Addiction Research and Treatment Services (ARTS) provides both paid and unpaid clinical internship opportunities for graduate-level students in specific Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or Addiction Counseling programs. Participants will engage in meaningful experiences working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, all of whom have histories of substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health disorders. This program is designed to enhance students’ proficiency in clinical evaluation and assessment, equipping them with skills in providing individual and group therapy, along with other essential case management services. Supervision will be overseen by a provisionally licensed or fully licensed professional (LSW, LCSW, LPCC or LPC) in alignment with the student’s placement requirement. All interns will participate in on boarding and on-going training.
Requirements:
Successfully pass background checks.
Presence in the Denver Metro area is required for in-person participation during the internship, with specific days and hours varying according to the program.
Weekly internship hours range from 10-25, adjusted based on your school’s requirements.
We typically welcome graduate students in specific Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or Addiction Counseling programs from the following schools:
University of Colorado Denver
University of Denver
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Regis University
Colorado Christian University
Denver Seminary
If you are enrolled in a different school in a Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or Addiction Counseling program then please reach out to us for further information arts.intern@ucdenver.edu.
Opportunities
ARTS Adult Residential Programs (ARTS Reflections for Women and ARTS Inspiration for Men)
Students opting for this internship will typically assume the role of a mental health counselor within the 30-90 day residential and aftercare programs. Residential programs are gender specific. Interns will actively engage in all facets of treatment, employing a bio-psych-social framework for clinical assessments. Responsibilities include conducting diagnostic interviews, co-facilitating individual and group therapy alongside a mental health clinician through live observation, and delivering case-management services to clients.
Throughout the internship, students will acquire skills in addictions counseling and provide supportive counseling services to their assigned clients. Additionally, they will co-facilitate weekly group therapy sessions utilizing various treatment models, such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy, among others, to support the diverse groups within the treatment program.
ARTS Adolescent Outpatient Program (ARTS Synergy)
The Multisystemic Therapy (MST) internship offers a unique opportunity to engage in a specialized form of family therapy that is currently gaining widespread adoption in Colorado. With therapists maintaining minimal caseloads, they can deliver intensive, home- and community-based services to families. This encompasses daily individual and family counseling, case management, collaboration with other service providers (such as Denver Juvenile TASC, social services, probation, and schools), and advocacy.
Interns choosing this program at Synergy will be paired with an experienced MST therapist. Their role involves assisting in the provision of MST services to a caseload of up to three clients and their families. They will gain insights into MST documentation and the supervision process, and receive orientation to principles of drug and alcohol treatment. Interns will actively contribute to individual substance abuse counseling for clients, with potential responsibilities including clinical intakes or pre-screening.
ARTS Adult Outpatient
Students interested in this internship opportunity will be placed at one of four outpatient facilities situated throughout the Denver Metro area. Their primary responsibilities will include conducting client interviews for admission to outpatient drug/alcohol treatment. They will assess the ongoing treatment needs or the necessity for referral to other agencies, providing recommendations to referral sources. Students will be tasked with developing and implementing individualized treatment plans for clients. Additionally, they will conduct individual, group, and family counseling sessions, sometimes serving as a co-therapist, and document these sessions through progress notes.
Effective communication with families and other providers regarding aftercare planning will be a key responsibility. Interns will be introduced to medication-assisted therapies, including Methadone, Suboxone, Antabuse, Vivitrol, and Naltrexone, and will coordinate treatment with medical providers as needed.
Contact Us:
If you are interested in internship opportunities at ARTS, please send a message to arts.intern@ucdenver.edu. Please include the following information:
The school you are attending
The degree you are seeking
The ARTS program you are interested in (see above)
Cover letter, include the ARTS program you are interested in (see above)
Your resume/CV
ARTS TREATMENT PROGRAM DIRECTORY
Phone:303-336-1600
