Therapeutic Support Specialist (MSW Generalist Practicum Internship)

Who We Are

Life Transitions is a mission-driven behavioral health agency dedicated to helping individuals and families build stability, resilience, and meaningful change. Our work blends clinical excellence with practical, real-world support.

This internship is designed for MSW students seeking hands-on, skill-building experience in a structured, clinically grounded environment.

About the Role

The Therapeutic Support Specialist (TSS) internship focuses on Therapeutic Support Services (Tier 2 - Case Management) — a clinically necessary, rehabilitative, and goal-directed service.

Develop practical, career defining clinical skills through active, applied learning in a generalist practicum setting. Advance seamlessly into a clinical specialist internship through our Clinical Foundations Training, supporting professional growth in Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy. Designed for Master of Social Work students committed to the Associate LICSW licensure pathway in Washington State.

You will work directly with clients who benefit from intensive, practical support tied to their treatment goals. Build therapeutic engagement skills that will define your professional effectiveness and create measurable, lasting impact for your clients.

Core Purpose of This Internship

As a Therapeutic Support Specialist Intern, you will learn how to:

• Translate clinical goals into real-world behavioral change
• Support clients in building functional life skills
• Develop ethical and professional judgment within defined clinical frameworks
• Deliver services aligned with medical necessity and billing compliance
• Establish and maintain the “golden thread” between services and treatment plans

Your Key Responsibilities Will Include

• Implementing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Assessments
• Assisting in treatment plan development and updates
• Providing goal-directed skill-building interventions
• Supporting community integration and resource coordination
• Reinforcing symptom management and functional stability
• Documenting services using structured SOAP note standards
• Assisting clients in meeting defined milestones
• Managing engagement within a caseload framework

What You Will Be Learning

This internship provides direct experience in:

• Rehabilitative Case Management
• Behavioral Health Skill-Building
• Treatment Planning
• Clinical Documentation & Compliance
• H-Code Service Frameworks
• Professional Boundaries & Scope of Practice
• Client Engagement & Motivation

You will gain clarity on how behavioral health services operate within real clinical, regulatory, and organizational systems.

Documentation & Professional Standards

Interns are trained in:

• Establishing medical necessity
• Maintaining billing-compliant documentation
• Matching minutes to session times
• Writing accurate SOAP notes
• Connecting interventions to treatment goals (“golden thread”)
• Using professional, gender-neutral clinical language

This is essential, real-world clinical training rarely emphasized in academic settings.

Who This Internship Is For

This opportunity is ideal for MSW students who are in their Generalist Practicum:

• Want applied clinical experience beyond observation
• Value structure, clarity, and professional rigor
• Are interested in behavioral health systems & rehabilitation models
• Want to build confidence working directly with clients
• Appreciate coaching, feedback, and skill development

What Makes This Internship Different

Many internships emphasize theory. This one emphasizes competence.

You will leave with:

• Practical intervention skills
• Real documentation experience
• Systems-level understanding
• Strong professional habits
• Confidence working with clients

What We’re Looking For

• Professionalism and reliability
• Strong interpersonal presence
• Emotional maturity
• Comfort with feedback and growth
• Clear boundaries
• Curiosity and initiative
• Ability to work within structured systems

How to Apply

Please submit:

1. Your resume
2. A brief paragraph introducing yourself, including:
   • Your MSW program
   • Your learning goals
   • Why this internship interests you

Final Note

This internship is for students who want more than hours.

It’s for students who want real capability.

If you’re ready to build skills that translate directly into professional practice — we’d love to meet you.