Master’s Level Training Program

We collaborate with regional and national universities to offer graduate training for students in:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC)
• Social Work (MSW)
• Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practice (PMHNP)

Our practicum and internship programs provide Master’s-level students with professional clinical experience to complete their graduate education. We are recognized for our commitments to training, support, peer consultation and specialty opportunities. We are invested in encouragement of early career learning as well as nurturing an overall culture of learner’s mindset throughout the professional career. Our Master’s-level students are valued members of our practice.
Interested in joining us for your practicum or internship? Contact us.

Practicum/Internship Training Program

The Internship Experience at CA

We are proud of the unique training program we have created for practicum students and interns at Counseling Associates.

These are a few of the things that set us apart from other training sites:

• The amount and quality of supervision and support received.
• The variety of clinical experiences students can acquire during their internship.
• The ability to tailor their program to meet their unique learning goals.
• The opportunity to engage in ongoing training opportunities.
• The ability to work in a variety of office locations and(in some cases) telehealth.
• The opportunity to engage and integrate as a valued peer with clinicians at all stages of professional development.

The Internship Model at CA

CA offers training to interns as well as to practicum students who will also be completing their internship with us. At CA we have adopted a service-learning model for our internships. Students both contribute to and benefit from the practice. It is a mutually beneficial relationship.

During practicum and internship, students will have an opportunity to integrate theory and practice and to expand the depth and breadth of learning in their particular areas of study and interest. They will be able to translate abstract concepts and diagnoses into human experience in an applied setting, while guided by a supervisor who helps to impart additional skills. Interns will develop learning goals and reflect actively on what they are learning throughout the internship experience.

Through observation and interaction with clients and professionals, the internship will offer students an excellent opportunity to determine if a career in their intern field is compatible with their interests and skills. They will gain rich experience that will be advantageous when seeking employment after graduation.

Under the direction of a licensed staff member and the training program team, interns will have opportunities to engage in a variety of professional activities. Interns will receive ongoing supervision, support, and guidance throughout their time at CA. It is expected that over the course of the internship, interns will increase their awareness, knowledge, skills, and confidence in a manner which will enable them to function more independently and effectively in their professional roles.

Interns are expected to work with their supervisors to pursue activities and opportunities in their specific areas of interest. At CA, interns may have opportunities to experience the following activities: 

• Observe licensed clinicians provide various mental health services
• Gather intake information from clients
• Provide individual psychological/counseling services
• Make referrals to outside agencies when necessary
• Assist with counseling groups
• Conduct mental health evaluations
• Participate in individual and group supervision activities
• Participate in trainings and staff meetings
• Provide consultation services
• Collaborate with outside agencies
• Complete documentation/record keeping procedures
• Engage in school-based services
• Explore specialty interests such as children’s services, trauma-informed care and trauma treatment, exposure therapy, treatment of eating disorders and others.
• Work with clients of various cultures, backgrounds, ages and marginalized groups.

Our interns over the years have consistently provided the highest ratings of our internship program on each of the following opportunities: to engage in meaningful activities, to apply their skills, to benefit from supervision, and to increase their learning and professional development.

Internship Requirements

CANL’s internship program considers graduate-level interns and practicum students who will also be completing their internship with us. Our program generally meets or exceeds university requirements. Practicum experiences are at minimum 10 hours a week, with students working up to 50% or more of direct client work. Internships are 24-hours a week, with development to at least 12 hours a week of direct client work.

Intern Seminar

Interns will participate in weekly one hour group seminar. Seminar will provide opportunities to learn with peers and explore different content areas, counseling processes and professional challenges. During the course of the seminar, students will also share a brief topic presentation and end-of-year reflection.

Internship Goals

CA wants each intern to identify specific learning goals early on, and we want to assist interns in reaching those goals by providing opportunities, support, and guidance. We will attempt to tailor the internship experience to meet the specific and unique learning goals of each intern, and we encourage interns to express their desires for pursuing specific interests. In addition to any goals identified by the intern, by the end of the internship, our hope is that interns will have:

• Linked academic theory to practice
• Applied their knowledge, skills, and experience in a professional setting
• Acquired new learning through challenging and meaningful activities.
• Reflected on the content and process of the applied learning experience.
• Advocated for their own learning in alignment with internship goals.
• Demonstrated professional skills in the workplace.
• Built and maintained positive professional relationships.
• Demonstrated awareness of community and/or organizational issues.
• Identified, clarified, and/or confirmed professional direction with respect to their career.
• Developed self-understanding, self-discipline, maturity, and confidence.

Supervision

We feel students’ supervisory relationships are of critical importance to their success and well-being. During their practicum and internship at CA, students will receive ongoing supervision by competent, experienced clinicians. Each student is assigned a primary supervisor – typically a clinician licensed in the student’s area of study who will provide ongoing weekly individual supervision during their practicum and/or internship training. Primary supervisors are responsible for providing ongoing and formal evaluative feedback. Supervisors will work with each student to ensure that:

• the intern is afforded the necessary opportunities, guidance, feedback, and monitoring to meet internship requirements.
• an educative forum, and a non-patronizing relationship, is established in which the intern can comfortably explore issues with the support of the supervisor.
• contact with the student’s university field supervisor during the internship take place to evaluate progress, discuss problems, etc. in accordance with each intern’s university’s policies.

As mentioned previously, in addition to individual supervision, students also participate in weekly intern seminars, peer consultation groups, and consultation in specialty areas. Interns who work with children and/or adolescents are also invited to participate in monthly child therapy consultation groups.

Supervision Purpose

The purpose of the supervision process is to provide a safe, supportive opportunity for interns to engage in critical reflection in order to raise issues, explore problems, and discover new ways of handling various situations and their responses. Supervision will provide interns with the opportunity to clarify and resolve work- and/or client-related issues and dilemmas, as well as to clarify internship and practice procedures, expectations, and requirements.

• Supervisors will focus on increasing the intern’s knowledge of various clinical activities by encouraging reflection on and exploration of their work with clients.
• Supervisors will provide practical and psychological support necessary for interns to carry through the responsibilities of the role. This may include helping the intern to manage stress effectively and to provide re-assurance and emotional support.
• Supervisors will help the intern to develop and maintain good standards of work, to understand and adhere to CANL’s practices and policies, and to be knowledgeable of and adhere to legal and ethical guidelines.

Supervision Format

Face-to-face supervision will be provided to the intern whenever possible. When not possible, HIPAA-compliant tele-supervision via a HIPAA-compliant platform will be used.

Application Requirements and Interview Process Please know that our training program has a limited number of spaces, and admission is a competitive process. Counseling Associates accepts only applicants we feel will be a good fit with our program and will be able to allow us to continue to provide the highest quality of services to our clients and community.

Interested applicants are asked to submit all application materials on-line via our website at least 2 months before the desired start date. Complete applications should include the following:

• Up-to-date resume
• Cover letter
• School requirements (e.g., hours, supervision)
• Internship application*
• 3 completed Professional Reference Forms*

•  Internship application*
• 3 completed Professional Reference Forms*

Agency Overview

Counseling Associates of New London, PLLC (CA) was established in 2004 by Betsy Harrison, MA, LCMHC and Susan Borchert, PhD, LP, to serve the mental health needs of the greater Kearsarge-Lake Sunapee area. Responding to client and community demand, CA expanded from its original office in New London to its current 8 offices in New Hampshire and one office in Mississippi.

Today, we have over 100 employees with a range of backgrounds, skills, and expertise to serve our clients and to keep the offices running efficiently and effectively. At CA, we provide a variety of mental health services to a broad population from young children to older adults. Services include individual counseling, group counseling, family therapy, school-based mental health counseling, and integrated health care. We also offer substance abuse services, including therapy as well as relapse prevention, substance abuse evaluations, and DUI aftercare counseling. With multiple clinicians and areas of expertise, it is our mission to offer comprehensive, specialized services to the communities we serve.

Internship Directors

Katie Neff, MS LCMHC

Director of Training, Masters Internship Program

Betsy Harrison, MA LCMHC

Internship Director, Masters Internship Program

The training team will review applications and interviews will be coordinated for qualified candidates either in-person or via Zoom. Following interviews, students will receive notification of decision via email.

Application Materials

• Internship Application Form
• Professional Reference Form
• Printable Intern Program Brochure (pdf)