Internship Program - Why Us?

We Invest In Our Clinicians So They Can Thrive While Helping Others Heal.

At MOSAIC Family Counseling Center, Inc., we believe excellence in client care starts with excellence in clinician support. Our internship program is designed to develop skilled, compassionate, and confident mental health professionals through a strong foundation of supervision, mentorship, and hands-on experience.

Respect

Growth Authenticity Inclusion Shared Purpose

Building the Future of Clinical Excellence

Here, you're not just completing hours—you’re becoming part of a team that values your growth and honors your professional journey. Interns at MOSAIC receive structured learning opportunities, access to experienced supervisors, and inclusion in a collaborative, trauma-informed environment with a working culture of team work.

We are proud to say that many of our current staff began as interns. Hiring from within is a key part of our mission to bring exceptional clinicians into the field—and to continue investing in the people who align with our values, mission and vision. We cultivate integrity, compassion, and clinical excellence.

MFCC is proud to be the most comprehensive intern program in the Des Moines and surrounding areas and have many applicants throughout the year. Our program has grown over the years and supports between 5 and 9 interns at a time. Our interns are supported by a team of supervisors who give daily to mentor, educate, provide experiences for growth support our profession.

It is advised to submit your application a six months to a year in advance to ensure a spot in the rotation.

MFCC Internship Program

Learn, serve, and grow with a culturally responsive, trauma-informed team.

At MOSAIC Family Counseling Center (MFCC), interns are not “extra hands”—you’re part of the team. Our structured master’s-level internship/practicum program gives you real-world clinical experience with the backing of close supervision, clear expectations, and a caring, collaborative culture.

Who this is for: Graduate students in Marriage & Family Therapy, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Social Work seeking practicum and/or internship placements aligned with CACREP/CSWE program requirements.

Our goal is to nurture you as you grow. When you leave your internship, you will know what it is like to work in a cooperative practice.
We take you in as part of our Mosaic Family.

***NOTE: Due to confidentiality and continuity of our group programming, we are no longer accepting stand alone observations of group therapy sessions. We allow group involvement for interns involved throughout their internships/practicums.

What You’ll Do & Learn

  • Direct service with diverse populations. Work with individuals, couples, families, children/teens, and groups in a trauma-informed setting.

  • Assessment & diagnosis. Practice intake interviewing, risk assessment, DSM-5/ICD-10 diagnosis, and case conceptualization.

  • Treatment planning & documentation. Write measurable goals, progress notes, and discharge summaries to best-practice standards.

  • EMR proficiency. Use our electronic medical record system (chart management, auditing, outcome measures).

  • Interdisciplinary collaboration. Coordinate care with schools, physicians, case managers, and community partners.

  • Practice operations. Learn scheduling, caseload management, ethical decision-making, and boundaries that protect work–life balance.

  • Trauma-informed care. Understand how trauma presents across ages/cultures and how to respond with compassion and competence.

  • Professional readiness. Dedicated time for licensure board-exam prep strategies and transitioning to early-career practice.

Supervision & Support

  • Weekly supervision with licensed clinicians (individual and/or group per program needs).

  • Case consultation & trainings on documentation, ethics, risk, modalities of care, and culturally responsive practice.

  • Real feedback, real growth. You’ll get specific, actionable feedback to build confidence and autonomy—step by step.

  • Structured → autonomous. We start with clear guardrails and expand responsibilities as you demonstrate competency

  • We encourage self care and therapy for the therapists - Our mental health is important too! It supports our care of self and others.

Our promise: You’ll be challenged, supported, and fully engaged through the end of your placement. When you leave, you’ll know how a cooperative, community-minded group practice operates—and how to thrive in it.

Settings & Schedule

  • Service settings: In-office, school-based programs, and (when appropriate) telehealth.

  • Hours & term: Aligned to your university’s practicum/internship requirements; we coordinate schedules to support continuity of care and your well-being.

  • We require you to be available at different times during the week, we are unable to accommodate placements that have only weekends and evenings available.

Culture & Values

  • Culturally responsive care. We welcome and honor each person’s background, language, faith/spirituality, values, and identity.

  • Team first. Interns are integrated into staff life, meetings (when appropriate), and agency initiatives.

  • Integrity & learning. We model ethical, evidence-based practice with humility and curiosity.

  • Team Culture. We are a 'provide excellent care' but 'take care of you' culture, self care is important and we support each other and the 'whys' in our environment.

What Sets MOSAIC Apart

  • Hands-on, not hands-off. You’ll carry an appropriately scoped caseload with real accountability and real mentorship.

  • Documentation you can be proud of. We teach quality notes, concurrent documentation, audits, and compliance so you’re licensure-ready.

  • Sustainable practice habits. You’ll learn calendar discipline, boundaries, and self-care that prevent burnout.

Eligibility & Requirements

  • Current enrollment in an accredited graduate program (MFT, CMHC, MSW or equivalent).

  • University affiliation agreement (we coordinate with your field placement office).

  • Ability to follow HIPAA, agency policies, and documentation timelines.

  • Professionalism: reliability, teachability, and commitment to equity and client dignity.

  • Ability to provide day time hours 8-5 more than one day a week and an evening or two.

  • Ability to commit to the entire semester regardless of how quickly you complete your hours.

  • Willingness to learn to work with children, adolescents and families.

(If your program requires background checks, vaccinations, or specific hour distributions, we’ll align to those requirements.)

How to Apply

1. Submit: Resume/CV, brief cover letter (why MOSAIC, your goals), program requirements, and proposed start/end dates.

2. Faculty contact: Include your field placement coordinator’s name/email.

3. Interview: Meet with our team to confirm fit, schedule, and supervision plan.

4. Onboarding: Site agreement, orientation, Clinical training, EMR training, and supervision schedule.

Interested in Joining us in your Career?

The Right Place Be

Robust Clinical Supervision

Experienced supervisors mentor and invest in your growth so you can thrive with confidence.

Second-to-None Admin Support

Our dedicated admin team handles scheduling, billing, and logistics so you can focus on your clients.

Ongoing Education

Continuing education, group consultation, and trainings designed to expand your skills and strengthen your practice.

Tailored Skill-Building

Advance at your own pace with opportunities that support your goals and passions.

Peer Support & Team Culture

Collaborate with colleagues who share resources, encouragement, and authentic connection.

Inclusive & Affirming Environment

We welcome clinicians of all backgrounds and identities in a safe, respectful workplace.

Our Work

Career Opportunities

Mental Health Therapist

Provide high-quality therapy with strong supervision, peer support, and resources to grow into the clinician you want to be.

Clinical Supervisor

Mentor therapists, shape clinical practice, and guide a values-driven team.

Therapy Intern

Gain hands-on experience, learn in a supportive environment, and grow under expert supervision.

We’re here to help you grow
into the clinician you want to become.

Join MFCC and experience a different way of doing the work—one that invests in you.

FAQs

Why choose MFCC as an Intern Site?

Choosing MFCC for your internship means engaging in a training experience built on nearly 18 years of deliberate development—our internship program has evolved into one of the most sought‑after placements in our region.

At MFCC, you’re not simply placed; you’re welcomed into a structured, high‑caliber program designed to accelerate your clinical growth, deepen your confidence, and prepare you for a successful career.

What sets our program apart: We understand that becoming a competent clinician begins with your first experiences that teach you habits and scaffolds your skills. We follow a deliberate schedule of teaching you those skills to apply in your craft.

Comprehensive, hands‑on training. You’ll engage directly in therapy, diagnostic work, treatment planning, managing EMR systems, administrative duties, and group facilitation—all under dedicated supervision.

Diverse client population & settings. With school‑based, office‑based, and satellite locations across Central Iowa, you’ll gain experience across a broad spectrum of clients and presentations—children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, and groups—enhancing your readiness for real‑world practice.

Intentional supervision and mentorship. Our supervisor team invests significant time and energy in you: reviewing charts, auditing work, guiding scheduling and self‑care balance, and helping you navigate your internship semester with clarity and support.

Integration into agency life and culture. At MFCC you’re part of the team, not an observer. You’ll attend staff meetings, collaborate with colleagues, participate in agency operations, and emerge from your internship not only skilled—but fully prepared to thrive in a practice setting.

Strong reputation & employment pathway. Because our program is well respected and long‑standing in the region, internship alumni often receive priority consideration for post‑graduation employment at MFCC. Choosing us isn’t just about internship hours—it’s about building your future.

In short: If you’re looking for an internship site where you’ll be challenged, supported, immersed, and prepared to shine—MFCC is a place where you’ll grow, belong, and launch your clinical career with confidence.

What populations will I see?

At MFCC, you will have the opportunity to work with a broad and diverse client population. We serve individuals across various settings—including school-based, office-based, and satellite locations throughout Central Iowa.

Our clients represent a wide range of cultural, spiritual, gender, and life experiences. You may work with children, adolescents, groups, diverse relationships, couples, families, groups, and individuals navigating relational, emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges.

Our expectation is that interns are open to learning from a wide variety of client presentations. While you may have preferences for the population you ultimately wish to serve, exposure to diverse experiences enhances clinical confidence, broadens your skillset, and enriches your overall training.

We provide consistent support and guidance to help you navigate these experiences with inclusivity, curiosity, and care.

Will I get group experience?

Yes. MFCC offers a variety of group services tailored to meet the needs of adolescents, adults, and parents. One of our core offerings includes ongoing groups focused on Emotional Intensity Disorder (EID), designed to provide support, skills, and community for those navigating emotional regulation challenges. In addition to our standing EID groups, we often offer semester-based groups that address emerging or specific community issues—ensuring our services remain responsive and relevant to the populations we serve.

What makes an intern a strong candidate for placement at MFCC?

A strong intern candidate at MFCC is someone who brings both heart and professionalism to their clinical work. We look for individuals who are passionate about serving diverse client populations, open to learning, and committed to growth within a supportive and collaborative environment.

A successful intern candidate will have weekday availability, evening availability options that match the number of hours they need for their educational experience. We require that you complete the semester with us regardless of how quickly you complete your educational 'hours'. This is for ethical care of the client you agree to see.

Successful interns at MFCC demonstrate emotional maturity, self-awareness, openness to recognize when it is beneficial to 'do their own therapeutic work' and a willingness to accept feedback as an opportunity to employ growth strategies.

They value inclusivity, approach their work with curiosity and compassion, and show a strong interest in being part of a team that prioritizes connection, accountability, and clinical excellence.

Interns who thrive here are not only eager to develop their therapeutic skills but also embrace the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our agency’s mission and culture.

Can I apply for a position after my internship?

Yes. MFCC often extends employment opportunities to interns who are a strong fit for our agency. Ideal candidates demonstrate a genuine passion for serving clients, contribute positively to our workplace culture, and show a consistent commitment to personal and professional growth. We value team players who strive for balance, show initiative, and actively engage in collaborative care.

We begin the conversation when an intern expresses interest and shows readiness to take the next step. Our goal is to build a strong, collaborative team of dedicated providers who genuinely enjoy being part of MFCC—just as much as we enjoy having them. Every new hire receives dynamic support, intentional onboarding, and opportunities for growth. We’re proud to watch our team members thrive as they step into their professional roles

Are There Other Professional Development Considerations at MFCC?

Absolutely. MFCC is deeply committed to providing high-quality care for clients—and that means investing in the professional development of our interns as well. In addition to core training experiences, onboarding & backend experiences, we offer several opportunities to advance your clinical skills and prepare for long-term success:

EMDR Training & Certification Support:
Interns are encouraged to pursue EMDR training during their placement if ready. For those who become employed at MFCC post-internship and complete EMDR basic training, we provide free certification consultation and discounted rates through our partner EMDR training organization—a financially significant benefit for your career path.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT):
You'll receive experiential DBT training through our group facilitation structure, learning key skills and interventions in a live, supported setting.

Solution Focused Behavioral Therapy (SFBT):
All interns are trained in SFBT, equipping you with a structured, strengths-based approach to apply with clients immediately.

Free Access to Recorded Clinical Trainings:
You’ll have complimentary access to a library of recorded clinical training modules on various topics, expanding your knowledge base at no additional cost.

These opportunities reflect our commitment to developing confident, well-rounded clinicians—whether you stay with us long term or take your skills into the broader field.

What will supervision be like?

Supervision at MFCC is intentionally structured to support your clinical growth, build your confidence, and prepare you for real-world success. You’ll be matched with experienced supervisors who not only meet university requirements but also deeply value mentorship, skill-building, and reflective practice.

Here’s what you can expect from our supervision experience:

Structured Case Preparation:
You'll receive regular guidance on how to approach intake, session planning, documentation, treatment progress, and clinical decision-making with your caseload.

University Collaboration:
We align with your university’s academic expectations and field placement requirements, communicating directly with your program as needed to support a smooth, compliant experience.

Ongoing Mentorship:
Supervision is more than compliance—it’s a relationship. We provide mentorship to help you process challenges, clarify your clinical identity, and navigate the transition from student to professional.

Policy & Procedure Training:
You'll receive clear training on MFCC’s clinical policies, ethical expectations, and operational systems—from documentation and EMR use to scheduling and service protocols.

Growth-Oriented Feedback:
We offer affirming, constructive feedback in every session—helping you identify strengths while inviting new areas for growth. Supervision is a safe place to ask questions, explore uncertainty, and receive professional guidance.

Supportive Environment:
MFCC fosters a culture of respect, curiosity, and collaboration. You’ll be encouraged to participate, ask questions, and celebrate your wins as you develop your skills.

In short, supervision at MFCC is not just about meeting requirements—it’s about equipping you with the confidence, clarity, and competence to thrive in clinical work..

Have questions?

Reach out. We're here.

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