Counseling with an Intern
Are you wondering what the difference is between a licensed professional counselor and a counseling intern? There is one significant difference: A licensed professional counselor has received state certification by a licensing board to practice counseling.
What is a Counseling Intern?
A counseling intern is an individual who is currently studying to become a licensed mental health professional; they are working through an internship to provide supervised counseling services to individuals, families, or groups under a licensed professional counselor.
I (Hope Carmona) am a counseling intern at the time of this writing. I attend Liberty University’s online graduate program for Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Since August 2024, I have been gaining practical clinical experience under the supervision of my site supervisor, who is a licensed counselor in the state of Louisiana. During my internship (which will end in August 2025), I work with clients to address mental health concerns, develop coping strategies, and improve their emotional well-being.
Responsibilities of a Counseling Intern
As a counseling intern, my role is multi-faceted and includes numerous tasks that contribute to a client’s therapeutic journey. Here are some of these responsibilities.
- Conduct intake assessments
When a new client schedules a session, the beginning of the therapeutic relationship is for me, the counseling intern, to get to know you, the client. This happens through formal and informal assessments. Information is gathered about your mental, emotional, and physical health to determine your needs. - Create and manage treatment plans
After the initial assessments, the next step is to determine the best counseling approach. A counseling intern works to develop personalized treatment plans that outline therapy goals. We do this collaboratively, to ensure your best success. These plans might focus on issues like anxiety, depression, or life transitions. Each treatment plan is tailored to the unique client’s specific needs. - Supportive counseling sessions
One of the primary, and most important duties, of a counseling intern is to facilitate individual sessions. A safe space is provided for the client to discuss their concerns. The counseling intern comes alongside the client to guide them toward positive mental health outcomes. - Documenting Client Progress
An important part of the counseling intern’s role is to keep records that document the client’s progress. Progress notes include the session’s key points and any changes in the client’s condition. These notes help to track the effectiveness of counseling sessions. - Weekly Supervision and Collaboration
Part of the responsibilities of a counseling intern is to receive at least one hour of supervision each week with the site supervisor. Site supervisors provide feedback and discuss cases to ensure comprehensive care for clients. In addition to site supervision, counseling interns also participate in group supervision with a clinical supervisor for two hours each week.
Benefits of Working with a Counseling Intern
One of the benefits of working with a counseling intern is that you can receive exceptional support at a more affordable rate. Counseling interns work under supervision, so clients benefit from guidance from both the intern and their licensed supervisor. Interns provide high-quality counseling services at a lower cost, making it possible for those with limited budgets to receive the mental health services they need.
Counseling interns are trained in the latest therapeutic approaches. This fresh knowledge brings a unique perspective to counseling sessions. Interns are continuously refining and enhancing their counseling skills through research and ongoing supervision.
Speaking of supervision, as previously noted, an intern receives constant supervision from a seasoned licensed professional counselor. This supervision provides supportive collaboration throughout the internship.
Counseling interns bring enthusiasm and dedication to the counseling room. Interns are highly motivated to build strong client relationships and to provide excellent support in counseling sessions.
Interns are usually open to exploring various therapeutic techniques to meet each client’s specific need. Counseling interns are adaptable to the client’s preferences and are willing to personalize sessions.
Counseling interns may have more flexibility in their schedules, making it easier for some clients to schedule appointment times that work best for them.
Conclusion
Working with a counseling intern has many benefits:
- affordability
- supervised support
- fresh perspective
- ongoing training