If you are interested in doing an internship working with organizations that provide support to people in need, this course provides a faculty sponsorship and opportunities to reflect on your internship experience with peers doing similar work. It is designed to provide students with experience working in professional settings related to counseling, recovery, or other behavioral health services. This course allows structured learning and support as the student immerses themselves in fieldwork.
For students enrolled in the BHSS certificate, this internship provides essential experiential learning in the mental health profession and is designed to meet the state of Washington’s licensing requirements. This field placement will link course material with applied experience in the community. It allows students to develop skills under the guidance of experts in the field; it provides the opportunity to confront real world challenges in service provision; it facilitates career decision-making and connects students to professional contacts.
One credit of the internship or practicum includes a seminar-style meeting with other students led by an Evergreen faculty member. Faculty will help students in their professional development by guiding them in their use of screeners, their implementation of basic counseling skills and evidence-based interventions, their conceptualizations of their clients, and their professional relationships and potential ethical situations.
Students will need to arrange for an internship prior to enrollment. The Behavioral Health Support Specialist certificate requires 12 credits of internship experience spanning at least 2 quarters. Students may enroll in the Fall internship course for 4-16 credits.
Anticipated Credit Equivalencies:
4 - Psychology: Behavioral Health Internship
Registration
The Helping Relationship: Introduction to Counseling Theory, Skills and Ethics (8 credits, Fall quarter) or equivalent credits in counseling psychology must be taken prior to this internship class.
This practicum is for students who are ready for applied internships in counseling or other behavioral support services. The Helping Relationship (or equivalent) is a pre-requisite. Students will need to work with faculty to identify an appropriate internship site prior to the course.
Academic Details
This course is required for completing the Behavioral Health Support Specialist Certificate at Evergreen. For more information visit: https://www.evergreen.edu/academics/professional-continuing-education/behavioral-health-support-specialist
Health services, behavioral health, psychology, social work, counseling