Cardinal Success connects graduate training with community needs

For people who struggle to access affordable behavioral healthcare, finding support can be a challenge. The University of Louisville's Cardinal Success Program (CSP), housed in the College of Education and Human Development, works to reduce those barriers by bringing services directly into the community while preparing the next generation of behavioral health professionals.

The program partners with schools, healthcare providers and community organizations to make evidence-based behavioral health services available in familiar settings. One example is its three-year partnership with Blueprint502, which serves young people in Louisville. CSP student clinicians and a full-time staff member work onsite with the organization, providing support in an environment where young people already have established relationships and connections.

“Instead of expecting participants to navigate an unfamiliar healthcare system, we bring services into an environment where they already have established relationships and feel connected,” said Patrick Pössel, director of CSP.

The approach helps address barriers such as cost, transportation and difficulty finding an available provider. It also integrates behavioral health support into a broader network of relationships and services that promote young people's well-being.

The program's impact extends beyond the community. Graduate student clinicians gain supervised experience providing evidence-based services in community, educational and medical settings. They develop clinical skills, build professional judgment and learn to collaborate with professionals across disciplines while contributing to community care.

Sydney Higdon, a current graduate student in the Counseling Psychology MEd program, has found that clinical work at CSP connects classroom learning with the realities of providing behavioral health care. She said working directly with clients has helped her learn to apply evidence-based practices while building trust, adapting to individual needs and developing therapeutic relationships. The experience has also taught her the importance of ongoing reflection and lifelong learning, along with the ethical responsibilities of providing behavioral health services in her community.

Providing care through CSP has also given Higdon a deeper understanding of the barriers people face. “Being part of a clinic where clients do not have to worry about the cost of services has given me a new perspective of my community,” she said. The experience has also reinforced the importance of advocating for accessible care so that people have the opportunity to receive the support they need.

Working with clients from different backgrounds and collaborating with community partners has also shaped Higdon's professional goals. She hopes to become a compassionate, evidence-based and culturally responsive clinician, and has seen how partnerships can connect clients with support beyond what an individual therapy session can provide.

During the 2025–26 academic year, CSP trained 27 graduate student clinicians and provided an estimated $334,750 in pro bono clinical services, but this value represents more than the cost of services delivered. It reflects opportunities for individuals and families to access care without treatment costs becoming another obstacle.

Looking ahead, Pössel hopes to sustain and deepen community partnerships while strengthening the program's connection to CEHD's graduate training programs, particularly Counseling Psychology.

Through this model, CSP brings together graduate education, research and community engagement to expand access to behavioral healthcare while preparing future professionals to serve diverse populations.

Learn more about the Cardinal Success Program