STUDENT INTERNSHIP STARTING MAY 2025

Overview: Master’s Level Mental Health Student Intern will be provided with supervision and oversight so they can develop the knowledge and skills for a profession in behavioral health. The Internship program is designed to serve as a bridge between the knowledge they gain in completing required coursework and applying that knowledge to clinical client services in accordance with the philosophy and mission of Behaven Kids. It is expected that the student intern will maintain ethical standards and follow all Behaven Kids’ professional policies, as well as relevant State and Federal regulations throughout the internship to guide their development into professional clinicians.

Opportunities:

• The Student Intern can expect to work in a diverse clinical setting with children, (ages 2-8 in Specialized Day Program; ages 2-18 for Outpatient) who are experiencing various behavioral issues, family dynamics, and circumstances.
• At the beginning of the internship, the Student Intern will receive and complete required/assigned training, including a background check, CPR training, and mandated reporter training, alongside Behaven Kids’ specific orientation process and materials.
• A qualified, designated licensed professional (e.g., LMHP, LIMHP, LP, LCSW) will serve as a Clinical Supervisor and professional resource. The Clinical Supervisor will be responsible for providing all necessary documentation and coordinating on relevant matters with the affiliated university in a timely manner. In addition, Clinical Supervisor will also be responsible for any specific University-related requirements that are specified and agreed upon prior to signing Internship Agreement.
• Develop goals for the internship per the agreement with their school’s program, identifying areas of particular interest to the intern, as well as goals related to the competencies of the profession. There will be consistent, weekly 1:1 supervision sessions between the Clinical Supervisor and Intern for the purpose of evaluation towards progress and deficiencies, as well as general clinical consultation regarding current clients.
• To start internship, the Student Intern will participate in a variety of shadowing opportunities with the Mental Health Therapy team, including other programs offerings (e.g., Applied Behavior Analysis; Specialized Day Program) to best learn the entire array of services provided based on the program site.
• After completing the shadowing opportunities and being approved by the Clinical Supervisor, the Student Intern will begin practicing therapy conjointly with their supervisor, and when ready, will provide therapy more independently via a small, recurring caseload, with licensed professional continuing to be present for each client session.
• The Student Intern will have combination of indirect and direct hours consisting of designated, weekly 1:1 supervision with Clinical Supervisor, Mental Health Therapy meetings (group), creating relevant programmatic or clinical materials, and conducting therapy (via shadowing and direct implementation). Weekly, 1-hour, individual supervision will include but is not limited to the review of cases relating to the:
• Diagnosing and making appropriate treatment recommendations
• Developing treatment plans and setting goals for treatment
• Termination of therapy services, review of documentation to ensure appropriate, thorough and accurate documentation.

• Opportunities for observation through provision of direct client services, under supervision.
• Opportunities to learn about other aspects of their profession including, but not limited to, burnout and compassion fatigue, theoretical orientations/interventions, proper documentation in Electronic Health Records (EHR) system, professional/ethical boundaries, collaboration and continuation of clinical care, legal considerations, and so forth.

Qualifications and Requirements: Applicants must be currently enrolled in in an accredited University, including Master’s degree programs in social work, psychology, counseling, or marriage and family counseling. In addition, students must have:

• A signed educational agreement between Behaven Kids and graduate program for the student.
• Minimum/maximum commitment for duration of internship as agreed in the Collaborative Educational Agreement.
• Minimum/maximum number of hours per week as determined by the Collaborative Educational Agreement, with a stable and reliable schedule to be coordinated and designated with the onsite clinical supervisor.
• Demonstrated ability to learn the skillset to conduct basic competence in the essential job functions: facilitation of mental health assessment, completion of treatment of treatment plans, facilitation of mental health psychotherapy for children, families and in a group setting.
• Demonstrated cultural comprehensiveness, effective communication and competence in care coordination, development of working alliances with individuals, inter-and intra-agency collaboration, and the rendering of services and supports within their scope and in accordance with the service plan, including transition planning.
• Demonstrated basic clinical competence in the following areas: diagnostics, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, trauma informed care, foundational knowledge in substance abuse disorders, suicide risk and safety planning, family dynamics, domestic violence, children within foster care system. If special topic areas have not been trained up in, willingness to participate in designated training to scale up skills is recommended. This should be discussed with on-site supervisor at the start of the internship for learning plan clarity.
• Ability to develop strong collaborative relationships with the clinical team, willingness to participate in a variety of shadowing opportunities within the agency and team.
• Ability to get along and work collaboratively and effectively with the clinical team.
• Ability to work along within the scope of practice and competencies identified by the collaborative educational agreement and the policies and procedures for the credentialing of clinical staff as established by the provider and the graduate program.
• Ability to show openness in the learning space, with compassionate and respectful communication with receiving and giving feedback in all contexts of the role.
• Adherence to program procedures for client documentation within designated electronic medical record. This includes completion of documentation as based on guidelines of the program. Completing assignment, treatment plans, and individual therapy notes within 48 hours is the expectation.
• Must pass a background clearance and State Patrol check.

Essential Knowledge and Duties:

• Provide high quality, compassionate and ethical mental health therapy to clients as scheduled.
• Provide a safe, structured learning environment.
• Interact with children in a professional, positive manner.
• Implements Behaven Kids model of care and curriculum.
• Implements treatment goals and objectives.
• Communicates effectively with parents, peers, and supervisor.
• Attend weekly staff meetings every Wednesday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Interns are required to work at least 3 days/week, with a minimum of 10 hours/week.
• Stay current with updated and best practices, specifically regarding the trauma focused and psychotherapy of children.
• Secure client information per HIPAA standards.
• Plan and administer therapeutic treatment, behavior modification techniques, and stress management skills.
• Consult regarding treatment plans and amend plans on an as needed basis.
• Maintain statistics to be used in grant proposals.
• Provide weekly status report.
• Must be proficient in using computer/laptop and software platforms, such as Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook), Electronic Health Records (HER), databases and internet usage.
• Must be able to operate usual office equipment such as fax, telephone, and photocopy machine.

Compensation:

• All Student Interns will be compensated at an hourly rate of $13.50/hour for the duration of their internship experience. Paid direct and indirect duties will include, but are not limited, to the following:
• Shadowing therapy sessions
• Conducting direct therapy sessions under supervision of licensed clinician
• Completing daily therapy notes and other documentation related to internship position, clients, collaboration with other providers/agencies, etc.
• Attending 1:1 supervision meetings with Clinical Supervisor

• Attending group mental health therapy meetings and other staff meetings