1

Counselor Intern Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Overview AARP's Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE) champions the dignity and rights of vulnerable ... Under the supervision of an experienced and licensed attorney, the LCE intern will be exposed to ...

Substance Use Counselor

Washington, DC · On-site

$28.13 - $29.13/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

License Substance Use Disorder Professional/Intern will be in charge with assisting patients through medically assisting treatments and offering techniques for handling opioid addiction. Counselor ...

Substance Use Counselor

Washington, DC · On-site

$28.13 - $29.13/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

License Substance Use Disorder Professional/Intern will be in charge with assisting patients through medically assisting treatments and offering techniques for handling opioid addiction. Counselor ...

Mobile Crisis Intern

La Plata, MD · On-site

$15 - $20/hr

As an intern with Santé, you will gain a comprehensive introduction to behavioral health. On the ... Must be currently enrolled in master's level degree program in Counseling, Social Work, or a ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Counselor Intern information

See Washington salary details

$28.3K

$72.5K

$125.7K

How much do counselor intern jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for counselor intern in Washington is $72,493.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,100.00 and $82,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a counselor intern?

Counselor interns are individuals who are in the process of completing their training or education to become professional counselors. They work under the supervision of licensed counselors to gain practical experience in counseling clients, conducting assessments, and developing treatment plans. This internship is often a requirement for graduation from a counseling program and for obtaining state licensure. Counselor interns can work in settings such as schools, mental health clinics, or community organizations. Their work is closely monitored to ensure ethical and effective practice.

What types of supervision and support can a counselor intern expect during their internship?

Counselor Interns typically receive regular supervision from a licensed counselor or clinical supervisor, which may include weekly one-on-one meetings and periodic group supervision. This support is designed to provide guidance on case management, ethical concerns, and skill development. Interns are encouraged to discuss challenges they encounter with clients and receive constructive feedback to help them grow professionally. Additionally, many organizations offer opportunities for interns to observe experienced counselors, participate in team meetings, and access relevant training resources.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a counselor intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Counselor Intern, you need foundational knowledge in counseling theories, active listening, and ethics, usually gained through enrollment in a relevant graduate program. Familiarity with case management software, assessment tools, and documentation standards is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and self-awareness help build trust and rapport with clients. These skills are essential for supporting clients effectively while adhering to professional and legal standards in a supervised learning environment.

What is the difference between Counselor Intern vs Counselor?

AspectCounselor InternCounselor
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or holding a master's degree in counseling or related field; supervised internshipLicensed or certified counselor with completed education and supervised experience
Work EnvironmentInternship settings such as clinics, schools, or community agenciesFull professional practice in similar settings
Employer & Industry UsageEducational institutions, mental health clinics, social service agenciesLicensed mental health facilities, private practices, hospitals

In summary, a Counselor Intern is a trainee gaining supervised experience while pursuing necessary credentials, whereas a Counselor is a fully licensed professional with completed qualifications. The internship role provides practical training, leading to full licensure and independent practice.

Do you get paid as a counselor intern?

Counselor interns may receive a stipend or hourly pay, but compensation varies by organization and program. Some internships are unpaid and focus on gaining experience and supervised training, while others offer financial compensation based on hours worked and local labor laws.

How hard is it to get a counselor internship?

Securing a counselor internship typically requires relevant coursework, strong interpersonal skills, and sometimes prior volunteer or related experience. Competition can vary depending on the organization and location, but having a relevant background and demonstrating motivation can improve chances of acceptance.

What are the most commonly searched types of Counselor jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Counselor jobs in Washington are:

What are popular job titles related to Counselor Intern jobs in Washington?

For Counselor Intern jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Counselor Intern jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Counselor Intern job openings:

Infographic showing various Counselor Intern job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 18% Internship, 1% As Needed, 51% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,493 per year, or $34.9 per hour.

Intern-Certified Addiction Counselor DC

Creative Pathways, Inc

Washington, DC • On-site

$30/hr

Internship

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

Intern for a Certified Addiction Counselor will be responsible for providing substance use disorder treatment services in an outpatient setting. Interns will provide behavioral counseling services to people suffering from the disease of addiction to drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, food, etc. Interns will be responsible for teaching skills and techniques to cope with addiction and providing treatment to people with mental, emotional or substance use disorder conditions. The specific duties will include:
  • Complete comprehensive assessments, individualized treatment plans, referral and education services.
  • Conduct psychosocial evaluations and provide therapeutic interventions including crisis counseling to individuals, groups and families as needed.
  • Evaluate individuals and family systems to assess client functioning within work, family, routines of daily living while identifying areas needing continued support resources and treatment in order to assist clients.
  • Maintain case records to reflect course of treatment and provide required documentation.
  • Provide follow-up and aftercare planning services as needed. Expeditiously discharge inactive clients.
  • Provide emergency services during work hours.
  • Attend staff meetings, supervisory conferences, and other activities that ensure the smooth functioning of clinical operations.
  • Other duties as determined by the Clinical Director.

  • Educational Qualification and Experience:
    Associate or Bachelor's degree in sociology, social work, arts, science or related field.
    Complete transcripts of Catholic Charities DC approved training in alcohol and drug counseling curriculum.
    Intern must be eligible to practice as a substance use disorder student counselor.

Applicants for this position will be supervised by an approved CAC Level II under the District of Columbia.
We are looking for passionate, client-oriented student professionals looking for a career in the substance abuse and mental health treatment field.