General information
The Student Health and Wellness Center Counseling Services at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) offers two positions for 10-month Social Work graduate students. This internship is designed as a second field placement opportunity for MSW students currently enrolled in UWM’s Helen Bader School of Social Welfare program. The internship’s primary emphasis is on the provision of supervised clinical interventions with a college student population.
This program begins in August and includes one-to-two weeks of orientation training prior to the beginning of fall semester. The program includes 1-2 days of training following the end of fall semester or prior to the beginning of spring semester. The overall emphasis of the experience will be advanced clinical training.
Rooted in a commitment to culturally competent and evidence-based practices, SHAW Counseling Services addresses the mental health needs of students to promote psychological health among UWM undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. UWM students seek mental health services for a variety of reasons, including transition issues, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating/body image issues, trauma/sexual assault, alcohol/substance abuse issues, and interpersonal issues, among others. SHAW offers a menu of interventions for students, including individual and group counseling, psychiatric services, case management, crisis services, and outreach and prevention services.
SHAW Counseling Services has a dual mission to serve the mental health needs of UWM students, as well as to prepare the next generation of mental health practitioners for careers in psychotherapy/counseling. MSW trainees are part of a multidisciplinary cohort each year, comprised of MSW trainees, Clinical Fellows, and psychology practicum students at various levels of training.
The persons selected will contract for a 20-hour week throughout the 10-month training program, beginning (TBD). These positions are earmarked for MSW students who already have some clinical experience and are looking for careers as psychotherapists and clinical social workers.
Clinical Experience
The internship involves supervised direct service of individual counseling, group therapy, workshops, consultation and outreach activities. Interns participate in orientation, staff meetings, and agency committees.
The program is designed to meet the needs of MSW II students pursuing their final field placement experience in clinical work with college students with diverse concerns from multicultural backgrounds.
Preferences will be given to candidates who have a desire for a clinical career path and want the challenges and rewards of a rigorous clinical placement. Some clinical experience is required, as the candidate will begin providing clinical services after an orientation process.
Multidisciplinary Training Experience
We are dedicated to training social workers preparing for mental health careers and view training as an essential component of Counseling Services. We have a multidisciplinary training group of social work interns, clinical fellows, and psychology practicum students. Interns have an excellent opportunity to learn about the practice of therapy, as well as the importance of the clinician’s understanding of the use of self in the therapy process.
Sample Internship Weekly Schedule:
- 8-10 hours per week of individual counseling
- Co-facilitating a therapy group for 1 semester
- Additional direct service opportunities include crisis intervention and outreach programming
Indirect service opportunities include:
- 2 hours per week of individual supervision with your primary supervisor
- 2 hour of weekly group supervision or didactic trainings to address clinical and practice issues
- Attendance to clinical (e.g., psychiatric consultation) and non-clinical (e.g., staff in-service) meetings, as appropriate.
- 2-5 hours per week for case notes, report writing, preparation, etc.
Application Process / Contact
The training selection committee at Counseling Services consists of three staff members representing a variety of disciplines in mental health. The committee adheres to the following selection process:
The committee will review all completed applications submitted by the deadline date: TBD
A selected group of candidates will be contacted for a virtual “in-person” interview.
The candidates selected for the internship will be contacted by phone. All other applicants will receive a letter of appreciation from the intern selection committee.
Application Requirements
Completed applications should include the following:
- Updated Resume or CV (Vitae).
- Cover letter of application including: (500 words minimum), including your expectations for traineeship, your previous clinical mental health experiences, and your longer-range personal and professional goals.
- Two letters of recommendation (one of which should be able to speak to your clinical work).
- Current transcripts that outline courses taken.
Coursework Recommendations
Because of the clinical focus of this internship, only MSW students who already have three semesters and a clinical focus will be considered. Students who have prior experience with trauma, substance abuse treatment are especially encouraged to apply. In addition to consideration of previous clinical experience, it is required that applicants have completed at least one course in DSM 5 diagnosis and/or psychopathology. Other courses recommended are:
- Strengths-based Clinical SW with Individual Adults
- Clinical SW Practice with Couples and Families
- Clinical SW with Groups
- Advanced Case Management
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Based Treatment
- Evidence-based Substance Abuse Treatment
Send application to, or for further questions, contact:
Jeb Ebben, Interim Training Director
(they/them/theirs)
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Student Health and Wellness Center
Northwest Quadrant, Building D, 8th floor
PO Box 413
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0413
414-229-7429
jtebben@uwm.edu
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, qualified women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.