Our internship program is designed to provide valuable hands-on experience and training for mental health graduate students. We offer a supportive and comprehensive program that focuses on three key areas: supervision, cultural competency, and support. Our goal is to prepare interns for successful careers in the mental health field by providing them with a solid foundation of skills and knowledge and prioritizing work-life harmony.
Supervision: Interns in our program will receive regular supervision from licensed mental health professionals who have extensive experience in the field. Supervision sessions will offer guidance, feedback, and support as interns gain practical experience in providing therapy and counseling services to clients. Supervision usually takes place twice a week with one individual meeting and one group supervision. The focus of supervision is to enhance interns' clinical skills, promote self-reflection, and deepen their understanding of ethical and legal standards in therapy practice.
Cultural Competency: We recognize the importance of cultural competency in providing effective mental health services. Our internship program emphasizes the development of cultural competence skills, which include understanding and respecting the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities of our clients. Interns will receive training and experiential learning opportunities focused on cultural humility, sensitivity, and addressing the unique needs of individuals from different cultural, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We often use the phrase "decenter your ego" when encouraging interns to see how their own biases may be impacting work with clients.
Support: Support for interns is a key aspect of our program. We understand that the mental health field can be emotionally demanding, and we strive to create a supportive environment for our interns to safely navigate their professional growth. Interns will have access to regular group supervision and peer support, where they can discuss challenging cases, share experiences, and receive guidance and feedback from their peers and supervisors. In supervision, interns are consistently engaged around their self-care routines and need adjustment to support an optimal work-life balance. Our goal is to foster a sense of community and camaraderie among interns, providing them with the emotional support they need to excel in their internship.
Additional Program Components:
Training opportunities: We offer regular training seminars and workshops covering various topics of interest in the mental health field. These sessions aim to further enhance interns' clinical skills, introduce new therapeutic approaches, and explore emerging research and trends in the field.
Professional development: Interns will have opportunities to participate in professional development activities such as attending conferences, networking events, and engaging in research projects under the guidance of experienced professionals. All interns complete training in facilitating premarital counseling.
Integration into a multidisciplinary team: Our interns will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with other mental health professionals, such as psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists, fostering interprofessional collaboration and enhancing their understanding of holistic care.
Our internship program offers mental health graduate students a comprehensive and supportive learning experience. Through supervision, cultural competency training, and ongoing support, we aim to prepare interns for successful careers in the mental health field. We are committed to providing an enriching and nurturing environment where interns can develop their skills, gain confidence, and make a positive impact on the lives of their future clients.