Counseling & Health Services

Intern Training

Each academic year, Salem State University Counseling and Health Services offers a postdoctoral fellowship position and two to three part-time advanced practicum or internship positions as part of our graduate counseling training program. Trainees devote half of their time to direct clinical service, and participate in individual and group supervision, as well as clinical seminar on a weekly basis. Our training program focuses on an integrative approach to college mental health and includes training on brief psychotherapy theory and process, multicultural counseling and current topics in college mental health. 

Salem State University has the most diverse student population in the Massachusetts state college system, and students seek counseling for a wide range of concerns and presentations. We primarily offer brief therapy, with most clients seen for a semester or less. Trainees also provide crisis intervention and evaluation, and are encouraged to participate in consultation and outreach opportunities on campus.

Advanced Practicum/Internship
Salem State University Counseling and Health Services offers a paid advanced graduate-level counseling practicum/internship program during each academic year (September to May). The internship involves 24-30 hours per week placement at Counseling and Health Services and carries a stipend depending on hours worked and funding availability. Intern applicants must have prior supervised clinical experience with individual psychotherapy, and experience working with a diverse population.

In recent years interns have come from area graduate programs in psychology including: Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, Lesley University, Suffolk University, and Northeastern University. Applications are welcome January 1 until the positions are filled. Applicants are typically contacted for interview by mid-February.

Postdoctoral Fellowship
This Postdoctoral Fellowship offers a training experience focusing on clinical practice with traditional and non-traditional age college students and the opportunity to understand administrative aspects of college mental health services. This is a highly individualized experience based on the mission of the department, current needs of Counseling and Health Services, and the needs and interests of the fellow. Counseling and Health Services selects one Postdoctoral Fellow per academic year for a full time (30-40 hour), 10 month position. In recent years Postdoctoral Fellows have completed their PhD's at University of Maryland, University of Wisconsin, Northeastern University, and Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology.

Note: In order to preserve confidentiality for our graduate student clients, Salem State graduate students are not eligible to apply for positions in our Graduate Counseling Training Program.

Contact Us
For more information you may contact the training director, Elisa Castillo, PhD, at ecastillo@salemstate.edu