Written by: Julia Gardner, Counseling Intern

Hello! My name is Julia Gardner. I am a counseling intern here at Embark Counseling Services. July 25th honored National Intern Appreciation Day, so I wanted to share what I have gained from my experience. My goal for this post is twofold: one, to provide upcoming interns with some perspective on being successful in their internship, and two, to help people understand the wonderful benefits of working with a counseling intern. 

There are many things that I wish I had known at the beginning of my internship and the following are some key aspects of my internship I want to highlight.

Clinical Supervision
One of the most important parts of having a successful internship is communicating and collaborating with your supervisor. Your supervisor is a resource of extensive experience and knowledge to help you through your internship experience and build your confidence and knowledge base as a counselor. When in doubt? Consult with your supervisor! They are there to provide feedback and mentorship through your internship experience.

The supervision provided to interns is also a major benefit for those seeking counseling support from an intern. When you work with a counseling intern, you are not only gaining the perspective and experience of a highly educated and knowledgeable graduate student attending university, but you are also gaining the expertise of their supervisor to aid in your treatment success. Counseling interns attend universities that provide students with learning and access to the most up-to-date information on effective approaches and treatment. Interns are also under the monitoring and guidance of a supervisor who is a licensed professional in the field and has vast knowledge and experience.

Diversity & Accessibility
Another tip for success in an internship is to be open to working with populations you might not have worked with before. Your internship is a great time to explore your identity as a counselor and possibly find new areas of interest within different populations of clients ranging in walks of life from children to the elderly. Overall, it is important to remember that internships are learning experiences, and being open to all the knowledge offered to you is imperative for a successful internship.

This aspect of a counseling internship, also points to another benefit of working with an intern in that they may be more available for you. A counseling intern may be more available while obtaining new clients. Also, working with a counseling intern comes at a reduced cost, making it financially beneficial for those on a budget while still receiving excellent therapeutic care. 

Commitment & Readiness
Lastly, I want to relay to future counseling interns to bring your commitment and readiness to help those in your care. Lean on your passion for learning, knowledge, and helping others. I, along with other counseling interns, am especially eager, driven, and dedicated to providing a positive and helpful therapeutic experience to all clients. Clients can feel this and gain so much from this effort.

Whether you are an upcoming intern or someone seeking counseling support, an internship is a unique and incredibly beneficial experience for both the client and the counseling intern.

If you are ready to start your counseling journey and be part of a counselor’s vital professional growth and development, check out our intern page on the Embark Counseling website and find the right intern for you today!