Clinical Internship/Externship 2027-2028 - Mental Health Counseling Track

Description

Currently accepting applications for Clinical Internships and Externships for the 2027–2028 training year. We will be reviewing all applications beginning December 1st. For NYNJADOT/NATMATCH Applicants: Applications will be reviewed and interviews will be scheduled in accordance with NYNJADOT/NATMATCH guidelines 

Clinical Internship/Externship 2027-2028 - Mental Health Counseling Track

Classification: Externship/Internship, Part-Time, In-Person, Unpaid

Location: MPG Offices (Upper West Side Office and/or Long Island City)

Start Dates Available include May 10, 2027; June 7, 2027; July 6, 2027; or August 2, 2027

End Date: 12 months following start date

Schedule: Minimum of 16 clinical hours per week across two in-person clinical days (up to 24 hours across three clinical days with program approval).

Reports To: Clinical Director of Training & Professional Development or Assigned Primary Faculty

Internship/Externship Summary

The Mental Health Counseling Track is designed for graduate trainees seeking intensive experience providing evidence-based psychotherapy within a collaborative, multidisciplinary practice. This specialized training program emphasizes direct clinical care with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families presenting with a wide range of emotional, behavioral, developmental, and adjustment concerns.

Working alongside licensed psychologists, social workers, and behavioral health professionals, trainees develop competency in psychotherapy, case conceptualization, treatment planning, parent consultation, group intervention, multidisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based clinical practice.

The majority of direct clinical experience is devoted to psychotherapy and related behavioral health services. Trainees also receive introductory exposure to psychological assessment through observation, multidisciplinary consultation, and participation in intake and diagnostic discussions when appropriate.

Trainees receive intensive supervision and mentorship while providing services to individuals presenting with anxiety, OCD, mood disorders, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), disruptive behavior disorders, learning differences, and other developmental, behavioral, and emotional concerns.

This track is ideal for trainees pursuing careers in psychotherapy, pediatric psychology, clinical psychology, school psychology, counseling psychology, behavioral health, or integrated mental health care.

Mental Health Specialization Training Experience

Mental Health Track trainees receive extensive supervised experience delivering evidence-based psychotherapy across a variety of clinical settings while working collaboratively with families, schools, physicians, and multidisciplinary providers.

Primary Mental Health Experiences

Trainees gain experience providing:

• Individual psychotherapy
• Parent training and parent consultation
• Family therapy
• Group therapy and group co-facilitation
• Intake evaluations
• School consultation and collaboration
• Crisis assessment and safety planning, when appropriate
• Treatment planning and ongoing progress monitoring

Training includes:

• Case conceptualization
• Diagnostic interviewing
• Evidence-based treatment planning
• CBT and third-wave behavioral interventions
• Parent coaching
• Behavioral intervention planning
• Collaboration with schools and outside providers
• Coordination of multidisciplinary care

Throughout the year, trainees participate in multidisciplinary case consultation while learning how evidence-based interventions are individualized to meet each client's unique developmental, emotional, behavioral, and family needs.

Supplemental Clinical Experience

To promote well-rounded clinical development, trainees may also maintain gain exposure to and/or participate in the following assessment activities:

• Test selection, administration, and scoring
• Integrative report writing, including the development of individualized recommendations and participation in feedback sessions
• Behavioral observations, including school observations
• Consultation with schools, teachers, and multidisciplinary providers

Behavioral Health & Multidisciplinary Exposure

In addition to outpatient psychotherapy, trainees receive exposure to the breadth of Manhattan Psychology Group's multidisciplinary services, including opportunities to observe and collaborate with clinicians providing:

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
• Parent Management Training (PMT)
• Executive Functioning Coaching
• Behavioral Tutoring
• Social Skills Groups
• Comprehensive Psychological and Neuropsychological Evaluations
• School-based consultation and support services

This multidisciplinary model allows trainees to better understand how behavioral, psychological, educational, and family-based interventions complement one another in supporting children and families.

Schedule:

The Mental Health Counseling Track consists of 16 hours per week across two in-person clinical days (up to 24 hours across three clinical days with program approval), combining direct clinical service with structured educational experiences.

• Weekly Schedule
  • Direct Clinical Services (Approximately 8 hours/week)
    • Primary responsibilities include: 
      • Individual psychotherapy
      • Parent consultation and parent training
      • Family therapy
      • Group therapy
      • Intake evaluations
      • School consultation
      • Multidisciplinary collaboration with outside providers
      • Direct service co-facilitation
  • Indirect Clinical & Professional Learning Activities  (Approximately 8 hours/week)
    • In addition to direct clinical service, trainees participate in a variety of structured learning experiences designed to support clinical growth and professional development, including:
      • Clinical documentation and treatment planning
      • Weekly individual supervision with a licensed psychologist or clinical supervisor
      • Bi-weekly group supervision
      • Departmental didactics focused on evidence-based interventions, diagnosis, ethics, and professional practice
        • Examples include: ADHD, behavior management, SPACE, social skills, helping kids manage emotional dysregulation, DBT, ERP for OCD
      • Observation of therapy sessions, intake evaluations, comprehensive evaluations, feedback meetings, and specialized interventions
      • Opportunities to support and facilitate psychoeducational workshops, parent education programs, therapy groups, and community presentations
      • Collaboration with psychologists, social workers, behavior analysts, physicians, educators, and related service providers
      • Participation in treatment planning meetings, peer consultation, and departmental case conferences
      • Professional development through journal discussions, case presentations, special projects, and departmental meetings

Trainees interested in additional clinical experience may have the opportunity to add a third clinical day and/or increase their schedule up to 24 hours per week with program approval. 

Typical Schedules: 

Examples of schedules may include the following possibilities (Start or end times may vary based on client or clinician requirements and will be discussed prior to starting the program)

• Two after-school/evening clinical blocks (approximately 12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.)
• One after-school/evening clinical block (approximately 12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.), and one weekend clinical block (generally 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)

Mandatory Orientation: 

• Orientation to occur May 11-13 2027; Participation in all three orientation days is required for trainees with start dates in May, June, July or August.

Support:

• Manhattan Psychology Group has existing cohorts of externs with start and end dates that allow for overlaps with new cohorts to ensure consistent access to support. 
• Is the agency readily accessible through public transportation?: Yes
• Wheelchair accessible: No
• Are home visits required as part of the trainee's duties?: Off-site training opportunities (such as home visits) are available and are assigned based on the training goals of the student as well as their program requirements.

Requirements

Internship/Externship Required Qualification: 

Education

Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate program in one of the following disciplines:

• Clinical Psychology
• School Psychology
• Counseling Psychology
• Mental Health Counseling
• Marriage and Family Therapy
• Social Work
• Other closely related psychology or behavioral health programs

Doctoral and master's-level trainees are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications

Applicants are encouraged to have prior experience or coursework in:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Child and adolescent psychopathology
• Family systems
• Parent training
• Anxiety and mood disorders
• ADHD and disruptive behavior disorders
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Evidence-based psychotherapy
• Group counseling

Previous clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and families is preferred but not required for highly qualified applicants with strong foundational clinical training.

Placement Process (Following NYNJADOT/NATMATCH guidelines):

• Complete the application by:
  • Filling out the online application
  • Submitting a CV
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Cover Letter that explains why you are pursuing a career in the mental health field, how your previous experience and education have prepared you for this externship, and what you hope to learn during your externship
  • Letter of Readiness/Eligibility signed by your DCT, if applicable
• Complete an initial phone screen
• Virtual Interview with a service line clinician or supervisor
• In-person Interview with Training Director at our Upper West Side Office
• Internship/Externship placement offer
• Complete onboarding process
• Orientation

About Manhattan Psychology Group: 

Manhattan Psychology Group is a multidisciplinary practice committed to providing compassionate, high-quality, wrap-around care to individuals, families, and communities. Our services range from ABA, mental health, psychological testing, and educational support, delivered across clinic, home, school, and telehealth settings. We value collaboration, professional growth, and evidence-based practice, fostering an environment where clinicians are supported and empowered to make meaningful, lasting impact.

Manhattan Psychology Group is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals feel valued, respected, and supported. We believe diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives strengthens our teams and enhances the care we provide to the communities we serve.

Manhattan Psychology Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Manhattan Psychology Group is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. Accommodation requests may be submitted to [email protected].

This description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the intern/extern occupying this role. Interns/externs will be required to follow any other role-related instructions and to perform any other role-related duties required by their supervisor. This document provides an overview of the internship/externship currently available. It is not an employment contract. MPG reserves the right to modify the internship/externship responsibilities or descriptions at any time. Internships/externships with MPG is at-will and either party can terminate the employment relationship at any time with or without cause and with or without notice.