School Based Counseling Paid Internship

Applewood Centers•Cleveland, OH

2d•$25•Onsite

About The Position

Applewood Centers is a private, nonprofit agency providing mental health services, social services, and education to children, adolescents, and families in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties. Its School Based Services Program provides individual and group counseling to students, families, and school staff, along with prevention groups, presentations, and group interventions. Services are delivered in schools and in-home as needed, and travel is required. The School Based Intern provides guidance and instruction to support clients’ emotional, physical, and mental growth through therapeutic intervention and positive role modeling. The intern provides assessments, psychotherapy, therapeutic behavioral services (TBS), consultation, prevention, and referrals to individuals, groups, and professional partners at an assigned school and, as needed, in the community or office. The intern assists clients in accordance with established guidelines and is expected to meet their university’s weekly field-experience target. Field hours are flexible, with occasional evenings expected. Compensation varies by schedule: part-time work pays $20.60 per hour; PRN work pays $25.00 per billable hour. The PRN rate covers billable services including consultation, education, prevention, assistance, individual and family psychotherapy, CPST, TBS, face-to-face client sessions, and Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluations. Applewood Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on protected characteristics under applicable law.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Must be enrolled in an accredited Master of Social Work, Counseling, or Marriage and Family Therapy program.
An Ohio Trainee license (Social Work Trainee, Counselor Trainee, or Marriage and Family Therapy Trainee), or higher, must be in process before billing services for the agency.
Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record meeting the agency insurance company’s underwriting criteria.
Must be approved by Applewood to transport clients in the intern’s own vehicle.
Must meet the university’s weekly field-experience target.
Demonstrated core expertise and ability to keep professional knowledge current.
Ability to perform responsibilities with initiative and independent judgment.
Effective leadership skills to support departmental engagement and success.
Cultural awareness, sensitivity, and skill working professionally with diverse individuals, groups, and communities.
Clear and professional verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skills and appropriate use of professional language.
Honesty, personal responsibility, accountability, ethical conduct within scope of work, and adherence to agency policies and procedures.
Ability to function effectively on a professional team that includes employees, clients, and family members.
Ability to recognize and respond to problems, gather information, identify root causes, and make timely decisions.
Ability to follow assigned school schedules while maintaining flexibility for evening appointments as needed.

Responsibilities

Provide psychotherapy, therapeutic behavioral services (TBS), and consultation based on assessed client needs.
Provide assessment services to referred individuals and families as needed.
Interview clients and gather information in a timely, systematic manner to support client records, diagnosis, assessment, and Individual Treatment Plans (ITPs).
Develop and maintain strengths-focused, professional engagement with families.
Develop and coordinate focused, measurable, achievable ITPs consistent with the needs identified by clients and families.
Collaborate with clients and families to develop crisis plans and provide crisis assistance and coaching as needed.
Help clients and families develop skills to improve family functioning, including interpersonal relationships, anger management, and coping.
Provide supportive services to clients and school staff as needed and requested by parents and school administrators.
Meet productivity expectations for school-based intern staff.
Close cases promptly and complete discharge and aftercare plans and related paperwork according to goal achievement and agency policy and procedures.
Maintain collaborative working relationships with natural supports, collateral professionals, and agencies involved in cases.
Advocate for clients and families and help them secure needed resources, services, and supports.
Consult consistently and in a timely manner with school professionals about treatment planning, progress, and ongoing needs.
Provide mental-health-related training to teachers and other school personnel.
Contact and meet with clients’ parents for ongoing training and service coordination, including home and community visits as needed.
Follow the assigned school schedule and maintain flexibility to accommodate evening appointments when needed.
Maintain courteous, respectful, and ethical conduct with clients and families.
Complete required documentation accurately, legibly, and within specified timeframes and contractual obligations.
Obtain supervisory signatures in accordance with licensing guidelines and agency policy and procedures.
Attend scheduled team meetings and consultations on time, prepare for and participate in meetings, be open to feedback, and support positive working relationships.
Incorporate supervisory suggestions and directions into clinical practice.
Apply professional training to revise and update clinical practice.
Collaborate with agency staff and administration on program changes.
Participate in program and performance-improvement initiatives as required.
Maintain good on-time attendance.
Perform other duties as directed.