Internship, School Based Step Up Counselor

Intern-School Based Step-Up Counselor

This is an unpaid internship. We are seeking a motivated Intern-School Based Step-Up Counselor to provide therapy, community support, and case management to clients using a variety of evidenced informed interventions that focus on targeted behavior, emotional and social skills building, academic support, and linkage to concrete community resources and services.

August 2026
- July 2027

3-4 days per week

Pass criminal and CANTS (DCFS) background check

Obtain and maintain certification in IM CANs required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide individual and family therapy, community support, case management and potentially, therapy groups with a trauma-based focused lens.
• Work with children and adolescents ages four (4) to twenty-one (21).
• Assess clients for risk of harm and make appropriate referrals to more intensive services.
• Participate as a member of the behavioral health team in assigned CPS schools and track referrals that are made.
• Consult with school personnel, parent/guardian, and outside providers regarding students' progress in treatment and needs.

Learning Opportunities:

• Develop Clinical Assessment & Intervention Skills.
• Experience real world application of Case Management & Community Support Coordination with schools, caregivers, and external providers to support student stabilization and progress.
• Build professional skills in Consult and collaborate as a member of a school-based behavioral health team within CPS or similar school settings.
• Develop professional skills in ethical clinical documentation; and adherence to mandated reporting laws, and professional boundaries.

Qualifications:

• Must be in the second year of your MA or MSW graduate program.
• Ability to commit one year for this internship preferred.
• Ability to act safely and appropriately with clients in the community required.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain collaborative community partnerships preferred.
• Ability to communicate in a clear, comprehensible manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Excellent organization, presentation, and pc/computer skills, including experience using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) along with other related software.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, pregnancy, any other characteristic protected by law.