This is ground zero for Recovery. This is the population that hits all the intersections. Never a dull moment. I learned a lot.
What I wish was different
I don't wish anything had been different. I had a wonderful experience. So much so that I am returning for my 2nd year internship @ Odyssey.
Advice
Utilize the other therapists there. Everyone wants you to succeed. Supervision was critical to my experience.
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CSW Intern
August 2021 - May 2022 • Salt Lake City, UT
What I liked
My Supervisor was excellent. Not only in how she supported me through case conceptualization, but also in how she contributed to my ability to hold work-life balance boundaries. My coworkers were excellent.
What I wish was different
I worked in the school-based program, and there were some issues w/school's understanding of what my role/limitations were. I would recommend a specific document/packet something to be given to the schools in which interns are present (the main issue was low hours and inability to be in constant contact with parents/school officials etc.)
Advice
Advocate for your needs across the board.
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Youth mentor
June 2019 • Salt Lake City, UT
What I liked
Co-workers and working with the clients.
What I wish was different
How groups are ran.
Advice
The clients have their own struggles and will verbally lash out but the staff mean the world to them and their recovery.
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MSW Intern Therapist
February 2023 • Salt Lake City, UT
What I liked
Odyssey has a network of resources for interns and it really feels like I'm helping the clients.
What I wish was different
It would have been nice to have more guidance initially. It felt chaotic at first but I've adjusted and figured out my own way of doing things
Advice
A lot of fun. Definitely recommend Odyssey.
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MSW-I
August 2021 - May 2022 • Salt Lake City, UT
What I liked
As a first year MSW-I a received an opportunity to perform genuine clinical work in both group and individual settings while many of my classmates did not receive this opportunity at similar practicum placements.
What I wish was different
As someone who had just entered grad school I found the scaffolding of the experience, the training and the supervision to be lacking. I was expected to act as an experienced clinician using an addiction medicine paradigm I received little to no training on and felt as though I was always being asked to increase my caseload. It often felt as though I was drowning and the expectation was that I would muddle my way through things by asking other clinicians who were already overburdened with their own significant caseloads.
Advice
My advice to Odyssey House would be to pay their practicum students, even first years. The program receives medicaid funding based on the work being done which keeps the doors open and your students deserve a portion of this.
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Social Work Intern
June 2023 • Salt Lake City, UT
What I liked
Engaging and diverse population. I have had the opportunity to meet individuals from all walks of life and have had a wider, more diverse experience.
What I wish was different
It is a constant learning process, but there is nothing specific that I wish was different. The treatment community is unlike any that I have experienced and there is constantly new things to learn.
Advice
Take time to learn the rules and lingo.
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MSW-Intern
March 2023 • Salt Lake City, UT
What I liked
I liked how I was welcomed and how they go out of their way to help people
What I wish was different
I wish they had more resources so they could do even more to help people
Advice
The Odyssey House is a place deserving of great support from the surrounding community
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BSW intern
May - August 2022 • Taylorsville, UT
What I liked
I learned so much as a BSW intern student. I have taken my skills that I learned here with me to my next job. I really enjoyed working with this population. I learned so much from the therapists here.
What I wish was different
I wish there would have been more occupational opportunities for BSW level interns for afterwards at OH.
Advice
I learned a lot as an BSW intern getting to know about different types of therapy. I would utilize 1:1 supervision as much as you can!
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MSW-I
August 2022 - April 2023 • Salt Lake City, UT
What I liked
I liked that my supervisor was very experienced and shared a lot of insight. I felt supported and guided in my internship.
What I wish was different
I wish I was paid for the work I was doing, I felt like I had a big work load but was not compensated.
Advice
This position requires you to work in changing structures, no day is the same you get something different everytime.
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SUDCi
January - April 2022 • Salt Lake City, UT
What I liked
I learned a lot about taking accountability and owning your stuff. It was really cool to see people transform from avoidant behaviors to holding themselves and others to the rules and norms.
What I wish was different
I only had one client at a time and they kept going LACA so I didn't get much practice treatment planning
Advice
Authenticity will get you far with this population
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Intern therapist
August - December 2022 • Salt Lake City, UT
What I liked
My internship at Odyssey House was terrific and very supportive. I gain lots of great experience working here; the community is amazing.
What I wish was different
more staff on site
Advice
Be ready everyday!
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MSW-I
August 2021 - May 2022 • Millcreek, UT
What I liked
I had a really great supervisor at the Millcreek Odyssey House. I felt very supported and autonomous.
What I wish was different
I participated in a lot of group meetings and I would have liked to create more participant-led groups. While I’m sure this would have been supported by Odyssey House staff, we lacked resources for smaller groups due to an influx of clients.
Advice
I’d say just jump right in! Odyssey House was a great learning experience but you have to be willing to get engaged.
