Program Intern, Selective Mutism Service

About Child Mind Institute

We’re dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders by giving them the help they need. We’ve become the leading independent nonprofit in children’s mental health by providing gold-standard evidence-based care, delivering educational resources to millions of families each year, training educators in underserved communities, and developing tomorrow’s breakthrough treatments.

Position Details:

As part of the Selective Mutism Service team, you will report to the Directors of the Selective Mutism Service. You will participate in an unpaid part-time internship designed to provide students and trainees with supervised, hands-on learning experiences in children's mental health. Interns participate in structured training, observation, and guided practice with children with selective mutism in the Brave Buddies Program. All activities are educational in nature, and licensed staff maintain responsibility for clinical services.

In addition to two hours of online trainings completed at home, Program Interns must be available in person for 15 hours each week starting mid to late March 2026 through August 31, 2026. Program Interns are required to be available Thursdays from 1:00pm-6:30pm, as well as additional times arranged more flexibly with supervisors. 

Furthermore, participation in Brave Buddies, our group-based intensive treatment program for children with SM, is a mandatory component of the internship. See below for tentative 2026 Brave Buddies program dates. Interns are expected to attend the entirety of each program.

1. June 2026 One-Day Brave Buddies
   • June 25th: 8AM-3PM
2. August 2026 Five-Day Brave Buddies
   • July 30th: 11AM-6PM
   • July 31st: 11AM-5PM
   • August 3rd-August 7th: 8AM-3PM

Learning Opportunities:

• Gain exposure to evidence-based behavioral treatment for selective mutism in both individual and group program models
• Observe licensed clinicians implementing Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Selective Mutism (PCIT-SM)
• Implement foundational behavioral techniques with clients in a supervised, educational setting
• Receive structured training focused on PCIT-SM principles and group adaptation

You Will: 

• Attend and actively participate in all required training, preparation, and program sessions
• Engage fully in educational and training activities and demonstrate openness to feedback
• Apply skills learned in training during supervised program activities for educational purposes

You Have:

• Bachelor's degree (completed or in progress) in psychology, education, human services or related field.
• Prior experience working with children and young adults and/or in a clinical setting.
• Passion for the Child Mind Institute's mission.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to handle conflict and sensitive information with discretion and integrity.
• Professional demeanor with the ability to work collaboratively with families, clinicians, senior leadership, and staff.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage tasks efficiently and adapt to patient needs.
• Positive, energetic attitude.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

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EEO Disclaimer

Child Mind Institute is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, regardless of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital status, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

In compliance with California law, we also prohibit discrimination based on reproductive health decision-makin