Internship (Outpatient Mental Health Clinics- Gaithersburg) 2026 Counseling/Social Work Fieldwork

Opportunity Summary: 

This internship is specially designed for BSW students to acquaint them with the basic operations of a community outpatient mental health clinic, serving both adults and youth. Students will support clients in the clinic enrollment process, assisting them with the completion of consents, releases, advanced directives, screening assessment, insurance authorizations, among other intake tasks. Students will also be exposed to the clinical interventions at the OMHC and may assist with the formation of treatment groups, referral for medication management, and where appropriate shadow a diagnostic assessment or therapy session. Students may be asked to help with outside referral for complementary services, and they will be able to participate in case conferences, meetings, and all staff trainings.

Opportunity Time Frame: 

1 year internship, consisting of 16 or more hours of on-site or telehealth activities.

Eligibility Requirements:

The student must be available to assist in-person at the OMHC for the majority of their internship hours.

Learning Model:

Students will receive direct and virtual training, including weekly supervision by a MSW with two years of experience. They will also be offered an internship support group and webinar series.

Student Expectations: 

The student should expect a well rounded introduction to the activities of an outpatient mental health clinic with a special focus on its operations and administration.

Student Tasks:

Developing relationships with clients upon admission to the OMHC; understanding the documentation and screening needed to initiate mental health treatment; and exposure to all clinical activities within an OMHC and the opportunity to assist with them.