Mental Health Field Placement Program

Overview

The City of Berkeley invites graduate students to apply for the Mental Health Field Placement Program! This program is designed to provide training and hands‑on learning opportunities in association with students’ formal education during the academic year (from August/September to May/June). Berkeley Mental Health fosters a supportive environment with training and mentorship provided by seasoned clinical staff.

Student trainees/interns will benefit from training in a clinical setting by integrating their coursework with relevant examples in case management, community outreach, crisis support, and psychotherapy for individuals and families. Trainees/interns will also have the opportunity to learn key skills for successfully navigating a dynamic community mental health system of care.

• Medi‑Cal industry‑standard documentation requirements
• High‑quality treatment planning
• Electronic record keeping
• Community‑responsive skills and tools

• Adult Mental Health Team
  :
  Trainees/interns will gain educational experience in the clinic at the Adult Mental Health Center and in various community settings including homes, board and care facilities, shelters, and the streets. Services are provided to Berkeley residents over the age of 18 who are dealing with severe mental illness. Incoming first‑year graduate students are welcome to apply for placement with this team.
• High School Health Centers
  :
  Trainees/interns will gain educational experience at the Health Centers located at Berkeley High School and Berkeley Technology Academy. Services at the Health Center include individual counseling, crisis assessment, group counseling, collateral work with parents/caregivers and school staff, and outreach. Students must complete at least one year of their graduate program prior to the beginning of field placement with this team.

Student trainees/interns are not employees and do not receive wages or benefits. The City may provide a stipend to account for certain costs related to the program, such as travel to and from facilities. The anticipated stipend for the 2026‑2027 school year is $6000
. The amount of the stipend will be equal for all trainees/interns who complete the program.

Onboarding will begin on August 10, 2026, subject to change. Mandatory training will be scheduled for August 17, 2026.

• Alliant International University
• California Institute of Integral Studies
• California State University East Bay
• Palo Alto University
• San Francisco State University
• Saint Mary's College of California
• Smith College
• University of California Berkeley
• University of San Francisco
• University of Southern California
• The Wright Institute

Applicants must be current students enrolled in a relevant graduate program (Master’s level) at one of the following schools and must be willing to commit to 24 hours per week during the academic year.

• Completed application
• Resume
• Cover letter:
  Please explain why you are interested in Berkeley Mental Health and why you are interested in the service area(s) to which you are applying (Adult Mental Health and/or High School Health Centers).
• Two (2) letters of recommendation:
  One letter must be from a professor, teacher, or advisor from your current university program.
• Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to ada. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:

• Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents
• Selection interview

The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to hr at the time of application.