I’m currently in high school and I was told that doing an internship at a mental hospital would benefit me. I’m not quite sure I understand what an internship really is? Also, some other options I’m looking at are addiction counseling, social work, pregnant teens, school counselor, things like that. I also don’t understand how the schooling process works, like what’s needed for a bachelors, masters, etc. Any help would be great, thanks 
To do any from of psychotherapy work you will need a minimum of an MA and a license. You can not do this with a BA level degree. However, you have a long way to go so here are some steps you can take.
As a H.S. student you probably will not be able to do an internship in a mental health ward of a hospital (usually you would need to be in a BA and more likely MA program). This also would not be the best place to intern or volunteer given the population you want to work with. I would suggest you get yourself involved in any youth serving agency (e.g. Boys and Girls Club, YM/YWCA, etc.) Statistically 1-10 of pre-adolescent girls will be sexually abused (1-4 post adolescent). So your experience with kids will inevitably include those who are sexually abused (you may not know it).
As you go on for college. You can either go through a community college for an AA and then on to a BA, or you can go straight into a BA.
Going for a BSW will be your best path into your desired field. However you can also go psychology, child and family development, education, sociology, woman’s studies, etc. and then you can go on for your MA in psych, counseling, etc.
If you do the BSW you can actually do your MSW in a year.
DA
I have been an addiction counselor for about 10 years. You may need to start with an Associate’s degree. In most states, it is about 73 credit hours. There are many good programs out there and some are online so you would not have to go to the brick and mortar campus. Once you get your foot in the door, you may want to look at a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or Counseling. That is about 123 credit hours. Your Master’s degree will be another 36 to 60 credit hours. I would get some information from your local Drug and Alcohol Counselor’s association in your state. Most states have their own laws about being certified or licensed as a counselor. Good luck to you!
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Member of ICAADA (state certified drug and alcohol association).
To do any kind of counseling, you need a state license. Sometimes you can get one with just a bachelor’s degree, but most of them, you need a master’s or doctorate. The ones you can get with a bachelor’s would be if you have a degree in social work. i have my bachelor’s in psychology and can’t do jack squat yet. i’m getting my master’s in counseling, so i can get my license as a professional counselor. you can also get licensed as a social worker (need a master’s), marriage and family therapist (need a master’s), school counselor (master’s), addiction counselor (bachelor’s i think), psychologist (doctorate) or psychiatrist (doctorate – med school). every state has different requirements, but they always require a degree, then you have a sit a test, and then do supervised hours (usually 2000-4000) before you get your actual license. pretty complicated, i know.
an internship at a mental hospital would probably be really interesting, and might get you into some other jobs doing direct care, but you can’t be someone’s therapist or counselor without that piece of paper. most likely, plan on a master’s degree at least. specializations like adolescent and child therapy, you can do in your master’s program by just taking a few courses, or in continuing education classes (you have to keep taking classes after you get your license to keep it). hope that’s helpful and not too overwhelming.
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In additional to psycology studies, you need general social science, anthropology, even theological studies, etc., ….
It is best for see your career guidance teacher.
Internship generally means a period of "hands on" training with academic studies.
References :
To do any from of psychotherapy work you will need a minimum of an MA and a license. You can not do this with a BA level degree. However, you have a long way to go so here are some steps you can take.
As a H.S. student you probably will not be able to do an internship in a mental health ward of a hospital (usually you would need to be in a BA and more likely MA program). This also would not be the best place to intern or volunteer given the population you want to work with. I would suggest you get yourself involved in any youth serving agency (e.g. Boys and Girls Club, YM/YWCA, etc.) Statistically 1-10 of pre-adolescent girls will be sexually abused (1-4 post adolescent). So your experience with kids will inevitably include those who are sexually abused (you may not know it).
As you go on for college. You can either go through a community college for an AA and then on to a BA, or you can go straight into a BA.
Going for a BSW will be your best path into your desired field. However you can also go psychology, child and family development, education, sociology, woman’s studies, etc. and then you can go on for your MA in psych, counseling, etc.
If you do the BSW you can actually do your MSW in a year.
DA
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