Our internship program at Children’s Trauma Healing Center is an exciting opportunity for graduate-level counseling and social work students to gain hands-on experience in trauma and attachment-informed, experiential therapy for children, adolescents, and families. We are dedicated to fostering a learning environment that promotes growth, professional development, and meaningful impact.
Program Benefits
Hands-On Experience
Play Therapy Training
Guided Education
Reflective Supervision
Interns will work directly with clients under the supervision of Demi Banchs, MA, LPC, RPT™, gaining valuable experience in attachment-focused trauma-responsive and neurobiologically grounded play therapy.
Interns will receive free registration to all play therapy training hosted by CTHC during the duration of their internship, helping them build a strong foundation in trauma-informed play therapy.
Interns will engage in a structured learning process that includes required reading and educational exercises designed to deepen their understanding of trauma, attachment, play therapy, and neurodevelopment.
Interns will receive reflective supervision that fosters both professional and personal development, providing space to explore case material, emotional responses, and overall growth throughout the internship.
Is This Internship the Right Fit for You?
You might be a great fit for our internship if you’re passionate about working with children and families impacted by trauma and are interested in eventually becoming a play therapist.
We’re looking for someone who is eager to dive deep into their learning, committed to ongoing growth, and open to feedback.
The ideal intern is a self-starter who’s ready to invest time and energy into both their personal and professional development, with a strong commitment to cultural humility and trauma-informed care.
Program qualifications & Requirements
-
Must be enrolled in a graduate-level counseling, social work, or related mental health program that requires internship hours.
-
Must be able to commit to in office availability at least two evenings, one weekend day, and Friday mornings/afternoons for a minimum of 12 months.
-
Interest in working with children and families impacted by trauma.
-
Strong desire to become a play therapist or specialize in child and family therapy.
-
Willingness to invest time and energy into the learning process.
-
Open to feedback, reflection, and personal growth.
-
Committed to cultural humility, neurodiversity-affirming practices, and trauma-informed care.
-
Comfortable with or open to learning experiential and expressive modalities.
-
Attend training as scheduled.
-
Completion of guided education requirements, including reading and educational exercises, is expected throughout the internship.
Application Process & What to expect
step 1
Complete the Internship Application Form
Fill out the required application form in full.
step 2
Submit Required Materials
Along with your application, please submit the following to info@cthcnj.com:
-
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
-
Letter of Interest
-
Two Letters of Recommendation
-
An academic paper from your graduate program that you feel demonstrates the quality of your work and writing