ELLENSBURG — Central Washington University psychology graduate students are getting some real-world experience providing much-needed support for nine Kittitas County youths this spring, supplying free mental health services that weren’t otherwise available to them, according to a press release from the university.

Under the supervision of Assistant Professor Olivia Holter, the students have been able to offer solutions-based counseling to kids ages 8-17 based on their individual needs. Each child has participated in six to eight sessions over the past two months, the release said.

Each of the sessions is recorded and supervised by Holter, who is a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist. The class meets every Monday to discuss individual cases and provide feedback to one another about their counseling methods.

The goal for the feedback sessions is to develop “competence” that aligns with the National Association of School Psychologists standards, the release said. By demonstrating competence, students then move on to internships, where they can deliver mental health services under further supervision.