Counseling Intern

The selected candidate will be responsible for counseling students on a drop-in basis, supporting a small caseload of students, helping to execute educational programs focused on social and emotional learning, and assisting with coordinating peer support groups. Additionally, the counseling intern will engage in weekly supervision and participate in committee and team meetings as requested. The counseling intern will be supervised by an LCPC or LCSW IMSA counseling staff member. This position is an unpaid internship for the 2026-2027 school year.

The internationally recognized Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) develops creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. As a teaching and learning laboratory created by the State of Illinois, IMSA enrolls academically talented Illinois students (grades 10-12) in its advanced, residential college preparatory program. It also serves thousands of educators and students in Illinois and beyond through innovative instructional programs that foster imagination and inquiry.

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) is committed to an equitable, diverse and inclusive teaching and learning environment. IMSA has committed to advancing equity in STEM education and representation and creating a diverse, inclusive community of global citizens who can realize their full potential, and execute our mission to advance the human condition.

This Equity and Excellence work is the intentional integration of Cultural Competence, Diversity, Equity, Equity-Minded Frame, Excellence and Inclusion into every facet of the Academy, with the understanding that it is an active and ongoing process involving structures, processes and people and not an isolated initiative.

This position will support IMSA's Diversity work by ensuring the delivery of quality, equitable, and inclusive constituent-centered support while promoting and maintaining an inclusive work environment and culture that embraces the diversity of people and perspectives collaborating at IMSA to ignite and nurture creative, ethical, scientific minds that advance the human condition.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Support the emotional, psychosocial and overall psychological wellbeing of the student.
• Assist the student in adjusting to the rigors of the IMSA academic and social environment.
• Provide brief solution-focused therapy to students in need.
• Provide crisis management and crisis intervention as needed.
• Mediate conflicts between students, students and faculty, or students and staff.
• Assess and refer students and families to appropriate resources.
• Conduct presentations, centered on issues relevant to gifted adolescents.
• Advocate for students in times of stress with staff, faculty, and other students.
• Meet with the student and parent for academic concerns, mental health issues, residential or behavioral concerns, and issues originating at home.
• Consult with Resident Counselors and other staff members regarding student issues.
• Assist counseling staff with training Resident Counselors and staff members on various issues related to student mental, emotional, and social health.
• Mandated reporting for child abuse and neglect.
• Co-facilitate brief group counseling for special interest groups.
• Co-coordinate and participate in various programs such as Sophomore Navigation and the Senior Transitional Education Program (STEP).
• Communicate with parents whenever a student experiences serious psychological problems.
• Collaborate with Student Affairs team members and Academy partners to support students’ social and emotional needs.
• Establish relationships with local mental health agencies and professionals. Attend staff meetings including Student Life department and residence hall meetings as requested.
• Attend weekly supervision meetings
• Complete required documentation and administrative tasks.
• Other duties as assigned by the Coordinator of School Counseling or their designee.
  
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Master's degree program in a counseling related field (completed practicum or equivalent; good disciplinary and academic standing; completed a multicultural counseling course)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Flexible and willing to work well with a variety of individuals and diverse populations
• Willingness to engage in supervision and self-reflective learning
• Experienced user of common computer hardware, office productivity software, and mobile devices.
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Work experience in the field of education
• Experience working with gifted and talented students.
• Bi/multilingual
  
  
  

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Work is performed in an office setting with minimal exposure to health or safety hazards. Substantial time is spent working on a computer. This role generally requires mobility, written and verbal communication, hearing and visual capabilities. However, reasonable accommodations, including assistive technology, may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform such requirements.

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, marital status, political affiliation, amnesty, arrest record, military status, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.