Sankofa Counseling is a culturally specific counseling clinic located in Portland, Oregon, committed to decreasing mental health disparities within Black and brown communities. We work with individuals who experience marginalization based on race, immigration status, family status, educational status, gender identity, & sexual orientation.

Graduate Student: Counseling Intern + Practicum Description

Sankofa Counseling

Sankofa Counseling is a culturally specific counseling clinic located in Portland, Oregon, committed to decreasing mental health disparities within Black and brown communities. We work with individuals who experience marginalization based on race, immigration status, family status, educational status, gender identity, & sexual orientation.

Sankofa Counseling is committed to learning and growth on a personal and professional level; we provide in-house and external training and consultation to support clinicians in developing skills around trauma responsiveness, cross cultural communication, and provider sustainability. It is our belief and practice that the wellness, the peace and the professional development of our staff be intentionally supported and protected within all aspects of employment.

We recognize that racism is inherent within the medical and mental health field. Without commitment to and engagement of antiracist practices & policies, individuals and communities with racialized, minoritized and intersecting identities will continue to experience predictable and disproportionate harm. From a systemic and institutional perspective, organizations are uniquely positioned to intentionally take steps towards undoing the impacts of racism, to deconstruct norms of employment, & to equitably re-allocate resources. Sankofa Counseling LLC was founded to provide a grassroots response to the mental health inequities impacting Oregon’s Black/African American community.

JOB SUMMARY:

Counseling Interns and Practicum Students will provide outpatient mental health counseling services to Black, Indigenous, non-Black persons of color, transgender, genderqueer and LGBQIA+ adolescents, adults and their families. Overall responsibilities include the following:

• Provide individual, couples and/or family therapy (including comprehensive assessment, formulation of diagnostic summary & development of treatment plan) consistent with the ethical guidelines and practices of licensing body,
• Maintain clinical records and documentation standards
• Provide family support, communication, and education to clients as needed
• Refer clients to various resources based off complex need
• Provide/Engage in advocacy with larger systems as needed
• Ongoing engagement in clinic-wide professional development specific to antiracism, anti-oppressive practices and trauma informed care
• Assessment, planning, and preparation for medical transition and writing letters of referral (supervision provided)
• Additional services may include prescribing (if relevant), psychological evaluations (if relevant), group facilitation, attending community facing events, school based services, and/or meeting facilitation (if relevant)
• Expected to engage in monthly team meetings.
• Attend weekly, biweekly or monthly clinical supervision (frequency is established by your institution and your clinical supervisor)

Ongoing Professional Development

• Quarterly All-Staff Professional Development (3 hours PD)
• Ongoing staff meetings for case consultation
• Clinical Supervision - in house or monthly stipend provided

Vision Building

• Collaborate as we build out the vision for Sankofa Clinic
• Join, co-create and maintain a culturally specific workplace & community clinic centering BIPOC & LGBTQIA individuals & families
• Engage & assess clinic practices, client interactions & client outcomes through various’ lens of liberation, specifically centering anti-racism, anti-oppressive & trauma informed frameworks

Special Project Opportunities: Grow Your Own - Licensure track; PPS Student Enrichment & Wellness Events; Research & development; Build community connection; Launch new groups, etc.

• Be well & be you - no code switching
• Empowering workplace - leverage and grow your clinical and personal gifts

REQUIREMENTS:

A typical background for the person who can fulfill the duties of this position is as follows:

• Currently enrolled in an accredited Master’s level program in psychology, social work, counseling or related field, or equivalent
• Knowledge of the impacts of oppression and persecution on mental health and daily functioning
• Knowledge of power/privilege dynamics within the therapeutic relationship
• Commitment to antiracism and anti-oppressive practices
• Minimum 1 year experience working with B/I/POC individuals and their families in some helping role. Must have seen over 4 different individuals/families. AND/OR have cross-cultural/cross-racial personal, familial, or deep friendship experiences within individuals and communities of color.
• Experience providing care to at least one marginalized community (race/ethnicity, disability, immigration status, multi-language speakers, developmental disability, etc). Must have seen over 6 different individuals/families.
• Minimum 1 year immersion experience in personal identity work that includes dynamics of power, privilege, and oppression. Demonstrate awareness and action taken to address personal power and marginalization dynamics.
• Ability to work independently while also engaging in building strong, interconnected team culture.
• Strong computer skills and ability to document activities in an Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
• Ability to pass background check
• Fluent in English language: speaking, reading and writing. Preferred second language fluency: reading, writing, and speaking in therapeutic context.
• Preferred: Knowledge and professional development specific to trauma-informed care.
• Preferred: Experience with assessment and referral for medical procedures such as Hormone Treatment, Surgery, and Pubertal Suppression.

EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT:

Counseling Interns and Practicum Students may receive a monthly reimbursement for reasonable expenses associated with participation in the internship. The monthly reimbursement amount is based on the scheduled internship commitment, and is confirmed at the start of each academic placement, based upon available funds for that year:

Practicum Students: 

• $150/month for a 1-day-per-week placement
• $250/month for a 2-day-per-week placement

Counseling Interns:

• $250/month for a 1-day-per-week internship
• $350/month for a 2-day-per-week internship
• $450/month for a 3-day-per-week internship

These payments are intended solely to reimburse expenses associated with the internship and are not compensation for services, hours worked, or the quality or quantity of work performed. Practicum students and Counseling Interns will provide documentation of eligible expenses as requested and will return any amount that exceeds eligible, substantiated expenses in accordance with the organization’s reimbursement procedures.

Payments will be administered through Gusto and made monthly by direct deposit. The Intern will be onboarded in Gusto for payment administration and tax reporting purposes and will receive applicable tax documentation as required by law. Reimbursements that meet applicable requirements for expense reimbursement will be treated in accordance with applicable tax rules.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Click the "Apply" button below to begin the application procedure.

Alternative: Fax your resume to Sankofa Counseling, 888-978-8164 or Email a resume and cover letter to [email protected].

To be considered for this position you must follow this application procedure.

Please note: Active clients of Sankofa Counseling or affiliated providers may not begin a professional relationship with Sankofa Counseling. By accepting a position with Sankofa Counseling, applicants become ineligible for counseling services.