Copy of Internships | HIR Wellness

Bridging Theory and Practice: Shaping the Next Generation of Mental Health Leaders

At HIR Wellness Institute, we’re redefining what clinical training looks like. Our internship program bridges the gap between classroom education and community care—bringing students into spaces where healing happens. Interns learn directly from experienced clinicians and community leaders while providing compassionate, no-cost mental health support to survivors and families.

Innovating the Future of Mental Health Training

At HIR Wellness Institute, we’re redefining what it means to learn, grow, and lead in the mental health field. Through our Community Activated Medicine™ (CAM™) Advanced Training Clinic, interns gain hands-on experience that bridges theory with real-world practice—working directly with diverse communities under expert supervision.

Our immersive approach empowers emerging professionals to develop confidence, clinical skill, and cultural awareness while contributing to meaningful change. Every internship is built on mentorship, collaboration, and continuous learning—so you graduate ready to make an impact.

Join a training program that’s more than an internship—it’s a movement to change how mental health care is taught, practiced, and delivered.

Interested in applying to become part of the next generation of trauma-informed, compassionate leaders? Fill out our interest fourm below, and someone will follow up with you.

Internship Interest Fourm

"It's time for a change in the way an internship looks and feels. We must invest in the next generation of leading professionals."
- Lea S. Denny, CEO & Founder HIR Wellness Institute

Samantha-Jane Lopez, Psy D. Intern
Cohort of 2024-2025

Being at HIR Wellness Institute has fundamentally transformed how I approach psychology, community care, and ethical practice. I’ve learned to balance critical thinking with compassion, analyzing situations thoughtfully while remaining deeply attuned to the lived experiences of our relatives. HIR’s culturally responsive and ethical approach ensures that historically marginalized communities receive the care they deserve, grounded in dignity, respect, and understanding. Innovative initiatives like CAMPsites have shown me how mental health services can be made truly accessible, breaking down systemic barriers in ways that are both practical and transformative.

Min Shin, OT Intern
Cohort of 2020-2021

Being an occupational therapy intern here at HIR Wellness has been a rewarding experience. What stands out most to me, aside from being able to learn from the leaders of the field in Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT), were the opportunities for my own healing journey and personal growth through the various opportunities and resources available at HIR that is offered to everyone, including interns. It's in my own healing and personal growth that I feel will help me to become a better occupational therapist and agent for change in others' lives.

Mariah Jensen, MSW Intern
Corhot of 2020-2021

As a graduate student aiming to get my master’s in social work – mental and behavioral health track, HIR Wellness Institute (HIRWI) was a field placement that grabbed my attention immediately. Interning for a non-profit organization that focuses on serving Victims of Crime (VOC) in the indigenous and Native American populations has been immensely rewarding. Not only is the work we do here powerful, but so are the staff that I have worked alongside with. HIRWI is a family of healers and exceeds my educational standards beyond what I thought I would get out of an internship.