What Is a Counselor Internship and How to Become One

A counselor internship is typically a training position for students studying mental health, clinical psychology, or substance abuse therapy, or recent graduates of such programs. Graduate students who are preparing to enter into practice often need to complete an internship or fellowship as part of their educational requirements. As a counselor intern, your responsibilities include observing licensed practitioners during counseling sessions, learning diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to different mental health issues, and performing administrative duties, such as taking patient histories and completing insurance reimbursement and billing paperwork.

The qualifications to get a counselor internship include being a current graduate student in an accredited program or a recent graduate from a counseling program, as well as having the requisite coursework and recommendations from professors. Some internships are full-time roles, while other positions may be 10 or 20 hours a week, allowing students to continue their education while having the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a practical setting. A counselor internship requires excellent interpersonal, communication, and critical thinking skills.