How to Start Your Mental Health Career with Psychology
Internships in Delhi
Embarking on a mental health career begins
with real-world, first-hand exposure - something textbooks alone can’t provide.
An internship in psychology offering
pathways to build clinical proficiency, confidence, and a future in mental
health will be an ideal place to start. These placements, especially in clinical psychology training, equip
students with the practical tools needed for a successful career as well as
myth-busting (it is not all that glamorous!).
Why
Internships Are Essential for a Mental Health Career
Bridging
academic knowledge with real‑world and real-time experience
Universities and colleges equip you
with theories, but internships
reveal how those theories play out in clinics and hospitals. You observe live
cases from anxiety and depression to substance use disorders and learn direct
interventions. Hands‑on exposure transforms textbook knowledge into client‑centered
care.
Building
clinical skills, confidence, and professionalism
Internships let you practice
assessments (like BDI, MOCA, T-tests), formulate case histories, attend therapy
sessions, and receive guidance from licensed clinical psychologists. Through
supervised interaction, your interview and rapport-building skills grow, while
your self-assurance and professional demeanor—and ethics—are honed.
Gaining
exposure to diverse cases and therapeutic approaches
Delhi’s rich mental health ecosystem
spanning major hospitals, NGOs, research bodies, and helplines offers varied
client demographics. You’ll learn to integrate different therapeutic
approaches: CBT, group therapy, child counseling, crisis management,
psychometrics, and more.
Types
of Psychology Internships Available in Delhi
Clinical
psychology internships (hospitals, clinics)
Major institutions like VIMHANS, and
IHBAS offer placements within psychiatry and psychology departments. For
example, VIMHANS provides academic and training programs in online/ hybrid models for students and
young professionals. The duration and levels of exposure within VIMHANS varies
according to the student’s qualifications. A standard structured 4-week clinical
psychology internship includes rotations through OPD, IPD, and rehab, along
with detailed supervision, case presentations and workshops covering holistic
aspects of mental healthcare. (for more details, kindly contact the academic
coordinator)
Research-based
internships in mental health settings
Institutions like IHBAS (in
partnership with Delhi University) and NIMHANS (in Bangalore) offer
research-focused roles, allowing students to assist in assessments, data
collection, and literature review.
Virtual
internships – pros and cons
Online internships allow remote
learning, access to webinars, and digital case-discussions with flexible
schedules. However, they can lack adequate in-person client interaction and
nuanced experiential learning.
What
to Look for in a Good Psychology Internship
Supervision
by licensed professionals
Interning under registered and
experienced psychologists or psychiatrists ensures safe, structured learning
and adherence to ethical guidelines.
Hands‑on
exposure to assessments, therapy sessions, case discussions
Seek placements offering active
participation: conducting interviews, assisting with assessments, attending
therapy sessions, and contributing to case presentations.
Certification,
feedback, and learning outcomes
A valuable internship offers formal
certification, thorough feedback from supervisors, and clearly defined
competencies e.g., clinical interview training, psychological testing, case
concept formulation.
Alignment
with your long‑term career path
Choose internships that reflect your
professional goals—whether in clinical, counseling, child, forensic, or
research psychology.
Psychology
Internships at VIMHANS Hospital
Clinical
Exposure under trained psychologists & psychiatrists
VIMHANS, headquartered in Nehru
Nagar since 1987, is a leading non-government mental health institution in
Delhi. Its comprehensive clinical psychology internship includes structured
rotations (OPD, IPD, daycare), complimentary workshops, and opportunities to
attend multi-disciplinary case discussions.
Casestudy
learning, role‑plays, group therapy observation
Interns observe live case
assessments, take part in role-play exercises, and participate in structured
case discussions and group therapy sessions valuable for translating theory
into practice.
Multidisciplinary
team involvement: psychology, psychiatry, dietetics, social work
VIMHANS features collaboration
across mental health disciplines: psychology, psychiatry, dietetics,
occupational rehabilitation, arts therapies, and outreach. This helps interns
learn holistic care in a real-world context.
Certificate
of completion + guidance on future specialisations
The internship culminates in a
certificate and includes mentorship on career paths in clinical psychology,
counseling, child/adolescent mental health, etc., often guided by senior
clinicians.
Tips
to Make the Most of Your Internship
Ask
questions, observe ethically, reflect regularly
Be proactive—ask clarifying
questions, understand consent and confidentiality protocols, and maintain
ethical boundaries. Regularly reflect to connect academic learning with
real-world experiences.
Network
with peers and professionals
Connect with supervisors and fellow
interns to build a supportive professional network. Engage in events,
workshops, and seminars for broader exposure.
Keep
a journal or portfolio of cases and learnings
Maintain a private log of case
insights, assessments, interventions, workshop learnings, and reflections. This
will not only aid learning but also serve as a great resource when building a
professional portfolio.
Start
Strong, Grow with Purpose
Choosing the right psychology
internship is about laying a robust foundation for your mental health career.
Look for placements that align with your academic stage, offer supervised
clinical exposure, multidimensional learning, and are led by committed
professionals.
Institutions like VIMHANS lead this space
in Delhi not just offering experiential learning but also fostering mentorship
and career growth. By choosing thoughtfully and engaging actively, your
internship won’t just be a credential—it’ll be your launchpad into meaningful
work in psychology and mental health.
“Psychology internships in Delhi”
provide a fertile ground to:
- Bridge the gap
between classroom and clinical practice
- Develop therapeutic competence and ethical professionalism
- Expose you
to varied mental health presentations
- Guide your career
toward clinical, counseling, or research-based trajectories
Whether it’s clinical rotations at VIMHANS,
counseling placements with NGOs, or hybrid research internships, aspiring
psychologists in Delhi are spoiled for choice. Choose a program that fits your
goals, engage deeply, and let your internship be the stepping stone to a
purposeful mental health career.
Begin by researching application
details, reaching out via email or visits, and preparing a simple resume
highlighting your academic background, prior experience, and career goals. Dive
in with curiosity, reflection, and commitment—your journey in mental health
starts today!