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Internships Opportunities for MSW/MFT Students

Who can apply for internships?

  • The JMP offers clinical internships in a school-based setting for graduate students from Master's level social work, marriage & family therapy programs.

  • We also provide support for students additionally pursuing the PPSC and PPC.

  • For programs requiring two years of internship, the JMP only offers internships for second-year students.

  • We highly encourage multi-lingual applicants, especially Spanish-speakers.

  • The JMP has historically supervised interns from programs like UC Berkeley, the Wright Center, St. Mary's, Smith, and a variety of others.

How to Apply for 2026-2027 Internships

  • The JMP accepts applications for the September 2026- May 2027 school year beginning January 2026. To receive application materials, please email jmp@wccusd.net expressing your interest. You will receive a response including our application materials. Please return these materials by email as soon as possible and by end of January at the latest.

  • Interviews are offered on a rolling bases throughout January and February 2026. 

  • Applicants are offered intern positions on a rolling basis through February and March 2026. The JMP internship application process closes by March 31, 2026.

Internship Opportunity Details

Program Description

The James Morehouse Project (JMP) is a student and family support center at El Cerrito High School (ECHS) in the West Contra Costa Unified School District. Founded in 1999, the JMP works to create positive change in the El Cerrito High School community through medical services, counseling and support programs, and school-wide restorative activities. JMP also provides counseling services at some local elementary schools. In our work with youth and families the JMP is guided by the ideas and practices of Narrative Therapy, a core principle is “the person is not the problem; the problem is the problem.” Among the services the JMP provides are: crisis intervention and drop-in support, individual counseling, resource referrals, community conversation groups, community action groups, restorative conferences and circles, peer conflict mediation, health education and services, youth development programs, and support for teachers and parents. JMP services are provided by JMP staff, community agency providers, and interns from various programs at a number of universities. The JMP is always transforming based on the discoveries we make in partnership with youth. We work with a small committed team of staff members, as well as in collaboration with our interns, partner agencies and the greater school staff and faculty. JMP encourages applicants with lived/learned experience in West Contra Costa County to apply for a JMP internship. The JMP values respectful practices, diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, creativity, dedication and humor.

Clients Served

The James Morehouse Project serves El Cerrito High School (ECHS) students, in the 9th through 12th grades, ages 14-18. Most of our students come from the city of Richmond. ECHS has no ethnic or racial majority (Our student population is 25% African American, 25% Latino, 25% Asian American, and 25% Caucasian).

Issues Program Addresses

Each year the issues addressed by the program change slightly. Some of the common issues and problems that we respond to are: grief/death; family violence and conflicts; depression; self-harm/suicide risk; alcohol/substance use concerns; community violence; harassment and discrimination based on race, gender or sexuality; conflicts among peers; conflicts in relationships; loneliness; body image/eating concerns; sexual health; academic/classroom difficulties, and others.

Intern Assignments

Opportunities for interns include providing individual and group counseling services, youth empowerment programs, crisis intervention, (Sometimes we are also able to offer experiences in social action projects, program development, grant writing/fundraising.) Interns are asked to work as part of our team
by taking on additional responsibilities such as welcoming visitors to the JMP, and responding to drop-in requests for support. Interns are encouraged to reflect on and develop their professional ethics.

Intern Training & 
Educational Opportunities

We are committed to providing interns with as many learning opportunities as possible, including providing both weekly individual supervision and group training.  At the beginning of the school year we provide extensive orientation and training, including some all-day retreats. Our program is strongly influenced by the ideas and practices of Narrative Therapy, which “seeks to be a respectful, non-blaming approach to counseling and community work which centers people as the experts in their own lives. It views problems as separate from people and assumes people have many skills, competencies, beliefs, values, commitments and abilities that will assist them to reduce the influence of problems in their lives” (Alice Morgan, Narrative Therapist and writer). Our weekly group training focuses mainly on teaching and practicing Narrative Therapy methods, as well as discussing other topics such as crisis assessment and intervention, and ethics.

Intern Benefits

Stipend available depending on budget. PPSC hours available – please inquire about details.

Other Special Placement
Procedures or Requirements

Interns must provide results of a negative TB test and complete a fingerprint clearance in order to get their ID badge to work with us. Because we follow a high school calendar, we have a few more vacation days/weeks than most universities; because of this we ask that interns make up any days missed due to mid-year vacations by working a few extra days/weeks in May or June (depending on whether or not vacation days correspond). Interns are also required to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

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