Inspire is dedicated to serving the community … and that means investing and training new clinicians with a Clinical Internship Program!

We are proud to offer a state-of-the-art Clinical Internship Program for Master’s Level graduate students.

About Inspire

Inspire is a private, family-owned (and loved!) practice, founded in 2015. Inspire has 4 offices in the Chicagoland area (Evanston, Kenilworth, Northbrook and Lake Forest) with approx 50 therapists, 2 psychiatric nurse practitioners, lots of support staff, and a very positive and nurturing work environment. Inspire accepts all major insurances, except Medicaid. Most clients have mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, adjustment disorders, etc. Inspire serves clients of all ages, with about half of the population being kids & adolescents and half young adults & adults.

Our goal is to blend the best of “Corporate Fortune 500” practices with a “Hippie” culture and vibe. Inspire is a family-owned business, founded and run by Lauren and John Schifferdecker, who bring decades of business experience in consulting, marketing, public relations and CEO-level consumer packaged goods. They married their passion for excellent business with mental health and are obsessed with making Inspire the best place to work with a casual, loving, humble and down-to-earth approach.

The best part about Inspire is hands-down our incredible team!!! We do excellent work with clients. The team is fun, connected, happy, loving and accepting. Not only that, they are a group of elite talent dedicated to make a difference in this world and providing world-class service. We push ourselves to be our best. We take responsibility for living our own best lives.

Inspire takes good care of their team, so they can take good care of their clients. When therapist’s are happy, rested, and feel appreciated, it’s so much easier to do their best work with clients.

Inspire is open to all people. We are a safe, loving group who is open, affirming, continually working to be free from discrimination, judgement and micro aggressions. We love and celebrate every unique aspect that new therapists bring to the group! We are proud to serve a diverse group of clients, honoring every human’s unique journey on this planet.


About Inspire’s Intern Program Director

Our Clinical Internship Program is led the Program Director, Joe Tranchita. Joe has 17+ years of experience in a variety of settings including: Residential, Group Home, Therapeutic Day Schools, Inpatient Psychiatric Hospitals, IOP (intensive outpatient programs), Community Mental Health Centers, and Private Practice. In addition to clinical work, Joe was a Graduate-Level Adjunct Professor in clinical mental health for 8 years. Joe is passionate about teaching and educating clinicians. While he’s a wealth of knowledge and experience, he’s also kind, funny, down-to-earth and approachable.


What will Clinical Interns receive as part of the Program?

  • One (1) hour individual supervision weekly with Joe (in-person or virtual)
  • One (1) hour Group Supervision weekly (in-person) at their “home” office, led by Joe or another Clinical Supervisor. Clinical interns are not only part of the Internship Team, but part of the Inspire team. Interns will get the chance to discuss cases with seasoned staff, learn from a different Clinical Supervisor, and feel part of the team!
  • Clinical Interns will be given a thorough New Hire Orientation (in-person) and trained before seeing clients
  • Clinical Interns are invited to join Company Meetings & Parties
  • Clinical Interns are invited to join In-House Skills Trainings and Continued Education (CEU) trainings
  • Clinical Interns will get Professional Headshots and will receive professional Marketing to attract clients during their internship
  • Clinical Interns will have a dedicated office available each week (based upon the agreed upon schedule)
  • Clinical Interns are invited to be part of the “Inspiring Employee of the Week” shoutouts with Starbucks giveaways
  • Admin Support Team will handle intake scheduling, insurance, billing, leadership, HR support
  • Clinical Interns will be given the opportunity for employment opportunity at the end of your internship, based on performance and business needs. Employees are W2 with malpractice insurance, health insurance benefits, lots of perks.


What is Required for Clinical Interns?

  • Clinical Interns must be part of a Graduate School for Counseling
  • Clinical Interns must be able to work at least 2 weekend “shifts” (Fridays 3-8pm, Sat 10am-1pm, Sat 1pm-5pm, Sun 10am-1pm, Sun 1pm-5pm) These appointment times are HIGHLY REQUESTED and a great way to fill your schedule. Most interns work more than one weekend shift to fill their schedule.
  • Clinical Interns must be interested in an Employment with Inspire following their internship. Our hope is that you’re so happy here, you’ll never want to leave! Inspire’s internship program is designed to invest in the start of their professional career. At the conclusion of your internship, interns will receive a review and be given the opportunity to continue your work as an employee, depending on performance. Employees receive a number of benefits (W2 status, Health Insurance, 401K, Paid Time Off (PTO) etc.), and are are expected to see a minimum of 20 clients a week.
  • Clinical Interns must be eager to learn, open-minded to serve a variety of clients, and have a positive, kind attitude toward the team and clients

To apply for Inspire’s Clinical Internship Program

Step 1: Fill out the Intern Application (by clicking here)
Step 2: Email your resume to [email protected].

Our New Hire team will be in touch shortly. For questions or follow-up, contact [email protected]


Want to know more about what it would like to be part of the Inspire team?

See for yourself! Click here: https://youtu.be/Fa14BpSOgro

Here’s the story of Inspire and where we’re headed. See if this is a place where you see yourself belonging!

We are ALL ABOUT the Inspire Team!!!

Are you looking to be part of an elite team that is fun, happy, loving & accepting — dedicated to make a difference in this world?

We respect our clients, treating them as honored guests. We are humble. We believe every person is whole and complete. Our job is to gently inspire them to see that in themselves. We believe change happens gently with love, respect, warmth, and inspiration. The goal is that every client leaves our office a better person.We take good care of our therapists, so you can take good care of your clients. When you’re happy, rested, well paid, it’s so much easier to do your best work with clients.

Inspire is open to all people. We are a safe, loving group who is open, affirming, free from discrimination, judgement and micro aggressions. We love and celebrate every unique aspect that new therapists bring to the group! We are proud to serve a diverse group of clients, honoring every human’s unique journey on this planet.

We respect our clients, treating them as honored guests. We are humble. We believe every person is whole and complete. Our job is to gently inspire them to see that in themselves. We believe change happens gently with love, respect, warmth, and inspiration. The goal is that every client leaves our office a better person.

What would your office look like?

What are we doing to Inspire the community?

We hope you consider being part of this movement of making the world a better place.

We can’t wait to hear from you!!!