Department of Psychological Science » Psych Internships » Save 1 Life Fredericksburg

Save 1 Life Fredericksburg

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Save 1 Life Fredericksburg is a non-profit coalition of local agencies, providers and community members that uses prevention, education and outreach using harm reduction strategies to reduce drug overdose in our community. We do this through tabling events, outreach to the unhoused and speaking engagements. Interns would be trained in basic addiction, harm reduction approaches, and means of outreach to those who use drugs. This is a “hands on” position that will provide real life experience for those who wish to make an immediate difference and who may be considering work in a non-profit atmosphere.

The position with be supervised by Carmen Greiner, LPC, director of Lighthouse Counseling and chairperson of Save 1 Life Fredericksburg.

What You Will Learn

  • Basics of community and non-profit organizing including navigating political realities
  • Basics of harm reduction, addiction, prevention of overdose, etc.
  • Basics of case management, addiction treatment, and outreach to the unhoused
  • Basics of fund raising, volunteer organizing, and media outreach

Duties

  • Interact with those who use drugs to build relationships to prevent harm
  • Attending monthly committee meetings, including board meetings
  • Attending local government meetings
  • Providing education and outreach to people who use drugs, as scheduled
  • Assist with resource management, record keeping and statistics of progress
  • Learn how to interact in a politically complicated atmosphere
  • Experience working with other local nonprofits, therapists and agencies
  • Training in case management, assisting with group therapy, observing therapy assessments

Note: Students MUST be available mornings on the 3rd Wednesday of every month to be eligible for this internship.

Note: Students will not be interacting alone in the community. They will always be with a mentor for all community outreach events.

Note: Community outreach will occur at varied times and days of the week. While interns will not be required to attend all events, a flexible schedule (around classes) will make an intern more competitive for the position. Interns will need to transport themselves to community events.

Pre-Requisites

  1. Must meet all UMW and Department of Psychological Science internship requirements.
  2. Required courses:
    • PSYC 211 – Psychopathology
    • PSYC 315 – Foundations of Clinical Psychology
  3. Recommended courses:
    • PSYC 394 – Psychopharmacology
    • PSYC 201 – Social Psychology
    • PSYC 346 – Forensic Psychology
    • PSYC 352 – Cultural Psychology

Assessment

  • 42 hours of work per credit hour (most interns do 3 credits with 126 hours of work)
  • Grade is based on on-campus supervision, agency evaluation, reflective journal, and a final paper

Agency Contact

Carmen Greiner
cgreiner@lhcfxbg.com
(540) 907-0121, ext 2