Internship Program - HealthFirst Family Center
Clinical Training That Prioritizes Growth, Integrity, and Real-World Impact
Our internship program is designed for developing clinicians who want more than just hours – they want meaningful clinical experience, thoughtful supervision, and a setting that supports both professional and personal growth. We tailor each experience to align with training requirements, clinical interests, and long-term goals.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Internships
Training in Integrated, Rural Community Care.
HealthFirst Family Care Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving communities across rural New Hampshire, with offices in Laconia and Franklin and outreach to 29 surrounding townships. Our setting offers PMHNP students a unique opportunity to train within an integrated care model.
Our Mission
Through dedication, respect, and compassion for our patients and one another, we aim to inspire hope and advance the health and well-being of our patients, community, and staff.
What You'll Experience
- Supervised psychiatric evaluations and medication management
- Exposure to diverse patient needs across the lifespan
- Integrated collaboration with care teams
- Close, hands-on support with real-time guidance and collaborative clinical thinking
Learning Emphasis
- Diagnostic clarity and clinical decision-making
- Evidence-informed psychopharmacology
- Whole-person care integration
Counseling & Therapy Internships (CMHC, MFT, MSW)
Developing Depth, Clinical Voice, and Real-World Skill.
Our therapy internship track supports graduate students in building strong clinical foundations while developing their unique therapeutic voice.
What You'll Experience
- Weekly individual supervision
- Gradually developed caseload
- Monthly group supervision
- Exposure to diverse clinical concerns
- Collaboration with interdisciplinary teams
- Continuing education opportunities
Learning Emphasis
- Therapeutic alliance and clinical presence
- Case conceptualization
- Ethical decision-making
- Professional identity development
Our Supervision Philosophy
We view supervision as a collaborative, relational process that supports both clinical skill development and personal growth.
What You Can Expect
- Consistent space for reflection
- Direct, thoughtful feedback
- Support in developing your clinical voice
- Guidance through complexity
Our Goal
To help you become a grounded, intentional, and confident clinician.
What We're Looking For
At HealthFirst, we believe that exceptional clinicians are developed through curiosity, reflection, and a willingness to grow. We recognize that interns arrive with varying levels of experience, and we do not expect you to have all the answers. Instead, we value individuals who approach learning with humility, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to serving others.
The interns who thrive in our program are those who are:
- Curious and eager to learn from every clinical experience
- Open to feedback and committed to ongoing growth
- Thoughtful, reflective, and willing to engage in self-examination
- Compassionate and committed to providing ethical, person-centered care
- Dependable, professional, and accountable in their work
- Comfortable collaborating as part of an interdisciplinary team
- Interested in serving rural and underserved communities
- Motivated to contribute to a positive, supportive learning environment
We are looking for interns who see this experience as more than a requirement for graduation. We hope to partner with students who are invested in becoming skilled, compassionate clinicians and who value the opportunity to learn alongside experienced professionals while making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve.
Eligibility
HealthFirst Family Care Center partners with accredited colleges and universities to provide high-quality clinical training experiences for graduate students pursuing careers in behavioral health.
We are currently seeking applicants who are:
- Actively enrolled in an accredited master's-level CMHC, Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), Master of Social Work (MSW), or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program
- Completing required practicum or internship experiences as part of their graduate education
- In good academic standing with their university
- Able to meet the clinical and time requirements established by both their academic program and HealthFirst
Because we invest significant time and resources into mentorship and supervision, we seek students who are committed to professional growth and prepared to engage fully in the internship experience.
Application Process
We strive to make our internship application process thoughtful, transparent, and supportive.
Step 1 – Express Your Interest
Reach out to discuss available placement opportunities and determine whether HealthFirst may be a good fit for your educational goals. Send email to [email protected] to express interest.
Step 2 – Submit Your Application Materials
Applicants should email the following materials to [email protected]:
- Current résumé
- Cover letter describing your professional interests, training goals, and why you are interested in completing your internship at HealthFirst
Step 3 – Initial Interview
Qualified applicants will be invited to meet with the internship coordinator to discuss their educational background, clinical interests, and learning objectives.
Step 4 – Program Interview
Candidates who move forward may be invited to meet with potential supervisors or members of the behavioral health team to ensure a mutual fit between the student, supervisor, and placement opportunity.
Step 5 – Placement & Onboarding
Once a placement has been confirmed, interns will complete onboarding requirements in collaboration with their university and HealthFirst prior to beginning their clinical experience. We encourage prospective interns to contact us early, as placements are limited and may fill several months in advance.