The 2024-2025 Class Tops at 40 Interns from 24 Schools and Universities
Josselyn is thrilled to announce its largest class of clinical interns to date for the 2024-2025 year, continuing its commitment to training the next generation of mental health professionals. This year, a record-breaking 40 interns from 24 universities and schools across the country have joined Josselyn, setting a new benchmark for the internship program’s growth. This significant increase reflects Josselyn’s expanding footprint and its status as a top-tier training site in the mental health field.
Josselyn’s 2024-2025 Clinical Intern Class
“This growth speaks to Josselyn’s continued dedication to mental health care and our responsibility in cultivating future clinical professionals,” commented Susan Resko, Josselyn CEO and President. “In order for Josselyn to meet the demand we are facing, we must be a leader in preparing the next generation of clinicians to meet this growing need and improve access to mental health care.”
The Director of Internships position was created in early 2022, and Thomas Tharayil, LCSW, BCD, accepted the position and ran with it. “We are fortunate to have such a strong team in place to support the interns,” said Tharayil. “This year we will be able to offer interns an opportunity to participate in the Intensive Outpatient Program at Josselyn’s Grayslake location, a new partnership between Josselyn interns and Dominican University student counseling program, bilingual programs and art therapy through Nuestro Josselyn in Highwood, and the chance to represent Josselyn at community events that educate people about mental health topics and inform them about access to supportive service through Josselyn.”
The internship program’s staff has also grown to further enhance the training and support provided to interns. Two new primary clinical intern supervisors have been added: Erika Zenchak, LCSW, a University of Illinois Jane Addams College of Social Work alum, and Becca Wilkinson, LCSW, a graduate of the University of Chicago. They will supervise interns and oversee supervision groups for 15 additional LCSW or LCPC intern supervisors.
“I believe the quality of an intern’s field experience can help build a solid clinical and professional foundation. That’s why Josselyn is quickly becoming the ultimate location to do a clinical internship. We work to support our interns through individual and group supervision, group therapy opportunities, and extra opportunities for direct client work through Josselyn’s wraparound services and programming,” explained Zenchak.
Additionally, Josselyn therapist Angelika Bochnak plays an instrumental role in guiding interns through essential trainings, certifications, and background checks. Seasoned therapists like Zenchak, Wilkinson, Bochnak, and others will provide oversight and ensure that the interns receive comprehensive supervision and mentorship throughout their time at Josselyn.
Incoming intern Grace McDonell, who is pursuing her Master of Arts in counseling psychology at The Chicago School, shared her excitement about joining Josselyn. “I had heard from many former interns and mentors that the interns at Josselyn get a lot of support and excellent supervision. I was also drawn to Josselyn because of the diversity of clients it serves and the opportunities to gain a wide range of experience.”
Resko highlighted the significance of the expanding internship program, saying, “We are not just training interns, but we are hiring many of them once they graduate. Over this summer, we have hired 22 former interns who start day one with the skills and experience to support a full case of clients. It’s a win-win-win strategy for our clients, our interns-turned-staff and for Josselyn.”
Learn more about the Clinical Internship Program at Josselyn.
