General Counseling Internship

Location: 3445 N Central Ave, Chicago, IL 60634

Schedule: Minimum of 16 hours per week, 24 hours preferred (hours are Monday-Thursday 12-8) All interns must drive.

Position Overview:
The Youth Outreach Services Counseling Department works with youth, ages 12 up to 21. We work with youth referred for both Mental Health and Substance Use issues. Clients are referred to the agency from a variety of sources, such as parole officers, probation officers, courts, hospitals, residential treatment hospitals, schools, parents as well as self-referrals. They develop and monitor treatment plans for clients, provide individual, group and family counseling and conduct home or school visits, as needed.

The Counseling intern will support youth at YOS through weekly individual counseling sessions to assist with substance use or mental health issues. The intern will be responsible for the completion of intake assessments, weekly individual sessions and communication with referral sources. All progress notes will need to reflect all communication pertaining to their clients and be completed weekly.

The intern will master and utilize the 7 Challenges Program to allow clients to focus on past and future decisions and consequences and make their own choices regarding drugs and alcohol use.

The intern will also lead or co-lead weekly counseling groups for youth, ranging from an all-girls group, drug/alcohol treatment group or anger management group. The intern may also develop and lead group activities outside of YOS occasionally to provide positive peer alternatives for the youth we serve in the community. The intern will be expected to research and contact community resources to meet their client’s needs. The intern will meet with families at least once a month per client.

The hours are Monday through Thursday 12 pm-8 pm and Friday 9 am-5 pm.

We prefer interns to work Monday through Thursday. Internships typically start in August and last through June.

This is an unpaid internship; however, this position is eligible for academic credits. YOS is approved at many colleges/universities and can make necessary accommodations with most schools. Currently, we are not accepting summer interns.

Qualifications:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Master's level student with a concentration in counseling or social work
• Must drive and have access to a car and be able to work the schedule.
• Bilingual in Spanish is preferred.