Diamond House Detox is a medical detoxification center located in lovely Northern California — yet we’re so much more than that. We provide a safe and home-like environment where individuals with addictions to drugs or alcohol can start down the path toward wellness and recovery. We provide treatment of various lengths depending on client needs, from 7-10 day detox to up to 120 days of intensive inpatient recovery treatment.
Program Information Diamond House Detox: MSW 2 Internship
Program Overview
The 2nd-year Social Work Internship Program at Diamond House Detox (DHD) is a comprehensive internship designed with a focus on behavioral health intervention for those struggling with dual diagnosis and serious mental illness. This immersive experience is designed to help the intern with hands-on training, practical skills, professional development and in-depth knowledge in the field of social work, addiction medicine and behavioral health. The internship and supervision at DHD provides a well structured curriculum that combines theoretical learning with practical application and time for reflective practice and consultation.
Program Duration and Time Commitment
The internship will span the length of the academic year, including breaks for the student which they may elect to work if they wish. The time commitment and schedule for the second year intern is typically 24-32 hours a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9-5:30. Times and days may vary by school.
Program Elements
- Orientation and Training
Interns will begin with an orientation to familiarize themselves with the program’s goals, expectations, and organizational policies and procedures. They will receive training in DHD tracks of treatment: PHP, IOP, Individual Therapy, Residential and Detox treatment. The intern will be provided with an orientation guide when they start with DHD. If the intern has been a first-year intern, training will be accelerated. Training is expected to be completed within their first month of internship. After the initial training, interns will be provided with a caseload of clients based on volume and needs.
The intern will be provided with a site supervisor at the onset of internship. This may be the same or a different supervisor if they were a 1st-year intern with DHD. This individual will be a licensed staff or mental health professional. Supervision will be conducted weekly for the intern with additional supervision provided as necessary. Additional training may be provided during the duration of the internship.
- Professional Development
At DHD, the team is committed to providing a psychologically safe environment for interns to grow and thrive in. Throughout the internship, our interns will have the opportunity to attend training, in-services, shadow groups, and participate with hands-on direct treatment. In addition to the clinical work with clients, the interns will be working with various levels of professionals at the organization and learning about professional conduct in work environments. A benefit of the program is that interns may solicit and receive professional coaching regarding their development as they grow in their role at DHD.
- Clinical Social Work Practice
The 2nd-year intern will have a more robust opportunity to engage in aspects of clinical social work. The individual will have a caseload which enables them to provide biopsychosocial assessments, create treatment plans, administer individual/group/family therapy and also case management services to clients at DHD. The candidate will also be facilitating PHP, IOP, and residential groups. Clinical charting will be reviewed by the supervisor and feedback will be provided weekly. Duties will be triaged based on skill, aptitude, competency and the abilities of the intern.
- Diamond House Detox Culture
DHD provides a range of services to individuals at different stages in their recovery. These individuals may be dual diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) and/or going through detoxification from harmful substance use. As such, we are considered a high accountability organization where we value safety and responsible practice. At DHD, psychological safety and speaking up for safety is valued as the foundation of maintaining safe practice and healthy culture. A critical component of this culture is being able to give and receive feedback effectively and professionally.
Program Benefits
- Skill Enhancement
The clients served at DHD are a clinically diverse population. As such, interns will acquire a diverse set of skills, including communication, assessment, counseling, advocacy, and case management that will aid them in working with various groups of people. The 2nd-year intern will have more exposure to intensive individual therapy, curriculum building, and group therapy as a unique aspect of the internship.
- Community Impact
Interns will directly impact the lives of individuals and families by providing support, resources, and advocacy, thereby contributing to community and individual well-being.
- Professional Growth
The program will foster personal growth, cultural competence, and ethical practice; further helping interns to develop their professional identity and determining what populations they enjoy working with.
- Networking
Interns will have the opportunity to build a network within the social work field, opening doors to potential employment and collaboration opportunities.
- Credential Building
Successful completion of the internship program can serve as a valuable credential on a social worker's resume and enhance their employability.
End-of-Year Project
The 2nd-year intern will have the opportunity to create a project or staff training near the end of their internship. The candidate will be expected to design a presentation/training for the organization and this will be attended by leadership and peers. The supervisor will support and assist the intern during the creation of their project. The goal of the project is to further enhance the knowledge base and professional development of the intern.
The 2nd-Year Social Work Internship Program aims to produce competent and compassionate social workers who are equipped to address the complex needs of dual diagnosis individuals and communities, advocate for social justice, and drive positive change in society to reduce stigma related to mental illness and substance use.