Behavioral Health Graduate Student Training
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center stands as a global leader and nationally recognized premier provider of healthcare catering to LGBTQ+ communities. The Behavioral Health Clinic’s Graduate Student Training Program is a source of pride, emphasizing culturally competent affirmative psychotherapy, psychiatry, and case management services. This program is designed to equip students with the experience and skills necessary to address the behavioral health needs of diverse populations, with a specific focus on LGBTQ+ and underserved communities.
The primary objectives of our Graduate Student Training Program include providing interns with the competence to work effectively with LGBTQ+ populations, the ability to engage with individuals dealing with severe mental illness, substance use, and dual-diagnosis, as well as fostering the capability to collaborate within an interdisciplinary team in a primary care setting. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to explore the link between mental health and physical well-being, develop skills in providing affirming and sensitive care to patients of trans and non-binary experience, nurture professional growth, and acquire proficiency in utilizing electronic medical records.
Our behavioral health clinical placement is determined through a combination of experience and a competitive interview process. This role encompasses a hybrid work environment, combining in-person and remote work responsibilities. Please note that at this time we are exclusively considering applications from Master of Social Work (MSW) students. We strongly encourage applicants from BIPOC communities, older adults, and other underrepresented groups to apply. Candidates with clinical experience, experience with LGBTQ+ communities, familiarity with severe persistent mental illness (SPMI) and substance use, as well as those with strong administrative skills are encouraged to submit their applications.
To apply the school’s Practicum Administrator should forward qualified MSW students’ resumes and cover letters to Kathy Taveras, LCSW-R, our Associate Director of Behavioral Health, Education & Training, at CLBHStudentprogram@callen-lorde.org. Applications received directly from students will not be reviewed unless approved by their academic institution.
** Our application cycle is currently closed. Please revisit for further updates.
Admission Criteria:
- Student must be enrolled at an accredited university in a social work master’s program
- Students must be either a second year student, or in advanced standing with clinical experience due to the rigorous clinical expectations of the program.
- Students must be in good academic standing at their institution.
- Students must be committed to Callen-Lorde’s mission of LGBTQ+ affirming care.
- Students must be punctual, professional, and have capacity to attend all staff meetings and clinical supervision hours scheduled.
- Student must complete a competitive interview.
Student Expectations:
- Students will be assigned a caseload of patients and/or group facilitation assignments based on clinic needs.
- Students will be required to participate in weekly group supervision and/or training sessions.
- Students will be required to participate in individual supervision twice a week. Times and days to be determined between student and individual supervisor.
- Students will maintain high ethical standards in practice and professionalism at placement sites.
- Students must be able and willing to work with patient populations of all ethnic, racial, socio-economic, sexual orientation, gender identities, and different levels of functioning.
Programmatic Goals and Competencies:
Goal #1: The development of advanced clinical skills through the integration of theory, research, and practice with a focus on LGBTQ+ populations.
- Through clinical work and weekly individual and group supervision, students will conduct effective, LGBTQ+ affirming, goal-directed psychotherapy in a variety of modalities.
- Students will develop formulation of useful theoretical and clinical case conceptualizations through weekly case presentations.
- Students will learn to properly select and implement appropriate psychotherapeutic interventions for the patients’ presenting problems, diagnoses, and levels of functioning.
- Students will have the opportunity to expand on therapeutic modalities including CBT, DBT, psychodynamic, motivational interviewing, relational, trauma-focused interventions, and working with dual diagnosis patient populations.
- Didactic weekly groups with student cohorts and other training opportunities at monthly staff meetings will focus on current research and trends in the field.
Goal #2: Students will gain competency in work with diverse populations including patients who vary in age, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and level of functioning within an outpatient setting.
- Student caseloads will be assigned to ensure a comprehensive experience with a diverse patient population across numerous identity categories and will be expected to work with various patients across the spectrum of overall functioning.
- Students will receive specific training and clinical practice in effective care for patients of transgender and gender non-conforming experience.
- Clinical and group supervision will focus on the intersectionality around identity, and use of self in clinical practice.
Goal #3: Students will develop a professional identity through work with an interdisciplinary team in an integrated outpatient care setting.
- Students will gain knowledge in health policy and advocacy as related to our patient population including patient access to TGNC medical coverage, HIV policy, homelessness, social justice, and youth health issues.
- Students will adhere to code of ethics as outlined by national professional organizations and be held to high standards of professionalism.
- Through supervision and clinical experience, students will develop and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with patients and staff.
- Through direct clinical supervision, students will develop self-awareness, be willing to challenge bias and assumptions, and work with a variety of patient populations in a multidisciplinary healthcare setting.
- Students will collaborate with various medical staff, psychiatric staff, nursing, and case management in patient centered behavioral health care.
Goal #4: Students will develop a strong administrative background using electronic health records in an interdisciplinary healthcare setting.
- Students will gain competencies in SOAP note documentation in progress notes, goal oriented treatment planning, and diagnostic evaluations.
- Students will learn how to craft healthcare letters and documentation using inclusive non-stigmatizing language.
- Students will acquire skills to balance administrative and clinical time to maximize efficacy of treatment interventions in practice.
About Kathy Taveras, Associate Director of Behavioral Health Education, Training, and EOC
Associate Director of Behavioral Health
Education, Training, and EOC
BIO
Born and raised in New York City, Katherine joined Callen-Lorde in May 2016. Katherine has spent over 14 years in mental health as a social worker, including work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, inpatient units and other community health centers.
In addition to general management support for our providers and clinics, Katherine oversees our student training programs, supports our hiring and onboarding process and general staff trainings both in Behavioral Health and with external organizations.