Educational Internships

Intern with Parents Helping Parents

Gain meaningful, direct-service experience while supporting parents and caregivers through one of Massachusetts’ leading parent peer support organizations.

Parents Helping Parents (PHP) offers a fully remote internship experience designed primarily for graduate-level students, with opportunities to develop skills in peer support, crisis response, virtual facilitation, and trauma-informed communication.

Interns work directly with parents and caregivers while receiving structured supervision and mentorship throughout the experience.

Applications for Fall 2026 internships are now full. Applications for Spring 2027 internships (January start) will open on October 1, 2026. Interviews will be held during the first two weeks of November 2026.

Why Intern with PHP?

At PHP, interns gain hands-on experience supporting families through real-world, high-impact work.

Internship placements provide:

  • Direct client experience through the Parent Stress Line and support groups

  • Clinical supervision through both individual and group formats

  • Experience supporting caregivers navigating stress, isolation, mental health challenges, parenting concerns, and family transitions

  • Training in empathetic listening, strength-based support, and trauma-informed peer support

  • Experience working independently within a supportive supervisory environment

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What You'll Do

Interns gain direct-service experience in two primary areas:

  • Provide empathetic, non-judgmental support to parents and caregivers navigating stressful situations.

    Requirements:

    • Four 3-hour shifts per week

    • Shifts scheduled on different days

    • Available between 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM EST, Monday–Sunday

    • Current scheduling needs are listed in each internship application

    • Interns may not complete more than one helpline shift per day

    • Shifts may not be scheduled back-to-back

  • Co-facilitate virtual parent support groups designed to foster connection and resilience.

    Requirements:

    • One to three support groups per week, depending on assignment

    • Most groups occur during evenings and weekends

What to Expect

  • Interns work independently while receiving consistent guidance and supervision.

    Internship support includes:

    • Individual supervision

    • Group supervision

    • Mandatory group supervision meetings on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month at 5:00 PM EST

  • PHP requires a two-semester commitment.

    Internship cohorts begin in:

    • January

    • May

    • August

    Accepted interns must commit to two full, consecutive semesters beginning with their cohort entry point.

    Interns are expected to remain through the PHP program schedule, regardless of when required hours are accumulated.

  • Applications are released three times per year:

    • May 1 → Fall Cohort

    • October 1 → Spring Cohort

    • February 1 → Summer Cohort

    Each application includes current scheduling needs for that internship cycle.

    Spring 2027 Timeline

    Applications Open: October 1, 2026

    Interviews Conducted: First Two Weeks of November 2026

    Fall 2026 internships are currently full.

  • If you have questions about internship opportunities or placement requirements, please contact our team.

Who Should Apply?

We primarily accept graduate-level applicants, particularly students seeking direct-service experience.

We may also consider undergraduate students enrolled in credit-bearing internship programs.

Strong candidates typically:

  • Have prior experience (professional or volunteer) in human services, parenting support, mental health, or caregiving settings

  • Can work independently in a fully remote environment

  • Are comfortable navigating sensitive or high-stress conversations

  • Feel comfortable using technology and participating in virtual facilitation

  • Have availability across multiple days of the week, including evenings or weekends

Internship applications are accepted on a rolling schedule throughout the year. If applications are currently closed, we encourage you to check back for future internship opportunities. Undergraduate students seeking experience only (not academic credit) should complete our regular volunteer applications.