Graduate Clinical Intern - Behavioral Health (unpaid)

SummitStone Health Partners•Fort Collins, CO

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

SummitStone Health Partners is seeking graduate-level Clinical Interns for Spring 2027. This internship provides pre-professional experience in a co-occurring behavioral health setting, offering rich experience with both mental health and substance use disorder treatment. Internships are unpaid and designed to meet field placement requirements for accredited graduate programs. As a Clinical Intern, you’ll work directly with clients while building core clinical competencies under the guidance of licensed supervisors. Depending on program assignment, you may conduct ongoing clinical assessments, formulate diagnoses, and deliver individual, family, and group therapy. You will also provide crisis intervention via phone, video, or in person — including de-escalation, risk assessment, and coordination of higher-level care when needed. Additionally, you will offer case management to connect clients with medical, vocational, educational, financial, housing, or transportation supports, and develop, implement, and monitor treatment plans that promote stability, symptom reduction, and sustainable skill-building. Documentation of all services and client interactions is required in accordance with agency, state, federal, and payer requirements. Collaboration with a multidisciplinary team — including medical, psychiatric, clinical, and community partners — is essential to ensure continuity and quality of care. Interns will participate in weekly clinical supervision (minimum one hour per week). Assignments and responsibilities vary by program, but all interns gain broad exposure to community behavioral health care.

Requirements

Actively seeking at least one semester of field placement from a graduate-level behavioral health program and enrolled in a class with a learning experience requirement.
Relevant experience or demonstrated knowledge of mental health and/or substance use disorder treatment.
Ability to plan and deliver a range of clinical services and interventions.
Ability to collaborate effectively with providers, partners, and community agencies.
Ability to maintain documentation that meets state, federal, and organizational standards.
Ability to conduct assessment, diagnosis, therapy, crisis intervention, and case management with children and/or adults.
Ability to recognize and interpret mental health and substance use symptoms (e.g., flat affect, psychomotor changes, pressured speech, etc.).
Knowledge of psychopathology, substance use treatment, and therapeutic modalities.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to interpret professional literature and regulations.
Solid critical thinking, time management, and prioritization skills.
Current enrollment in an accredited MS/MA program in counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, psychology, or a related behavioral health field.
Each applicant is required to upload an essay (500-700 words) addressing one of the provided prompts.

Nice To Haves

Passionate about working in a community mental health setting.
Desire to provide meaningful training in an environment that serves diverse and underserved populations, with an emphasis on equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive care.
Believes in being a voice for behavioral health in Northern Colorado.
Embraces equity for clients, teammates, and partners.
Believes collaboration and creativity are crucial to helping solve problems.
Shows up as their genuine self to help guide others through their toughest times.
Eager to adapt and learn through continuous curiosity, exploration, and reflection.

Responsibilities

Provide direct clinical services across a range of modalities and settings (phone, video, in-person).
Facilitate evidence-based interventions focused on improving functioning, preventing deterioration, and supporting recovery.
Perform crisis response, including risk assessment and coordination of safety plans or referrals.
Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant clinical documentation.
Support clients in advocating for themselves in school, employment, housing, and other life domains.
Build strong working relationships with internal teams and external partners to ensure integrated care.
Perform additional duties as assigned by your supervisor.
Conduct ongoing clinical assessments, formulate diagnoses, and deliver individual, family, and group therapy.
Provide crisis intervention via phone, video, or in person — including de-escalation, risk assessment, and coordination of higher-level care when needed.
Offer case management to connect clients with medical, vocational, educational, financial, housing, or transportation supports.
Develop, implement, and monitor treatment plans that promote stability, symptom reduction, and sustainable skill-building.
Document all services and client interactions in accordance with agency, state, federal, and payer requirements.
Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team — including medical, psychiatric, clinical, and community partners — to ensure continuity and quality of care.
Participate in weekly clinical supervision (minimum one hour per week).