About the role#
This internship offers students hands-on experience in the behavioral health field through structured observation, participation, and guided support activities. Interns work under the supervision of qualified professionals to gain insight into client services, treatment planning, and case management while supporting the daily operations of mental health and substance use programs.
What you'll do#
- Adhere to standards of professional conduct, ethical practice, and confidentiality laws.
- Support client care by identifying client strengths, needs, and challenges.
- Assist in documenting and reporting client behavior and interactions.
- Participate in admission and orientation procedures, including safety checks and collecting vital signs or lab specimens as needed.
- Attend staff meetings, treatment team meetings, and training sessions as requested.
- Co-facilitate educational, skills-building, and recreational groups.
- Monitor client activities and serve as a supportive role model.
- Observe detoxification protocols and assist with safety monitoring where applicable.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a Bachelor's degree program or higher in Psychology, Nursing, Public Health, Health Administration, Biomedical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Social Work, or a related field.
- Required school approval and documentation for internship eligibility.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Understanding of confidentiality in behavioral health settings.
- Ability to build rapport and support clients within professional boundaries.
- Basic knowledge of behavioral health practices and proficiency with computers.
Location & details#
- Location: Columbia, Missouri.
- Modality: On-site.
- Schedule: Rolling term with flexible scheduling to accommodate academic requirements.
- Compensation: Paid internship.
About Burrell Behavioral Health
Burrell Behavioral Health provides mental health services across 18 counties in Missouri. Founded in 1977, the nonprofit operates as the second-largest behavioral health center in the state. It employs over 400 licensed providers who manage a full continuum of care for more than 40,000 clients. The organization is based in Springfield and maintains a workforce of nearly 1,000 employees.
How to get in at Burrell Behavioral Health
Securing an internship at Burrell Behavioral Health requires speed because early applicants often receive more attention before the candidate pool expands. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, which helps you apply among the first. Applying early is a practical advantage in a competitive field. You can reach out to recruiters directly to ask about the role or a referral, which often improves your response rate. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company roles to help you make these connections. Reaching out to a person is more effective than sending an application into a queue.
