Forest Institute

The School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute was founded in 1979 to provide an alternative to the traditional teaching Ph.D. programs of education. The programs were designed for individuals desiring an education to prepare them to serve as direct providers of mental health services rather than researchers or academicians. Programs continue to emphasize a holistic approach to mental wellness grounded in the science and practice of clinical psychology.

It has expanded its mission to include master’s level curriculum, professional solutions for the business community, continuing education, federal grant support, alternative delivery methods for education and treatment focused research.

Forest Institute operates the Robert J. Murney Clinic in Springfield and is one of the few graduate programs in the USA to offer its students a free-standing clinic for practicum experience. This "classroom” provides services to members of the local community and offers students the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom.

Forest also supports the Center for Innovation and Community Health, the Center for Continuing Education and numerous programs in the greater Springfield area. These programs fill critical needs for mental health services, training and consulting in the metro-area and the surrounding rural communities.

Accreditations, approvals and licensure

Accreditations

• Forest Institute is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).
• The Robert J. Murney Internship Training Program at Forest Institute has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association since 2004, and is currently "Accredited”.
• The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in clinical psychology degree has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation (CoA) of the American Psychological Association since 1994, and is currently "Accredited, on probation".
• The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy Degree Program at Forest Institute is in candidacy status by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
• The Marriage and Family Therapy post-graduate degree program at Forest Institute is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Approvals

• The Robert J. Murney Clinic at Forest Institute is an approved member of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) for its internship training program. Forest Institute is also a Charter Member of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology, and is listed as a Designated Program in Psychology by the Council for the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.
• Forest Institute has been certified and approved by the American Academy of Pain Management to offer its curriculum. Forest Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists and maintains responsibility for the program.
• Forest Institute has been certified and approved by The Behavior Analyst Certification Board to offer its curriculum within its Master of Science in applied behavior analysis (MSABA), its Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Certificate program and its Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) Certificate program.

Licensure

• The education and training at Forest Institute operates within the parameters set forth in the State of Missouri Psychology Practice Act (as adopted by the State Committee of Psychologists), the Committee for Professional Counselors in Missouri and the State Committee of Marital and Family Therapists in Missouri.