Undergraduate InternAt — Stepping Forward Counseling Center, LLC

A training position for students pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or other mental healthcare related degree. Students will learn to connect psychological and counseling theories to observed client behaviors, institutional settings, or community support programs through shadowing of clinical staff, assisting with client support and advocacy, and completion of administrative tasks associated with mental healthcare, such as records keeping and clinical documentation. Students will support clinical staff to organize and set up clinical activities, manage and redirect client behavior, and observe and document clinical information within the group setting.

Task:

Undergraduate interns are expected to complete the following tasks and responsibilities:
- Shadow clinical staff to observe licensed professionals during client intakes, counseling sessions, and/or treatment team meetings
- Support with group set up/gathering materials
- Support facilitator in behavioral redirection & group activities
- Support with timekeeping, group supervision/headcount, & token economy system
- Support with maintaining records and the completion of documentation in a timely manner
- Support with client needs during group activities, such as calling for crisis support, facilitating transitions, and supporting clients to understand/complete group activities
- Provide 1:1 support to clients with more behavioral, cognitive, and/or physical needs

Training:

- Initial orientation covering working practices, SFCC norms & expectations, and emergency prodecures.
- Regular weekly meetings to review progress and provide mentorship.
- In vivo training via shadowing and co-facilitation within the group setting.

Learning Outcome:

By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of client confidentiality, professional boundaries, and basic ethical guidelines governing mental health fields
- Practice active listening, empathetic engagement, and clear professional documentation or reporting.
- Recognize how individual, social, and cultural backgrounds shape mental health needs and treatment responses.