Mental Health Counselor Internships
Mental health counselor internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on clinical and case-management experience, mentorship from working mental health counselors, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings cover {{top_industries_phrase}}, with Brave Health, Life's Path, and Appendix among the employers posting roles now.
Find Mental Health Counselor InternshipsOverview
Showing 5 of 16+ Mental Health Counselor Internships
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
0
Schedule:
Pay Range Minimum:
Education We're Looking for:
Certifications We're Looking For:
Experience We're Looking For:
Additional Details:
Required Qualifications:
Currently enrolled in a master’s program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Eligibility for a clinical internship through an accredited academic institution.
Job Description Summary:
What You'll Do:
Provide individual therapy to a small, supervised caseload.
Co-facilitate therapeutic or psychoeducational groups.
Assist with intake assessments, treatment planning, and discharge planning as appropriate.
Complete clinical documentation in accordance with agency and ethical standards.
Attend weekly individual clinical supervision with an assigned Senior Therapist.
Participate in group supervision and/or case consultation meetings.]
Complete required agency trainings and workshops.
Attend staff meetings and clinical team meetings as assigned.
Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records in compliance with agency, legal, and ethical guidelines.
Responsible for keeping track of internship hours and any related record-keeping for the academic institution
Participate in agency projects or initiatives as assigned (e.g., curriculum development, outreach, evaluation).
Follow all HIPAA, confidentiality, and professional conduct standards.
Benefits:
We offer a competitive and flexible total rewards package designed to support the diverse needs of our team members. In addition to base compensation, eligible employees have access to a range of customizable benefits and perks, which may include comprehensive health coverage, retirement plans, professional development support, and more. Specific offerings are tailored to the role, employment type, and location. We look forward to discussing the details of your personalized compensation and benefits package—and what matters most to you—during the interview process.
Make a Difference in Someone’s Life!
At Monarch, we work together to provide life-changing care in communities across North Carolina and Rhode Island. As a team, we provide hope, promote wellness, and empower individuals and families impacted by mental illness, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injury.
You Belong at Monarch Healthcare
You deserve a positive and encouraging work environment - a place where you can do your best work and grow as a professional. That is just what you’ll find at Monarch Healthcare. Here, we care for people, including our team members. We offer a comprehensive, competitive benefits package that supports full-time and part-time team members and their families. More than just a job, this opportunity with Monarch Healthcare will give you room to spread your wings and grow because we believe in promoting from within and developing future leaders.
Monarch Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Monarch Healthcare offers opportunities as diverse as the people we support and the communities we serve. Monarch Healthcare is an equal opportunity employer and we are firmly committed to supporting and celebrating all forms of diversity.
Monarch Healthcare does not accept paper applications. Any person with a disability who needs any reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to apply for a position or otherwise to participate in Monarch Healthcare job search or selection process, should contact HR@MonarchNC.org or call (704) 986-1550.
This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities to be performed. You will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties and responsibilities upon the request of a supervisor. This job description is subject to revision at the discretion of Monarch Healthcare.
Department:
BH - InternshipScheduled Weekly Hours:
0
Schedule:
Pay Range Minimum:
Education We're Looking for:
Certifications We're Looking For:
Experience We're Looking For:
Additional Details:
Required Qualifications:
Currently enrolled in a master’s program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Eligibility for a clinical internship through an accredited academic institution.
Job Description Summary:
What You'll Do:
Provide individual therapy to a small, supervised caseload.
Co-facilitate therapeutic or psychoeducational groups.
Assist with intake assessments, treatment planning, and discharge planning as appropriate.
Complete clinical documentation in accordance with agency and ethical standards.
Attend weekly individual clinical supervision with an assigned Senior Therapist.
Participate in group supervision and/or case consultation meetings.]
Complete required agency trainings and workshops.
Attend staff meetings and clinical team meetings as assigned.
Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records in compliance with agency, legal, and ethical guidelines.
Responsible for keeping track of internship hours and any related record-keeping for the academic institution
Participate in agency projects or initiatives as assigned (e.g., curriculum development, outreach, evaluation).
Follow all HIPAA, confidentiality, and professional conduct standards.
Benefits:
We offer a competitive and flexible total rewards package designed to support the diverse needs of our team members. In addition to base compensation, eligible employees have access to a range of customizable benefits and perks, which may include comprehensive health coverage, retirement plans, professional development support, and more. Specific offerings are tailored to the role, employment type, and location. We look forward to discussing the details of your personalized compensation and benefits package—and what matters most to you—during the interview process.
Make a Difference in Someone’s Life!
At Monarch, we work together to provide life-changing care in communities across North Carolina and Rhode Island. As a team, we provide hope, promote wellness, and empower individuals and families impacted by mental illness, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injury.
You Belong at Monarch Healthcare
You deserve a positive and encouraging work environment - a place where you can do your best work and grow as a professional. That is just what you’ll find at Monarch Healthcare. Here, we care for people, including our team members. We offer a comprehensive, competitive benefits package that supports full-time and part-time team members and their families. More than just a job, this opportunity with Monarch Healthcare will give you room to spread your wings and grow because we believe in promoting from within and developing future leaders.
Monarch Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Monarch Healthcare offers opportunities as diverse as the people we support and the communities we serve. Monarch Healthcare is an equal opportunity employer and we are firmly committed to supporting and celebrating all forms of diversity.
Monarch Healthcare does not accept paper applications. Any person with a disability who needs any reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to apply for a position or otherwise to participate in Monarch Healthcare job search or selection process, should contact HR@MonarchNC.org or call (704) 986-1550.
This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities to be performed. You will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties and responsibilities upon the request of a supervisor. This job description is subject to revision at the discretion of Monarch Healthcare.
Department:
BH - InternshipMental Health Counselor Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Mental Health Counselor Internship Search
Apply earlier than your cohort expects
Large hospital systems, community health networks, and behavioral health companies recruit summer clinical interns the preceding fall, often closing cohorts before winter break. Smaller nonprofits and private practices post closer to their start dates. Check listings in September and apply the same week a role matches your licensure track.
Build a practicum portfolio before you apply
Hiring supervisors at the intern level want documented proof of client-contact work, not a long employment history. Compile de-identified case summaries, a practicum reflection log, or a supervision feedback record. Name the population, the modality, and the supervised hours completed so reviewers can assess your readiness quickly.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured clinical placements tied to your university's affiliation agreements, and your faculty supervisor or program director often knows which sites recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Apply directly to employers running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity so you reach openings that never appear on university boards.
Practice your clinical vignette responses out loud
Mental health counselor internship interviews typically include case vignettes or ethical-scenario questions where supervisors evaluate your clinical reasoning, not just your final answer. Practice responses out loud, walking through your theoretical orientation, your assessment approach, and your rationale step by step, so the thinking is as clear as the conclusion.
Target structured internship pipelines at larger organizations
Hospital systems, managed behavioral health organizations, and large nonprofits run cohort-based internship programs designed to train people new to clinical work. These programs provide structured supervision, rotation across service lines, and a clear pathway to licensure hours. They recruit early and fill fast, so identify the ones aligned with your licensure track and apply in the first wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 54% of the mental health counselor internships listed here. Decide whether you can commit to in-person placement, telehealth-only, or a hybrid schedule before you begin searching. Filtering by location and work type upfront means you spend your time on roles you can actually accept, not sorting through placements that do not fit your program requirements or commute.
Mental Health Counselor Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a mental health counselor internship?
Lead with coursework and documented client-facing or practicum projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A case study portfolio, reflection journal, or practicum summary gives supervisors something concrete to assess. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where clinical supervisors and program recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a mental health counselor internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it for mental health counselor interns is consistent performance on real caseloads, positive supervisory feedback, and whether the site has open headcount when your program ends. Position for a return offer by treating every client interaction seriously, but do not count on it as your only job-search strategy.
When should I apply for mental health counselor internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large hospital systems and community health organizations recruit summer clinical interns the preceding fall, sometimes as early as September or October. Smaller nonprofits, private practices, and co-op placements post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Check listings regularly and apply as soon as a role matches your licensure track and program requirements.
Are mental health counselor internships paid?
Most professional mental health counselor internships in the United States are paid, though compensation varies by employer size, industry, and location. Community mental health centers and nonprofits sometimes offer stipends rather than hourly wages, while hospital systems and larger behavioral health companies tend to pay more competitively. Listings show compensation where the employer discloses it, so filter accordingly.
What should a mental health counselor internship resume include?
Lead with projects and practicum work, not employment history. Document two or three complete placements or academic projects, naming the population served, the modalities used, and the supervised hours logged. Include a link to a case study portfolio, de-identified session notes, or a practicum summary if your program permits sharing. Add relevant coursework such as psychopathology, ethics, or counseling theory, and keep it to one page.
Are there remote mental health counselor internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 46% of the mental health counselor internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Many telehealth platforms and employee assistance program providers run fully remote clinical cohorts. Remote placements fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
What is a counseling practicum or internship sequence, and how does it work?
Most accredited counseling programs require a structured practicum-then-internship sequence: a shorter practicum placement focused on observed and supervised skill-building, followed by a longer internship with a direct-service hour requirement. These placements are competitive at high-demand sites, recruit early in the academic year, and count toward licensure hour requirements, so identifying sites and applying in the first wave of your program cohort matters.
Can international students get mental health counselor internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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