Deciding to begin therapy is never an afterthought. Therapy requires a significant level of vulnerability. Add in the worry over choosing which therapist is the right one for you, makes the decision even more impactful. Imagine you’re reading a therapist bio on a therapy website and you see the word intern listed alongside a description of a provider. What would you think? Here’s why selecting a Counseling Intern could be the right choice for you:

Counseling Interns Are Always Learning

As interns work to complete their Master’s degree, they are active in receiving education on various techniques and theories for treatment. Interns are constantly researching the best forms of treatment for their unique and specific client needs.

Interns work alongside their educators, facilities, supervisors, and coworkers to hone their skills in providing superior client care. Interns are well informed in current treatment strategies and theories. Interns spend the majority of their time learning how to harness their understanding in theoretical work to be effective counselors for all possible client situations.

Counseling Interns are Fresh Faced

Although counseling interns have less client-facing experience than licensed therapists, they are filled with up-to-date research. With interns experiencing things for the first time, there is less room for comparison to prior cases. Interns are energized by treating their clients in comparison to being burnt out from experience. Interns are willing to apply all information learned to provide consistent and complete mental health care for their clients. The energy exuded from interns is often contagious and creates an open therapeutic relationship.

Counseling Interns Receive Close Supervision With Their Case Load

With the understanding that interns are in the process of attaining a Master’s degree, they often have at minimum one supervisor at the therapy practice. Most educational programs require student interns to receive supervision through the university in addition to site supervision. This system allows for fully licensed, credentialed, and experienced counselors to assist interns with effective therapy.

Interns review and consult with their supervisors on all cases, providing thorough assessment. Essentially, having an intern is like having two counselors strive to provide the best form of treatment for you! Interns are more receptive to feedback and open to adaptation. Feedback and openness allow for interns to become the best form of professional that they strive to be.

Counseling Interns Are Less Expensive And More Available

Due to their student status, interns are not fully licensed. At an intern level, mental health providers cannot accept insurance so interns accept self-pay clientele. Mental Health Practices have a sliding fee scale or reduced cost for interns. Thus, interns can offer financial relief at a budget friendly cost.

As interns build their clientele, they often have more room for clients than established professionals. There is no need to wait for treatment when there is an available option for you. Managing fewer clients allows interns to be more focused to your case and your needs. Interns have more time to prepare and plan between sessions, making sure that your time is well spent.

Counseling Interns Are Limitless

With today’s challenging academic nature, modern interns are well informed, well educated, and willing to do the hard work.

Interns are also:

• Always looking for the best avenue to help their clients find comfortability in life.
• Willing to ask hard questions, attempt new routes, and work with multiple professionals to provide critical care.
• Free of misconceptions nor do they feel run down from constant repetition.
• Advocating for the needs, wants, and representations of people in everyday life. Their passion is limitless and their care is expansive.

Written by Edisa Music, Counseling Intern. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Edisa, please call us at 412-322-2129.