This posting is for internships beginning in the Spring Semester of 2027

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:

Counselor Intern

Department:

Progress Valley – Treatment Program (All programs)

Reports To:

Program Manager or Designee

Location:

All locations

Classification:

Unpaid

Licensure Required:

Must be enrolled in a qualified educational program and eligible through the school for internship hours.

Revision Date:

June 2026

Core Values

Our core values shape the culture of Progress Valley and define what we expect from ourselves as colleagues, leaders, and caregivers. These values guide how we serve clients, collaborate with one another, and carry out our responsibilities each day.

Core Value

Definition

What This Looks Like

Service

We serve all people with compassion, dignity, and respect.

Respects and values each person's background, beliefs, and experiences; demonstrates person-centered care; advocates appropriately for those we serve.

Integrity

We do what is right, take responsibility for our actions, and act ethically.

Acts honestly and ethically; owns mistakes with transparency; aligns words, decisions, and actions.

Awareness

We show self-awareness and empathy in our interactions.

Regulates emotions; listens to understand; communicates clearly, respectfully, and constructively.

Ownership

We take responsibility for our work, our decisions, and our impact.

Follows through on commitments; takes accountability for outcomes; invests in solutions, not problems.

Resilience

We remain steady, adaptable, and grounded.

Navigates challenges with positivity; embraces change; remains effective through adversity.

Growth

We prioritize growth in ourselves, our work, and our mission.

Seeks feedback; advances professional skills; contributes to improving and expanding services.

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Program Manager or designee, the Counselor Intern provides screening, intake, orientation, assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, crisis intervention, client education, referral, reports and record keeping, and consultation with other professionals regarding client treatment and services.

All assessments, progress notes, and treatment plans prepared by the Counselor Intern must be reviewed and signed by the Program Manager or designee. This role supports high-quality treatment services while maintaining compliance with Progress Valley expectations, licensing requirements, ethical standards, and client confidentiality requirements.

In all aspects of this role, the Counselor Intern embodies Progress Valley’s Core Values by providing compassionate service, acting with integrity, communicating with awareness, taking ownership of assigned clinical and internship responsibilities, remaining resilient in crisis situations, and pursuing growth through supervision, education, and clinical development.

Essential Responsibilities

Service

Provides compassionate, respectful, client-centered support that promotes dignity, recovery, understanding, and appropriate care.

• Assist in conducting screening and intake interviews with potential clients and referral sources to assess appropriateness of placement and eligibility for admission.
• Describe program guidelines and expectations to clients and provide timely information regarding treatment costs, client rights, and other information required by Progress Valley or licensing agencies.
• Assist clients and families in achieving treatment goals and objectives using appropriate therapeutic methods and recognized best practices.
• Provide case management that brings services, agencies, resources, or people together within a planned framework of action toward established goals.
• Identify client needs that cannot be met by Progress Valley and assist clients in utilizing available support systems and community resources.
• Individualize counseling in accordance with cultural, gender, and lifestyle differences.

Integrity

Maintains ethical, accurate, confidential, and compliant clinical practices in admissions, assessment, documentation, and treatment support.

• Complete required documents for admission to the program, including the Individual Abuse Prevention Plan, Initial Services Plan, and Release of Information forms.
• Complete appropriate assessments and develop diagnostic evaluations that allow for an integrated approach to treatment planning.
• Provide timely and accurate documentation, including client assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, discharge summaries, and other client-related data.
• Adhere to applicable laws, regulations, ethical standards, and agency policies related to the protection of client confidentiality.
• Make appropriate and timely referrals when necessary.

Awareness

Uses self-awareness, empathy, and clear communication to support clients, families, colleagues, and community partners.

• Work with clients to identify and evaluate their strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences to develop individualized treatment plans.
• Work with clients to establish immediate and long-term treatment goals and objectives, determine the treatment process, and identify resources to be utilized.
• Consult with internal staff and external professionals regarding client treatment and services to assure comprehensive, quality care for the client.
• Promote positive communication and collaboration between clinical and administrative staff.

Ownership

Takes responsibility for assigned clinical duties, internship requirements, productivity expectations, and follow-through on client care responsibilities.

• Develop curriculum for and facilitate therapeutic, behavioral, and educational group sessions, including lectures.
• Develop and present relevant alcohol and other drug abuse and co-occurring information to clients, family members, and community members through formal educational presentations.
• Monitor and approve use of client privileges.
• Plan and participate in client and alumni activities, family and community education, and other outreach or marketing functions as directed.
• Participate in staff meetings, clinical staff meetings, trainings, and other meetings as assigned.
• Attend clinical supervision classes and meetings and fulfill all internship obligations of the school.
• Collect urinalysis samples and perform breath analysis tests for clients, as needed.
• Perform other tasks and duties as assigned by supervisor or management.

Resilience

Responds to crisis situations, clinical challenges, and changing client needs with steadiness, professionalism, and appropriate support.

• Recognize client crisis situations and implement an appropriate course of action.
• Attain, maintain, and promote a positive, safe, harmonious, productive, and challenging work environment.

Growth

Actively develops clinical knowledge, professional skills, and service effectiveness through supervision, training, education, and feedback.

• Engage in supervision, training, and internship learning opportunities to strengthen clinical practice and professional development.
• Apply feedback from supervisors, designees, and educational programs to improve documentation, therapeutic skills, and service delivery.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of mental health services, group curriculum, client education, and access to care.

Qualifications

• Internship must be conducted in conjunction with a qualified educational program; intern must be studying substance use disorders at that school and be eligible through the school for internship hours.
• Must be able to pass a DHS Rule 11 background check.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must be computer literate.
• CPR/First Aid certified or ability to obtain certification.
• Ability to structure time well and develop priorities.
• Current two-step Mantoux/Tuberculosis Skin Test, TB Gold test, or ability to obtain.
• Ability to relate to people from diverse backgrounds.

Physical Requirements

Repetitive movement of hands and fingers, including typing and/or writing. Occasional standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, or crouching. Reaching with hands and arms. Ability to communicate, converse with, and exchange information.

Note: This job description is not intended to be an inclusive list of responsibilities, but a guide to basic areas of responsibility. Other tasks may be assigned from time to time by the supervisor. All job descriptions are subject to periodic review, and any changes will be communicated to both the employee and supervisor.

Progress Valley is an Equal Opportunity Employer