

Invitation by Psychologist Andy Solange, Ultivate's Founder
We are looking to collaborate with intrinsically motivated, ethical, conscientious, and creative second-year interns with a special interest in unlocking human potential and psychological health. At Ultivate, we explore the intersection of mental health and human flourishing. If this interests you, then we are looking for you!
Ultivate Psychological Health Start-Up is a boutique psychological health initiative that blends evidence-based science with enriching human experiences to promote long-term wellbeing, leadership development, and professional flourishing. We support individuals, teams, and emerging leaders in diverse fields of research and industries by integrating psychological research, assessments, and training into creative, ethical, and sustainable programs that improve quality of life, personally, relationally, and professionally.
At Ultivate, we leverage research and practice to explore the profound connection between psychological health for human flourishing.
Human flourishing research delves into the factors that contribute to individuals and societies living their best lives. It goes beyond simply addressing the absence of illness or mental health issues, focusing on the positive aspects of well-being and the pursuit of a fulfilling life. As an Ultivate Psychology candidate, your understanding of the paramount interplay between human flourishing, psychological health, best practices, evidence-based models, and ethical approaches will be crucial. Best practices, informed by research and experience, guide us towards effective interventions. Ethical frameworks ensure client well-being through confidentiality, informed consent, and responsible treatment. Research in this area focuses on continuously refining best practices, ensuring the chosen model aligns with specific needs, and upholding ethical principles throughout the therapeutic journey. This integrated approach is fundamental for maximising positive client outcomes and delivering high-quality mental healthcare. At Ultivate, we also delve into areas like:
Scientist-Practitioner Model
This model emphasises that psychologists should function as both researchers and practitioners. Therapists should:
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Stay updated on research by continuously seeking and integrating new research findings into your clinical work.
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Evaluate and adapt existing models and research the effectiveness of various models for specific client presentations.
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Contribute to the field by potentially conducting your own research and/or critique to further refine existing practices and identify new approaches.
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Critically evaluate research to assess the quality and applicability of research findings to your clinical work.
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Select appropriate evidence-based models and choose interventions with strong scientific frameworks that align with the client's specific needs.
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Continuously improve practice by staying updated on the latest research and adapting your approach based on ongoing clinical experience and emerging knowledge.
Leadership, Personality Awareness, and Emotional Intelligence
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Leadership research is a dynamic field that is continuously seeking to refine our understanding of effective leadership. By exploring various aspects, Ultivate strives to equip individuals and their teams with the knowledge and tools necessary to foster strong leadership practices that contribute to individual and collective success.
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Emerging EI theories encompass self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, and relationship management, all crucial for navigating social settings and fostering success.
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Personality research delves into the fascinating world of individual differences, seeking to understand the enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that make each person unique.
Mindfulness and Cognitive Enhancement: Cultivating Focus, Flexibility, Resilience, and Mental Agility
Mindfulness practices can strengthen cognitive control by better managing stress, supporting working memory, and supporting the ability to regulate attention, leading to improved mental flexibility and resilience.
Neuroscience and Enriched Workspaces: Optimising Brain Function and Fostering a Stimulating Work Environment
This acknowledges the field of neuropsychology, which explores the brain's role in behaviour and cognition. Enriched environments can promote neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to adapt and form new connections, potentially enhancing cognitive function.
Building Long-lasting Relationships and Social Enrichment: Strengthening Connections and Fostering an Enriched Social Life
This aligns with research on social cognition and positive psychology. Strong social connections fulfil basic psychological needs and contribute to subjective well-being and happiness.
Intellectual Enrichment: Nurturing a Lifelong Love of Learning and Growth through Professional and Creative Projects
This aligns with the concepts of cognitive reserve, critical thinking, and creativity, as well as concepts understood as eustress and flow. Research has found that engaging in mentally stimulating activities can help maintain cognitive function and potentially delay cognitive decline as we age.
Longevity, Beauty and quality of life: The promotion of Healthy Mental Aging and Wellbeing
This aligns with the concept of socioemotional selectivity theory and human flourishment, which suggests that older adults prioritise emotionally meaningful activities and relationships, which can influence their well-being.
We want to hear from you if you're energised by any of these areas (or other related fields) and possess a strong research interest!
Here's what this part-time internship offers:
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The opportunity to contribute to a groundbreaking and dynamic environment.
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Gain valuable clinical experience under the supervision of qualified professionals.
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Be part of a team dedicated to improving mental health and well-being
Ultivate Internship Criteria
To be considered for an internship with Ultivate, candidates must demonstrate:
Core Eligibility
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Education: Currently completing or recently graduated from a degree in Psychology, Cognitive Science, Computer Science, Neuroscience, Mental Health, Social Work, or related disciplines. We also welcome fourth-year students from Medicine, Law, Business, Innovation, and Design degrees with a minor in Psychology for non-clinical R&D roles.
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Availability: Able to commit to 8–12 hours per week for a minimum of 6 months (flexible for academic schedules).
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Location: Remote or hybrid arrangements may be possible, though preference will be given to those available for in-studio work (Brisbane/SE Queensland/Chuwar Region).
Demonstrated Capabilities
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Research Curiosity: A genuine interest in exploring evidence-based psychological health frameworks, human flourishing, and the scientist-practitioner model.
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Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication, with the ability to synthesise research into clear, engaging materials.
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Ethical Insight: Familiarity with professional ethical codes, particularly regarding confidentiality, consent, and integrity in research or service delivery.
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Critical Thinking: Capacity to evaluate psychological models and contribute thoughtful insights to discussions on human behaviour, well-being, and innovation.
Alignment with Ultivate’s Core Themes
You should be energised by at least two of the following focus areas:
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Human flourishing and ethical, integrative psychology
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Neuroscience, mindfulness, and cognitive health
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Leadership, personality science, and emotional intelligence
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Applied psychological research and program design
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Intellectual and creative enrichment projects
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Assessment, psychometrics, and data-informed interventions
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Start-up and innovation strategies that enrich human quality of life
Professional Attributes
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Initiative and self-responsibility, with comfort working in flexible, project-based environments.
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Team-oriented mindset, open to constructive feedback and collaboration.
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Reflective learning orientation, especially around personal strengths, limitations, and growth edges.
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Comfortable with digital tools (Google Drive, Zanda, Canva, Wix, etc.).
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Benefits and Perks
At Ultivate, we view internships as mutually enriching partnerships.
Here’s what you can expect:
Professional & Educational Development
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Personalised Supervision & Mentorship from qualified psychologists and research leads.
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Opportunity to co-design and co-deliver programs, toolkits, assessments, and creative publications.
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Access to clinical shadowing (where appropriate) and skill development pathways.
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Involvement in real-world project development, innovation strategy, or educational content.
Personality-Based Experience
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Customised onboarding that matches your personality profile (NEO-5, MBTI) to projects that energise you.
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Participation in intern-only professional development, enrichment seminars, including topics on identity, burnout prevention, and professional flourishing.
Career Advancement
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Contribution to cutting-edge psychological health models and intern-led publications (e.g., blogs, research summaries).
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A personalised reference letter upon successful completion.
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Potential to extend your role into year 2 paid positions as funding expands.
Enriched Workplace Culture & Flexibility
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Flexible scheduling around study and life rhythms.
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Be part of a diverse, ethical, and values-aligned team.
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Participation in annual retreats, creative projects, and internal celebrations.
To Apply
Submit:
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📄 Your resume
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✍️ A brief motivation letter (max 1 page) explaining:
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Why you're interested in Ultivate
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Your preferred research or project focus
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Briefly discuss your top three strengths and top three limitations
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What you hope to learn, and what you'd like to contribute
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Email your application to: info@ultivate.space
Ultivate Assets
