Our Undergraduate Internship

Overview

The Social Enrichment Center (SEC), located in Media, Delaware County, offers a unique opportunity for undergraduate students to gain hands-on clinical experience in the fields of social/behavioral therapy, mental health counseling, clinical social work, occupational therapy and speech therapy. Our internship program is designed for Psychology or related majors who are seeking a direct learning experience in a therapeutic setting. At SEC, we support primarily neurodivergent clients aged 2-21+ with diagnoses including Autism, ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, and more. Our programming incorporates individual and group social skills, life skills, counseling, occupational therapy and speech therapy, as well as play and recreational activities. As an intern, you will become engaged in all aspects of our program in both direct clinical work and administrative tasks.

This is an in-person, multidisciplinary experience providing the ability to observe and assist in all areas of SEC. Interns receive orientation training and support provided by the internship program supervisor including on-the-job training, biweekly supervision opportunities, and additional support as needed. Financial compensation is not provided at this time, though we do partner with colleges and universities in the area for undergraduate interns to gain course credit for their work, provide letters of recommendation, and serve as references for future positions based on the quality of interns’ performance during the internship. Multiple successful interns have gained seasonal, part-time and full-time employment at SEC.

Undergraduate students seeking careers in any of the following fields will benefit from this experience: Developmental or Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Recreational Therapy, Special Education, Art Therapy, and Play Therapy.

Opportunities will include:

• Assisting with lesson planning individual and small group sessions

• Observing a variety of therapeutic sessions including social/behavioral therapy, counseling, occupational and speech therapy

• Gaining hands-on therapeutic experience with the support and feedback of staff

• Learning clinical notetaking and progress monitoring skills

• Participating in play, games and activities with clients

• Learning administrative tasks including lesson planning, managing client files and streamlining information between our enrollment and billing departments

• Networking with current professionals at SEC and beyond

• Interns who demonstrate strong work ethic, leadership, and clinical skills with clients are offered higher-level opportunities beyond these experiences!

Qualified applicants will have the following education, experience, and qualities:

• In pursuit of an undergraduate degree in the fields of Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Special Education or a related field at the minimum

• Basic knowledge of the mental health field, including human development, psychopathology, neurodiversity, trauma, confidentiality, mandated reporting laws, ethical boundaries, etc.

• Previous experience working with children, adolescents, and/or young adults in various capacities including school, clinical, or community settings; experience working with neurodivergent populations preferred

• Exposure to basic documentation or clinical note-taking

• Proficient in computer systems, including navigating email platforms, scanning & file organization, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, Google Drive

• STRONG WORK ETHIC including but not limited to punctuality, reliability, ethical decision making, initiative, adaptability, communication, teamwork, self-awareness, and presentation; Interns who demonstrate poor work ethic will be terminated!

• Submission of a resume and cover letter expressing interest, future career plans, and current qualifications

• If program materials are accepted and an interview requested, participation in an in-person interview conducted with the Undergraduate Internship Supervisor on-site

• Attendance to virtual internship orientation REQUIRED

• Up-to-date clearances including child abuse, FBI and criminal background checks, and mandated reporter training (if accepted, the Internship and Volunteer Coordinator will assist interns in obtaining these clearances)

  Scheduling

  We ask for an 8-10 hour/week commitment to gain a truly meaningful experience. We offer flexible scheduling and we will do our best to accommodate your current class schedule. Fall, Spring, and Summer semester opportunities are available.