Mental Health Internships at CFD
Mental Health Internships are available in our Teaching Clinic for students earning their Master’s Degree.
Work with clients in our sliding scale program.
Attend in-house trainings on multiple subjects including, but not limited to:
Orientation to providing therapy
Different therapeutic styles
Interviewing techniques
Application of theory
Trauma-informed therapy
All Mental Health Interns are assigned a clinical supervisor. Receive a minimum of two hours per month of supervision or consultation with the following objectives:
Increase skills
Improve quality of services offered
Oversee progress in the program
Receive regular evaluations and performance reviews
Mental Health Intern
A “Mental Health Intern” means program staff who meet qualifications for QMHA and are currently enrolled in a graduate program that has a Division-approved certification or licensing body but does not have the necessary graduate degree in psychology, social work, or related field of behavioral science, or have an equivalent degree as determined by the Division-approved certification or licensing body
(OAR 309-019-0105 [101]).
A Mental Health Intern:
Is enrolled in a graduate program that will result in a degree in psychology, social work, or related field of behavioral science, or an equivalent degree as evidenced by providing transcripts indicating applicable coursework meeting the required competencies and approved by the OHA-approved certification or licensing body.
Has a collaborative educational agreement between the CFD and the graduate program for the student.
Will work:
Under the direct and active supervision of a qualified CFD clinical supervisor.
Within the scope of practice and competencies identified by the collaborative educational agreement.
Within CFD’s policies and procedures for the credentialing of interns.
(OAR 309-019-0105 [101][a-c])
Mental Health Interns provide a paid or unpaid program service to complete a credentialed or accredited educational program recognized by the state of Oregon.
In addition, if the intern has applied for, or has obtained, CADC certification, the agency may bill for services provided. CFD may provide placement opportunities for practicum students to enhance the quality of services. Interns will only participate in tasks which they are competent to perform. Although interns are unpaid staff, the Executive Director may evaluate the possibility of reimbursement for mileage expenses.
Mental Health Interns will sign a statement of confidentiality and comply with program confidentiality standards. Interns will immediately consult with the Associate Executive Director, Program Coordinator, or Clinical Supervisor regarding unusual incidents.
Requirements for Mental Health Interns
Mental Health Interns will meet the following criteria:
Complete orientation requirements
Participate in supervision in order to review performance, provide and receive feedback
If recovering from a substance use disorder and providing treatment services or peer support services in the Recovery Program, be able to document continuous abstinence under independent living conditions or recovery housing for the immediate past two years.
Mental Health Interns will have the following professional responsibilities:
Carrying a Teaching Clinic caseload
Attending weekly clinical supervision
Participating in regularly scheduled in-house trainings
Supervision of therapy interns will be conducted by an appropriately licensed or certified supervisor. Supervision will be conducted on both group and individual levels employing case staffings, video reviews of therapy sessions, records reviews, and live supervision. The ratio of individual contact hours to supervision will be a minimum of one hour of supervision to eight hours of individual contact. The frequency of supervision may be dictated by the MH intern’s graduate program requirements. Additionally, each intern will be involved in weekly training seminars focused on the enhancement of therapeutic effectiveness.
