Job Description

We are excited to roll out the 2026 internship program at Thresholds! Our internship offers great opportunity to learn evidence-based practices with rigorous training, and under excellent clinical supervision. You are our future leaders, and here you will have an opportunity to gain experience while fulfilling educational requirements. It’s also a great opportunity for you to contribute, partner and start a career with a leading social service agency.

If you are deeply committed to social justice, think about applying for an internship with us! Thresholds is a community mental health agency, with a focus on Home, Health and Hope. We work in the community alongside our clients, building relationships while teaching life skills.

Thresholds, a national leader in mental health services, is a recipient of the Chicago Tribune “Top 100 Workplaces" for 12 consecutive years and a 9-time winner of Chicago’s “101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For". Through our more than 75 Chicagoland locations and 30 innovative programs, Thresholds provides healthcare, housing, and hope for over 15,000 adults and youth.

The Intern, Community Mental Health collaborates with Program Directors, Team Leaders, and Community Support Specialists to provide direct service to members. This includes but is not limited to group counseling/therapy, individual counseling/therapy, case management, teaching, assessment, assertive community treatment, job support, treatment planning, crisis intervention, and psycho-social rehabilitation services.

(This internship is designed to be completed for credit as part of a degree program. This is not a paid internship.)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attend New Staff Orientation prior to starting the internship.
• Provides direct service to members, as indicated by the service plan, while supervised by an appropriate, designated staff person. Consistent with the intern’s level of experience and training, this potentially includes but is not limited to individual counseling/therapy, case management, teaching, assessment, assertive community treatment, job support, managing medications, treatment planning, crisis intervention, and group counseling/therapy. This may be done in the community or on site at a Thresholds location, but the majority of services will be provided in the community unless otherwise specified by a supervisor.
• Completion of all assigned paperwork in a timely fashion, such as individual and group documentation, attendance reports, service plans and evaluations as assigned by the supervisor.
• Provide accurate and timely information to the supervisor on all topics and issues important to the rehabilitation and well-being of Thresholds members.
• Attend staff and team meetings as assigned by a supervisor.
• Maintain a professional demeanor with members, colleagues, and collateral contacts consistent with agency ethics and code of conduct guidelines.

EDUCATION

• Enrolled in Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program with a major in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, Vocational Counseling, Family Therapy, or other related human service programs.
• 1st or 2nd year Master’s students preferred.

EXPERIENCE

• Social service experience and/or experience working with individuals with mental illness preferred.
• Ability to synthesize and summarize information and make judgments regarding member care.
• Must communicate effectively both verbally and in writing in order to provide information to members and healthcare personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to function independently.
• Computer skills required; knowledge of database functions and maintenance necessary.

SKILLS/CERTIFICATIONS

• Current and valid driver’s license required.

“All offers are contingent on a completed background check, as well as eligibility to be rehired if previously employed at Thresholds.”​