Internships

The Wendt Center is committed to the training of graduate student interns pursuing mental health degrees. Our interns have come from a variety of universities from around the country including: Bryn Mawr College, Catholic University of America, George Washington University, Howard University, Johns Hopkins University, Loyola College, Texas Women’s University, University of Colorado, University of Maryland, Marymount University, University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University.

The clinical intern field experience at the Wendt Center is unique. Each intern develops an individualized learning plan with their assigned field instructor that may include the following experiences at one or more of our three sites: NW, SE and NE:

Individual or family therapy with children, teens, parents and/or adults
Work at the DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) providing support to families who come to complete the identification process of a deceased loved one
Co-facilitating groups for children and/or adults with an experienced grief therapist
Volunteering at Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin, our free, sleep-away weekend grief camp for young people between the ages of 6-16
Working closely with a Wendt Center clinician on a training/education workshop related to loss, grief and trauma
Completing a student project corresponding to the work and needs of the Wendt Center.

The macro intern experience may include:

Working closely with the Center's Executive Director regarding policy and program development
Grant and proposal writing
Program evaluations
Working closely with the Development Director on fundraising

Field instructors are committed to providing a weekly in-depth individual supervision, in addition to as needed supervision during the week. The Center supports the professional development of both the interns and clinical staff through in-services, clinical meetings, and group supervision. Interns also meet weekly as a peer group.

If you are interested in learning more about our intern program or would like to apply, please contact the Intern Coordinator, Grace Metz, at 202-204-5014 or .

Wendt Center Interns – 2011-2012

Bethany Mahler (The George Washington University) worked in the field of intern $Description: C:\Documents and Settings\cpearson\Desktop\INTERN Staff Pic Folder\Bethany.jpg$ ational development before deciding to focus her career on mental health counseling. She has greatly enjoyed her experience at the Wendt Center, where she has been inspired by the strength and resilience of clients dealing with grief and trauma. In the future, she hopes to combine her professional areas of interest and work on trauma-healing programs in post-conflict areas.

$Description: C:\Documents and Settings\cpearson\Desktop\INTERN Staff Pic Folder\Lynda.jpg$ Lynda Martin-McCormick (Loyola University, MS in Pastoral Counseling) was a fundraiser for more than 20 years before deciding to change careers. That was in 2006. In May, 2012 she will celebrate her graduation. She hopes to continue working at the crossroads of trauma and loss. “I have seen that grieving is a marathon but not a race; we need to pace ourselves andto be patient.I am honored to be with clients for part of their way,” says Lynda.

$Description: C:\Documents and Settings\cpearson\Desktop\INTERN Staff Pic Folder\Juliet 2.jpg$ Juliet Kline (Catholic University) will graduate in May 2012 with her Master's in Social Work. She has previously worked as a social work intern in the D.C. public school system, and her internship this year has provided her with an opportunity to grow, and learn more about the impact which grief and trauma has in the lives of community members. She believes that, "Loss is a part of every individual's life, and I believe it is crucial to honor the complex dynamics which are involved in losing a loved one. Beyond death, there are so many changes in our lives which we absorb as losses, and recognizing these experiences as a loss is critical part of being able to develop a deeper understanding about them."

$Description: C:\Documents and Settings\cpearson\Desktop\INTERN Staff Pic Folder\Elizabeth.jpg$ Liz Kelly (Catholic University of America) is pursuing her Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work as a second career. She will graduate in May 2012. Liz became interested in grief counseling after the death of her own father at age 14. She feels honored to be able to accompany others on their own journeys of loss, transition, healing, and growth at The Wendt Center for Loss and Healing. Liz looks forward to staying in the DC area and continuing to grow within the social work profession.

$Description: C:\Documents and Settings\cpearson\Desktop\INTERN Staff Pic Folder\Iyamida.jpg$ Iyamide House (John Hopkins University) is graduating with a Masters of Science degree in the Clinical Counseling program. Iyamide became interested in counseling after working for several years as a behavioral interventionist implementing the full service model at a turnaround school in northeast DC. This work compelled her to want to learn more and do more for the population she was working with everyday. The link between psychological well being and success is severely overlooked and Iyamide is driven to help others understand this. Iyamide truly believes that grief is a natural and instinctive part of every persons life and that with the proper training, therapy is a powerful tool for empowering others through this journey.

Wendt Center Interns – 2010-2011

Mick Neustadt, Maya Mitchell, Jeremy Hube, Megan Ganley, Ann Morrison, Yonce Shelton, Chantal Cardon, Mikelle Mooney and Elizabeth Gomart

The Wendt Center would like to introduce our Winter 2010/Spring 2011 Interns! Most are graduates or will be graduating in May 2011. We are fortunate to have them.

Ann Morrison (National Catholic School of Social Services) is pursuing her MSW on a part-time basis as a second career. Ann states that "grief and healing are an inherent component of life and impact everyone at some point. It is a privilege to accompany someone on their journey as they make meaning of a loss in a way that helps them to grow and reconnect with life."

Maya Mitchell (The George Washington University) will graduate in May 2011. Maya was drawn to counseling as the result of the death of her own mother when she was 16. She saw many ways in which the counseling experience she had could be enhanced and improved and vowed to become for others the kind of counselor that she would like to have had herself.

Chantal Cardon (The George Washington University). After graduating, Chantal would like to work in a hospital with chronically ill children and their families. After teaching 5th and 6th graders, she saw that there was a need to help children with their psychological and emotional needs. Chantal feels that it is important for grieving individuals to have a place where they feel safe to be open and vulnerable with a person that will listen and help hold the pain.

Yonce Shelton (Loyola University) is pursuing an MS in Pastoral Counseling. His goal is to offer comfort to those seeking meaning and healing. He states that the Wendt Center’s counseling program has taught him about the power of sharing and the power of tears. His advice to future interns? "You will struggle at times, laugh at times, be wowed at times; but, be patient with your ability to help clients do the same."

Mick Neustadt (Catholic University, MSW) was a teacher and coach before making the change to social work. His desire is to work with people one-on-one in small groups, to help them gain insight and to help them make positive change in their lives. Since coming to the Wendt Center, he has worked with people of all ages and is living his dream of helping people to transform their grief. "Trust the process of therapy and the certainty of uncertainty," says Mick.

Megan Ganley (The George Washington University) is pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She will graduate in May 2011. She worked in the pediatric oncology research field but wanted something more. She says, “My time at the Wendt Center has been an immensely rewarding and wonderful experience. I plan to stay connected to the Center after my internship is over.”

Mikelle Miles-Mooney (Johns Hopkins University) is pursuing a Master's degree in Clinical Community Counseling. She has had experience working with at-risk youth, both here in the US and overseas, and hopes to continue to provide therapeutic services to children and youth as her career in the counseling field progresses. While at the Wendt Center, Mikelle has had the opportunity to work with many people and families through crisis counseling at the OCME, as well as with clients at the Wendt Center's NE office.

Elizabeth Gomart (The George Washington University) will be graduating in May with a Master's in Education and Human Development, Clinical Mental Health Counseling track. Eliza has provided counseling services to individual adults, children and teens and their families, and co-led groups. In her first career, Eliza worked for 12 years as a social scientist conducting national qualitative studies for the World Bank on poverty, social exclusion and youth at risk issues. Eliza completed a training in body psychotherapy and is particularly interested in the body/mind connection and plans to continue to develop her skills in trauma and grief treatment with individuals and groups.

Jeremy Hube (Mary Washington College) is pursuing his Master’s degree in Social Work. “Working at the Wendt Center has been the realization of years of scholastic work. The cliché is always to find what you're good at, what you enjoy, and then do that to make a living. Working directly with people who are struggling to live their lives to the fullest has always come rather easily to me. I find it touching every time someone sits down in a room with me and feels that they can begin to unburden themselves with my assistance."