Student Practice Experiences
Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH) is dedicated to providing comprehensive training opportunities in the public behavioral health field, including a wide range of exposure to clinical experiences in assessment, intervention and case management. Students will work within an integrated, multi-disciplinary, community-based behavioral health system. We pride ourselves in the design of our program which provides comprehensive clinical experiences, excellent supervision and supplemental seminars.
VCBH recognizes the importance in promoting the development of the workforce and in the delivery of training for all staff and contracted providers involved in the behavioral health system. Learning opportunities are instilled with the practice of cultural and linguistic competency, wellness, recovery and resiliency. The goal of VCBH is to develop training opportunities that emphasize cultural perspectives that make up our communities, and that increase knowledge and sensitivity, clinical skills and competencies, as well as quality care for those we serve.
2026-2027 OPPORTUNITIES
The focus and priority will remain on providing learning opportunities for students who attend local educational institutions and who are interested in pursuing careers in the field of public behavioral health. Educational experiences are open only to students enrolled in required coursework at universities with which there is an updated and current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). VCBH is appreciative of the following partnerships:
Ventura County Community College District; California Lutheran University; California State University, Long Beach; California State University, Northridge; California State University, Channel Islands; California State University, San Bernardino; California State University, Dominguez Hills; Antioch University; University of Southern California; The Chicago School of Professional Psychology; San Jose State University; Capella; Touro; Mount St. Mary’s.
Educational Partnership Recruitment:
Given current capacity, additional educational partnership opportunities are not available at this time. Should additional opportunities become available following Spring interviews, this website will be updated at that time.
PSYCHOLOGY PRE-DOCTORAL INTERNSHIP
Currently, Ventura County Behavioral Health does not offer clinical training for Pre-Doctoral Interns. Post-Doctoral opportunities are provided within the department in the form of employment.
Employment opportunities may be accessed via the Ventura County Human Resources website at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ventura. The job classification is: Staff Psychologist.
DOCTORAL PRACTICUM
Ventura County Behavioral Health provides doctoral-level practicum opportunities in an outpatient public sector setting for PhD/PsyD students enrolled in a graduate PhD/PsyD program with which VCBH has an active MOU.
Advanced students with previous mental health experience and/or previous practicum hours are given priority in the recruitment process, given the Level of Care of services provided at VCBH.
A nine-month minimum commitment is required, commencing in the Fall, with a minimum of 16 hours/week.
Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year are now available. The deadline for Round One applications is January 3, 2026. A second round of applications may be available if learning opportunities remain after Round 1 – the deadline for Round 2 applications is February 3, 2026.
Doctoral Practicum Application Link 2026-2027
PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER CLINICAL TRAINING
Currently, there are no openings for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner training positions. For any questions about possible future opportunities, you can contact VCBH.Internships@ventura.org.
MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK STUDENT
Ventura County Behavioral Health provides learning opportunities in a variety of outpatient clinics and programs located throughout the County of Ventura for Master of Social Work (MSW) students enrolled in a graduate MSW program with which VCBH has an active MOU.
Placements begin in the Fall semester and require a two-semester commitment (minimum: 16 hours/week).
Applications will be accepted through February 2026, and interviews will be offered in March/April 2026, with placement notification by May 1, 2026.
Associate Clinic Social Worker (ACSW) opportunities are provided within the department in the form of employment. Employment opportunities may be accessed via the Ventura County Human Resources website at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ventura. The job classification is: Behavioral Health Clinician I/II or Intensive Services Clinician I/II.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY OR PROFESSIONAL CLINICAL COUNSELING TRAINEESHIP
VCBH provides traineeship opportunities in a variety of outpatient clinics and programs located throughout the County of Ventura for students enrolled in graduate Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) or Professional Clinical Counseling (PCC) programs with which VCBH has an active MOU. The department follows all state licensing regulations and educational requirements.
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) or Associate Professional Clinical Counseling (APCC) opportunities are provided within the department in the form of employment. Employment opportunities may be accessed via the Ventura County Human Resources website at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ventura. The job classification is: Behavioral Health Clinician I/II or Intensive Services Clinician I/II.
Traineeships begin in the Fall semester with a nine-month minimum commitment requirement (minimum: 16 hours/week).
Applications will be accepted through February 2026, and interviews will be offered in March/April 2026, with placement notification by May 1, 2026.
MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATE STUDENT
The program, offered by VCBH, is dedicated to enhancing the learning experience for students currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program with which VCBH has an active MOU. Students receive experience and training in public mental health services, comprehensive clinical experiences, excellent supervision and supplemental seminars and workshops.
This learning opportunity is only available for students at the Junior or Senior level, majoring in Psychology, Sociology, or other behavioral health field and are enrolled in university required coursework.
Placements begin in the Fall semester with a nine-month minimum commitment requirement (16 hours/week).
Applications will be accepted through February 2026 and interviews will be offered in March/April 2026, with placement notification by May 1, 2026.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKER STUDENT
The practicum program, offered by VCBH, is dedicated to providing comprehensive training opportunities, integrated clinical experience, excellent supervision and quality supplemental seminars and workshops.
All students must be currently enrolled in a field experience course in an Addictive Disorders Studies or Substance Abuse Counseling program at a school with which VCBH has an active MOU. Students must have completed the minimum pre-requisite courses.
A two-semester commitment is required, with a minimum of 300 hours (16 hours/week).
NOTE: VCBH is not accepting Behavioral Health Worker practicum students in academic year 2026-2027.
