What's it Like to See a Therapy Intern?

/ Tree of Life Children's Center/

by Holly Patterson, CMHC Intern

When considering mental health counseling, many people might find themselves weighing the option of seeing a student intern for various reasons. These interns are typically graduate students in counseling or psychology programs who are seeing clients under the supervision of a licensed professional. While some may hesitate at the thought of seeing an intern, research suggests that there may be little difference in the outcomes between services provided by interns and those offered by experienced professionals. By breaking down some of the specific concerns and questions, you can decide if working with an intern is the right fit for you.

Benefits of Choosing an Intern Therapist

  • More affordable therapy: Interns often provide services at a reduced rate or on a sliding scale. This means that your income and ability to pay are taken into consideration when setting the fee to work with the intern. Having access to a lower cost option often makes therapy accessible to those who might otherwise be unable to afford it.

  • More immediate availability: With the high demand for mental health services, waiting lists for appointments with licensed counselors can often be long. Interns can usually offer more immediate availability, allowing individuals to receive support right away.

  • Enthusiasm and dedication: Interns are at the beginning of their career and are typically eager and motivated to apply the knowledge they have gained. This enthusiasm can translate into a high level of care and dedication to their clients. Interns may also have more time to devote to each client, allowing them to provide very personalized and attentive care. This can create a supportive and empathetic therapeutic environment which is ideal for healing and growth to take place.

  • Your treatment plan is managed by an experienced supervisor: Interns typically work under the close supervision of experienced, licensed professionals. This means that your treatment plan and progress are regularly reviewed by a seasoned expert, ensuring that the guidance you receive is sound and effective. You essentially gain the benefit of having two minds -one fresh and one experienced-focusing on your well-being!

When an Intern Therapist may not be the Best Choice

  • Little experience with complex or severe cases: While interns have a solid theoretical foundation, they may not have done specialized training in specific modalities yet. For clients seeking a particular intervention such as EMDR, an intern may not be the best choice unless they have received adequate training. Also, interns are still in training and may not have the breadth of experience that a fully licensed counselor possesses. This lack of experience might impact their ability to handle especially complex or severe cases.

Choosing to see an intern for mental health counseling can be a beneficial option for many individuals. Ultimately, the decision should be based on individual preferences, needs, and circumstances. For those open to the idea, seeing an intern can be a valuable step toward mental wellness.



References

1. Okiishi, J., Lambert, M. J., Nielsen, S. L., & Ogles, B. M. (2006). Waiting for supershrink: An empirical analysis of therapist effects. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 13(6), 307-314. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.509

2. Anderson, T., Crowley, M. E. J., Himawan, L., Holmberg, J. K., & Uhlin, B. D. (2015). Therapist effects on client outcomes in routine outpatient psychotherapy: A multilevel modeling of real-world psychotherapy data. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 62(3), 349-361. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000075