Program Overview

Thrive offers internships for 2nd-year Master’s level students in clinical counseling or social work who are interested in gaining hands-on experience with a diverse population in an outpatient community mental health setting. Interns must meet the qualifications for a Mental Health Professional (MHP), an individual who provides services under the supervision of a Qualified Mental Health Professional, as defined in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 140.45. Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in counseling and guidance, rehabilitation counseling, social work, education, vocational counseling, psychology, pastoral counseling, family therapy, or a related human service field. 

Areas of Focus

2nd year Master’s students:

• Outpatient Therapy, General Focus: therapy internship with focus of working with adults
• Outpatient Therapy, Youth and Family Focus: therapy internship with focus on working with youth & families
• Outpatient Therapy and Crisis Intervention Focus: therapy internship with crisis intervention specialty, car required*

Expectations

2nd year Master’s students:

• Thrive Counseling Center Internships are a minimum of 9 months (typically from August – May), 24 hours/week.
• Intern schedules are 40% direct clinical service, 60% indirect service, training, and supervision. This includes 1 hour/week of individual supervision with a licensed supervisor, 1 hour/week of group case consultation, and 2-4 hours of monthly clinical trainings.
• Gain experience working with a diverse population of adults, couples, adolescents, families, and groups. All internships include out-patient therapy, some offer the opportunity to gain additional areas of specialty including crisis intervention, and working with youth.

Application Process

To apply, please send: a cover letter, resume or CV, and 2-3 letters of recommendation (PDF preferred) to Internship Coordinator: internship@thrivecc.org. 2nd year Master’s students: Please specify if applying to only one of the internship options: general, crisis, or youth. If no preference specified, application will apply to all open internships.

Timeline 

Applications for 2nd year internship positions are accepted from January 1 through March 1. Selected candidates will be contacted for interviews with target of securing all internships by May.