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Internships

Become an intern in the areas of substance use disorder and mental health treatment at Wayside.

We offer one internship / practicum position at each of our main treatment locations per semester. We welcome applicants who are seeking their licensed alcohol and drug counseling (LADC) degree at either the bachelor’s or master’s level. We also accept LPC and LPCC students seeking a mental health internship. We do not offer social work or sociology internships. 

**We will be accepting Summer 2024 Internship applications from 1/22/24 to 2/29/24 for internships starting in May.**

**Note: Masters level social work internship would require additional support for supervision**

ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES

GRADUATE LEVEL OPPORTUNITIES

Women’s Treatment Center Internship

The Wayside Women’s Treatment Center is a gender-specific, residential treatment program that provides treatment to women meeting criteria for substance use or dual diagnosis treatment. This program is typically 30-100 days of residential placement followed by 12 weeks of non-residential treatment and recovery maintenance. Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors work with licensed mental health professionals, medical staff, peer recovery specialists, and other supplemental services including on-site parenting groups and case management to provide a holistic array of services. 

Interns will gain experience in counseling, case management, assessment, crisis intervention, documentation and group facilitation.
-Number of interns per semester: 2

Preferred Qualifications: Experience in co-occuring/dual diagnosis populations. Being in a behavioral health program (e.g., LADC) is preferred.

Family Treatment Center Internship

Similar to the Wayside Women’s Treatment Center, services are provided both in a residential and non-residential setting. At Wayside Family Treatment, women are able to receive treatment services while their child(ren) live with them. This program is typically 45-100 days of residential treatment followed by 10 weeks of non-residential treatment. The staff consists of a multidisciplinary team of substance use disorder and mental health counselors, case managers, parenting specialists, peer recovery specialists, and medical staff.

Interns will gain experience in counseling, family dynamics, mental health with children, case management, assessment, crisis intervention, documentation, and group facilitation.
-Number of interns per semester: 2

Preferred Qualifications: Experience/education in co-occuring/dual diagnosis populations. Being in a dual licensure program is preferred.

Wellness Center Internship

The Wayside Wellness Center provides integrated and individualized outpatient treatment for women experiencing substance use and mental health disorders. A client’s treatment program is comprised of individual appointments, groups, and independent skill development and practice. Clients attend 5-13 hours of programming each week, either daytime or evening groups.

Interns will gain experience observing intake interviews, recovery meetings, treatment groups, and individual sessions, and will eventually be able to facilitate some therapeutic groups, individual sessions, comprehensive assessments and case management.
-Number of Interns per semester: 1

Preferred Qualifications: Experience/education in co-occuring/dual diagnosis populations. Being in a behavioral health program (e.g., LADC, Social Work, LPCC, etc.) is preferred.

Mental Health Internship

The Mental Health Department (integrated into each program within Wayside) provides individualized therapy, family therapy, child/play therapy as well as complete diagnostic assessments and initial evaluations into our programs. Several groups within our residential programs are facilitated by mental health staff. Therapy sessions are scheduled based on a client’s needs after a diagnostic assessment has been completed.

Interns will gain experience observing initial evaluations, diagnostic assessments, individual therapy sessions and, eventually, complete diagnostic assessments and manage a small case load of their own. Groups and family sessions may also be a possibility.
-Number of Interns per semester: 1

Preferred Qualifications: Experience/education in co-occuring/dual diagnosis populations. In a dual licensure program; that interns have completed their SUD internship hours prior to the mental health portion.

UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL OPPORTUNITIES

Program Evaluation Intern

Wayside aims to provide programming that is tailored to the clients we serve. To do this, Wayside collects data by interviewing clients in which funded services are part of their treatment plan. The data collected is used to develop an understanding of the services provided and inform program improvements. In addition, the data is reviewed and analyzed to be able to report to stakeholders and funders.

Interns will assist in completing NOMs and GPRA interviews with clients and entering collected data into a database.

Interns will gain experience in evaluation, data collection and entry, and conducting trauma-informed interviews in alignment with federally funded program guidelines.
Number of interns per semester: 0

Preferred Qualifications: Experience in Data, Research, or Public Health.

Family Services Intern

The Family Services Intern will be responsible for assisting the Family Program. Duties and responsibilities include assisting with a caseload of clients, creating trauma informed activities for children and families, assisting with field trips and providing culturally sensitive and relevant services to diverse clients and their families.

Interns will gain experience in substance use disorder, trauma-informed care, case management, group facilitation and coordinating with community agencies.
-Number of Interns per semester: 0

Preferred Qualifications: Experience/education in the behavioral health services field.

Recovery Advocate/Treatment Tech Intern

A Recovery Advocate/Treatment Tech Intern will provide direct contact and care of clients that are in our programs, and participate in activities which include coordinating transportation to appointments, medication administration, activity planning for clients, and providing 1:1 interaction and support for clients throughout the week.

Interns will gain experience in working with a diverse population (LGBT, BIPOC, etc.), using conflict resolution, trauma informed care, co-occuring Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder, and medication administration.
-Number of Interns per semester: 0

Preferred Qualifications: No experience/education in the Substance Abuse field is needed. Education in Health and Human Services or Criminal Justice background is preferred.

Case Management Intern

The Case Management Intern will assist clients in coordinating care in obtaining resources and meeting their treatment plan goals during their time in residential treatment. Interns will identify and locate information and resources for a variety of client needs related to substance use, mental health, medical, housing, and the social service system. Case Management Interns will also have opportunities to provide coordination and support related to admission services, including admission paperwork.

Interns will gain experience in growing their knowledge of substance use disorder and trauma informed care while gaining experience in case management and coordinating with community agencies.
-Number of Interns per semester: 0

Preferred Qualifications: Experience/education in the behavioral health services field (psychology, social work, family studies or another related major), working with persons who have experienced trauma, substance use, or mental health challenges. Priority given to students who have knowledge in community resources.

Intake/Administrative Intern

Serve as initial contact for admission to our substance use and mental health services. Includes administrative duties such as being the front desk for Wayside’s Wellness Center, the first contact for clients calling and entering the building, modeling behavior consistent with and supportive to those in recovery from substance abuse.

Interns will gain experience in conducting intake interviews, coordinating and scheduling admissions referrals, determining appropriate level of care, and representing Wayside.
-Number of Interns per semester: 0

Preferred Qualifications: Experience/education in the health and human services field (e.g., Psychology, Communications, or Sociology).

APPLICATION process

To apply for the specific internship you are looking for go to “About”, then “Careers” and “View Current Job Openings”

All applications will be reviewed and considered on a rolling basis.