About Qalam

Qalam is a dynamic nonprofit organization committed to serving communities through Islamic education, spiritual development, and impactful programs. With multiple operational tiers—including educational institutions, community programming, travel, media, and development—Qalam functions across various entities under a unified vision.

About the role

Qalam is seeking a dedicated Counseling Intern to join our Counseling Department. This voluntary, unpaid position is designed for graduate students pursuing studies in counseling, psychology, or pastoral care who wish to gain practical experience in a faith-based counseling environment.

Under the supervision of Shaykh Mikaeel Smith, the intern will develop hands-on skills in client intake, session coordination, case management, and research support — contributing to Qalam’s mission of providing compassionate, ethical, and spiritually grounded care to the community.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct counseling sessions under the supervision and guidance of the supervising counselor.
• Assist with client intake, including scheduling, information collection, and documentation.
• Support client management and follow-up to ensure continuity of care and effective communication.
• Provide research and administrative support for counseling cases, program development, and pastoral initiatives.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to all Qalam policies, procedures, and ethical standards.
• Represent and uphold Qalam’s mission, values, and professional ethics in all interactions with clients, staff, and community members.

Qualifications

• Current enrollment in an accredited CACREP Master’s-level program in Counseling or a related field.
• Must be in the practicum or internship phase of the program.
• Interest in pastoral counseling, psychology, or social work.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism, in full compliance with HIPAA.
• Excellent communication skills and a compassionate, empathetic demeanor.
• Availability to work collaboratively with Shaykh Mikaeel Smith and the Qalam team.

Time Commitment & Supervision

• Schedule and duties will be coordinated and overseen by Shaykh Mikaeel Smith.
• Flexibility is expected, and responsibilities may be adjusted as needed to support learning and departmental needs.

Confidentiality, NDA, and HIPAA Compliance

• The intern may have access to confidential or proprietary information and must not disclose or use this information outside assigned duties without prior written consent.
• All HIPAA regulations apply to any Protected Health Information (PHI) encountered. The intern must strictly adhere to all privacy and security protocols and report any suspected breach of confidentiality immediately.

Nature of Position

• This internship is unpaid and does not constitute an employment relationship with Qalam.
• No salary, wages, or employee benefits are provided.
• Either Qalam or the intern may terminate the internship at any time, with or without cause, by providing notice.