Master's Level Intern – School Clinical Therapist (2026–2027 Academic Year) Available to MSU or UofM Students ONLY

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Who Are We?

We at Pine Rest believe in the power of healing and that everyone in our community has the right to expert care for mental health and substance use disorders. We are much more than just the third largest non-profit behavioral health system in the country, our 220-acre main campus, and our network of clinical sites across Michigan. We are a tight-knit community of healers who witness the impact of our life-changing work each day.

Each day, we are closing the gaps in access to care. We are innovating through leading-edge research, testing, programs, and treatment modalities that others replicate across the country. Our services include a state-of-the-art psychiatric urgent care center and a soon-to-be-built pediatric behavioral health center, outpatient, inpatient, partial hospitalization (day programs), assessment and testing, residential, addiction treatment and specialty services such as crisis response, employee assistance programs, forensic psychiatry and psychology, and neuromodulation. On-the-job educational programs for nurses, psychologists, advanced practice providers, psychiatrists, and chaplains are equipping the next generation of care providers.

We are passionate about serving and are honored to be a part of this incredible work.

Master’s Level Internship Program Overview: 2026 - 2027 Academic Year

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services offers a one-year Master’s Level Internship Program for students in Counseling, Psychology, and Social Work. This program is designed to support emerging clinicians as they transition from academic training into professional practice through structured, supervised clinical experiences across the behavioral health continuum.

Program Structure

The internship follows a developmental learning model that allows interns to progress at an individualized pace through four stages:

• Stage 1: Organizational and departmental onboarding

• Stage 2: Supervisor-led sessions with intern observation

• Stage 3: Intern-led sessions with supervisor observation

• Stage 4: Increased independence with ongoing supervisory oversight

Clinical Placement Opportunities

Interns may be placed in a variety of clinical settings based on program availability, educational requirements, and career interests, including: Inpatient and Outpatient Services, Partial Hospitalization Programs, Residential Care, Child & Adolescent Services, Psychological Assessment & Testing, School-Based Counseling (K–12), Substance Use Disorder Treatment, and Urgent Care and Crisis Services

Learning Environment

Interns are integrated into interdisciplinary teams and supported through a structured training environment that includes scheduled didactic learning and exposure to Pine Rest leadership and clinical professionals. The program emphasizes professional development, ethical practice, and preparation for post-graduate clinical roles.

Why Apply to the Pine Rest Internship Program?

• Supervised clinical hours structured to meet graduate program requirements

• Progressive learning model that supports skill development from observation to greater clinical independence

• Diverse clinical exposure across multiple levels of care and specialty populations

• Interdisciplinary team experience within a large, well-established behavioral health system

• Strong preparation for post-graduate practice, licensure, and early career success

• Supportive learning environment focused on ethical, person-centered, and recovery-oriented care

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Intern - School Clinical Therapist

What Will you Do?

As an Intern at Pine Rest, you’ll be part of tight-knit team that believes in the healing power of your expertise and compassion. The Intern - School Behavioral Health Liaison is responsible to provide supplemental behavior health support for students, their families, and a resource for teachers, principals, counselors, social workers, and support staff. Responsibilities include assessing, planning, and monitoring of student behavior health plan and coordinating community-based resources. It is also responsible for upholding the highest quality care, keeping with all standards and bylaws set by government agencies as well as Pine Rest. The Intern - School Behavioral Health Liaison must demonstrate excellent customer service and have enthusiasm about the program and the Pine Rest organization. 

Our Interns are driven to make an impact in the lives of those we serve and are motivated by the healing they witness first-hand each day. They are dedicated to excellent customer service, enthusiastic about the care we offer, and foster a sense of belonging and empowerment in a diverse workplace.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Must be available during regular school hours and visit schools regularly. 

• Serves as the point person on behavioral health plans for students. This includes assessing student needs, setting specific goals, and writing a plan in order for student to be successful. 

• Provides methods to monitor the student’s progress toward goals (i.e. meetings to review plan).  Shares feedback with student from teachers, other adults within the school, and their family. 

• Models for staff ways to support students through behavior health related issues. 

• Provides therapy services for students on a short-term basis. 

• Coordinates community-based resources for students and their families based on the intensity of the presenting issues. 

• Assesses students in crisis to determine safety and level of care needed. 

• Provides direct support to families and assists students with a transition process in or out of patient care in a community mental health organization. 

• Assist students with finding financial support for summer programming related to behavior health. 

• Completes documentation for Medicaid billable services in accordance with Medicaid and school district guidelines. 

• Ensures that medical record documentation protocols are complied with. Ensures that persons’ served progress notes are entered into the medical records on a timely basis and in accordance with established organizational and departmental procedures.  

• May coordinate services and community resources as needed and assist person’s served in obtaining them. 

• Provides training and support for the school as needed. 

• Provides and/or attend professional development. 

• Serves on countywide crisis team, if needed. 

• May be required to travel to multiple schools in district outside of primary school assignment. 

What Does the Role Require?

Education/Experience:

• Enrolled in an accredited Master’s level program in Counseling, Psychology, or Social Work

Notice:

Pine Rest provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

All new employees are subject to a criminal background check and education verification which may include sending a copy of your high school diploma, GED, or college transcripts.

NOTICE: Successful completion of a drug screen prior to employment is also part of our background process.