An Internship That Builds Real Experience and a Lasting Career
If you’re looking for an internship in mental health or substance use treatment, you’re probably not just looking to check a box. You want experience that matters. You want to understand the work, not just observe it. And you want to know that the time you invest will actually move you toward a long-term career.
At Project Turnabout, our internship program is designed with exactly that in mind.
A Comprehensive Learning Experience, Not a Narrow Role
Project Turnabout operates one of the largest residential recovery programs in rural Minnesota. That scale matters for interns. It means you don’t just see one piece of treatment. You experience the full continuum of care, from intake and assessment through residential treatment, transition planning, and ongoing recovery support.
As an intern, you gain first-hand exposure to how recovery services actually work together. You’ll see how treatment plans are developed, how clinical decisions are made, how teams collaborate, and how structure and consistency support long-term recovery. This comprehensive view is critical for anyone considering a future as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) or other clinical role.
Learning Alongside an Experienced Clinical Team
Interns at Project Turnabout don’t work in isolation. You’re embedded within a clinical environment that values teaching, supervision, and mentorship. Our experienced clinicians are committed to helping interns learn not just what to do, but why it matters.
You’ll have opportunities to observe and participate in:
- Group facilitation and therapeutic programming
- Case management and treatment planning
- Client support in a residential setting
- Interdisciplinary team collaboration
- Ethical and professional standards in practice
This is hands-on learning, guided by professionals who understand the responsibility of preparing the next generation of providers.
Experience in Rural Mental Health Care Matters
Working in rural Minnesota brings a unique and valuable perspective. Access to care, community relationships, and resource coordination look different in rural settings than they do in urban systems. Interns at Project Turnabout gain experience navigating these realities, building adaptability, problem-solving skills, and cultural awareness that translate well across the field.
For many interns, this experience becomes a strong foundation for future work in both rural and urban environments.
Support That Makes Long-Term Growth Possible
We know internships can be difficult to pursue without support. That’s why Project Turnabout offers resources designed to remove barriers and make long-term career growth realistic.
Depending on role and eligibility, support may include:
- Paid internship opportunities
- Housing assistance
- Tuition reimbursement or educational support
- Mentorship and supervision toward licensure
- Guidance with school applications and career planning
Our goal is not just to offer an internship, but to help interns see a clear path forward.
A Pathway Into a Career, Not Just an Experience
Many people who come through our internship program go on to pursue licensure, advance into clinical roles, or continue working in recovery services. The experience you gain here is meant to build confidence, competence, and clarity about your next steps.
Whether you’re early in your education, returning to school, or exploring whether this field is right for you, our internship program offers a realistic, supported way to learn and grow.
Start Where You Are
You don’t need to have everything figured out to apply. What matters is curiosity, commitment, and a willingness to learn. If you’re looking for an internship that offers real responsibility, meaningful mentorship, and experience across the full continuum of care, Project Turnabout may be the right place to start.
An internship should prepare you for what comes next. Ours is built to do exactly that.
