Job Description

Mental Health Therapy (Intern)

FT / PT Status – Part-Time
Salary – $9.18 - $31.66 Hourly Wage
Remote Work / In-Office – In-Office / On-Site

Recruiter – Tiffany Wagner | twagner@utah.gov | 801-763-4070
Application Deadline – 08/30/2026 or until filled.

Key Responsibilities

Key responsibilities and day to day responsibilities of this position:

• Shadow licensed mental health therapists during individual, group, and interdisciplinary treatment services.
• Facilitate psychoeducational and process-oriented group therapy or psychoeducational groups under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional.
• Maintain a small individual therapy caseload appropriate to the intern's training level and supervision requirements.
• Conduct clinical interviews, behavioral observations, and assist with mental health assessments as appropriate.
• Develop treatment plans, progress notes, and other clinical documentation in accordance with agency, state, and professional standards.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings and collaborate with psychology, psychiatry, nursing, medical providers, behavioral specialists, recreational therapists, and other disciplines.
• Assist in developing and implementing behavioral and therapeutic interventions for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Provide trauma-informed, person-centered, and evidence-based interventions under supervision.
• Support crisis intervention and behavioral de-escalation efforts as appropriate.
• Maintain professional and ethical standards in accordance with applicable licensing board and graduate program requirements.
• Participate in weekly individual and/or group clinical supervision.
• Complete additional clinical projects or responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum or "day-one" qualifications:

• Currently enrolled or accepted into a master's degree program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Social Work (MSW), Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), Psychology, or a closely related behavioral health field.
• Eligible to complete internship or practicum hours required by their graduate program.
• Available to work onsite at the Utah State Developmental Center in American Fork, Utah with some weekends and evenings required.
• Demonstrated interest in serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Basic knowledge of mental health diagnoses, counseling theories, ethics, and evidence-based interventions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Ability to pass required background checks and meet all employment requirements.

Preferred or trainable/on-the-job qualifications:

• Previous experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Experience working with individuals with co-occurring mental health and developmental disorders.
• Experience facilitating groups or providing behavioral health services.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, positive behavior supports, motivational interviewing, CBT, DBT-informed interventions, or other evidence-based practices.
• Experience working in residential, inpatient, forensic, crisis, or community mental health settings.
• Familiarity with behavioral assessment and intervention planning.
• Ability to effectively manage challenging behaviors using therapeutic de-escalation techniques.
• Experience documenting clinical services in an electronic health record.
• Demonstrated initiative, professionalism, and willingness to seek feedback and learn.
• Passion for serving individuals with complex behavioral and mental health needs.
• Commitment to cultural humility, person-centered care, and collaborative treatment planning.

About the Role

This internship job is designed to assist students in the completion of their degree by fulfilling working requirements. This includes, but is not limited to bachelors and masters level students from an accredited institution of higher education, and also includes assisting students working towards a certification that requires hands-on, community experience.

Location –
895 N 900 E
American Fork, Utah, 84003
United States
Background Check Required – You must successfully pass a criminal history check.
Drug Test Required – No
Schedule Code – IN - Part-time indefinitely

Why You Should Join Our Team
In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah, click here. Other benefits may include:

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

The Agency
The mission of the Utah State Developmental Center is to serve as "a statewide resource center for people with disabilities while promoting opportunity through choice and outcome based support." This will be accomplished by providing critical services, support and resources for the intellectually disabled individuals that reside at our facility. For more information on USDC, click here!

EEO Statement
The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact (801) 957-9390.