Internship (Sep to Apr) – Psychoeducation and Behavioral Support

Description

FamilyAid is a leading provider of solutions to family homelessness. Our mission is to empower parents and caregivers facing homelessness to secure and sustain housing and build solid foundations for their children's futures. 

We prevent family homelessness whenever possible, reduce harm if homelessness can't be avoided by housing families as quickly as possible, mitigate trauma, especially for children, and provide wraparound supports that foster long-term stability. 

We provide children and parents with a path to self-sufficiency via two-generation educational programs, housing search and placement support, and connections to vital resources they need to return to their own homes. 

Our strategic vision and bold strategies to reduce two-generation homelessness successfully served 5,000 children and parents in Greater Boston last year. 

Our supportive, collaborative, diverse workplace of more than 130 professionals is ideal for skilled, result-oriented professionals who are driven to help children and families thrive. FamilyAid has been recognized as a Massachusetts Top Workplace by The Boston Globe and by Charity Navigator as one of the nation's top organizations working to end homelessness.

Position Summary

The Behavioral Health Support Intern will join FamilyAid’s 2Gen team to expand the behavioral health supports and bridge gaps in services while families await long-term behavioral health care. This internship builds on the foundation of the piloted 2025 “Clinical Support and Psychoeducation internship” and extends that work across all FamilyAid programs. Reporting to the Youth Behavioral Health Navigator, the intern will provide group and individual support to clients, assist with referrals, and contribute to the ongoing assessment and improvement of FamilyAid’s behavioral health systems.

This role is ideal for students seeking clinical (supervisor dependent) hours in a dynamic, community-based setting, particularly those with an interest in trauma, youth and family behavioral health, and working with migrant and immigrant populations. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Individual Check-Ins: Provide brief, strengths-based 1:1 support check-ins for individual clients who are on waitlists for long-term behavioral health services
• Virtual and In Person Group Support: Facilitate structured support groups for clients across FamilyAid programs, covering topics such as mental health psychoeducation, parenting support, stress management, and acculturation
• Referral Support: Assist in connecting clients to appropriate behavioral health resources, including community-based mental health providers, crisis services, and specialty programs
• Data Collection: Track and document behavioral health needs, referral outcomes, and group participation using agency data systems
• Assessment & Continuous Improvement: Provide ongoing feedback on the effectiveness of current behavioral health systems, partnerships, and gaps, and contribute recommendations for improvement
• Curriculum Development: Develop and adapt group curricula using trauma-informed, culturally responsive approaches
• Documentation: Participate in weekly supervision; document group activities, outcomes, and client interactions in accordance with agency standards
• Team Meetings: Attend in-person 2Gen team meetings on Thursdays as applicable

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in social work, counseling, psychology, child life, or a related clinical field
• Highly desired:
  • Fluency in another  language (ideally Spanish or Haitian Creole)
  • Experience with trauma survivors, trauma informed care and/or the psychosocial needs of migrant  populations
• Proficient written and verbal communication skills.
• Exhibits humility through  the learning process and can accept feedback.
• Familiar with  evidence-based practices such as trauma informed care and motivational      interviewing.
• Comfortable working in person (community based) and virtually
• Flexibility and compassion are essential

Location and Work Conditions: This position is hybrid. In-person presence required for group facilitation and team meetings on Thursdays. FamilyAid’s headquarters are at 3815 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02130.

Work Schedule: 12-16 hours a week, to be discussed with supervisor and field education director. Days and hours to be determined, with the flexibility to best meet client and program needs.

FamilyAid is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age.