideration. Applications that are submitted after the acceptance window will not be processed. Students may apply for placement here.
Those interested in applying need to ensure that your institution has an affiliation agreement by inquiring with your respective program’s field site placement coordinator or program director. You can also email the ACER office to inquire about your university’s affiliation agreement by emailing acer@metrocareservices.org.
Learn more about Clinical Supervision Tracks available by discipline.
ACER offers clinical supervision to trainees seeking clinical board licensure. This applies to those who have successfully passed their respective professional licensing exam to become an LPC-A, LMFT-A, or those transitioning from LMSW to LCSW or similar license or certification. Generally, these individuals need competency development in assessing, diagnosing, and providing therapy.
An ACER-assigned internal or an ACER-approved external clinical supervisor supports trainees in this process. For employees using Metrocare clients to clock clinical hours and utilizing an external supervisor, the external supervisor must complete a Business Associate Agreement with Metrocare before the employee is allowed to clock hours. All employees must apply to receive clinical supervision.
Learn more about Clinical Supervision Tracks available by discipline.
ACER requires all staff supervising trainees to be approved by ACER before assuming supervisory responsibility.
- Site Supervisors are Metrocare employees qualified to oversee students in their respective departments.
- Preceptors are those who supervise ACER nursing students.
- Clinical Supervisors with the licensed supervisor credential may supervise post-graduate clinicians seeking board-required clock hours and student trainees clocking hours for graduation. Licensed professionals, licensed for three years or more, may supervise student trainees clocking hours for graduation.
All those interested in being a supervisor or preceptor should CONTACT US regarding your interest.
Student trainees interested in pursuing a career as a researcher can collaborate on existing research projects. Graduate-level and medical trainees may receive assistance in developing their research and pursuing funding. Those interested in research administration may have opportunities to cross-train.
Research interns must be able to commit to at least 1 year and no less than 10 hours per week in the Research Office.
Opportunities are extremely competitive, and openings are limited for Research Trainees. Those interested in knowing more about research internship opportunities and next steps, CONTACT US.
We offer training programs for occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, physical therapy, healthcare administration, and other disciplines seeking a high-impact experiential learning opportunity.
Trainees interested in becoming Mental Health Educators may work with our Associate Director of ACER to strengthen their teaching philosophy, collaborate in curriculum development and facilitate training focused on supporting workforce and mental health education.
Depending on their training and experience level, trainees may collaborate with licensed professionals to present clinical mental health topics at Metrocare and the greater DFW community.
Those interested in knowing more about emerging mental health educator opportunities, CONTACT US.
Application Information
Applications for training programs are accepted during the periods below.
General Training Programs:
Spring 2026 Cohort: Applications Accepted October 1st – October 15th
Summer 2026 Cohort: Application Accepted April 1st- April 15th
Fall 2026 Cohort: Applications Accepted June 1st – June 15th
Medical Training Programs:
All Medical Training Programs (Medical School, Nursing and Allied Health)
Winter 2025 Applications accepted August 15-September 15
Spring 2026 Applications accepted October 15- November 1
Summer 2026 Applications accepted March 1-April 1
Fall 2026 Applications accepted May 1- July 1
Winter 2026 Applications accepted September 1-October 1
Note. If your school doesn’t have an Affiliation Agreement with us. you will need extra time to meet the deadline.
Clinical Training Programs:
Spring 2026 Cohort: Applications Accepted October 1st – October 15th
Summer 2026 Cohort (Employees Only): Applications Accepted April 1st – April 15th
Fall 2026 Cohort: June 1st -June 15th
For any questions, please contact us at acer@metrocareservices.org
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