Mental Health Internships & Residency

Counseling and Psychiatry Services (CAPS) offers clinical training opportunities for graduate students in mental health fields. Our training program welcomes students from diverse educational backgrounds, including:

  • Second-year clinical social work interns
  • Counseling psychology practicum students
  • Fourth-year psychiatry residents

*We currently prioritize students from BU affiliated academic programs and health care centers.*

Counseling Internships

As part of CAPS robust clinical training program, each intern or practicum student receives:

  • Full academic year placement (mid August to mid May)
  • A 24-hour-per week flexible schedule
  • Assigned primary and secondary clinical supervisor
  • Regular weekly supervision, both individual and group
  • Weekly professional training hour on various clinical topics
  • Connection to a network of additional clinical interns within other SHS departments (SARP and Health Promotion and Prevention teams)

The Clinical Experience

Joining our multidisciplinary team of psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners and other dedicated professionals, trainees clinical work will focus on:

  • Conducting biopsychosocial assessments (intake sessions)
  • Providing brief, goal-oriented therapy for undergraduate students

Additional opportunities include:

  • Co-lead therapy groups with CAPS clinicians
  • Participate in crisis support and intervention
  • Assist with referrals and case management
  • Collaborate with psychiatric providers
  • Join outreach and mental health education efforts across campus

Clinical Sports Psychology Track

Our Clinical Sport Psychology (CSP) track is a 10-month practicum for doctoral-level psychology students. The CSP track is a great match for doctoral students who are highly passionate and committed to the integration and delivery of clinical care with mental performance in collegiate athletics.

The CSP practicum trainee will be fully embedded in the Clinical Sport Psychology program as a member of the CAPS staff who spend the majority of their direct service hours working with student athletes and the Athletics community.

This is an opportunity to be a part of an interdisciplinary team that collaborates with Sports Medicine/Athletic Training and Sports Nutrition to provide care for athletes.

Potential Training Opportunities:  

Direct Service (e.g., services directly with student-athletes and coaches)  

  • Initial screenings for treatment placement
  • Psychotherapy
  • Mental Performance Consultations (Ind and Team)
  • Consultations with coaches and athletic staff
  • Emergency Coverage (during work hours)
  • ADHD Assessments
  • Team/Coach/Athletic Staff Programming and Workshop

Indirect Service (e.g., services not directly with students) 

  • Clinical Sport Psychology Case Review /Case Distribution
  • Student-Athlete Wellness Team Meeting
  • Clinical Supervision
  • All Staff Meetings (SHS, CAPS, Athletics, Athletic Training)
  • Clinical Sport Psychology Program Development (e.g., social media, web development, policy and procedures)

Psychiatry Residency Program

We offer full-year placements (July–June) for fourth-year psychiatry residents in our multidisciplinary clinic, embedded in Student Health Services with primary care.

At a glance:

  • Schedule: 1–4 days per week (flexible)
  • No on-call duties
  • Weekly supervision with a licensed psychiatrist
  • Team-based environment with primary care and mental health providers

Resident responsibilities include:

  • Conducting new psychiatric evaluations
  • Providing ongoing medication management
  • Delivering limited psychotherapy
  • Participating in team meetings and weekly didactics (if schedule allows)

Our staff covers clinical needs when residents are off-site, ensuring continuity of care and support.

Application Information

Applications open in the Fall semester for the following academic year. If you are interested in gaining meaningful, hands-on experience in college mental health, send your resume and a cover letter to: