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As part of their internship, students will be assigned 6–8 individual therapy clients, one psychosocial evaluation, and one therapy group per week. All sessions and assessments will be conducted with a licensed clinician present, providing students with ongoing supervision and weekly feedback. While intervention methods will vary based on each client's needs and treatment goals, students will receive training in Brief Strategic Therapy at the beginning of the year—a modality that significantly informs clinical practice at the site. Most therapy sessions will occur on a weekly basis, though some may be held biweekly depending on the case. After each session, students are expected to complete a progress note that meets Medicaid documentation standards, summarizing the session and outlining the therapeutic interventions used. These notes must be emailed to the supervising clinician by the end of the week, typically by Friday. For psychosocial assessments, students will collaborate with their supervising clinician on writing and formatting the reports. Additionally, students are required to attend two supervision meetings every Friday: one with the full mental health team, and another with fellow interns and the field supervisor.
This is anunpaidinternship opportunity that is only open to current students. The internship may be able to satisfy course credit if approved by the student's institution of learning.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran. YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To ensure fairness, safeguard transparency, and promote an equitable workforce environment, YAI Network prohibits the practice of nepotism in the workforce and hiring process.

Founded in 1957 as the Young Adult Institute, YAI remains at the forefront of an extraordinary movement aimed at empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. YAI’s 4,000 employees provide supportive housing, education, medical, dental, and mental health care, job training, community integration, and social enrichment for more than 20,000 people with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and all other intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout New York, northern New Jersey, and California.
At YAI, we are driven by our mission of living, loving, working, and learning. This applies not only to the people we support but to our staff as well. Commitment and passion for the work continue to unite employees and drive the organization forward. Empowering the people we support to reach their goals remains at the heart of our organization.
Members of the YAI Network include:
- YAI
- Premier HealthCare
- Manhattan Star Academy
- National Institute for People with Disabilities of New Jersey (NIPD/NJ)
- International Academy of Hope (iHOPE)