15 Psychology Internships for Undergraduates in Seattle

Internships are one of the most effective ways to strengthen your professional profile as a college student. By completing an internship, you add relevant experience to your resume, demonstrate initiative, and gain exposure to professional expectations within your field. This experience can improve your employability by showing future employers that you have the skills needed. If you are interested in psychology, internships allow you to explore clinical settings, research labs, community mental health organizations, and behavioral health services. You can observe how psychological theories are applied while gaining familiarity with documentation, ethical standards, and client interaction protocols. These internships also give you examples to reference in personal statements and interviews.

Why should I do a psychology internship as an undergraduate?

A psychology internship gives you exposure to professional environments where mental health services, behavioral research, or counseling support are delivered. This experience strengthens your resume by demonstrating engagement with the field. You will develop skills such as case documentation, research assistance, data collection, and professional communication. Internships also allow you to build relationships with supervisors who may later provide letters of recommendation for graduate school. In addition, you gain insight into different psychology career pathways, which can help clarify whether you are interested in clinical psychology, counseling, research, or applied behavioral roles.

To help you focus your search, we’ve narrowed down our list to the 15 best psychology internships for undergraduates in Seattle, including both in-person and virtual opportunities.

1. The Andy Center Clinical Summer Internship

Location: Capitol Hill neighborhood, Seattle, WA
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 30–40 interns
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduates with introductory coursework in psychology, education, or medicine; U.S. citizens or permanent residents

The Clinical Summer Internship at the Andy Center is a seven-week, full-time clinical training program centered on evidence-based interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. The program begins with structured training in areas such as applied behavior analysis, pivotal response treatment, social skills interventions, data-based outcome monitoring, and the etiology of neurodevelopmental conditions. Following the training phase, you participate in a supervised clinical intervention program and work directly with children under the guidance of licensed psychologists, physicians, and board-certified behavior analysts. Your responsibilities include implementing behavioral interventions, collecting and analyzing treatment data, and contributing to ongoing clinical programming. 

2. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 25%; around 100 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks

The Ladder University Internship Program is an eight-week virtual internship designed for undergraduate students to complete a structured project with a startup or organization. As a psychology undergraduate, your project may relate to areas such as mental health services, behavioral research, or wellness initiatives, depending on the host organization. You contribute approximately 5–10 hours per week to assigned responsibilities connected to your project scope. Tasks may include reviewing academic literature, supporting research efforts, analyzing data, drafting written materials, or assisting with program development. You meet regularly with a supervisor to discuss progress and submit defined deliverables. The internship concludes with a final presentation of your completed work. Apply now!

3. Brave Seattle — Brave Explorers Internship

Location: West Seattle
Stipend: Paid and unpaid options available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 15–25 interns 
Dates: Core Internship:Late May – late August (3.5 months); Mandatory Training: July 7–8; Lead-in Sessions: July 17 – August 12; Camp Week: August 10 – 14
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in Psychology, Speech-Language Pathology, Education, or Social Work

The Brave Seattle Internship Program is a multi-month placement within a behavioral health clinic serving children and families in the Seattle area. As an undergraduate student in psychology, education, or a related field, you contribute to clinic operations while observing how therapeutic services are delivered. Your responsibilities may include preparing session materials, assisting with behavioral support activities, completing administrative tasks, and supporting staff under supervision. The program introduces you to the clinic’s therapeutic approaches and service model through training and guided participation. Depending on clinic needs and your level of readiness, your work may extend beyond administrative responsibilities to supervised involvement in clinical support activities.

4. ADAI Summer Internship Program

Location: West Seattle
Stipend: Approximately $5,290
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; limited cohort sizes
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: UW undergraduates who will be actively enrolled during the summer 

The Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute (ADAI) Internship Program at the University of Washington offers a research-focused placement centered on substance use, addiction, and public health. As an undergraduate student, you contribute to ongoing research projects by assisting with literature reviews, data organization, information synthesis, and other project-based tasks under staff supervision. The internship introduces you to research methods used in addiction science and public health inquiry. Work may involve reviewing academic sources, preparing research summaries, supporting survey or data-related activities, and assisting with educational or resource development projects. The role does not involve clinical treatment or direct counseling services.

5. SPARQ Program – Seattle Children’s Research Institute

Location: Virtual
Stipend: $7,100
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 10–15 students
Dates: June 15 – August 14
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: Rising second- or third-year students enrolled in a community college or university in the greater Seattle area; 18+ and have an SSN/ITIN.

The SPARQ program at the Seattle Children’s Research Institute is a nine-week, full-time summer research opportunity focused on pediatric pain and neurologic health, with relevance to psychology and behavioral science. You are matched with a faculty mentor from Seattle Children’s Research Institute or the University of Washington and work on a mentored research project examining areas such as clinical pain outcomes, pediatric pain research, translational neuroscience, and community health research in pain and neurologic health. Many projects explore how biological, cognitive, emotional, and social factors interact to influence pain perception and health outcomes. You attend weekly SPARQ seminars as well as lab meetings and research center seminars connected to your mentor’s work. 

6. Active Minds Internships

Location: Virtual
Stipend: $18/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies by department needs
Dates: Fall (September – December); Spring (January – April); Summer (June – July)
Application Deadline: Varies as per cycle
Eligibility: Undergraduate students residing in the U.S.

The Active Minds Internship Program at Active Minds is a remote, part-time opportunity that supports national mental health advocacy and nonprofit operations. You work approximately 20 hours per week during the internship cycle and are placed within a specific team, such as communications, programs, development, or chapter engagement. Your responsibilities may include drafting content, assisting with campaign materials, organizing program resources, supporting outreach efforts, or contributing to internal research and administrative projects. You participate in team meetings and collaborate with staff members as part of ongoing organizational initiatives.

7. American Psychological Association (APA) Internships

Location: Virtual
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Acceptance varies by department; 1–2 students per department
Dates: Spring: January – May; Summer: June – August; Fall: September – December
Application Deadline: Spring: November 1; Summer: March 1; Fall: June 1
Eligibility: Students enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution, eligible to work in the U.S., residing in states where APA is registered as an employer

The APA internship opportunities are structured internships offered by the American Psychological Association that allow students and early-career learners to engage with professional work in psychology, science, and related fields within a major psychological association. These internships involve contributing to ongoing projects that support APA’s mission to advance psychological science, education, and practice. You may work in areas such as research synthesis, science communication, digital strategy, public interest initiatives, or organizational psychology. You participate in tasks that may include conducting literature reviews, assisting with content development, supporting data or analytical work, proofreading, or editing materials to APA style standards.

8. UW Autism Center – Apex Summer Camp Clinical Internship

Location: Seattle, Washington
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; over 40 graduate and undergraduate students 
Dates: July 6–31
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Undergraduates with introductory college coursework in psychology, medicine, or education

The UW Autism Center APEX Summer Camp internship is a hands-on training program where you help children with autism and ADHD build social and behavioral skills. You will cover essential topics like applied behavior analysis, the causes of neurodevelopmental disabilities, and social skills training. During the camp phase, you will guide children through recreational activities, write daily behavioral reports, and practice clinical intervention techniques. The program allows you to deliver therapy in a natural, real-world summer camp environment instead of a standard clinical office. Ultimately, you will learn skills such as managing challenging behaviors, applying pivotal response treatment, and working effectively alongside an interdisciplinary healthcare team.

9. Seattle Children’s BAM (Behavior and Attention Management) Program Practicum

Location: Seattle, WA (Seattle Children's Hospital with Hybrid/Remote options)
Stipend: None 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 6–10 students annually 
Dates: Typically aligned with university quarters/semesters
Application Deadline: Rolling from January to April
Eligibility: Undergraduate (BASW) and Graduate (MSW, MA, PhD, PsyD) students

The Behavior and Attention Management (BAM) Practicum is a training program where you help families manage children with disruptive behaviors like ADHD. You will explore topics including navigating levels of care, patient systems, public policy impacts, social justice, and clinical process improvement. You will enroll patients into high-acuity programs, connect families to local community resources, assist with crisis phone calls, and observe clinical consultations. The program's unique feature is its strict focus on caregiver training, meaning you will work directly with parents instead of treating the children.

10. Sound Behavioral Health – WISe Internship Program

Location: Greater Seattle Area, Washington
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; about 60 interns quarterly across all its programs
Dates: Flexible Spring or Fall start dates (requires a 6 to 12-month commitment)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's degree program (Psychology, Social Work, or similar) and available 20-24 hours per week

The Sound Behavioral Health WISe internship is a hands-on training program where you support local children and youth facing complex mental health challenges. You will learn about topics like crisis intervention, family-centered therapy, and the wraparound care model. During your time, you will manage a small client caseload, work with community agencies, write basic treatment plans, and join weekly team meetings. The program enables you to provide care directly out in the community, meeting families in their homes or schools. You will build practical skills in behavioral assessment, clinical documentation, and client advocacy to help launch your ambitious plans in the psychology field.

11. DSHS Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) Undergraduate Practicum

Location: Washington State (Various regional offices, including the Seattle area, with hybrid options)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies 
Dates: Flexible (Aligned with your school's academic quarter or semester schedule)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Must be enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) or related undergraduate program in good academic standing, needing practicum hours

This practicum gives you hands-on experience in public service and behavioral health right at the state level. You will cover important topics like social work practices, trauma-informed care, and government operations. During the program, you will interview and assist clients, apply your classroom learning to social services, attend professional development workshops, and network with state professionals. The program allows you to work directly within a large state government agency while having the option for a flexible or hybrid schedule. By the end, you will learn practical clinical skills, everyday administrative procedures, and strong communication techniques.

12. Johns Hopkins Medicine – Virtual Genetic Counseling Internship

Location: Virtual
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically 10 interns
Dates: June 5 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in the United States and Canada who have completed two or more years of college

The Johns Hopkins Virtual Genetic Counseling Internship is an online summer program designed for undergraduate students interested in behavioral health and counseling. You will participate in virtual sessions led by genetic counselors, observe case studies, and engage in discussions about patient communication and ethical decision-making. The internship provides exposure to the psychological aspects of health care, including coping strategies, behavioral responses, and counseling techniques. You also attend professional development workshops and mentoring sessions to explore career paths in health psychology and clinical support.

13. MultiCare Behavioral Health / Navos Undergraduate Practicums

Location: Greater Seattle Area (Burien, Lakewood, Puyallup, Auburn)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited slots available based on clinic capacity
Dates: Flexible start dates year-round (requires a 9 to 12-month commitment)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Must be enrolled in an accredited university program with an active MultiCare affiliation agreement

This program places you directly into the daily operations of a major community clinic where you will cover essential clinical topics like outpatient treatment, crisis intervention, substance use disorders, and trauma-informed care. During your placement, you will observe therapy sessions, assist staff with case management, help develop actionable treatment plans, and coordinate resources with professional support teams. The program features an integrated care model, meaning you work closely alongside medical doctors, licensed therapists, and social workers rather than just other students. By the end of your internship, you will learn practical skills in behavioral risk assessment, clinical documentation, and patient advocacy.

14. UW Center for the Study of Health and Risk Behaviors (CSHRB) Research Assistantships

Location: Seattle, WA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies 
Dates: Varies (Usually spans a full academic year or a summer quarter) 
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students 

In this program, you will help run psychology studies that look at why people take health risks or develop addictions. You will cover topics like alcohol use, marijuana use, sexual choices, and mental health struggles in young adults. As a research assistant, you will call and schedule participants, run lab sessions, organize study surveys, and look up research articles. A standout feature of this program is that you get to work directly inside a top medical school lab while earning college credit. Through this work, you will learn practical skills in clear communication, handling data safely, thinking like a scientist, and using psychology software.

15. NAMI Seattle Internships

Location: Seattle, WA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically 2–5 interns per cohort
Dates: Summer: June – September; Fall: September – January; Spring: January – May
Application Deadline: Summer: Late February/March; Fall: July/August; Spring: November/December
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students

At the NAMI Seattle internship program, you explore the work of a nonprofit focused on mental health education and advocacy in the Seattle community. You collaborate with staff to shape an internship that aligns with your interests and the organization’s current projects, with opportunities for undergraduate or graduate students to engage in meaningful tasks within the office. Your responsibilities center on supporting program efforts, advocacy work, research, outreach, or professional projects tied to the organization’s mission. Throughout the internship, you will interact with staff members and observe how a community-based mental health nonprofit operates.

Image source - Brave Seattle logo

Dhruva Bhat

Dhruva Bhat is one of the co-founders of Ladder, and a Harvard College graduate. Dhruva founded Ladder Internships as a DPhil candidate and Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, with a vision to bridge the gap between ambitious students and real-world startup experiences.

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