Behavioral Health Internships

MultiCare Behavioral Health has a number of in-depth, non-medical internships available in Pierce County for students who are working toward graduate degrees in a range of mental health fields, including counseling, child and family services and substance use disorder.

**Internship requests must be made a minimum of four months prior to the desired internship start date. All internships are unpaid.**

Internship Tracks

We offer internship tracks in several behavioral health areas, as well as an internship track focused on chemical dependency.

Behavioral Health Internship Tracks

MultiCare Behavioral Health’s internships offer one-on-one mentoring for the duration of the internship, as well as hands-on work seeing patients in individual, family and group therapy. Additional opportunities (varies by track) include working in schools, medical and community settings. Students are trained in evidence-based practices and concurrent documentation.

We currently offer six behavioral health service tracks available for interns:

• Child and Family Services: Clients range from ages 3 to 21. Individual and family therapy sessions are provided through outpatient services. Treatment specializes in mood disorders, behavior problems, adjustment disorder, and trauma diagnoses. Interventions may include working collaboratively with schools, Primary Care Providers, Psychiatrists, and community support to achieve treatment goals.
• Children’s Therapy Unit: Children birth to 18 years old; Typically developing children as well as children with developmental differences including autism, cognitive delay, medical complications and highly capable children.
• Community Support Services: Adults with mental illness and moderate to severe functional limitations and co-occurring disorders. Ages 18-59 years old.
• Older Adults: Adults 60 years+ with mental disorders and moderate to severe functional limitations and medical issues.
• The Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT): Chronically mentally ill clients; high percentage of substance use disorder struggles; over 75% of clinical contacts occur in the community (such as client apartment, shelter, inpatient unit)
• PCBHI – Primary Care Behavioral Health Integration:  Primary Care Clinic.  Services include counseling in an integrated team approach with providers, working with all ages, with diverse mental health issues including depression, anxiety, and trauma. (MSW intern only).
• Mobile Outreach Crisis Team: Crisis work for anyone in Pierce County. Brief interventions and de-escalation skills with an integrated team. Working with ages 18+ who are actively in crisis and connecting them to longer term support.
• BeST Program: The Behavior Support Team (BeST) program works with families caring for youth with developmental disabilities, who are experiencing behavioral challenges. The BeST Intern shall be a college student working towards a Master’s Degree in Counseling, Psychology, or related field of study. The BeST program intern will gain experience and training in providing behavioral support services to enrolled DSHS/DDA eligible children and their families.

These internships vary in length, with most programs requiring a 9-12 month commitment. depending upon the internship track. Interns typically work 18-20 hours per week, generally Monday through Friday, between 8am and 6pm.

Limited internship openings may also be available in other areas, such as our Older Adult Services. Email [email protected] for more information.

Substance Use Disorder Internship Track

The Substance Use Disorder Internship program offers one-on-one mentoring for the duration of the internship, as well as hands-on work seeing patients and overseeing sessions. SUD internships  generally last 9 to 12 months, with interns working 20-30 hours per week, generally Monday through Friday, between 8am and 6pm.

Internship Eligibility

Qualified candidates are accepted for internship slots through a competitive interview process. To be eligible for consideration for a slot, you must meet, at minimum, the criteria outlined below.

Behavioral Health Tracks Eligibility

• Attend an accredited university
• Be seeking one of the following degrees:
  • MFT (with or without AAMFT certification)
  • MA/MS Counseling
  • MSW (limited slots available)
  • PhD/PsyD (limited slots available)
  • SUDPT certificate
• Be available for 18-20 hours of work per week during daytime working hours for the internship’s duration (9-12 months)

Substance Use Disorder Track Eligibility

• Have an active Washington State Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee certification (SUDPT)
• Have, or be seeking CD certificate
  • Are currently enrolled in a certificate or degree program encompassing Substance Use Disorder
• Be available for 20-30 hours of work per week during daytime working hours for the internship’s duration (9-12 months)

Note: These internships are not appropriate for students seeking their medical or physician’s assistant degrees.

Navos, a partner of the MultiCare Behavioral Health Network offers internship opportunities in our Adult and Child & Family outpatient programs. Interns provide individual and family therapy, co-facilitation of group therapy, and collaboration with other professionals.

Learn more and apply on the Navos website.

Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare, a partner of the MultiCare Behavioral Health Network offers internship opportunities in Pierce County. Intern tracks include Adult Outpatient Services, Child and Family, and Forensics.

Learn more and apply here.