Clinical Training
Clinical Internship at Valley Spring Recovery Center
Valley Spring Recovery Center offers structured clinical internships for MSW, clinical mental health counseling, and marriage and family therapy graduate students. Interns receive licensed supervision aligned with NJ licensure board requirements, full-spectrum SUD and dual-diagnosis clinical exposure, and hands-on training in evidence-based modalities including CBT, DBT, EMDR, and MAT.
Bergen County, NJ · CARF-Accredited Training Site · Supervision Toward NJ Licensure
Field placements at Valley Spring Recovery Center are designed for graduate students preparing to practice in addiction medicine, behavioral health, or integrated dual-diagnosis settings. The internship combines clinical supervision, evidence-based modality training, documentation practice, and exposure to the full continuum of outpatient care, from Partial Care (PC) through Outpatient (OP) and aftercare planning.
Program Features
What the Internship Includes
Licensed Clinical Supervision
Individual and group supervision provided by Valley Spring's Clinical Director (LCSW) and licensed senior clinicians. Supervision aligns with NJ licensure board requirements for LCSW, LPC, and LMFT, and is documented for university field placement reporting.
Full-Spectrum Clinical Exposure
Interns participate in individual therapy under supervision, co-facilitate group therapy, complete biopsychosocial assessments, attend interdisciplinary treatment planning meetings, and learn the full PC and IOP clinical workflow.
Addiction & Dual-Diagnosis Training
Valley Spring treats co-occurring SUD and mental health conditions as the standard clinical profile, not as a sub-specialty. Interns gain dual-diagnosis competency rarely available in community mental health or single-focus SUD placements.
EMDR & Trauma-Informed Practice
Interns observe trauma-informed group programming and EMDR sessions (with client consent). DBT skills group co-facilitation is available under supervision. Trauma-informed care is integrated into every level of programming.
MAT & Psychiatric Collaboration
Interns shadow medication-assisted treatment inductions for opioid use disorder (buprenorphine, naltrexone), observe psychiatric medication evaluations, and learn coordination across the prescriber, primary therapist, and case manager.
EHR Documentation Training
Interns complete clinical documentation in Valley Spring's EHR system, including treatment plans, progress notes, group notes, and discharge summaries. Documentation competency is reviewed in supervision.
ASAM Criteria & Level-of-Care Decisions
Interns observe and participate in ASAM Criteria assessments and level-of-care transitions across PC, IOP, and OP. Medical necessity documentation and utilization review concepts are introduced.
Family Systems & Case Management
Interns observe family sessions, the Together We Heal family program, and case management workflows including FMLA, short-term disability, and IDRC coordination. Systems-level practice is integrated into clinical training.
Group Facilitation Development
Interns build group leadership skills through structured co-facilitation with licensed clinicians, debrief in supervision, and gradually advance to lead facilitation as competency develops.
Training Domains
What Interns Will Be Exposed To
Substance Use Disorders
Alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, stimulant use disorder, benzodiazepine use disorder, cannabis use disorder, and poly-substance use across DSM-5-TR severity ratings.
Co-Occurring Mental Health
Major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety, PTSD and complex trauma, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and borderline personality features in the context of substance use.
Evidence-Based Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, Motivational Interviewing (MI), EMDR observation, and trauma-focused approaches.
Special Populations
First responders, professionals returning to work, college-age adults, and clients re-entering after incarceration. Confidentiality protections under HIPAA are emphasized.
Learning Outcomes
By the End of the Placement
Interns who complete a full academic-year placement at Valley Spring are expected to demonstrate competency across the following clinical domains, documented in the supervision portfolio submitted to the university and used for licensure board portfolio submission:
- ✓Conduct a biopsychosocial assessment and present in clinical case conference
- ✓Co-facilitate a process group and a psychoeducation group under supervision
- ✓Complete EHR documentation that meets CARF and NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services standards
- ✓Apply ASAM Criteria to recommend level-of-care placement
- ✓Demonstrate motivational interviewing and trauma-informed engagement skills
- ✓Coordinate with case management, prescribers, and external referral sources
- ✓Identify and respond to risk indicators including suicidality, overdose risk, and safety planning
- ✓Complete a structured supervision portfolio for licensure submission
Eligibility
Who Should Apply
- ✓Currently enrolled in an accredited MSW, clinical mental health counseling, MFT, or clinical psychology graduate program
- ✓Completing a field placement or practicum in a behavioral health setting
- ✓Available for a minimum of 16 hours per week for one academic year
- ✓Committed to trauma-informed, evidence-based clinical practice
- ✓Able to complete HIPAA training prior to client contact
- ✓Field placement coordination available through your university
Apply for an Internship
Internship placements are accepted on a rolling basis, subject to availability and university coordination. Send a CV, a brief cover letter, and your university's field placement requirements to the Clinical Director. Applications by April 1 (fall) or November 1 (spring) receive priority review.
Email Clinical DirectorCall (855) 924-5320830 Broadway, Norwood, NJ 07648
Frequently Asked Questions
Internship FAQ
Which graduate programs does Valley Spring accept for clinical internships?+
Valley Spring accepts students from accredited MSW programs (CSWE), clinical mental health counseling programs (CACREP), marriage and family therapy programs (COAMFTE), and clinical psychology doctoral programs (APA). Field placement must be coordinated through the student's university field office.
How many hours per week are interns expected to commit?+
Interns commit a minimum of 16 hours per week across two or three on-site days during one academic year. Schedules are built around university requirements and the on-site clinical floor. PC and IOP groups operate weekday mornings, afternoons, and evenings.
What clinical experience will interns gain?+
Interns participate in biopsychosocial assessments, individual therapy under supervision, co-facilitate group therapy, attend treatment planning meetings, complete clinical documentation in the EHR, observe psychiatric evaluations and MAT inductions, and learn ASAM Criteria placement decisions.
Does the supervision count toward NJ LCSW or LPC licensure?+
Yes. Valley Spring's Clinical Director and senior LCSWs provide individual and group supervision aligned with NJ Board of Social Work, NJ Professional Counselor Examiners Committee, and AAMFT supervision standards. Interns receive documented supervision hours for transcript and licensure portfolio submission.
Are EMDR and DBT training available to interns?+
Interns observe trauma-informed group programming and may co-facilitate DBT skills groups under supervision. Direct EMDR practice is reserved for licensed clinicians who have completed EMDRIA-approved Basic Training; interns observe EMDR sessions when client consent permits.
Is the internship paid?+
Clinical internships are typically unpaid academic placements consistent with field placement standards. A modest stipend may be available for interns committing extended hours or covering specialty caseloads, subject to program funding. Specific terms are confirmed during the interview.
What is the application timeline?+
Valley Spring reviews internship applications on a rolling basis with primary intake windows in late spring for fall placements and late fall for spring placements. Applications submitted by April 1 or November 1 receive priority consideration.
Do interns work with both substance use and mental health clients?+
Yes. Valley Spring's program treats co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions as the default clinical profile. Interns gain dual-diagnosis training rarely available in single-focus community mental health or stand-alone SUD settings.
How does Valley Spring protect client confidentiality during internship participation?+
Interns sign a Confidentiality and Code of Ethics agreement before any client contact, complete HIPAA training, and may participate in sessions only when written client consent is obtained. Client identifying information is never removed from the EHR or shared outside supervision.
Related
Explore More
Careers at Valley Spring
Open clinical, case management, and admissions positions.
About Valley Spring
Mission, leadership, clinical philosophy, and accreditation.
Therapies & Modalities
CBT, DBT, EMDR, MAT, and the full evidence-based modality library.
Outcomes & Quality
How Valley Spring measures clinical effectiveness.
Launch Your Clinical Career in Addiction Medicine
CARF-accredited training site. Licensed supervision. SUD and dual-diagnosis exposure. Bergen County, NJ.
HIPAA compliant · Confidential · No obligation