Alexander Jewish Family Service provides a unique intensive clinical education experience for Master of Social Work Students. Alexander JFS is a leader in the development of competent and effective clinical social workers.
Alexander Jewish Family Service provides a unique intensive clinical education experience for Master of Social Work Students. Alexander JFS is a leader in the development of competent and effective clinical social workers.
Alexander Jewish Family Service is a non-profit human service agency located in the Braeswood area of Houston. Founded in 1913, Alexander JFS offers help to all people struggling with challenges on a sliding fee scale. The agency has mental health counseling for individuals and couples, an intensive outpatient program for mental health, disability services, senior adult services, case management, employment help, financial assistance, community outreach, disaster help and volunteer opportunities.
The practicum instructors’ view of instruction is to immerse the student as quickly as possible to have hands-on training and work in a Socratic method of seeking answers as often as is necessary. The agency focuses on a client-centered framework of service.
During my second year in the MSW program, I completed my specialist internship at Alexander JFS’s Behavioral Mental Health Services (BMHS). In a self-directed role supported by a diverse team, I balanced clerical and clinical tasks while exploring areas like advocacy for adults with intellectual disabilities, aging populations, and Adlerian play therapy. I co-facilitated grief and aging support groups, participated in community outreach through ReelAbilities, and shadowed clinicians in intakes, rapport-building, and ethical discharge. Mentorship from the clinical team shaped my clinical identity and laid the foundation for my career in social work.
- Clinical Intern Stewart, LSU
There will be observation, hands-on training, and practicum instructor supervision once a week. Students will also attend staff meetings where programs, clients, and cases are discussed to serve clients better.
Preferred placement for MSW students from local and national universities.
If you are interested in applying for a clinical internship please submit materials to Ada Cheung, Chief Clinical Officer: adultcounseling@alexanderjfs.org
My internship at Alexander JFS was an invaluable experience. The work and opportunities were diverse and well-rounded, allowing me to apply my academic knowledge while gaining a deeper insight into the mental health field. Working alongside a supportive team and mentor helped me grow both personally and professionally. This internship has provided me with a strong foundation and an excellent starting point for my career in clinical social work.
- Clinical Intern, UH GCSW
My internship at JFS was the highlight of my MSW program. I learned the most about becoming a Social Worker in the field of mental health during my final year. The staff made learning a priority and was fully inclusive of what experiences the intern brings to the group. All of the intern's ideas, recommendations, and improvements were valued by the supervisors. The internship was challenging and I was pushed to experience aspects of social service outside of my comfort zone. JFS is different in that they embraced me more as a professional than a student and recognized the importance of providing the learning environment that I wanted and the supervision to reinforce professional growth both interpersonally within the team and with clients.
-Danny Clark, Clinical Intern, University of Houston
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