GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION This is a comprehensive course covering multiple topics related to the rural environment and the behavioral health care needs of rural residents across the United States. The course includes information about the tremendous unmet need for mental health services in rural areas, the myriad differences (and similarities) among rural, urban and suburban settings, and the characteristics of the rural population from the perspective of both the ruralites themselves and those who have practiced with or researched this enormous and diverse population. Sociocultural and socioeconomic barriers to accessing services and the financial and professional challenges rural clinicians encounter are described and, more importantly, interventions that work are presented. This course covers critical topics from ethics to policy making, from advocacy to training qualified professionals who are prepared to meet the challenges and enjoy the benefits of a successful rural practice. This course is presented in 5 modules beginning with an “Overview” module comprised of 7 very brief articles that provide a preview of the major topics covered in greater detail in the remainder of the course. The second module, “Mental Health in Rural Communities,” includes 2 articles that describe rural America in terms of demographics, mental health issues and many other unique aspects of the economic, geographic and socio-cultural environment. The third module, “Special Groups”, is comprised of 4 articles that explore the potentially differential impact of the rural environment on the basis of gender, age, ethnicity and sexual orientation. In the fourth module, “Ethics in Rural Practice,” an extensive article highlights the myriad challenges that rural practitioners face in their efforts to uphold the ethical principles and guidelines in their work. It covers issues of confidentiality and privacy, unavoidable dual relationships, extensive self-disclosure and familiarity, bartering and many other ethical and therapeutic boundaries considerations. Finally, the fifth module, “How To of Rural Practice,” includes 3 articles that describe many useful innovations, policies and strategies for facilitating, establishing and maintaining effective rural mental health practices.