School Based Counseling Paid Internship

Program Summary

Our School Based Services Program provides comprehensive individual and group counseling to students, their families and school staff as needed. For more than 30 years, Applewood Centers has provided onsite programs to school systems in Cuyahoga and Lorain County. Services include individual counseling, prevention groups and presentations around anger management, building self-esteem, conflict resolution and more. Clinicians collaborate with school personnel in providing group interventions and support in areas including grief, bereavement and emotional trauma.

Intern Position Summary

The School Based Intern provides guidance and instruction to foster emotional, physical and mental growth of clients through therapeutic intervention and positive role modeling. The School Based Intern provides assessments, psychotherapy, TBS, consultation, prevention, and referral to individuals, groups and professional partners within an assigned school as well as within the community and/or office as needed. The School Based Intern is expected to meet their University's field experience target each week.

Essential Duties

• Provide psychotherapy, therapeutic behavioral services (TBS), and Consultation based on client assessed needs.
• Provide referred families and individuals with assessment services, as needed.
• Interview clients to obtain information pertinent to establishing and maintaining effective client records and Individual Treatment Plans (ITPs).
• Gather information in a timely and systemic manner that will enable ongoing diagnosis, assessment, and treatment planning.
• Develop and maintain strengths-focused, professional alignment and engagement with families.
• Develop and coordinate focused, measurable and achievable ITPs that are consistent with the client and family's identified needs.
• Collaborate with families and clients in the development of crisis plans and provides crisis assistance and coaching as needed.
• Assist clients and families with the development of skills that will enhance and improve family functioning in areas that include but are not limited to interpersonal relationships, anger management, coping, etc.
• Provide supportive services to client and school staff as needed and requested by parents and school administrators.
• Meet productivity expectations established for school based intern staff.
• Close cases in a timely manner, accurately completing discharge and aftercare plans and related paperwork based on goal achievement and/or agency policy/procedure.
• Form and maintain collaborative working relationships with natural supports, collateral professionals and/or agencies concerning individual cases.
• Assist and advocate on behalf of clients and families to secure needed resources, services and supports.
• Consult with professional staff at the school regarding treatment planning, progress, and ongoing needs in a timely and consistent manner.
• Provide mental health-related training to teachers and other school personnel.
• Contact and meet with parents of clients for purposes of ongoing training and service coordination. Contact may include home and community site visits.
• Intern must follow the assigned school schedule and maintain flexibility in scheduling to accommodate evenings for appointments as needed.
• Maintain a professionalism with clients and families that reflects courtesy, respect and the highest ethical standards.
• Complete all required documentation completely, accurately, legibly and within specified timeframes and consistent with contractual obligations.
• Secure supervisory signatures per licensing guidelines and agency policy/procedure.

Other Duties

• Attend team meetings and consultations on time and as scheduled.
• Be open to feedback and suggestion from others, be prepared for meetings, actively participate as a supportive team member, and maintain a positive working relationship with co-workers.
• Incorporate supervisory suggestions and directions into clinical practice.
• Apply professional training to revise and update clinical practice.
• Collaborate with agency staff and administration on behalf of program changes.
• Participate, as required, in program and performance improvement initiatives.
• Have or maintain a good on-time attendance record.
• Perform other duties as directed.