Sertoma Star Services in Illinois and New Star in Indiana offer a variety of non-paid internship opportunities with hands-on experience that makes a difference. Internship opportunities vary by department and are available through our Intellectual and Development Services, Mental Health and Counseling, or support staff services such as administration, human resources, and marketing.

  • Intellectual & Developmental Service (IDD)
  • Support Staff

Students interested in gaining work experience through an internship in our IDD or Support Staff departments should be seeking a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field of study.

For information on our internship opportunities contact:

Chris Rechsteiner
Community Engagement Manager 
708-888-7417
crechsteiner@sertomastar.org

  • Mental Health Services

Sertoma Star Service’s Community Mental Health and Counseling department is seeking students on track for a bachelor’s degree in a human services field (psychology, sociology, social work, etc.), or a Master’s Degree in clinical or counseling psychology.

For information on mental health internships contact:

Lisa Pedersen, MA, LPC
Mental Health Counselor/ Internship Coordinator
708-748-1951 ext 415
lpedersen@sertomastar.org

Bachelor Degree

Interns/practicum students in Mental Health Services will have a variety of experiences and responsibilities. The experiences may include, but at not limited to:

CLINICAL

Develop a knowledge of consumers through familiarization with individual treatment plans

Establish therapeutic rapport with consumers

Observe, co-facilitate/facilitate groups, such as skills training modules, and warning signs of relapse groups and token economy

Observe and participate in individual consumer interventions

Facilitate community support groups in the community

Participate in treatment planning including observing and assisting with the intake process, completion of forms, assessments, treatment plan development, and treatment meetings (as available)

Observe individual counseling sessions given consumer permission

Develop, facilitate, and evaluate a short-term group based on consumer needs and expressed interest

May include writing billing notes for groups

EDUCATIONAL

Attend additional in-services and training (as available)

Assist with community education efforts regarding mental health/stigma reduction

ORGANIZATION

Participate in team meetings, planning, development, and evaluation of PSR program

Attend staff meetings, clinical intervention meetings, record review meetings, etc. (as available)

All opportunities mentioned are contingent upon the approval of consumers involved.

Master Degree

Interns/practicum students in Mental Health Services will have a variety of experiences and responsibilities. The experiences may include, but at not limited to:

CLINICAL

Develop a knowledge of consumers through familiarization with individual treatment plans

Establish therapeutic rapport with consumers

Observe, co-facilitate/facilitate groups, such as skills training modules, and warning signs of relapse groups and token economy

Observe and participate in individual consumer interventions

Facilitate community support groups in the community

Participate in treatment planning including observing and assisting with the intake process, completion of forms, assessments, treatment plan development, and treatment meetings (as available)

Observe individual counseling sessions given consumer permission

Develop, facilitate, and evaluate a short-term group based on consumer needs and expressed interest

May include writing billing notes for groups

EDUCATIONAL

Attend additional in-services and training (as available)

Assist with community education efforts regarding mental health/stigma reduction

ORGANIZATION

Participate in team meetings, planning, development, and evaluation of PSR program

Attend staff meetings, clinical intervention meetings, record review meetings, etc. (as available)

All opportunities mentioned are contingent upon the approval of consumers involved.

Join us for FIRST LOOK FOR CHARITY, a one-of-a-kind fundraiser on Friday, February 7!