Join Our Mental Health
Training Programs
Cornerstone Clinical Training Program
Practicum/Internship Opportunities
Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago’s vision is to make our services accessible to the community, which is why Cornerstone partners with Chicago area schools, businesses, churches, and other community organizations to provide professional development trainings, seminars and workshops, as well as counseling for individuals and groups. Cornerstone has been practicing in the Near North neighborhood of Chicago for over 50 years and we are a training partner of the Chicago Area Christian Training Consortium, an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited doctoral internship in psychology. The program provides interns with the opportunity to develop and refine their skills that are essential for independent practice and applicable to a wide variety of mental healthcare settings.
The Clinical Training Program was created to provide our community and clients with an option to receive quality counseling through our CAP Program. Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago is offering learning opportunities for doctoral fellows, postdoctoral fellows, master’s level students, and bachelor’s level students interested in serving in an urban, multicultural environment.
Fellowship / Internship Types
Post-doctoral fellow position
Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago’s vision is to make our services accessible to the community, which is why Cornerstone partners with Chicago area schools, businesses, churches, and other community organizations to provide professional development trainings, seminars and workshops, as well as counseling for individuals and groups. Cornerstone has been practicing in the Near North neighborhood of Chicago for over 50 years and we are a training partner of the Chicago Area Christian Training Consortium, an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited doctoral internship in psychology. The program provides interns with the opportunity to develop and refine their skills that are essential for independent practice and applicable to a wide variety of mental healthcare settings.
Training Experience
The internship training program offers interns the opportunity to serve a wide diversity of clients with mild to moderate psychopathology. Interns work in-person and virtually to provide psychotherapy for children and adults, couples and families as well as gaining additional experience in completing psychological assessments.
The internship training program is based on a 40–45-hour week, for 12 months, with holidays, vacation, and sick leave in accordance with Cornerstone’s policies and procedures. The program begins on July 31, 2023, and is completed one year later. The starting date of the position is negotiable depending on prior school and internship commitments. Applicants must be able to work a minimum of two evenings per week and Friday afternoons are required for bi-monthly team meetings.
Interns will receive 3 hours/week of individual supervision by a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and additional supervision will be provided as required by the intern’s program. In addition, there will be opportunities to consult and seek supervision from other therapists at CCCOC. During the training year, the interns will provide a minimum of one professional presentation to our community partnerships and one case presentation to a group of peers during staff meetings.
The internship training program focuses on the intern’s application of theory; competencies in psychotherapy, clinical assessment, program evaluation, and supervision skills. Interns are also expected to deepen their sense of professional identity by functioning effectively as a member of the organization.
Please note that the aforementioned details about the internship training program are Cornerstone’s best effort to describe the 2023-2024 training year. Should any adjustments to the program be warranted, updates will be communicated to the applicants.
Qualifications:
Enrolled in an APA-Accredited Doctoral Psychology program.
One year experience in a therapy practicum.
Demonstrate strong interest in and experience with diverse clients, strong multicultural competence, ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team, and the ability to articulate their approach to integration of faith and practice.
Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills as well as strong planning and organizational skills. Other vital characteristics are the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, flexibility, and healthy self-care practices.
- Excellent organizational, strong multi-tasking abilities and time management skills.
- Keen attention to detail in paperwork completion.
- Comfortable working both in a team setting and autonomously.
- Maintain a professional demeanor with members, colleagues, and collateral contacts consistent with organization’s ethics and code of conduct guidelines.
Interested candidates should email application materials, including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, two letters of recommendation and official transcripts to ccollins@chicagocounseling.org.
Paper applications are accepted however receipt may be delayed.
Mailing address:
Attn: Chris Collins
Clinical Director
Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago
1111 North Wells Street, Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60610
Master’s Level Practicum/Internship Training Program
Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago’s vision is to make our services accessible to the community, which is why Cornerstone partners with Chicago area schools, businesses, churches, and other community organizations to provide professional development trainings, seminars and workshops, as well as counseling for individuals and groups. Cornerstone has been practicing in the Near North neighborhood of Chicago for over 50 years and we have trained many therapists who practice in a variety of settings.
Master’s level applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited social work, counseling, or marriage and family program. Our internships are a good fit for students interested in fast-paced community and school-based settings. It is a unique program that allows students who are passionate about working with children and adolescents the opportunity to experience what it is like to be part of the classroom as an academic coach, mental health consultant, and advocate for social-emotional development.
Under the direct supervision of an LCPC, LCSW or LMFT, the intern will support an array of evaluative, direct, and consultative/collaborative services to enhance the educational outcomes of students enrolled in school and community partnerships. Interns will carry out their daily responsibilities across the entire city and will have the opportunity to provide services to students ages K-12.
In addition, the intern will provide individual psychotherapy for clients at our main office in a supportive and structured supervised environment. The internship training program offers provides the intern with the opportunity to serve a wide diversity of clients with mild to moderate psychopathology.
Responsibilities of the Position:
- Engage in community partnerships to provide counseling for students from K-12.
- Perform multifactor assessments, including an appraisal of all or some of the following (in accordance with referral questions): cognitive, social, adaptive, achievement, and emotional status.
- Gather information from parents, program personnel, and key individuals in order to develop a comprehensive plan for client improvement.
- Counsel students individually and/or in groups to assist students with personal, social, and emotional adjustments.
- Complete all required paperwork in a comprehensive, timely, and accurate manner.
- Provide accurate and timely information to one’s supervisor on all topics and issues important to the well-being of clients.
- Attend mandatory team meetings and trainings on Fridays.
- Complete 15 to 22 hours a week and intern availability must include some evenings until 8pm and access to transportation.
Qualifications:
- Enrolled in a master’s degree in a related field (school psychology, educational psychology, school counseling, marriage and family therapy, child psychology, and social work.
- Passion for working with children and adolescents, possess strong social skills, and demonstrated ability to communicate with students, families, and school personnel.
- Experience working with students from different social, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
- Excellent organizational, strong multi-tasking abilities, and time management skills.
- Keen attention to detail in paperwork completion.
- Comfortable working both in a team setting and autonomously.
- Ability to maintain a professional demeanor with members, colleagues, and collateral contacts consistent with the organization’s ethics and code of conduct guidelines.
- Foreign language ability a plus but not required.
- Must have a reliable mode of transportation and be able to travel to different sites in the city of Chicago.
Dates of Internship: The training program begins on August 17, 2023 and ends on May 19, 2024. Dates may be negotiable based on school requirements. A mandatory orientation and training on August 17th and 18th with additional trainings scheduled on Friday mornings.
Applications will be accepted starting December 1st, 2022 until the positions are filled. Interested students should email application materials, including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, two letters of recommendation and official transcripts to ccollins@chicagocounseling.org.
Paper applications are accepted however receipt may be delayed.
Mailing address:
Attn: Chris Collins
Clinical Director
Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago
1111 North Wells Street, Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60610
BA Level Internship Opportunity
BA Business Administrative Internship
The business administration intern will directly assist with a wide range of projects related to administrative management, HR compliance, recruiting, onboarding/orientation, employee benefits, and volunteer intern programs.
This internship is designed to be both educational and practical. In this position, the intern will learn how to take skills they may have acquired in school related to their areas of interest and apply them in a professional setting. They will gain a better understanding of the role that operations can play in a nonprofit setting and be better prepared to work in the arena of human resources and the nonprofit sector. The candidate will also have opportunities to network with other programs and clinical staff.
The business administration intern will learn the practical application of:
Human Resources:
- Steps in the recruiting and hiring processes.
- The importance of employment law and compliance regarding employment eligibility, confidentiality, proper maintenance of employee files, and forms management.
- The interrelationship of HR in the areas of new employee paperwork, payroll issues related to onboarding and termination, and the use of a payroll management database.
Qualifications:
- Current enrollment in an undergraduate program with an interest and aptitude to work in human resources or nonprofit management/administrative fields.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and handle numerous assignments simultaneously.
- High level of organization and ability to work independently and multitask.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and internet applications.
- Student member of SHRM is a plus.
Dates of Internship:
The training program begins on September 18, 2023 and ends on May 19, 2024. Dates may be negotiable based on school requirements.
Applications will be accepted starting December 1st, 2022 until the positions are filled. Interested students should email application materials, including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, two letters of recommendation and unofficial transcripts to ccollins@chicagocounseling.org.
Paper applications are accepted however receipt may be delayed.
Mailing address:
Attn: Chris Collins
Clinical Director
Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago
1111 North Wells Street, Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60610