Clinical Internships (MSW, CMHC, Psychology Graduate Students)
Counseling Services has a long history of partnering with Connecticut and other regional universities to provide high quality training opportunities for mature and motivated graduate students in Masters of Social Work, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Psychology programs. We recruit students who have prior human services experience, self-awareness, strong interpersonal and critical thinking skills, and a readiness for an intensive experiential training experience. Trainees receive individual and group supervision and have opportunities to develop skills in assessment, short term individual counseling, group counseling, crisis intervention, and prevention programming. Opportunities may also be possible for post-graduate training experiences. Applications for academic year internships (beginning in late August) are due for priority consideration on March 20, and applications for spring semester (January) placements, when available, are due November 20. Contact our Training Coordinator, Elaine Allen, LCSW (203-392-5485) allene4@southernct.edu with any questions about clinical internships.
Clinical Internship Information/Job Description
Internship Application
What Careers Can Our Clinical Internships Prepare Me For?
Counseling Services internships provide intensive, generalist mental health training, as well as an introduction to the unique practice setting of higher education. Our graduates have been very successful in gaining employment and applying their clinical experience in a wide range of settings. Recent Counseling Services clinical interns have been employed in the following places:
- College counseling centers (Sacred Heart, University of New Haven, Yale Post-Graduate Fellowship, University of Colorado Post-Graduate Fellowship)
- University student affairs divisions (SCSU Dean of Students Office Case Manager, SCSU Assistant Director of University ACCESS programs)
- Community mental health centers (Branford Counseling Services, Hill Health Center, BHCare)
- State of CT DMHAS (Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services)
- Private psychotherapy practice and private academic coaching
- Veterans affairs programs (Case Manager)
- Family services agencies and child guidance clinics (Clinician)
- Academic social work and counselor education departments (Assistant Professors/adjunct instructors)
- State of CT BRS (Bureau of Rehabilitation Services) – Program Coordinator
- Residential mental health treatment centers
- In-home family preservation and multidimensional family therapy services
- Women’s centers and Sexual assault/domestic violence services
- Public and private High Schools (Guidance counselor, School-based health center social worker)
- Therapeutic Day Schools (Social worker)
Student Affairs Graduate Internship (MPH, MSW, MFT, or Other Related Graduate Programs)
When funding is available, Counseling Services (in conjunction with the Wellbeing Center) offers a full-time internship for students interested in higher education administration and college mental health. This internship, which offers a tuition and fee waiver and a stipend, focuses on providing leadership in our mental health outreach and holistic wellness programming. Some limited opportunities for clinical work may also be available for students in clinical disciplines.
Application Procedures and Information About Program
Wellbeing Center Student Affairs Graduate Internship
Undergraduate Interns and Volunteers
Undergraduate students in any major looking for internships or volunteer community service hours at Counseling Services are invited to contact us to discuss your interests. Undergraduate students are not eligible to provide direct counseling services, but may be involved in assisting with office operations, special projects, or developing peer outreach, education, and support activities. We especially welcome those with specific ideas for projects that support the department’s mission, effectiveness, and connections with other campus groups.
Undergraduates may also wish to consider joining campus organizations such as Active Minds, the Meditation Club, or the Psychology Club. Active Minds is advised by the Counseling Center and works to eliminate the stigma associated with mental health issues on campus.
Counseling Services also welcomes inquiries from registered pet therapy teams interested in working with groups of students.