Graduate Internships and Practicums
Austin Child Guidance Center is one of the premier training sites in Austin for future mental health professionals and regularly accepts graduate students who are seeking field experience as part of their degree program. We accept advanced graduate students in the fields of social work, psychology, and professional counseling. Due to the intense nature of the work at the Center and the demands of the placement, we do not currently offer undergraduate-level internships, although there are volunteer opportunities for undergraduate students who wish to gain more experience working with children and families.
Students should, at a minimum, possess the following before applying to the Center: at least one course in family, individual, and group therapy; assessment experience, if applicable; and some course work related to child and adolescent development. Prospective students should have previous practicum or work experience using psychotherapy skills. Students must commit to the Center for at least 10 hours/week for two semesters.
Austin Child Guidance Center also offers placements for administrative social work graduate students.
It should be noted that a placement at Austin Child Guidance Center is quite demanding; however, you will find the agency very supportive in terms of the supervision and training you will receive. It is recommended that you seek out other students who have completed placements at the Center to learn about their experiences before you apply.
Doctoral psychology and masters’ level social work students apply and interview in the spring for a 2 semester placement the following fall and spring semesters. Students should submit a curriculum vitae and a request for an interview by by April 1st (for licensed professional counseling students and LPC-Interns), or March 15th (for social work students) to the appropriate individuals listed below.
Doctoral psychology students should contact Julia Hoke, Ph.D., (jhoke@austinchildguidance.org) to receive updated information about application procedures.
Because of the volume of requests we receive, we ask that you send an e-mail to inquire.
Post-Doctoral Fellowship
The Austin Child Guidance Center offers a full-time postdoctoral fellowship in child/adolescent psychology. Training goals for postdoctoral fellows at Austin Child Guidance Center include the development of proficiency in (1) child/adolescent assessment given a range of presenting concerns (e.g., learning disabilities, ADHD, trauma, autism-spectrum disorders); (2) psychotherapy with children, adolescents, and families; and (3) working collaboratively with an interdisciplinary treatment team. Other goals (e.g., developing group therapy skills, assessment of autism-spectrum disorders) are chosen by the fellow and his/her supervisor at the outset of the postdoctoral fellowship year. The doctoral postdoctoral fellowship will begin September 1st and continue for 12 months at 40 hours per week. Vacation and sick leave are provided, as well as employee health insurance.
Candidates should submit a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae, a sample psychological assessment report, an unofficial copy of your graduate school transcripts, and three references to Julia Hoke, Ph.D. prior to January 31, 2017. Potential candidates will be notified by email or phone if chosen to interview. See the information sheet for additional information.
Contact Information
Director: Julia Hoke, Ph.D.
Phone Number: 512-451-2242
