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Youth Counselor Intern Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Intern Opportunities

PA · On-site

$14.25 - $18.25/hr

... youth groups, and other community groups. Counseling * Provide empowerment-based domestic violence counseling for individuals age 14+ • Co-facilitate support groups for survivors of domestic ...

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Youth Counselor Intern information

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How much do youth counselor intern jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for youth counselor intern in the United States is $64,006.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,000.00 and $73,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a youth counselor intern?

Youth Counselor Interns are individuals, often students or recent graduates, who work under supervision to support young people in various settings such as schools, community centers, or residential programs. Their primary role is to assist in providing guidance, mentorship, and emotional support to youth facing personal, social, or behavioral challenges. Interns gain practical experience by observing and participating in counseling sessions, organizing activities, and helping youth develop coping and life skills. This internship is typically part of an educational program in psychology, social work, or a related field, and offers valuable hands-on training for a future career in counseling or youth services.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a youth counselor intern?

To thrive as a Youth Counselor Intern, you need foundational knowledge of counseling principles, child and adolescent development, and typically be pursuing or holding a degree in psychology, social work, or a related field. Familiarity with client management systems, documentation practices, and crisis intervention tools is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, active listening, patience, and cultural sensitivity help build trust and rapport with youth clients. These competencies are crucial for effectively supporting young people through personal challenges and fostering their emotional and social growth.

What types of challenges might a youth counselor intern face when working with at-risk youth, and how are these typically managed?

Youth Counselor Interns often encounter challenges such as building trust with clients, navigating complex family dynamics, and managing emotional or behavioral outbursts. These are typically addressed through ongoing supervision, training in trauma-informed care, and collaboration with experienced counselors and multidisciplinary teams. Interns are encouraged to participate in regular case discussions and debriefings to develop effective strategies and receive support, helping them grow both professionally and personally.

Do you get paid as a youth counselor intern?

Youth counselor interns are often paid, but compensation varies by organization and location. Some internships are unpaid or offer stipends, while others provide hourly wages or stipends based on the program's funding and requirements. It's important to check the specific internship opportunity for details on pay and eligibility criteria.

What cities are hiring for Youth Counselor Intern jobs?

Cities with the most Youth Counselor Intern job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Youth Counselor jobs?

The most popular types of Youth Counselor jobs are:

What states have the most Youth Counselor Intern jobs?

States with the most job openings for Youth Counselor Intern jobs include:

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

Are you passionate about making a difference in others' lives? Then come join the Straight and Narrow team!

Headquartered in Paterson, NJ, Straight and Narrow is the largest program of its kind. We provide innovative and compassionate services to individuals struggling with substance use and co-occurring disorders. We are looking for dedicated, caring and compassionate people to work in our Residential/Outpatient Treatment Facilities and Community Programs.

Counselor Intern-Admissions Location: All Straight & Narrow Programs Hours: (Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm) Saturday rotation required. Position Specific Job Duties and Responsibilities
  • Assessing the counseling needs of the clients;
  • Assessing clients using the ASI or using other standardized assessment tool and for adolescents using the CASI or using other evidence-based validated assessment tool and diagnosing clients for substance disorders using the DSM-IV-TR;
  • Determining the appropriate level of care based on ASAM PPC-2R;
  • Obtaining previous records that are relevant to the current treatment episode;
  • Collaborating with the client in order to develop a written treatment plan that is client-centered and recovery-oriented and includes goals and measurable objectives.
  • The director of substance abuse counseling shall develop, monitor and provide clients and the treatment team with written schedules that will be used to update each client treatment plan(s) in order to ensure that each client's treatment needs are addressed;
  • Providing the substance abuse counseling services specified in the client treatment plan;
  • Reviewing clients throughout the treatment episode according to ASAM PPC-2R, to determine the need for continued services or discharge/transfer;
  • Reviewing and, where necessary, revising the substance abuse counseling portion of the client treatment plan to address emerging problems;
  • Developing the client discharge/transfer plans to ensure movement to the appropriate levels of care;
  • Contacting referral sources, providing case consultation, and coordination with referral sources (for example: mental health treatment providers, criminal justice agencies, schools, employers, the Division of Youth and Family Services);
  • Participating as a member of a multidisciplinary team for assigned clients;
  • Providing active case consultation; and
  • Documenting all counseling and education services, assessments, reassessments, referrals and follow-up in the client's clinical record, providing appropriate signatures and dating of such entries, including those made in electronic records.
Additional Job Duties and Responsibilities
  • Provide individual, group, and family counseling: didactics, treatment planning and case management as required per licensing standards (residential or ambulatory according to program) for a caseload of clients
  • Formulate measurable individualized Treatment Plans and Treatment Plan Reviews for each client on caseload
  • Maintain clinical portion of clients’ charts as per Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and CARF guidelines, ensuring that all documentation is up to date as per Straight & Narrow’s Policy on Timeframe for Documentation in Clients’ Charts
  • Attend regularly scheduled multidisciplinary team meetings (MDT) and present information for Treatment Plan or Treatment Plan Review for clients on caseload
  • Attend individual and group supervision with Clinical Supervisor as scheduled
  • Provide clients on caseload with referral to other agencies (i.e., health, psychiatric, vocational rehabilitation and public assistance) for concurrent and/or continued care as part of case management as necessary
  • Provide crisis intervention to clients as necessary.
  • Submit documentation to Supervisor daily for any/all sessions held with clients on that day
  • Attend and actively participate in all CQI subcommittee meetings and/or Grievance Committee meetings on which membership is held
  • Prepare monthly reports to overseeing agencies/referral sources (i.e., DCP&P, probation officers, parole officers)
  • If CADC or LCADC has not been obtained, present supervisor with documented progress toward this certification quarterly. Must complete CADC/LCADC within three (3) years from date of hire.
  • Encourage and support clients’ participation in AA/NA/GA
  • Follow all Electronic Health Records (EHR) policies.
Unit-specific duties for this position (if any)
  • Conduct intakes and fully orient new clients to the program
  • Monitor urine specimens, as required
  • Complete all required discharge paperwork
  • Respond to call for guest medication, as required
Qualifications
  • Must have a high school/AA/AS/BA/BS/MA/MSW degree.
  • Computer literacy and the ability to type is a must.
  • Experience with Electronic Health Records is a plus.
  • If the counselor intern does not have either a CADC or LCADC, they must be actively pursuing one or the other. Progress towards obtaining LCADC/CADC must be documented and reviewed with the supervisors quarterly.
  • Must complete CADC or LCADC within three (3) years of hire.

For full time positions, we offer medical, vision, dental, life and supplemental life insurance. Accidental and Critical Illness Insurance, 403B with employer match, Paid Time off (PTO), in house training seminars, two training days for certified professionals. SN also offers supervision for those individuals trying to become licensed in NJ as a LCADC/CADC, LSW, LCSW, LAC, LPC and LMFT. We participate in employee discount programs such as the Working Advantage program.

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