Our Clinical Psychology Internship is designed to prepare aspiring professionals for application to Doctorates in Clinical Psychology or a career in psychotherapy and counselling.
We are a registered charity (Charity Number: 1191308) providing one-to-one, online coaching to anyone globally, especially those from developing countries. We are a current partner of the United Nations Development Programme and a trusted placement provider with dozens of universities.
We are recruiting monthly cohorts of Clinical Psychology Interns to support our clients. Clinical Psychology Interns will first receive one month of intensive training on how to treat anxiety, depression, phobia and addiction, then they will support clients for two months. They’ll start with easier clients and work their way up.
This internship is a remote, unpaid full-time (~30 hours/week) role. We have past interns from Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, UCL and LSE. ~80% of our alumni have got paid roles in mental health (e.g., Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, Assistant Psychologists, Support Worker), or are pursuing further studies in relevant areas.
We take applications on a rolling basis with monthly cohorts!
You can ask us questions via recruitment@overcome.org.uk - note that this role is fully remote and our recruitment team responds to inquiries from Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm UK time.
Responsibilities
1st Month
Full-time Intensive Training
Engage in full-time intensive training covering motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy and acceptance commitment therapy.
Diverse Learning Activities
Learning activities include live workshops, self-study, quizzes, one-to-one/group roleplays, and assessments.
2nd and 3rd Month
Client Work
~90% of interns pass training to support real clients. They keep track of client sessions and update their supervisor. They also attend weekly peer supervision and ~monthly clinical supervision with a qualified counsellor/therapist.
Opportunities
Other opportunities include training future cohorts, completing recruitment role-plays to recruit future interns, conducting research, managing your own project in mental health, etc.
Post-Internship Opportunities
-
70% of our alumni continue volunteering with us to see clients at flexible hours.
-
2% chance of full-time employment at a competitive salary.
-
Some clients may pay for extended coaching sessions, mutually agreed between you and the client. You keep all the money and get paid by them directly.
What We're Looking For
Required
Passion
Strong interest in psychotherapy, counselling, and/or clinical psychology.
Language Proficiency
Fluency in English.
Commitment
Ability to commit full-time (~30 hours per week) for the full duration of the internship.
Financial Independence
Can fund your own living expenses. We provide no salary or stipend.
Soft Skills
Good under pressure. Fast learner. Charismatic.
Desirable
Majority of our applicants have relevant experience but this is not required.
Degree
2:1 Psychology degree or an MSc conversion degree.
Certifications
Relevant certifications in Psychotherapy or Counselling.
Client-Facing Experience
Experience in supporting others' mental health.
Recruitment Process
Three rounds of selection to accept the Top 5% of applicants:
CV Screening (90% pass rate)
To check that you'll be available for the internship and are aware of what you're applying for.
Theory Quiz (30% pass rate)
We'll share materials for you to study, then you'll complete a short quiz before the deadline.
Roleplay (30% pass rate)
You'll put the theory into action by completing a mock client session.
Please note that:
-
Successful applicants will be onboarded around one week before the start date.
-
If you reached the roleplay stage but is unsuccessful, we aim to provide tailored feedback by the latest one week after the start date of the cohort you applied for.
-
On average, applicants complete the roleplay assessment twice before getting accepted.
Testimonials
Abdullah Ahmad Dar
In the internship period, I have learnt more about myself and how I can grow than I would have in any internship experience.
Alice Carli
In a few months, Overcome has provided me with more useful clinical experience than three years studying Psychology at university.
Alyssa Sotelo
I'm so glad that I joined Overcome for the experience, but also for the friends.
Crystal Liyadi
Overcome internship is a BIG stepping stone as I build a career in clinical psychology.
Drew Horrobin
My time working at Overcome has changed the way I communicate with friends, those in need, and myself.
Linka Lin
I've gained invaluable insights and practical experience in mental health, solidifying my decision to pursue this career.
Magalie Eid
This internship prepared me for the next job opportunity I will be applying for, which is an assistant psychologist position.
Mohammed Usman
My time at Overcome was incredibly rewarding, both personally and professionally.
Niamh Somodi-Spence
Overcome has by far given me the best practical experience of the many volunteering positions I have been involved in.
Soraya Da Silva Barros
In three months, Overcome gave me a taste of my dream profession as a Clinical Psychologist, and has definitely strengthened my passion for Psychology.
Aditi Ratra
This internship has been immensely more impactful than all the work experiences I've had during my three years of undergraduate studies.
Alicia Ang
Overcome provided me with the invaluable opportunity to grow and excel, not just academically but also personally and professionally.
Amy Lynn Degner
This internship has provided me with my first practical clinical experience and has helped me become a confident coach.
David Boudville
Four months at Overcome taught me more about CBT than an entire university course did.
Jasmine Leffman
Overcome has provided me with invaluable experience and confidence in the world of therapy.
Lynn Wacu
In the three months, Overcome has made me a competent coach.
Michele Mollentz
The level and depth of the knowledge base in mental health was truly informative and life-changing.
Monika Rybak
In these four months I have gained a lot of confidence in my abilities.
Nishaa Sivalingathasan
Overcome does exactly what it's called overcoming personal, professional, and social goals to help you grow.
Tatiana Garcia
From this internship I gained unrivalled experience, new friends, and support for my professional aspirations.
Akhila Mahadevan
I gained more knowledge in four months at Overcome than I did at university.
Alize Marsh
In four months Overcome has developed my skills, helped my confidence, and pushed my ambitions.
Carolina Bosco
Overcome is an amazing opportunity for anyone who is struggling with the job search and really wants to start practicing what they've learned during their studies.
Dominic White
I have learnt a huge amount from the Overcome team, and from clients I have worked with.
Laura Bailey
Overcome has not only changed our clients' lives positively, but my life completely.
Maarab Zaheer
This internship has not only strengthened my skills as a Mental Health Coach but has also deeply enriched my personal growth.
Milly Mak
Overcome gave me the practical experience and boosted my confidence in therapeutic skills.
Nandinee Rajkhowa
In these three months, Overcome has helped me gain confidence in myself and shown me my unique strengths as a future practitioner.
Ria Shoker
The Overcome Community strengthened my skills, knowledge, and confidence in the field of clinical psychology.
Uzmaa Mohammed Aijaz
At my time at Overcome, it made me realize that I can pursue a clinical aspect and see people and help them out.
-
What is Overcome?Overcome is a UK-registered charity (Charity Number: 1191308) providing one-to-one, online coaching to anyone globally, especially those from developing countries.
-
What does Overcome do?We deliver a one-to-one, online 6-session coaching programme to anyone for free. The programme helps empower behaviour change and treat common mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, phobias). Many clients report their lives improving by 2 out of 10 after Session 6.
-
What is the commitment required?Our Clinical Psychology Internship is a remote, unpaid full-time role for three months. Interns first receive one month of intensive training, then support clients for two months. They’ll start with easier clients and work their way up.
-
What if I'm thinking of a placement year or a longer work experience?Overcome is a trusted placement provider with dozens of universities. If you’re considering doing your placement year with Overcome or completing work experience for longer than three months, please email recruitment@overcome.org.uk to inquire.
-
What if I can't do a full-time internship right now?If you’re unable to complete a full-time internship at this time, we’re currently piloting a course that gives you the exact same training and clearance to see clients, but it can be completed part-time (minimum of four hours per week on average, breaks permitted). If you’re interested, please email recruitment@overcome.org.uk.
-
How does the training work?For the first four weeks, interns undergo full-time training in multiple therapy modalities, including Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (graded exposure and CBT for insomnia), and Acceptance Commitment Therapy. The programme incorporates a mix of live workshops (usually in the morning and often recorded), role-plays in the afternoon, self-directed study (recordings, readings, quizzes), and assessments. On top of the live workshops, each day requires around four hours of availability for role-plays, which are scheduled flexibly around the intern’s schedule. Assessments occur at the end of Week 1 and Week 3 to prepare interns for real client sessions. A typical day might include a one-hour workshop, a short cohort meeting, and two role-play sessions spread through the afternoon. If an intern needs to be away for one to two days, they should inform the training team and catch up upon return; assessments can be shifted accordingly. However, those missing the entire Week 1 training are strongly encouraged to defer, as historical data shows 80% of interns who start from Week 2 struggle to catch up with Week 1’s material.
-
Tell me more about what happens after training?After completing training, interns at Overcome work with clients from around the globe, tailoring their caseloads based on their comfort and availability. Interns receive robust support through supervision, including: Peer Supervision: Weekly group sessions led by an experienced Overcome staff member. Interns are expected to attend, share cases for broader discussions, or contribute to the group’s learning. Clinical Supervision: Irregular group sessions with a qualified psychotherapist, counsellor, or supervisor. These sessions occur approximately every month, depending on the supervisor’s availability, and spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. When requesting leave, Overcome is highly flexible and transparent. Interns are expected to inform clients and the team well in advance. If necessary, clients can be reassigned to another coach to ensure consistent support during the intern's absence.
-
What are the other opportunities?At Overcome, interns have the chance to tailor their experience and explore various opportunities beyond client work, including: Recruitment: Serve as an assessor for role-play assessments to help recruit future interns. Training: Take on a senior coach role, providing feedback to new interns during their training. Triaging: Shadow screening meetings for higher-risk clients to gain insight into clinical decision-making. Outreach: Assist with recruiting clients or participants for studies. Running Your Own Mental Health Projects Interns with a passion for supporting specific communities can propose their own mental health projects. Overcome provides guidance, helps recruit participants, and connects interns with relevant resources. For example, past interns have successfully organised peer support groups for targeted communities. Exclusive Opportunities with the United Nations As a partner of the United Nations Development Programme, Overcome offers unique chances to collaborate with the UN. Interns may co-facilitate events or join programs supporting the mental health of marginalized young people globally.
-
What happens when I finish the internship?At the end of the internship, a 30-minute post-internship meeting will be held with each intern to discuss: Feedback on the training and internship experience Updates on their current clients Whether they wish to continue volunteering with Overcome Around 70% of alumni choose to continue volunteering with Overcome, enjoying the flexibility of setting their own hours. For those who continue, there may be opportunities to work with clients who pay for extended coaching sessions. These arrangements are mutually agreed upon between the intern and the client, with interns keeping 100% of the payment, as clients pay them directly.
-
What are the job prospects after the internship?~80% of our alumni have got paid roles in mental health (e.g., Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, Assistant Psychologists, Support Worker), or are pursuing further studies in relevant areas. 2% chance of full-time employment at Overcome at a competitive salary. We’re a small start-up charity and can only hire the best interns. Please do not expect guaranteed full-time employment following the internship. Our alumni found the internship particularly beneficial to their professional development. “I learnt more during the three-week training at Overcome than my three-year psychology degree”
-
Will this internship give me any references or certificates?Upon request, we can provide a professional reference for your future endeavours. We can issue a certificate of completion after you have passed both low-risk and medium-risk assessments, and have seen at least 5 clients. We’re also planning to issue certificates that highlight different levels of achievement, allowing alumni who continue volunteering with us to be issued a higher level certificate when the corresponding criteria are met.
-
Tell me more about the CV screening?CVs are reviewed to ensure that applicants are: Aged over 18 (We cannot accept any applicants under 18 due to safeguarding reasons) Aware of the role they’re applying for (We consider applicants from all walks of life, although the majority of our applicants have a relevant degree. Rejected CVs often indicate that the applicants are interested in another role instead, e.g., data analyst internship) NOT current full-time students (Since this internship is full-time for three months, we strongly encourage current full-time students to apply for the summer cohorts starting in June/July instead, or to take the part-time course we’re piloting)
-
Tell me more about the Theory Quiz?Shortlisted applicants are emailed a 20-minute quiz link alongside study materials. Applicants are encouraged to study the materials in great depth and learn from additional resources (e.g., readings, videos). Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a role-play assessment where they put the theory into action. Applicants who performed less competitively in the quiz will be encouraged to re-apply for future cohorts.
-
Tell me more about the role-play assessment?The role-play assessment involves the shortlisted applicants acting as the coach of a given mock client profile. The mock client will be portrayed by an assessor who completed the Clinical Psychology Intern training. Applicants are expected to utilise knowledge learnt from the theory quiz in a natural conversation with the mock client. Assessors will jot notes on the applicants’ performance and record the role-play assessments. These will be further reviewed by the HR team and staff members running the internship programme before final hiring decisions are made. Applicants often complete the role-play assessment multiple times before they get accepted onto the programme. We can provide tailored feedback to applicants who completed the role-play assessment but were not accepted in the end.
-
Tell me more about onboarding?Successful applicants will be emailed a list of onboarding tasks (e.g., signing volunteer agreement, setting up accounts on tech platforms that Overcome uses) around one week before start date. We can only accept a fixed number of applicants but we often have an overwhelming number of exceptional applicants. Some exceptional applicants may be added to a waitlist, or invited to join the next available cohort instead. Successful applicants will have two days to respond to the offer and complete the onboarding tasks. Our HR team will remind the applicants via email and/or telephone and/or LinkedIn. If our HR team does not receive a response before the deadline, the offer will be withdrawn and provided to the next applicant on the waitlist. After completing the onboarding tasks, interns will be added to the relevant communication channels. The detailed training schedule, meeting invites, and resources for Day 1 will be shared on the weekend before.