15 Mental Health Internships for High School Students
If you're a high school student curious about psychology, neuroscience, or helping others through emotional or behavioral challenges, an internship can be a great place to start. Mental health internships for high school students give you early exposure to the field, help you build real skills, and show colleges your intent to explore mental health as a career.
From shadowing therapists to supporting community wellness initiatives, mental health internships for high school students offer opportunities to learn how professionals care for the mind as much as the body. Many programs include mentorship, research experience, or college-style coursework, helping you understand the paths of mental health.
In this list, you’ll find 15 of the best mental health internships for high school students, all designed to help you explore this growing field. Whether you're planning to become a psychologist, social worker, neuroscientist, or just want to learn more about mental health, there’s something here for you.
15 Mental Health Internships for High School Students
1. Inspiring Careers in Mental Health - UT Southwestern
Location: Dallas, Texas
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Dates: 2-week sessions typically scheduled in June
Application Deadline: Typically early February
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grade students
The UT Southwestern High School Student Internship is a two-week summer internship designed to introduce you to the broad range of careers available in mental health. In this experience, you’ll explore different careers in mental health, including psychiatry, social work, neuropsychology, and clinical research. You’ll attend interactive sessions led by professionals and gain early exposure to hospital and lab environments. You’ll complete readings before sessions and participate in discussions that challenge your understanding of mental health care. Whether you're interested in science, psychology, or working with people, this program helps you understand how mental health intersects with each of these areas. The internship also features an online variant.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate: Around 10%
Dates: Multiple cohorts - Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter; upcoming Fall cohort: September 14
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Fall cohort: August 24
Eligibility: High school students (must commit 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks)
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students. In the program, you’ll work with a high-growth start-up in industries like tech, AI/ML, health tech, journalism, marketing, medicine, mental health, and more. Ladder’s startups are backed by Y Combinator, whose founders have experience at companies like Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft. You’ll work closely with your manager and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present your work to the company at the end of the program. Most internships last around 8 weeks and are entirely virtual. Ladder’s start-up partners are typically fast-scaling companies that have raised over $1 million. Here is their application form.
3. Internships at the American Psychological Association (APA)
Location: Remote or in-person at Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Both paid and unpaid (academic credit given) options available
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Eligible to work in the U.S. and reside in a state where APA is registered as an employer | Enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution | Students under 18 must submit a D.C. Work Permit with their application
APA internships offer high school and college students a close-up look at the intersection of psychology and real-world issues. APA internships give you a behind-the-scenes view of how psychology is applied in different fields such as policy, research, or research communication. You’ll support one of their departments, such as education, research, or public interest, by taking on projects aligned with your interests, assisting with literature reviews, administrative work, outreach efforts, or web-based tasks. You will also participate in workshops, discussions, and group projects that enhance your overall learning experience. This opportunity helps you build professional skills while learning how psychology influences real-world decisions.
4. Barrow Neurological Institute - High School Summer Internship
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Stipend: None (Scholarships available)
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: May 30 - July 3
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+
The Barrow Neurological Institute High School Summer Internship is a selective, hands-on research program designed for motivated high school students interested in neuroscience and biomedical sciences. You’ll work with researchers in neuroscience and observe how the brain and nervous system connect to mental health. You will learn lab techniques, review academic research, and assist with real projects. The internship will also help strengthen your ability to read and understand scientific literature. This experience is apt if you're curious about psychology, brain science, or clinical research. It gives you exposure to how professionals work in a top research setting.
5. DOROT - Summer Teen Internship Program
Location: Manhattan and Long Island, NY
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: July 23 – August 14
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The DOROT Summer Teen Internship Program is a four-week community service experience for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who want to make a meaningful impact on the lives of older adults. Through this internship, you’ll support older adults by leading conversations, helping them with tech skills, and organizing activities. The experience focuses on reducing social isolation and building connections that support emotional well-being. This is a meaningful way to learn about social psychology and develop your communication and empathy skills. You will work both remotely and in person with staff and peers. It’s a good fit if you're interested in community mental health.
6. National Institutes of Mental Health (NIH) - Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Location: Multiple NIH laboratories located across the U.S.
Stipend: $2,530
Acceptance rate: Highly competitive
Dates: 8 weeks starting mid-to-late May or June and ending in early August
Application Deadline: Typically mid-February
Eligibility: U.S. citizen or permanent resident | 18 years of age or older on June 1 | Currently enrolled at least half-time as a senior in high school
The National Institutes of Mental Health (NIH) Summer Internship Program (SIP) is an immersive research experience designed for high school, college, and graduate students with an interest in biomedical and behavioral sciences. It allows you to support research in neuroscience, psychiatry, and mental health. You’ll assist in labs, attend workshops, gain hands-on experience in scientific research, and work side-by-side with NIH researchers, gaining direct guidance and insight into real-world science careers. You’ll also participate in seminars that help you build professional and technical skills. This is a competitive program that strengthens your background if you're planning to study mental health, psychology, or medicine.
7. JSSA High School Internship
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Dates: Flexible; 12–16 hours/week throughout school year or summer
Application Deadline: No fixed deadline; interested students should contact JSSA to inquire about current cycles or openings
Eligibility: All high school students
The JSSA High School Internship gives students firsthand experience working in a human services nonprofit, exposing them to real-world programs that address mental health and community needs. Tasks may include event support, presentations, and helping staff prepare for meetings. You’ll also observe how different teams collaborate and learn how services are delivered in a clinical setting. A distinctive feature of the program is its flexibility; students can tailor their weekly commitment from 12 to 16 hours to fit their schedules. You may also be able to earn student service-learning credit as the internship is an approved Student Service-Learning site.
8. Child Mind Institute Youth Mental Health Academy
Location: Remote, In-person, or Hybrid for CA students
Cost/Stipend: None / Up to $2,000
Acceptance rate: Moderately selective
Dates: First Summer: June 23 – July 24; Academic Year: August – May; Second Summer Internship: July – August
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students in California, especially from structurally marginalized communities
This program is designed to help you explore mental health careers through project-based learning, mentorship, and real-world experience. It matches you with a mentor who works in a health-related field and will support your academic progress by serving as a positive role model. You’ll start with a five-week summer academy, followed by year-round workshops and mentor check-ins, and then take on a paid internship in the second summer. You will build skills in communication, mental health science, and career readiness while working with professionals from health-related fields. The program provides ongoing support in college planning and access to local resources.
10. Mary S. Easton Center Neuroscience High School Scholars Summer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 15 – July 23
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Mary S. Easton Center Neuroscience High School Scholars Summer Program at UCLA introduces high school juniors and seniors to the world of neuroscience, focusing particularly on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. You will explore core topics like brain structure and function, the science of neurodegeneration, and cutting-edge dementia research. You’ll conduct neuroscience activities, attend expert seminars, create outreach initiatives for your school or community, and participate in brain dissections and virtual learning throughout the year. The program combines science with social impact and encourages student engagement. You’ll stay connected through a year-round seminar series and are encouraged to launch awareness clubs at your school.
11. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University
Location: Virtual and In-person (Stanford, CA)
Cost/Stipend: Virtual: $1,595; In-person: $2,895; financial aid available / None
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: Session 1: June 16–27 (virtual), Session 2: July 7–18, Session 3: July 21–August 1
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18
This 10-day program will introduce you to neuroscience, psychology, and psychiatry through lectures and seminars from Stanford faculty. You will participate in interactive seminars covering areas such as clinical neuropsychiatry, behavioral sciences, and psychiatric epidemiology led by Stanford faculty, alongside discussions about career paths in medicine and science. You’ll work in small groups to design a solution to a mental health issue and present your ideas to faculty and peers. The program includes both academic and collaborative work. You can choose between virtual or on-campus sessions based on what works best for you.
12. UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Cost/Stipend: $5,175 (Commuter); $12,474 (Residential); limited scholarships available / None
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Advanced 9th graders and 10th–11th grade students | Minimum 3.80 GPA | California residents get priority
This program offers high school students a chance to conduct university-level research alongside UCSB faculty, graduate students, and postdocs. You’ll join a research team in psychology, neuroscience, or another field, learn how to collect and analyse data, and use university labs and library systems. You’ll design and run your own project, with support from UC Santa Barbara researchers, and present your findings at a campus-wide symposium. The program also features ‘GRIT Talks,’ which include lectures from some of UC Santa Barbara’s research community’s best minds presenting innovative technology and groundbreaking research. By the end, you'll write a full-length paper and present it at a symposium.
13. Wake Forest Psychology Institute – Summer Immersion Program
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Cost/Stipend: $3,400 + $550 non-refundable deposit; need-based scholarships are available / None
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: One week in June and July
Application Deadline: Rolling (opens November 1)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 with a strong academic background
The Psychology Institute at Wake Forest’s Summer Immersion Program gives you the chance to explore psychology through real-world activities and academic insight. You’ll dissect a sheep brain, observe human behavior in a local mall, and run sensory perception experiments. Alongside psychology basics, the program dives into emotional resilience, perception, and addiction science, all guided by expert faculty from Wake Forest’s psychology department. You’ll study emotions, the brain, and perception, and even conduct your own observational research. This is a good fit if you’re curious about how the brain works and want to explore a career in mental health, therapy, or neuroscience.
14. University of Southern California (USC) - Psychological Science & Society
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Residential: $11,347; Commuter: $7,812 + $1,000 non-refundable deposit / None
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 15 - July 12
Application Deadline: Domestic student: May 2 | International student: March 14
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grade students
The University of Southern California’s Psychological Science & Society summer program introduces high school students to the fascinating world of psychology by blending theory with hands-on learning. You’ll examine topics like happiness, addiction, mental health and technology, and media influence. You will design your independent research projects, experiment with mindfulness exercises, collaborate in team-based games, and conduct real psychological experiments. You’ll complete a research project and present your findings during the final week as part of the program. Faculty members guide you through both academic content and real-world implications. If you want college-level exposure to psychology, this program is an option to explore.
15. Illinois Tech’s Summer Programs - Understanding the Human Mind
Location: Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Overnight: $1,500; Daytime: $650; need-based scholarships are available / None
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: July 21–25
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: All high school students
Illinois Tech’s Summer Program “Understanding the Human Mind” offers high school students an engaging introduction to psychology and the science of human behavior. It explores key psychology topics, including memory, perception, emotion, and decision-making. You’ll participate in college-level discussions and activities while learning how psychological research is conducted. You’ll also gain insight into how mental health concepts apply to everyday interactions. It’s a good fit if you want a short, focused academic experience in psychology. You’ll also meet peers who are also interested in the human mind and discuss how psychology applies to real-life decision-making. The program helps build communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills that are highly valued in university admissions.
16. NYU Exploring Psychology – Building an Understanding of Human Behavior
Location: New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $850 / None
Acceptance rate: Not selective
Dates: Single, multi-week course during specific academic periods; Season during Fall semester: October 25 - November 22
Application Deadline: Varies as per session; Spring session: February 14
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 – 12
The NYU “Exploring Psychology: Building an Understanding of Human Behavior” course is a weekend workshop designed for high school students in grades 10-12 who are curious about the field of psychology and its real-world impact. You’ll study how biology, cognition, and how society shapes human behavior, and also complete interactive assignments to learn how psychology is used in fields like education and business. The structure makes it manageable during the school year, and it’s designed to build confidence in your academic and communication skills. You’ll also explore current research and participate in group discussions that encourage new perspectives.
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