Internships 

Clinical work is the heart and soul of the training program and internship placement at DFI. An internship at DFI includes classes, seeing clients, individual, and group supervision. As an intern, you will be enrolled in our Marriage and Family Therapy Certificate program. This means that you intern in your last year of graduate school and commit to finishing the program for your first year as a post-grad student. Interning at DFI is a commitment to the 2 year certificate program at DFI.  DFI does not charge graduate students for supervision received while in graduate school. Placement includes enrolling in our first year coursework to support their training. Interns receive a discount on the costs of that coursework in the form of a scholarship. Click here to learn how to apply!

DFI offers graduate level internships for students from a variety of universities, including, but not limited to:

  • Colorado Christian University
  • Colorado State University
  • Cappella University
  • Denver Seminary
  • Naropa University
  • University of Denver*
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • University of Colorado at Denver

*DU GSSW students:  Please see our DU & DFI Joint Program page to learn about how DU and DFI interact!

Feedback on the DFI internship experience continues to be overwhelmingly positive. Some of the benefits shared with us by students of internship placement includes:

  • Personalized attention to intern’s specific needs.
  • Quality, intensive supervision.
  • Live case supervision.
  • Diversity of the clients and the clients’ presenting problems.
  • Observation of session videotapes in supervision.
  • The opportunity to work with trainees at DFI that are post-graduate or from other universities.
  • Experiential, engaging coursework.
  • High level of experience of the faculty members.
  • The emphasis on clinical work in the training.
  • The commitment to systems, relational therapy and strength-based work at DFI.
  • Experience working with families, couples and individuals.
  • Being an integral part of the operations and administering of the program.

We welcome your inquiry regarding internships. Please note that DFI offers only a limited number of internships each year and the process can be competitive. Placement at DFI for internships entails students staying on at DFI post-Master’s degree to complete the second year courses, additional supervision and 500 clinical hours (250 of which may be completed outside of our DFI clinics, 250 within the clinics). We are seeking students who possess these types of qualities or who want to develop such skills:

  • Commitment to excellence and a desire to be the best therapist you can.
  • Personal and professional integrity.
  • Respect for diverse clients, faculty and other students.
  • Passion for the field of couples and family therapy.
  • Willingness to engage fully in all aspects of the program as an active adult learner.
  • Supportive of the growth and training of fellow trainees.
  • Ability to also have fun while learning.
  • Do your part to foster at DFI an engaging, dynamic and diverse learning community.

If you have additional questions, please email our Operations Coordinator: becca@denverfamilyinstitute.org

Go to our Prospective Students page to find out how to apply!