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Workforce Development

Behavioral Health Workforce Development (BHWD)

Expanding access to care by training the next generation of mental health clinicians in community health settings.

A class of mature students sit in class together as they listen attentively to the teacher. They are each dressed casually and have laptops and books out in front of them as they take notes during the teaching.

What Is BHWD?

Texas faces a widespread shortage of professionals in mental health care. The Behavioral Health Workforce Development (BHWD) program strengthens Texas’ mental health workforce by funding and supporting training opportunities for mental health clinicians who provide care to children, youth, and families alongside psychiatrists, particularly in community settings.

BHWD is intended to expand the number, capacity, and readiness of mental health professionals across Texas.

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By expanding mental and behavioral health care training across the state, the BHWD program aims to:

  • Directly increase the number of Texas-trained mental health clinicians.

  • Give clinicians-in-training and early career clinicians hands-on experience delivering child, adolescent, and perinatal mental health care, largely in community settings.

  • Reduce wait times for care.

Who Can Participate in BHWD Training Programs?

BHWD training opportunities are provided through academic programs and clinical experiences. Trainees include:

  • Psychologists

  • Social workers

  • Professional counselors

  • Marriage and family therapists

  • Nurse practitioners

  • Physician assistants

Data and Impact

Data is since TCMHCC launch and was last updated 09-01-2026

596

trainees

766

trainees fully certified

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM)

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Texas A&M University Health Science Center (TAMUHSC)

Texas A&M University Health Science Center Logo

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC)

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Logo

Texas Tech Health El Paso (TTUHSC EP)

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The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Forth Worth (UNTHSC)

The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Forth Worth Logo

The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School (UT Aus Dell MS)

The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School Logo

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW)

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Logo

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHSCH)

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Logo

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA)

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Logo

TCMHCC