Bereavement Counseling
Internship
Gain meaningful clinical experience supporting individuals through grief and loss
Hospice of the North Coast’s Bereavement Counseling Internship offers graduate-level counseling students the opportunity to develop their clinical skills while supporting individuals, couples, and families navigating grief, loss, and anticipatory grief.
As a nonprofit hospice serving North County San Diego, Hospice of the North Coast provides compassionate support to patients and families throughout the end-of-life and bereavement journey. Interns become part of this work through hands-on clinical experience, ongoing training, and professional supervision.
Internship at a Glance
What You’ll Learn
By the completion of the internship, interns will have opportunities to:
- Develop foundational knowledge of grief theories and models
- Strengthen clinical counseling and communication skills
- Apply trauma-informed and client-centered approaches
- Build confidence supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences
- Develop effective clinical documentation and treatment planning skills
- Navigate ethical and professional standards in clinical practice
Client Support & Counseling
Interns participate in a variety of bereavement services and clinical experiences, including:
- Conducting condolence calls to bereaved family members according to program timelines
- Providing emotional support through active listening and empathy
- Assisting with the facilitation or co-facilitation of bereavement support groups
- Participating in individual, couple, and family counseling sessions
Clinical Documentation
Interns develop practical experience with the documentation responsibilities of clinical practice, including:
- Completing documentation for client interactions in a timely manner
- Maintaining accurate, organized, and confidential client records
- Creating and maintaining treatment plans
- Following agency-specific documentation and charting guidelines
Training & Supervision
Professional development is an important part of the internship experience. Interns will:
- Participate in required team meetings twice per month
- Attend triadic or group supervision
- Receive quarterly evaluations focused on growth, skill development, and clinical competency
- Participate in ongoing training throughout the internship