Behavioral Health in Schools/ Outpatient Counseling Services (Masters Internship) - Unpaid (2912)

Job Summary:

This role involves providing both outpatient mental health services and delivering Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) to middle and high school students. In the Outpatient Counseling Services program, the clinician will offer individualized therapeutic support to individuals struggling with a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, stress management, and substance use disorders. This program serves a diverse population, from children as young as 5 years old to older adults, providing community-based counseling through evidence-based practices such as individual, group, and family therapy. The services are delivered in a compassionate, office-based environment, ensuring confidentiality and tailored support for each client's needs.

In the REST Program, the clinician will work with students exposed to traumatic events such as violence, abuse, natural disasters, or traumatic loss. CBITS is a skills-based, group intervention designed to reduce symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety, while improving social and academic functioning. The clinician will lead both individual and group sessions, teaching skills in affect regulation, relaxation, challenging maladaptive thoughts, and problem-solving. The program also focuses on processing traumatic memories and grief. Additionally, the clinician will provide education and support to parents and teachers to create a collaborative approach to the student’s healing.

This role requires a strong commitment to trauma-informed care, working collaboratively with families, schools, and community partners to ensure that students and clients have access to the support they need to thrive emotionally and academically.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Journey Mental Health Center upholds a strong commitment to People, Opportunities, Community, and Access (POCA) that guides our daily operations. We foster a caring community for all individuals to feel a sense of belonging. We prioritize delivering services that are centered around ensuring fairness and inclusivity for all. We are dedicated to demonstrating courage and initiative within our agency and community to actively dismantle structural oppression for all affected communities. 

Duties/Responsibilities:

1. Client Support and Counseling

• Client Assist in Conducting Intake Assessments: Support the intake process by gathering relevant information about clients' backgrounds, presenting issues, and treatment history.
• Co-Facilitate Therapy Sessions: Under supervision, lead individual or group counseling sessions, using therapeutic techniques learned during training (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy).
• Observe and Document Client Interactions: Record and maintain detailed notes on client progress, treatment plans, discharge, and any significant developments.
• Follow Treatment Plans: Ensure that clients’ treatment plans are followed, making any necessary adjustments in collaboration with the client and supervising counselor.
• Provide Psychoeducation: Educate clients or groups on mental health topics, coping strategies, stress management, and mental wellness.
• Support Clients in Developing Coping Skills: Teach clients how to use tools like mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and problem-solving to manage mental health symptoms.

2.  School Based REST Program:

The REST Program partners with schools and community health agencies to build resiliency and promote recovery for youth impacted by stress and trauma. This program includes three (3) points of intervention:

• Universal Screening for symptoms of depression, trauma exposure and traumatic stress
• Student Connection and Consultation based on screener results to build relationship and determine appropriate support
• Referral to a wide variety of resources including REST’s 10-Week Student Groups.
• Facilitate Groups:
  • FACE   (Fostering Awareness, Compassion, and Empowerment
  • CBITS  (Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools)
  • HEART (Healing Ethnic and Racial Trauma)
  • Bounce Back Group

TIMELINE For School Based Programs:

Training            Student Screening Assessments            Groups Begin           Groups are 8 to 10 weeks in length.

Schools Districts Covered: 

CBITS/HEART + FACE

Verona Area School District

Madison Metropolitan School District

Oregon School District

Stoughton Area School District

Middleton Cross Plains Area School District

Sun Prairie Area School District

Mount Horeb

FACE Only

Waunakee Area School District

Cambridge School District

Deforest Area School District

2. Assessment and Diagnosis

• Administer Assessments: Conduct psychological assessments, questionnaires, and diagnostic tests as directed by the supervising counselor.
• Assist in Diagnosing Mental Health Disorders: Help assess and analyze symptoms to contribute to forming or reviewing client diagnoses.
• Monitor Client Progress: Track and report changes in client behaviors or symptoms, noting improvements or setbacks in their treatment.

3. Case Management

• Collaborate with Other Professionals: Work with psychiatrists, social workers, or other professionals to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for clients.
• Referral Services: Provide referrals to clients for additional services, such as medication management, group therapy, or community support programs.
• Crisis Management: Respond to immediate needs, like suicide prevention or managing acute distress, by following proper protocols under supervision.

4. Supervision and Documentation

• Regular Supervision Sessions: Participate in regular supervision with your onsite supervisor to discuss cases, review documentation, receive feedback, and improve clinical skills.
• Maintain Confidentiality and Documentation: Ensure that all client interactions are confidential and that detailed notes are kept for each session, in compliance with legal and ethical guidelines (e.g., HIPAA in the U.S.).
• Case Review: Participate in case reviews and discuss treatment approaches with supervisors to refine techniques.

5. Professional Development

• Attend Trainings and Workshops: Participate in ongoing education to stay current with mental health trends, therapeutic techniques, and legal or ethical guidelines.
• Reflect on Counseling Practice: Engage in self-reflection and seek feedback from supervisors to improve counseling skills, therapeutic approach, and overall performance.
• Case Conceptualization: Develop the skill of case conceptualization, which involves creating a comprehensive understanding of a client's issues based on their history, presenting problems, behaviors, and emotions. This process helps identify the underlying factors contributing to a client’s mental health concerns and informs treatment planning. Interns are encouraged to practice organizing clinical data into clear frameworks, using theoretical models (e.g., psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, person-centered) to explain and predict client behavior. Case conceptualization includes analyzing patterns, identifying key interventions, and considering potential barriers to treatment, all while integrating clinical knowledge with the specifics of each client's situation. Supervisors often provide feedback on case conceptualizations to help interns refine their diagnostic and treatment planning skills.

7. Ethical and Legal Compliance

• Follow Ethical Guidelines: Ensure adherence to the ethical standards set by professional organizations like the American Counseling Association (ACA) or the American Psychological Association (APA).
• Adhere to Legal Standards: Comply with laws around confidentiality, mandatory reporting, and other legal requirements in the mental health field.

8. Administrative Support

• Assist in Office Tasks: Scheduling, handling client records, and other administrative tasks as necessary to support the practice or facility.
• Coordinate with Clients: Help clients with appointment scheduling, follow-ups, and accessing services.

9. Cultural Competency and Inclusivity

• Work with Diverse Populations: Adapt counseling techniques to be culturally sensitive and appropriate for individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Advocate for Inclusivity: Be mindful of issues related to gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and other factors that can impact mental health.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Education/Licensure

ESSENTIAL

• Master’s 2^nd year students
• Educational Requirements: Second Year Master’s Level in Counseling Psychology, Social Work, Psychology, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Counselor Education, School Psychology, or similar degree
• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Ability to drive your own vehicle to and from various school sites.
• Journey provides mileage reimbursement for qualifying travel to school sites.
• Additional reimbursements may be available for other work-related expenses, in accordance with company policy.

Experience

ESSENTIAL

• Active Listening and Empathy: Ability to listen attentively to clients and demonstrate empathy in understanding their feelings and concerns.
• Strong Communication Skills (Verbal and Written): Clear and effective communication with clients, colleagues, and other professionals, both in-person and through written documentation.
• Understanding of Mental Health Disorders and Therapeutic Techniques: Knowledge of common mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, PTSD) and familiarity with various therapeutic modalities (e.g., CBT, person-centered, solution-focused).
• Ability to Build Rapport with Clients: Establishing trust and a positive therapeutic relationship with clients.
• Crisis Management Skills: Ability to assess and respond to immediate mental health crises, including potential self-harm, suicidal ideation, or emotional distress.
• Ethical Decision-Making: Applying ethical principles to decision-making processes, ensuring client welfare, and adhering to legal and professional standards (e.g., HIPAA, informed consent).
• Computer and Typing Skills: Proficiency in:
  • Data Entry and Updates: Accurately inputting and updating client information in electronic health records (EHR).
  • Word Processing and Documentation: Writing clear and concise progress notes, treatment plans, and reports using programs like Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
  • Basic Understanding of Excel Spreadsheets: Using spreadsheets to organize and track client data, caseloads, or session logs.
  • Email Communication: Professional and secure email correspondence with clients and colleagues.
• File Management: Organizing and maintaining both physical and digital client records, ensuring confidentiality and easy retrieval.
• Online Research Skills: Ability to search for and evaluate reliable mental health resources, research studies, and support services for clients.
• Data Protection and Privacy Management: Knowledge of how to securely store and protect client data, ensuring compliance with privacy laws (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR).
• Telehealth Proficiency: Competence in using telehealth platforms (e.g., Zoom, Doxy.me) to conduct remote therapy sessions, ensuring confidentiality and security.

Experience Requirements: Coursework in Mental Health Counseling Theories, substance use disorders and Psychological Assessment

Language Requirements:

• Required: Proficiency in English (both written and verbal).
• Preferred: Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Physical Requirements:

• Requires driving, sitting, standing, light lifting, bending, and reaching; and the ability to use and operate standard office equipment, including computer, calculator, phone, printer, cell phone, facsimile, etc.

Working Conditions

• May require evening or weekend hours depending on program needs.
• Days and Times: Monday-Thursday 8:30am to 5:00pm and Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm
• Minimum Hours Per Week: 16-20 hours per week
• Work Environment: Internship Clinic- Onsite in office
• Mandatory Meeting Names, Days and Times:  2 hour Group Supervision (TBD) 
• Duration of Internship: Minimum 2 school semesters or 8 months with options for extension.

Hiring Process:

• All potential candidates will need to successfully pass the Background Information Disclosure (BID) for entity employees and contractors.  Wisconsin’s Caregivers Law requires background, and criminal checks are required by the Department of Health Services and Wis. Stat. 50.065(6)(c) and Wis. Admin Code § DHS 12.05(4)

Journey Mental Health Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.