The Benefits of Working with a Clinical Intern Therapist: A Win-Win for Clients and Future Professionals

In the evolving world of mental health, the integration of clinical intern therapists offers many benefits for clients, as well as aspiring professionals.  If you’re considering working with a clinical counseling intern, it may be helpful to understand the benefits of working with a clinical counseling intern so that your experience can be more enriching and effective.

First, let's begin with addressing what an intern therapist is. A clinical counseling intern therapist is a developing professional who has completed most of their graduate schooling and needs to complete clinical therapy hours before graduation. Modern Thrive Counseling interviewed and selected two clinical counseling interns to support our mission of providing high quality therapy to the greater Madison area. Once the clinical internship hours are complete, the graduate students can apply for graduation and will begin working towards their full clinical licensure.

You might ask yourself, “Why should I work with a clinical counseling intern therapist?”

Unique Benefits of Clinical Counseling Interns

1. Enhanced Accessibility to Mental Health Services

An immediate benefits of working with an intern is increased accessibility to mental health services. The clinical interns at Modern Thrive Counseling offer therapy at a significantly reduced rate compared to the other therapists at the practice. This can be particularly valuable for individuals who might otherwise be unable to afford therapy. By providing more opportunities for therapy, interns  help bridge gaps in mental health care access.

2. Fresh Perspectives and Innovative Approaches

Interns bring new energy and perspectives to the practice. They are often well-versed in the latest research and therapeutic techniques from their academic training. This fresh approach can elevate therapeutic sessions and offer clients innovative strategies that might not be as prevalent in more established practices.

3. Increased Therapeutic Time

Modern Thrive Counseling offers a variety of therapeutic approaches. We work with highly specialized therapists in the field and because of their expertise, their schedule gets filled up quickly. Therefore, we offer sessions with clinical interns who are in training from these therapists and can offer care in conjunction with supervision and consultation from the other therapists in the practice. Clients can benefit from more flexible schedules and reduced rates. Interns often have the availability to see more clients or provide more frequent sessions. This can be incredibly beneficial to those who need more support. 

4. Cost-Effective Therapy

Interns, as part of their training, typically offer services at reduced rates or on a sliding scale. This makes therapy more affordable for clients who might otherwise face financial barriers. Reduced costs do not mean reduced quality; rather, interns are supervised and supported by experienced professionals, ensuring that clients receive quality care at a lower cost.

5. A Learning Environment for All

Finally, having an internship creates a learning environment where knowledge is shared and professional development is prioritized. This culture of learning benefits everyone involved, from the clients who receive cutting-edge therapy to the professionals who continuously refine their skills and knowledge. 

 Most importantly

Choosing a therapist can feel overwhelming, and we want you to have the best care at MTC. We vet and constantly train our clinical interns to offer high-quality care under supervision. We invite you to consider working with a clinical counseling intern who resonates with your needs and values. By considering these factors and communicating your needs, we can help you find a therapist who aligns with your needs and enhances your therapeutic experience. Our goal at Modern Thrive Counseling is to support you in becoming your most authentic self, and we are honored to be a witness to that evolution. We invite you to complete the contact form on our page and ask to work with Jazmyn or Karoline.