Essentia Health is a not-for-profit integrated health system serving communities across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota through more than 70 clinics and 14 hospitals. Guided by its mission, "We are called to make a healthy difference in people's lives," Essentia is committed to improving health and well-being throughout the region. The Psychology Internship Program contributes to this goal by preparing future psychologists for professional practice in a healthcare environment grounded in the values of justice, teamwork, hospitality, quality, respect, stewardship, and joy in our work.

For the 2026-2027 training year, the Psychology Internship Program at Essentia Health (PIPEH) offers five positions in Duluth, Minnesota: three in the Adult Track, one in the Child and Adolescent Track, and one in the Health Psychology Track. Two additional positions are available in Fargo, North Dakota, in a Generalist Track. These full-time, one-year internships provide more than 2,000 hours of supervised training and are designed to prepare interns for entry into the workforce as competent early-career health service psychologists.

All Duluth-based interns provide outpatient psychotherapy, diagnostic assessments, and psychological evaluations within the Behavioral Health Department. Adult Track interns complete training in higher levels of care through the Partial Hospitalization Program and/or inpatient consultation services. The Child and Adolescent Track includes a rotation within the Partial Hospitalization Program, while the Health Psychology Track emphasizes inpatient rehabilitation psychology and consult-liaison psychology. Training sites are located in Duluth, Minnesota, and neighboring Superior, Wisconsin.

Interns in the Fargo Generalist Track work with children, adolescents, and adults at the South University location. In addition to outpatient services, they may gain experience in neuropsychological assessment, specialized trauma treatment, and hospital consultation. Fargo interns join their Duluth colleagues for orientation and participate throughout the year in shared didactics, seminars, and group supervision through a combination of in-person and telesupervision experiences.

The internship emphasizes competency development in psychological assessment, psychotherapy, interdisciplinary consultation, and collaborative healthcare delivery. Interns provide individual and group psychotherapy, conduct psychological evaluations, and participate on multidisciplinary teams across multiple settings. Additional learning opportunities include specialty consultation groups focused on psychological testing, trauma-related disorders, and high-risk patient care.

Didactic training is provided by psychologists and healthcare professionals from Behavioral Health, Neurology, Health Psychology, and Rehabilitation Services. This curriculum helps interns develop an understanding of integrated healthcare systems while supporting their professional growth. Training also includes information on licensure in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, as well as the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, for which many Essentia sites are eligible.

During the second half of the internship year, Duluth-based interns may have the opportunity to further individualize their training by regularly spending time in Health Psychology, Rehabilitation Psychology, or Consult-Liaison Psychology under the supervision of specialty providers.

Effective September 19, 2025, the Psychology Internship Program received Accredited, On Contingency status from the American Psychological Association (APA), reflecting its commitment to providing high-quality training for future health service psychologists.

Duluth, Minnesota, offers year-round access to outdoor recreation on the shores of Lake Superior, including hiking, mountain biking, skiing, camping, and fishing. Residents enjoy a vibrant arts and culture scene, local breweries, music festivals, and the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge.

Fargo, North Dakota, combines the amenities of a growing metropolitan area with a welcoming community atmosphere. The city offers abundant recreational opportunities, a thriving downtown district, affordable housing, and a relatively low cost of living.

At Essentia Health, interns become part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to advancing psychological practice, improving community health, and preparing the next generation of health service psychologists to serve diverse populations across the region.