BIPOC Fellowship Program
(for MSW & MHC Interns)
The Blanton-Peale Institute & Counseling Center is committed to cultivating equitable access to culturally engaging quality mental health care and meeting the unique needs and lived experiences of Black, Indigenous, Latin, Asian and other historically marginalized cultural communities. To this end, Blanton-Peale offers a fellowship program for advanced year graduate students enrolled in accredited social work (MSW) and mental health counseling (MHC) degree programs in New York City, who are committed to providing culturally engaging mental health services for people of Black, Indigenous, Latin, and Asian cultures. We use the term BIPOC (the acronym for Black, Indigenous, People of Color) in the name, to signify the fellowship program’s focus on serving these communities.
Blanton-Peale Fellows receive extensive clinical training, mentorship, as well as individual and group supervision from September to May, culminating in a graduation ceremony. In the program’s reflective process group, Blanton-Peale Fellows explore themes relevant to identity formation, culture, positionality, power dynamics, equity, relationships, and holistic wellness. Through the program Blanton-Peale Fellows grow to embody culturally engaging holistic practice, graduating as informed, skilled clinicians trained for long-term BIPOC community impact and empowerment.
The BIPOC Fellowship Program, exclusively for MSW and MHC interns, meets all requirements for MSW and MHC graduate program field placement internships.
Training
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Dynamic learning curriculum
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Clinical training
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Individual supervision
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Reflective Process Group
Community Impact
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Fellows work primarily with Black, Latin, Indigenous, Asian, and other historically marginalized cultural communities.
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Fellows provide in-person and virtual care, groups, and educational projects.
Holistic Approach
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Fellows receive extensive clinical training in the Blanton-Peale holistic approach, psychodynamic and psychoanalytic technique, in addition to culturally affirming, engaging, relational, and trauma-informed practices.
Eligibility and Application Information
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Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited MSW or MHC graduate program and in good academic standing.
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Applicants must be seeking advanced year MSW or MHC field placement internship experience in New York City, with intention to contribute to the New York City mental health care system post-graduation.
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Applicants must demonstrate passion and commitment to trauma-informed, resilience-oriented, equitable, and culturally engaging, interdisciplinary, and holistic mental health care.
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Applicants must demonstrate an awareness of historical and current inequities in mental health services, approaches, and systems of care.
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Applicants must be available to engage fully in the training program which is exclusively on-site for all field placement internship hours and includes requirements for: (1) extensive self-reflection, (2) willingness to consider and deconstruct inequities in clinical practice, (3) operating in compliance with NY State Office of Mental Health MHOTRS Article 31 regulations, (4) working with a caseload of approximately 10 clients per week, and (5) providing diagnostic assessments, individual therapy, family therapy, groups, and community engagement.
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Applicants are primarily selected by their graduate school and recommended to interview with Blanton-Peale during the Spring Semester.
Impact for Individuals, Couples, Families, Groups, & Communities
The opportunity for communities to receive culturally affirming and empowering mental health and wellness services is transformative. Our BIPOC Fellowship Program trains interns to provide quality care and education specifically customized to traditionally marginalized and under resourced communities via a highly regarded and historic counseling center.
