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What are some good internships for psychology-related careers?
I'm a college junior, and I haven't been able to find an internship near me, which is starting to worry me. I'm based in San Diego and would like to stay in the San Diego area.
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3 answers
Updated
Diana’s Answer
Hi Dharala!
Great question — finding internships in psychology can feel overwhelming, but there are many options in San Diego, and most students don’t realize how broad the field really is. Here are some strong and realistic opportunities you can pursue near you:
1. Hospitals & Healthcare Settings (Psychology + Medical Exposure)
These are great if you’re interested in clinical, health, or pediatric psychology.
Look into:
• Rady Children’s Hospital (child life, behavioral health, research)
• UC San Diego Health (psych research, neurology, psychiatry departments)
• Sharp HealthCare (behavioral health internships & volunteer programs)
Even volunteer roles in these settings can transition into internships later.
2. Research Labs at Universities
Research experience is one of the BEST ways to strengthen your psychology career path.
Check:
• UC San Diego Psychology Department labs
• SDSU Joint Doctoral Program labs
• San Diego State University College of Education research centers
Search for labs studying child development, clinical psychology, behavior, cognition, or neuropsychology.
3. Mental Health Clinics & Community Centers
These offer hands-on exposure to counseling, crisis support, and case management.
Options include:
• NAMI San Diego
• Community Resource Center (CRC)
• San Diego Youth Services
• Jewish Family Service of San Diego
These places often accept students for part-time internship roles.
4. Nonprofits Focused on Mental Health or Social Services
Nonprofits provide excellent training in interviewing, assessment, and community support.
Some well-known options:
• The Trevor Project (remote roles available)
• Big Brothers Big Sisters San Diego
• Mental Health America of San Diego County
5. Schools & Educational Settings
Great if you’re considering developmental, school, or child psychology.
You can look for internships with:
• Local school districts
• Early childhood intervention programs
• After-school psychology programs
• Learning centers (e.g., UCLA/UCSD-affiliated programs)
6. Crisis Hotlines & Support Centers
These give amazing experience in communication and crisis de-escalation.
San Diego options include:
• San Diego Access & Crisis Line
• RAINN (remote)
• Crisis Text Line (remote, flexible)
7. Animal-Assisted Therapy & Behavioral Programs
San Diego has a strong community in this area.
Look into:
• Helen Woodward Animal Center
• Love on a Leash Therapy Dog Program
• San Diego Humane Society behavioral internships
Great if you like clinical work + animals.
Final tips to find an internship faster
• Email labs directly with a short professional intro.
• Apply to volunteer programs at hospitals — those often lead to internships.
• Ask professors (this works more than anything).
• Don’t ignore remote opportunities — they count as real experience.
• Start applying 3–4 months before you need the internship.
Great question — finding internships in psychology can feel overwhelming, but there are many options in San Diego, and most students don’t realize how broad the field really is. Here are some strong and realistic opportunities you can pursue near you:
1. Hospitals & Healthcare Settings (Psychology + Medical Exposure)
These are great if you’re interested in clinical, health, or pediatric psychology.
Look into:
• Rady Children’s Hospital (child life, behavioral health, research)
• UC San Diego Health (psych research, neurology, psychiatry departments)
• Sharp HealthCare (behavioral health internships & volunteer programs)
Even volunteer roles in these settings can transition into internships later.
2. Research Labs at Universities
Research experience is one of the BEST ways to strengthen your psychology career path.
Check:
• UC San Diego Psychology Department labs
• SDSU Joint Doctoral Program labs
• San Diego State University College of Education research centers
Search for labs studying child development, clinical psychology, behavior, cognition, or neuropsychology.
3. Mental Health Clinics & Community Centers
These offer hands-on exposure to counseling, crisis support, and case management.
Options include:
• NAMI San Diego
• Community Resource Center (CRC)
• San Diego Youth Services
• Jewish Family Service of San Diego
These places often accept students for part-time internship roles.
4. Nonprofits Focused on Mental Health or Social Services
Nonprofits provide excellent training in interviewing, assessment, and community support.
Some well-known options:
• The Trevor Project (remote roles available)
• Big Brothers Big Sisters San Diego
• Mental Health America of San Diego County
5. Schools & Educational Settings
Great if you’re considering developmental, school, or child psychology.
You can look for internships with:
• Local school districts
• Early childhood intervention programs
• After-school psychology programs
• Learning centers (e.g., UCLA/UCSD-affiliated programs)
6. Crisis Hotlines & Support Centers
These give amazing experience in communication and crisis de-escalation.
San Diego options include:
• San Diego Access & Crisis Line
• RAINN (remote)
• Crisis Text Line (remote, flexible)
7. Animal-Assisted Therapy & Behavioral Programs
San Diego has a strong community in this area.
Look into:
• Helen Woodward Animal Center
• Love on a Leash Therapy Dog Program
• San Diego Humane Society behavioral internships
Great if you like clinical work + animals.
Final tips to find an internship faster
• Email labs directly with a short professional intro.
• Apply to volunteer programs at hospitals — those often lead to internships.
• Ask professors (this works more than anything).
• Don’t ignore remote opportunities — they count as real experience.
• Start applying 3–4 months before you need the internship.
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
Have you tried to approach the alumni Association for your college? These are typically filled with individuals within your field and most will be willing to help. My experience is that the best way to get a job or an internship is to know somebody.
The other thing you can do is go to the office for your program and talk with the staff. I’d also talk with professors and make it know you’re looking for an internship. I would almost be willing to bet that between the two above, something will shake loose.
The other thing you can do is go to the office for your program and talk with the staff. I’d also talk with professors and make it know you’re looking for an internship. I would almost be willing to bet that between the two above, something will shake loose.
Got it! Thank you so much!
dharla
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1185
Answers
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Dharla,
You're not behind, so start by taking a breath. This is how many psychology students feel as they start their junior year, especially since psychology internships aren't often readily marked or advertised. It's clear that you're being proactive rather than late because you're actively looking for answers to this question.
Internships in psychology usually don't resemble the typical "Psychology Intern" job postings. Rather, they appear under titles related to community initiatives, human services, mental health support, or research. Knowing that is important because it greatly expands your possibilities.
You have a solid local environment to deal with because you are situated in San Diego. Look at positions such as research assistant, patient support intern, behavioral health assistant, or program intern at local clinics, hospitals, and health systems. Hospitals and research facilities connected to universities often take undergraduates and value intelligent and trustworthy individuals, even if they have no prior clinical experience.
Another great choice is a community mental health organization. Internships and volunteer-to-intern programs are often offered by nonprofits that assist young people, families, veterans, homeless populations, or people with disabilities. Employers and graduate programs place a high value on these positions because they offer significant experience, strong supervision, and practical exposure.
Explore positions like crisis line volunteer, peer support intern, intake assistant, or case management intern if you're interested in a career in clinical psychology or counseling. Even if some of them could begin as volunteer work, they nevertheless qualify as good experience and can lead to paid opportunities or powerful recommendation letters. The range of experience is more important to many graduate programs than whether it was paid.
Additionally, if you're thinking about going to graduate school, you should look at research internships. Check out the psychology labs at nearby think tanks, research hospitals, and universities. Emailing lecturers or lab directors with a brief, kind message can lead to opportunities even if a lab doesn't post job positions. For psychology majors, research experience can be one of their greatest benefits.
In psychology, networking is very important. Attend local psychology-related events, career fairs on campus, or mental health panels. Many students get internships through recommendations rather than job boards, so let your lecturers, advisors, and fellow students know you're seeking.
It's also acceptable to define "internship" more broadly. Part-time jobs, paid support employment, organized volunteer work, and summer programs all qualify. It matters that you are learning professional skills, getting exposure to the area, and determining if psychology is the proper career option for you.
Even though it doesn't feel like it yet, you're doing the right thing. Careers in psychology frequently demand patience and persistence in the beginning, but your efforts now will be rewarded.
Best wishes!
You're not behind, so start by taking a breath. This is how many psychology students feel as they start their junior year, especially since psychology internships aren't often readily marked or advertised. It's clear that you're being proactive rather than late because you're actively looking for answers to this question.
Internships in psychology usually don't resemble the typical "Psychology Intern" job postings. Rather, they appear under titles related to community initiatives, human services, mental health support, or research. Knowing that is important because it greatly expands your possibilities.
You have a solid local environment to deal with because you are situated in San Diego. Look at positions such as research assistant, patient support intern, behavioral health assistant, or program intern at local clinics, hospitals, and health systems. Hospitals and research facilities connected to universities often take undergraduates and value intelligent and trustworthy individuals, even if they have no prior clinical experience.
Another great choice is a community mental health organization. Internships and volunteer-to-intern programs are often offered by nonprofits that assist young people, families, veterans, homeless populations, or people with disabilities. Employers and graduate programs place a high value on these positions because they offer significant experience, strong supervision, and practical exposure.
Explore positions like crisis line volunteer, peer support intern, intake assistant, or case management intern if you're interested in a career in clinical psychology or counseling. Even if some of them could begin as volunteer work, they nevertheless qualify as good experience and can lead to paid opportunities or powerful recommendation letters. The range of experience is more important to many graduate programs than whether it was paid.
Additionally, if you're thinking about going to graduate school, you should look at research internships. Check out the psychology labs at nearby think tanks, research hospitals, and universities. Emailing lecturers or lab directors with a brief, kind message can lead to opportunities even if a lab doesn't post job positions. For psychology majors, research experience can be one of their greatest benefits.
In psychology, networking is very important. Attend local psychology-related events, career fairs on campus, or mental health panels. Many students get internships through recommendations rather than job boards, so let your lecturers, advisors, and fellow students know you're seeking.
It's also acceptable to define "internship" more broadly. Part-time jobs, paid support employment, organized volunteer work, and summer programs all qualify. It matters that you are learning professional skills, getting exposure to the area, and determining if psychology is the proper career option for you.
Even though it doesn't feel like it yet, you're doing the right thing. Careers in psychology frequently demand patience and persistence in the beginning, but your efforts now will be rewarded.
Best wishes!