Internship Opportunity

The deadline to apply for an internship in the UNCSA Counseling Service is March 8 each year.

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The UNCSA Counseling Service center is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services. Learn more about the internships:

Eligibility
Qualifications
Responsibilities
Supervision
Evaluation
Correspondence

Eligibility

Students who are completing requirements for a master's degree or doctorate in Counselor Education, Mental Health Counseling, Social Work and Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling* are eligible to apply.. Applicants must submit a completed application form and two letters of recommendation. One letter must be from a graduate professor who can confirm the student's readiness for an internship experience. The other letter may be from an employer or supervisor who has knowledge of the student's current counseling skills.

*Some states require that MFT/C interns receive clinical supervision from an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) approved supervisor. The MFT on staff is not an approved AAMFT supervisor. Please check your state's requirements.

Qualifications

Minimum academic requirements include completion of courses in counseling and psychopathology. Additional course work in advanced counseling theory/technique and group dynamics is preferred. Effective communication skills and a commitment to complete all the requirements of the internship are also required.

Candidates must be able to work within the normal operating hours of the Center (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.); Every effort will be made to accommodate interns' outside commitments; however, some scheduling flexibility may be required.

Responsibilities

1. Orientation: Interns are required to attend fall orientation sessions, as well as reviewing Center policies and procedures. Office space assignments, intake procedures, client scheduling and client record-keeping will be covered.
2. Screenings: Initially, interns will observe staff counselors conducting screening sessions with new clients and learn how screening summaries are written. After observing several screening sessions with different staff counselors, interns will conduct screening sessions while a staff counselor observes the session. When both staff counselors and an intern are satisfied with the intern's level of proficiency, the intern will conduct screening sessions without a staff counselor present. This process may be eliminated or shortened for doctoral interns who have a master's degree in counseling and who have existing clinical experience.
3. Individual Counseling: The Counseling Center staff meets twice a week to review clients. After intern has received training on screenings, the office staff will assign clients based on student's schedule and counselor/intern availability. Intern is responsibility for monitoring his/her level of comfort with cases and caseload; however, clinical supervision will be available to assist the emerging professional through this process. Every effort is made to provide interns with a variety of clients and presenting issues. Interns may also be given the opportunity to provide couples counseling.
4. Group Counseling: The Counseling Center offers group counseling opportunities based on client interest.
5. Outreach Activities: Interns are expected to participate in outreach activities to the University community. Student groups and residence hall advisors often request that the Center present programs to students on a variety of topics. These presentations are usually made during evening hours. Intern may also be asked to work with the case manager as well.
6. Liability Insurance: Interns are required to carry professional liability insurance, which is available at a reduced student rate. Proof of insurance must be included in application packet.

Supervision

Weekly individual and group supervision is provided by members of the Counseling Center staff. Intern counseling sessions will be videotaped for use in both individual and group supervision.

Evaluation

The interns work is constantly monitored both formally and informally. The intern is expected to use the MyOutcomes as a means to measure clinical effectiveness. The intern will be trained on the use of the Outcome Rating Scale and the Session Rating Scale. The intern will be expected to use the data collected to improve treatment effectiveness through obtaining feedback from clients and more experienced counselors. Evaluation guidelines are determined in conjunction with the policies of each intern's academic department and the expectations of the Center. Interns meet with their individual supervisors to discuss their evaluations.

Correspondence

Counseling Services
UNCSA
1533 South Main Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27127

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