Call for Applications:

2026-2027 Mental Health Services Intern at LSA Family Health Service

The Fordham Initiative on Migrants, Migration, and Human Dignity, with generous funding from the Cummings Foundation, seeks applications from Fordham undergraduate and graduate students for a paid internships at LSA Family Health Service (LSA). LSA is a neighborhood-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to strengthening and empowering vulnerable families and children in East Harlem by meeting their basic need for food, healthcare, education and a safe home, in the belief that affirming families in their own dignity improves the entire community. Over 4,300 families benefit annually from LSA’s holistic, multi-service model of supporting families in their struggle to emerge from crisis, poverty or illness.

Position Description

This is a temporary internship, lasting the duration of the 2026-27 academic year. The Mental Health Services (MHS) program supports women of childbearing age and their families located throughout New York City. LSA MHS provides the community with free, bilingual, and holistic trauma-informed care programs through a combination of Creative Arts Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Psychodynamics. Our services include individual and group therapy. The intern will be exposed to a vulnerable population, mainly immigrants. Some of the reasons clients inquire about mental health services at LSA are depression, postpartum depression, anxiety, complex trauma, PTSD, domestic violence/intimate partner violence, grief and loss and the reunification process. The intern will be exposed to clinical experience in how to integrate art materials in individual and group therapies to support individuals with sustained trauma. Mental Health Services works with all other LSA departments. The intern will learn and support different departments as needed.

Compensation and Time Commitment:

This role provides a $5,040 stipend for a commitment of 280 hours over 2 semesters (approximately 10 hours/week). The schedule will fall within the hours of 9AM-5PM, Mon-Fri.

Job Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the planning and execution of programs aimed at improving the mental well-being of the target population.
• Provide empathetic and non-judgmental emotional support to clients and their families.
• Provide administrative and logistical support to the MHS team, including but not limited to: conducting research, compiling resources, maintaining client documentation, organizing awareness campaign materials, organizing art materials, participating in meetings, and general administrative tasks such as filing and database upkeep.
• Assist with development and delivery of workshops or educational sessions on mental health topics such as stress management, anxiety and depression.
• Help with client assessments to determine needs and assist in the development and implementation of treatment plans.
• Masters Program interns will be able to provide therapeutic services: Under the supervision of licensed creative arts therapists, interns may conduct individual and group therapy sessions, potentially with a focus on specific populations like children or families. They may also assist in providing crisis intervention and support to individuals in distress.
• Attend 3 Fordham Reflection and Formation sessions per semester with other Interns through the Initiative on Migrants, Migration and Human Dignity (sessions counted as internship hours).

Requirements and Qualifications

• Strong written, oral and interpersonal abilities
• High emotional intelligence; able to work with clients
• Ability to work independently, with initiative, as a part of the MHS team
• Flexibility, adaptability and reliability; accepts directions
• Great organizational skills
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)

To apply, please complete this form by April 30, 2026. First-round candidates will be screened by a panel of Fordham faculty/staff. Finalists will be interviewed directly by LSA staff.

Any questions, please contact the Initiative on Migrants, Migration and Human Dignity at migrationjustice@fordham.edu.