Navigating Undergraduate Mental Health Internships: A Comprehensive Guide

Gaining practical experience is paramount for undergraduate students aspiring to careers in mental health. Internships offer invaluable opportunities to develop real-world skills, build professional networks, and explore various career paths. Employers highly value candidates with relevant experience. This article provides a comprehensive overview of undergraduate mental health internships, covering various aspects from finding opportunities to maximizing their benefits.

The Importance of Hands-On Experience

Whether through paid work, internships, or community engagement, experience matters significantly. Hands-on experience is the best way to gain real-world skills, build a network of professional contacts, and test out careers that best suit you. Employers seek job candidates with experience. Internships serve as a crucial bridge between academic learning and professional practice, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. This practical application enhances understanding and retention of concepts, while also fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Finding Internship Opportunities

One of the most challenging aspects of finding an internship in psychology is that they are not always widely advertised. Some students are able to create internships by reaching out to organizations of interest in their local communities and asking if they are open to that possibility. Some psychology programs, colleges, and universities may have arrangements with local organizations to offer internships that are limited to their student population. We encourage students to talk to their faculty advisors and meet with career services professionals at their school to learn more about their options.

University Resources: Many universities have dedicated psychology departments or career services that maintain lists of volunteer and internship sites. These resources often provide access to local organizations offering engagement experiences related to psychology.
Psychology Department Resources: Psychology departments often have resources like newsletters that advertise current position openings. Psychology advising can also provide additional assistance in finding relevant opportunities.
Networking: Students can create internships by reaching out to organizations of interest in their local communities and asking if they are open to that possibility.
Faculty Advisors and Career Services: Some psychology programs, colleges, and universities may have arrangements with local organizations to offer internships that are limited to their student population. Students should talk to their faculty advisors and meet with career services professionals at their school to learn more about their options.

Featured Internship Program: Sentio University Internship

Sentio University offers a 20-month hybrid online and in-person Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program, committed to training the next generation of mental health professionals, and provides an internship program specifically designed for undergraduate students. The Internship is a great opportunity for undergraduate students to gain experience for graduate school and develop skills to work in mental health. Undergraduate students interested in pursing a career in psychotherapy are strongly encourage to apply.

Program Overview

The Sentio University Internship is a remote/online program designed for undergraduate students interested in pursuing careers in psychotherapy. It provides hands-on experience and training in empirically-based methods.

Read also: Undergraduate Programs at UNC

Schedule and Time Commitment

Students will spend three hours per week for a total of four weeks on internship related material. (12 hours total).

The first 3 weeks: Interns will attend a 2 hour live Zoom meeting where they will learn and practice new psychotherapy skills each week. Interns will spend an hour reviewing materials to gain a better understanding of psychotherapy and the major modalities used in the field
The final week: Interns will work with a partner to complete their Capstone Project.

Internship Duties

Interns will assist Sentio University staff with testing new experiential educational methods for undergraduates. Interns will attend training and supervision with Sentio University staff, learn new clinical skills, and practice these skills with mock client statements. Interns will submit a Reflection Essay and Feedback Form at the conclusion of the Internship.

Benefits of the Sentio University Internship

Training in empirically-based methods of Deliberate Practice.
Hands-on experience with training in professional mental health.
Information about careers in professional mental health.
Opportunities to work with and learn from mental health professionals.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for a Sentio University internship, applicants must:

Live in California (this is a remote/online Internship).
Be enrolled in their Junior or Senior year of an undergraduate (BA/BS) program at an accredited institution. Recent graduates may apply if they participate within 24 months of their graduation.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Sentio University Internship Program is designed to equip college students from populations typically underrepresented in the public health field. Students from diverse, marginalized, and/or underserved communities are encouraged to apply. Note: applicants must live in or attend school in California.

Application Process and Deadlines

Sentio University accepts applicants on a rolling basis, and cohorts are limited to 15 students.

November Cohort: November 5th, 2025 to November 26th, 2025. Applications Open: September 8th. Application Deadline: October 31st. Meetings will be held on Wednesdays from 10am to 12pm
December Cohort: December 1st, 2025 to December 22nd, 2025. Applications Open: November 1st. Application Deadline: November 21st. Meetings will be held on Mondays from 12pm to 2pm

Testimonials

Ashley, Saint Mary’s College of California: “I was able to strengthen my skills in empathy, active listening, and goal setting all within a month. I'm beyond grateful that I had this opportunity.”
Another intern: “The Sentio University internship has provided me with realistic and practical skills that had increased my confidence in pursuing psychology. It gave me the chance to learn the role of a therapist with hands-on techniques that are missing from the psychology curriculum in most universities."

Other Internship Opportunities

Columbia-WHO Center for Global Mental Health Summer Internship: Since 2016, the Columbia-WHO Center for Global Mental Health has hosted a competitive summer internship for rising senior undergraduates interested in the growing field of global mental health. Students participating in the Summer Internship Program will participate in a variety of didactic, career, and professional development seminars and will receive mentorship from 1-3 faculty members engaged in varied global mental health research and training initiatives. Through experiential learning, students will engage in research through placement-based global mental health projects that will be assigned according to their interests and project availability prior to the start of the internship. Additionally, students will gain exposure to networking within the healthcare research environment and develop the skills to apply an equity-informed lens into global mental health research and implementation. The summer internship typically starts in June and runs for 8 weeks, with students attending daily seminar sessions and working on their assigned projects from Monday through Thursday.
APA Education Directorate Internship: Karen M. Sophie Rose is an intern in the Education Directorate at the APA. She is currently a senior at American University in Washington, D.C., where she is a psychology major and studio art minor.

Maximizing the Internship Experience

To make the most of an undergraduate mental health internship, students should:

Set Clear Goals: Before starting the internship, identify specific skills and knowledge you hope to gain. This will help you focus your efforts and measure your progress.
Actively Engage: Take initiative, ask questions, and seek out opportunities to learn and contribute. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.
Build Relationships: Network with professionals in the field. Attend meetings, conferences, and social events to connect with potential mentors and future colleagues.
Reflect on Your Experiences: Regularly reflect on what you are learning and how it relates to your career goals. Keep a journal to document your experiences and insights.
Seek Feedback: Ask for regular feedback from your supervisor and mentors. Use this feedback to identify areas for improvement and develop your skills.

Financial Support

The Psychology Engagement Award awards up to $500 each semester for students participating in an unpaid, hands-on engagement experience related to psychology. This Engagement Award is paid as a scholarship to recipients, thus it may impact your financial aid award package.

Academic Credit

The PSY 3896 course is currently offered in the Fall and Spring semesters only. The coursework is online and a syllabus is available for review. Mike Houlahan will be the Fall 2025 instructor for PSY 3896. Students seeking a credit-bearing internship in the Summer might consider CLA 3896: Internship Reflection offered by CLA.

Alternative Engagement Opportunities

Volunteer at a Non-Profit Organization: Volunteering at a non-profit organization in the Twin Cities can provide valuable experience in the mental health field.
Service-Learning Classes: Taking service-learning classes allows you to incorporate community engagement into your coursework.

Read also: Boost Your Financial IQ

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