Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internship

The Counseling Center Practicum/Internship spans three semesters long (Fall, Spring, and Summer). Interns are expected to commit to a minimum of 15 hours/week in the Fall semester, followed by 20 hours/week in the Spring Semester and 20-25 hours/week in the summer semester. This program of supervised clinical experience is designed to satisfy the clinical requirements of a master’s degree in preparation for licensure as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor in the State of Florida.

Training at the Center allows for exposure to a broad range of clinical opportunities, such as individual counseling, group counseling, outreach, and crisis intervention. That exposure occurs under the guidance and support of our supervision team, which is made up of a variety of supervisors who have years of experience and a commitment to the professional development of our interns. Broadly speaking, our team at the Center is multidisciplinary, consisting of mental health counselors, social workers, a nutritionist, psychiatric nurse practitioners, a psychiatrist, psychologists, and support staff. Additionally, interns work alongside other student clinicians in training, including those completing their master’s degree in social work, their doctoral degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology, or their doctoral degree in Nursing. Our Center also trains postgraduate and postdoctoral clinicians. Training within our multidisciplinary setting allows interns to learn from other mental health professionals and prepares them to work effectively in multidisciplinary environments after graduation.

Our goal for every intern is that they truly become part of our staff! As their time allows, interns are welcome to attend didactic presentations, staff meetings, case conferences, and other Counseling Center activities. We look forward to creating relationships with each intern and seeing how they decorate the office assigned to them!

Eligibility

Students who are completing the requirements for a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling are eligible to apply. Minimum academic requirements include completion of courses in ethics, counseling, and psychopathology. Additional course work in advanced counseling theory/technique and group dynamics is preferred. If your university does not have an affiliation agreement with our center, we will need to obtain one prior to the start of the internship. Currently, our center has affiliation agreements with the University of North Florida, Jacksonville University, and Nova Southeastern University.

Qualifications

Applicants must be enrolled in a master’s program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and be in good standing with their program. Minimum academic requirements include completion of courses in ethics, counseling, and psychopathology. Additional course work in advanced counseling theory/technique and group dynamics is preferred. Effective communication skills and a commitment to personal growth are highly desired.

Candidates must be able to work within the normal operating hours of the Center (Monday- Friday 8 am - 5 pm). Interns are invited to complete outreach programs, which sometimes occur in the evening or on weekends. Outreach opportunities, especially those that occur outside of operating hours, are not required, but interns are encouraged to participate in those that would further their training, when they have the resources to do so.