Gap to Growth Program
Masters Level interns providing FREE mental health therapy services. Growing the next generation of mental health counselors while bridging the gap for those needing mental health counseling services.
Gap to Growth
As you may be aware, the demand for skilled mental health counselors in our community has continued to increase year after year. we are passionately trying to bridge that gap!
Through our Gap to Growth Program, our aim is to provide quality training to masters level student clinicians, while providing needed mental health therapy services in our community. These services are provided at NO COST and student clinicians are supervised by a seasoned licensed clinician who is an approved supervisor in the state of Iowa.
Coming
August 2026
In the 2026-2027 school year, This program will:
Provide internship experiences for 4 student clinicians. After this experience they will be candidates for temporary licensure in Iowa.
Provide 870 mental health therapy services to those who may have struggled otherwise for reasons including, but not limited to:
Lack of mental health insurance benefits
Income constraints
No providers in the area that are credentialed with that insurance
Wait time too long
Under/Uninsured
Our Potential Impact
What could this mean for our community?
Direct Impact on Individuals 870 sessions typically translates to:
70–120 individuals served (depending on session frequency)
Consistent care over 8–12 weeks per client
This means dozens of people who may otherwise go without care would:
reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress
improve emotional regulation and coping skills
increase overall functioning at work, school, and home
For many, this is the difference between struggling and receiving support.
Reduced Strain on Crisis Systems
Access to early, consistent therapy helps prevent escalation.
Impact includes:
fewer emergency room visits for mental health crises
reduced reliance on law enforcement for behavioral health calls
decreased risk of hospitalization
In our community—where access gaps still exist—this shifts care from
reactive crisis response → proactive prevention.
Increased Access for Underserved Populations
Free therapy removes common barriers:
cost
insurance limitations
waitlists
870 sessions ensure access for:
uninsured or underinsured individuals
students and early-career professionals
individuals who may not otherwise seek help
This directly improves equity in mental health care access.
Long-Term Community Benefit
The ripple effect of therapy extends beyond the sessions themselves.
Over time, this leads to:
a healthier, more resilient community
decreased stigma around mental health
stronger social connections
improved overall quality of life in Story County
Overall Mental Health System Benefit
Because our program uses graduate interns:
870 sessions also means:
hands-on training for future licensed therapists
increased clinical competency in the workforce
more providers prepared to serve rural and underserved communities
This is a dual-impact model:
supporting both clients today and the mental health system of tomorrow.
How does the program work?
Our Funding
We are a new Asset Agency as of 2026! We are so grateful for the impact we can make in Story County with their help.
In addition to grant funding we have one “fee for service” provider that will be generating income.
But our most valuable impact is from our individual donors. Each and every donor contributes directly to the work we do and the mental health of Story County.
How can you help?
Consider helping in any of the following ways
Board Members (Experienced in business? We’d love to have you! Marketing and/or social media wiz? Yep, we’d love to you have too! CPA or Legal expert? You guessed it, we’d love to have you! Experience/expertise in counselor education or something similar? Come on over!) Learn more about our board here.
Masters Level Clinical Interns (We are looking for a well rounded group of interns with interests including, but not limited to, child therapy, college populations, LGBTQ+, substance use, trauma, chronic struggles, family….and the list goes on)
Donors. We are very fortunate to have ASSET funding for about 40% of our program. Our program costs include leasing confidential space for interns and clients, HIPAA compliant phone and Electronic Health Record software, and hands on supervision of each intern from a licensed and approved supervisor.
Goals
Goal CCS was formed to provide quality mental health services to all individuals, regardless of insurance. As a 501(C)3 Charitable Organization, the framework is there to meet and expand this mission. Our current goal is to utilize master's levels counseling students to provide no-cost mental health therapy services to individuals while they are on wait lists for ongoing mental health therapy. Not only does this meet the needs of our community, but also helps build the next generation of mental health professionals.
FAQs
Mission
Our mission is to help individuals and families maximize their potential by providing the highest quality therapy services while simultaneously preparing highly qualified clinicians in the field of mental health therapy.
Vision
Our vision is to be seen as a sought after placement for interns as well as a highly regarded short term resource for individuals needing mental health therapy services.
Values
We are committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and informed environment for mental health services and internship placements.We embrace and celebrate the uniqueness of every individual. We strive to create a safe and welcoming space where all clients and interns, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or background, are valued, respected, and supported.
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Currently intern services are only provided in person at our downtown office.
Abbie sees CCJ clients at the CCJ office on Wednesday afternoons.
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Scheduling can be done by calling 515-233-1699 or using the client portal.
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Services are Mon-Fri during business hours
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No, you can refer yourself or have a referral.
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You can email Kristten Buttermore, Executive Director with referrals.
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Interns can be he for as little as 3 months up to a year.
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We will be opening intern applications in March 2026 for Fall start dates. Spring 2027 start dates will be accepted starting summer 2026.
Big Ideas, Real Impact.
Consider joining our Board of Directors
