Mental Health Intern

Join ChildServe this summer for a graduate-level practicum or mental health internship and support our outpatient mental health department. At ChildServe, we focus on children with special health care needs and their families. Our diverse caseload—serving children and young adults ages 2–30 with a range of diagnoses—makes this a unique and valuable training opportunity.

We partner closely with our multidisciplinary team of clinicians across ChildServe, including our inpatient unit, to support mental health needs in acute settings. Our department was added to ChildServe’s scope of services to bridge the gap in care for children with dual diagnoses—special needs and mental health.

This is not your typical talk-therapy environment. We play, draw, move, imagine, connect - and play some more! Our team is full of creative clinicians who bring unique approaches and skill sets to mental health care and to connecting with kids and families.

If you love to play, support kids and families, and grow in your knowledge of working with children and their care teams—you will love ChildServe’s environment!

Start Date and Schedule

June 2026–December 2026 (with the possibility of extension)

Our internship is structured to last 6 months to 1 year in time. Beginning with job shadowing, collaboration, co-treating and then potentially having a small caseload of your own to manage and support. You set your own schedule, while keeping in mind that many of our families prefer after school/evening times.

We have a collaborative team approach and offer 1 hour of individual supervision and 1 hour of group supervision a week.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Research and implementation of evidence-based practices in mental health
• Collaboration during individual and group meetings
• Case consultation
• Shadowing mental health therapy and other multidisciplinary teams
• Co-treatment in individual and family therapy sessions
• Client comprehensive assessments and treatment planning
• Case management and implementation of therapy goals

What You’ll Need:

• Current enrollment in a master’s program focused on Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or Marriage & Family Therapy
• Interest or experience in working with children and families
• Interest or experience in supporting individuals with special health care needs
• Ability to be a self-starter
• Strong communication skills
• Flexibility, creativity, and organizational skills
• Ability to communicate effectively in reading, writing, and speaking the English language

Not sure if you hit 100% of the position expectations? Let's talk! Reach out to our Talent Acquisition team by emailing [email protected]. 

Compensation

Non-paid opportunity. This role can be offered to those applicants seeking course credit and/or specific college internship and practicum requirements.

Visit our website: www.childserve.org to learn more about our services.

Make a Difference Every Day at ChildServe

• ChildServe partners with families to help children with special healthcare needs live a great life. 
• ChildServe is a leading pediatric healthcare provider with Iowa’s only children's specialty hospital, offering a variety of services and programs to meet each child’s unique needs.
• ChildServe’s four key specialty areas include: complex medical care, pediatric rehabilitation, autism and behavioral health, and community-based services. With a coordinated approach to care delivery, services are interwoven and streamlined, so families can address their child’s needs in one location.
• Established in 1928, ChildServe proudly provides more than 30 pediatric specialty services to nearly 6,000 children in Iowa each year.

ChildServe is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. To request assistance with the application process, please email [email protected]. ChildServe is an Equal Opportunity Employer.