Summer Internship Overview
Youth Villages places interns each summer throughout our Tennessee residential treatment programs and group homes in Memphis and Nashville. Interns serve as assistants to the treatment team for a specific group of youth referred for a variety of behavioral and mental health needs. Initial training will be provided on child development, trauma-informed care, crisis de-escalation, and more before beginning work with our youth.
The internship is a 10-week, full-time, paid position running from May 27 - August 1, 2025. Interns must be able to commit to work for the duration of the summer.
Opportunities are available for both bachelor's and master's level interns.
The internship is a 40 hour/week position. Schedules will vary depending on residential treatment program assignment, training, and/or other events.
- Bachelor's level interns in Memphis will work alongside our residential direct care and leadership staff on Monday - Friday from approximately 1pm – 9:30pm. Schedule may vary slightly by campus.
- Bachelor's level interns in Nashville will work alongside our group home staff and leadership Monday - Friday, 8 hours a day, approximately 11am-7pm (could vary depending on activities of the youth)
- Master's level interns will work alongside our residential clinical staff on Monday - Friday from approximately 8:30am - 5pm.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Providing a positive role model to residents by participating in all activities, demonstrating a healthy and wholesome approach to life, & developing a sense of community
- Assisting youth with the positive development and implementation of individual goals and objectives
- Attending cottage/courtyard planning meetings and treatment team meetings
- Assisting in resolving conflicts with residents using problem solving techniques and role playing
- Giving residents immediate feedback on appropriate and inappropriate behavior
- Planning and leading recreational activities and participating or instructing youth in games
- Facilitating ongoing group evaluations throughout the day for planned groups, activities and responsibilities.
- Working with other staff and residents to develop and implement life skills groups
- Responsible for maintaining a safe program environment through appropriate responses and attendance
- Adhering to treatment model and Re-Ed philosophy
- Participating in weekly consultations with other interns and campus leadership
- Master's level interns also assist with treatment planning and facilitating individual, group, and family therapy with supervision from licensed clinical staff.
Please note: Interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation.
Fall Internship Overview
Graduate students will have the opportunity to:
- Shadow counselors
- Assist with clinical assessments and documentation
- Learn our medical records system
- Carry a case or assist a counselor with implementing family, individual or group therapy
- Participate in treatment team and consultation meetings as well as receive individual supervision.
Intern placement with a specific program within each office is determined during the interview process and depends on the current availability, the student's experience and education level, and the academic requirements of the program.
Placements may take place in community based programs such as:
* Home-Based Counseling (Intercept)
* Treatment Foster Care
* LifeSet Transitional Living Services
* Crisis Services