For more than 35 years, The Whole Child has been involved in a graduate student internship program with our partner universities to provide a comprehensive training curriculum for Associate Social Worker (MSW) and Marriage & Family Therapy (AMFT) students. Our internship program places students throughout various programs, integrates class work with supervised, hands on clinical practices and provides real-time feedback through mock video exercises.
University Partners
California State University, Fullerton – Master’s Degree in Social Work
California State University, Long Beach - Master's Degree in Social Work
California State University, Los Angeles – Master’s Degree in Social Work
Loyola Marymount - Master's Degree in Art Therapy/Marriage & Family Therapy
University of Southern California - Master's Degree in Social Work
Whittier College - Bachelor's Degree in Social Work
Student Internship Program Goals
Develop a full scope of understanding of different philosophies, theories and procedures in the field of psychotherapy.
Exposure to various theoretical orientations and forms of therapy specific to children and families in an attempt to influence the child/family to make changes in the areas of cognition, emotion and overt behavior.
Develop knowledge and skills for the process of participating in the therapeutic support work with parent(s)/caregiver(s) in individual and group psychotherapy.
Develop directive and non-directive play therapy techniques.
Develop assessment, diagnostic, and treatment intervention skills.
Gain knowledge and understanding of an ethical and legal practice.
Develop skills in culturally sensitive assessment and intervention.
Practice application of critical and reflective thinking processes.
Expose students to community based non-profit service delivery.
Gain knowledge and understanding of county funded mental health services.
Instructional/Teaching Methods
Lecture and Discussion (Didactics)
Case Study
Case Load Assignment
Group Therapy Participation
Process Recordings
Clinical Recordings
Individual and Group Supervision
Evaluation Process
Video and Audio Recordings
Participation Requirements
Student must be attending one of the affiliated universities identified above.
Student must be willing to work one evening until 7:00 p.m. to meet the needs of families who require a late appointment.
Student must be motivated and have enthusiasm for higher learning, and for acquiring knowledge and skill in a community based mental health agency.
If you are a University that would like to be considered for a partnership with the The Whole Child Mental Health Graduate Student Internship Program, please contact:
Juan Martinez, PhD, LCSW
(562) 692-0383, extension 256
jmartinez@thewholechild.org