Clinical InternAt — Ocean Ridge Recovery

• Assist in conducting biopsychosocial assessments, clinical intakes, and ongoing evaluations under supervision.
• Participate in developing and updating individualized treatment plans aligned with ASAM criteria and client goals.
• Co-facilitate or observe group therapy sessions such as process groups, psychoeducation, relapse prevention, coping skills, and mindfulness.
• Provide individual counseling sessions under supervision, focusing on motivation, coping, and relapse-prevention strategies.
• Complete clinical documentation (DAP or SOAP notes, treatment plans, progress updates, discharge summaries) in accordance with program and licensing standards.
• Engage in multidisciplinary staff meetings, contributing observations regarding client progress and treatment recommendations.
• Support clients in developing aftercare plans, including referral to PHP/IOP levels of care, sober living, and community support networks.
• Uphold ethical and professional standards per state regulations, SAMHSA guidelines, and agency policies.
• Participate in individual and group supervision to review cases, build clinical skills, and receive feedback.

Training:

• Clinical Director will supervise Clinical Intern’s individual counseling session with clients. The first 3-5 individual sessions will be directly supervised by Clinical Director, then individual sessions will be conducted solely by Clinical Intern, with follow up evaluation on the sessions done on a weekly basis during supervision session.
• Weekly supervision session for 1-2 hours going over the individual sessions, specifically talking about counseling techniques utilizes during the individual sessions, and how Clinical Intern can and improve upon and include more effective counseling skills
• The intern will demonstrate their learning outcomes by incorporating elements taught during their internship into class, notifying Clinical Director of these elements, and describing how these tools were utilized in individual/group sessions with the clients.
• Feedback will be provided to Clinical Intern on a daily basis, and evaluation will occur once weekly during the Clinical Supervision 1-2 hour session.
• Mandatory training includes Clinical Intern’s understanding and following of rules and regulations of Ocean Ridge Treatment & Recovery. Clinical Intern will go over over procedures of the position to ensure all rules and regulations of proper procedure are followed.

Learning Outcome:

• Demonstrate understanding of detoxification protocols, including the observation of withdrawal symptoms, administration schedules, and stabilization procedures for clients detoxing from alcohol, opioids, and other substances.
• Accurately observe, document, and communicate changes in client behavior, mood, and medical status during detox to clinical and nursing staff in accordance with facility policy.
• Gain working knowledge of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) modalities such as Suboxone, Methadone, and Vivitrol, including their indications, side effects, and the role of MAT in relapse prevention.
• Participate in clinical group facilitation, assisting with evidence-based sessions (e.g., CBT, DBT skills, relapse prevention, boundaries, emotion regulation) tailored to dual-diagnosis populations.
• Apply understanding of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, recognizing how psychiatric symptoms (e.g., depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder) influence relapse vulnerability and treatment response.
• Practice therapeutic communication and motivational interviewing techniques to support client engagement, enhance insight, and build rapport while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Contribute to biopsychosocial assessments by collecting psychosocial history, identifying key stressors, and documenting substance use patterns and mental health history under clinical supervision.
• Develop competency in clinical documentation, including progress notes, DAP/SOAP notes, group notes, and incident reports that reflect accurate, objective, and ethical reporting practices.
• Assist in treatment planning by identifying measurable goals and objectives that address clients’ recovery needs, mental health symptoms, and relapse-prevention strategies.
• Demonstrate ability to recognize and respond to crisis situations, such as medical distress, suicidal ideation, or acute withdrawal symptoms, following emergency response and de-escalation protocols.
• Integrate trauma-informed care principles into interactions with clients, ensuring emotional safety, empowerment, and respect during all clinical and behavioral interventions.
• Collaborate effectively with the interdisciplinary treatment team — including therapists, nurses, physicians, and behavioral technicians — to support comprehensive client care.
• Participate in case management activities, such as aftercare coordination, discharge planning, and referral to step-down levels of care (PHP, IOP, Sober Living).
• Develop awareness of ethical and legal standards in addiction and mental health treatment, including confidentiality (HIPAA), informed consent, mandated reporting, and professional boundaries.
• Observe and contribute to family engagement sessions, noting patterns of enabling, codependency, and communication that influence client outcomes.
• Build cultural competence by working respectfully with clients from diverse backgrounds, identities, and belief systems, demonstrating nonjudgmental and inclusive care.
• Utilize relapse-prevention education to help clients identify personal triggers, cravings, and coping strategies, reinforcing the connection between emotional regulation and sobriety maintenance.
• Exhibit professionalism through consistent attendance, punctuality, teamwork, and reflective supervision, using feedback to refine clinical understanding and practice.
• Strengthen ability to self-reflect on countertransference and emotional responses during client interactions to support professional growth and maintain therapeutic neutrality.
• Articulate a clear understanding of the continuum of care (Detox → RTC → PHP → IOP → Aftercare), explaining how each level supports sustained recovery and reintegration.