Department: Counseling

Location: Belmont Cragin- NW Chicago

Address: 3445 N. Central Ave., Chicago, IL

Schedule: 16-24 hrs per week; Tuesday afternoon required, remaining schedule is Mon-Thurs afternoon/evenings

Position Overview:

The Youth Outreach Services PSB Counseling Department provides individual, family, and group counseling to adolescents aged 12-20 who have exhibited problematic sexual behavior. The goal of the program is to reduce the risk of recidivism in adolescents who have engaged in this behavior and prevent further involvement in the juvenile justice system. The program utilizes an evidence-based CBT model for group treatment. Groups are conducted on Wednesday and Thursday evenings and are required for this internship (see schedules below). Spanish Language group (when in session) is held on Tuesday evenings. Training and consultation for the model is provided.

Internship tasks will vary based on the intern’s experience and education level. All levels will gain knowledge of the evidence-based model as well as experience in working within a community-based mental health program. Interns are expected to maintain all documentation within the required timeframes for our funders. There is also data collection and database entry that is necessary for the grant requirements. Interns will be able to assist/shadow full-time staff in conducting sexual behavior assessments, general mental health assessments, writing treatment plans, and providing individual, family, and group counseling. Training for the therapy model, grant requirements, and assessments will be provided. Advanced students will be able to carry their own caseload of clients and to conduct assessments and therapy sessions on their own after completing the training and shadowing experiences.

Fall 2024- Spring 2025 school year: Interns must be available a minimum of two school semesters. Interns may declare internship start and end dates in accordance with their school requirements but must be available for a 2-week training in August 2024. This may be counted toward internship hours but will not include any direct clinical hours.

Available Schedules:

• 1st year Beginning Level (16-20 hrs per week): Tuesday 12-4 pm; Wednesday OR Thursday 12-8pm; remaining 4 hours are flexible based on intern’s class schedule/school requirements.

o 1 internship available

• 2nd/3rd year Advanced Level (20 hrs per week): Tuesday 12-4pm; Wednesday AND/OR Thursday 12-8 pm; remaining 4 hours are flexible based on intern’s class schedule/school requirements.

o 2 internships available

*Please note- internship hours will not be available on Fridays

Weekly supervision will be provided by YOS staff and is required even if supervision is being provided through the intern’s school. Supervision is available from LCSW and/or LCPC staff. Weekly team meetings and group planning meetings are held on Tuesdays and are required attendance. Ongoing training and consultation for the CBT PSB model is provided through our funders.

All internship hours will be onsite. Staff will work from the YOS office in NW Chicago. Appointments are a combination of in-person and telehealth; telehealth sessions cannot be conducted offsite.

How to Apply:

Please send a cover letter explaining why you are qualified for this position, why this position interests you, and what you would like to gain from an internship with YOS. Include a recent resume and contact information for three references (past employers or school personnel). Please send all information in one document or PDF file. Internships will start August 2024.

Qualifications:

• Beginning Level: Enrollment in final year of Bachelor’s Degree program in a human services field or 1st year of an accredited Master’s Degree program for social work, psychology, counseling, or marriage and family therapy

• Advanced Level: enrollment in final year of an accredited Master’s Degree program for social work, psychology, counseling (clinical, mental health, community) or marriage and family therapy with previous completed internship/practicum. Previous counseling experience strongly preferred.

• Some experience working with youth preferred

• Spanish language fluency preferred

• Reliable transportation to the office