Great question!
Part of my (Sarah's) desire as a member of the mental health community has always been to contribute to the field by supporting new and growing therapists. This is a difficult and wonderful journey, and I have had many wonderful people pour into me on my own path. My desire is to be that supportive, encouraging person for someone else. Currently, every member of the Hope Grows team, aside from myself, is working toward full licensure.
Great, Sarah. But what is a Therapist Intern?
A Therapist Intern is a graduate student - or recent graduate - who is pursuing a degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. No getting coffee or running errands for these interns - they are practicing therapists!
Each graduate student is required to gain a certain number of client hours before graduating and then to achieve the provisional level of licensure. They are actively undergoing training while completing an internship and applying what they've learned. Additionally, they are being supervised by qualified, licensed supervisors both at their university and at Hope Grows at a ratio of 1 hour of supervision to 5 hours of therapy. That's a lot of supervision!
Currently, there are two Therapist Interns on staff at Hope Grows - Christina and Mara. Both of them are being directly supervised by me, Sarah, a minimum of 1 hour per week during times when they are actively seeing clients.
What are the benefits to seeing a Therapist Intern?
1) Because of their ongoing supervision, you get the benefit of an entire therapeutic team in a single session.
2) You get compassionate, quality mental health care at a more affordable rate than a fully licensed therapist while still getting the benefit of their supervisors' experience.
3) They are on the cutting edge of the latest research and techniques in therapy due to still being in training.
4) They're very motivated! Therapists choose to become therapists because they want to help - and now they finally get to. They're very excited to be working with you.
Are they qualified to treat clients?
Absolutely! They are still in training, but their university and supervisors have deemed them fit and ready to see clients. Think of it as a learner's permit - the learner is in the driver's seat but the fully licensed driver is within arm's reach! They bring their cases before their supervisors to hone their skills and provide them with additional tools, and they take those back into the therapy room with them (and you).
Seeing a Therapist Intern is actually like having multiple therapists in one package! For example, because Mara is being supervised by both her university supervisors and by me on site, you get the benefit of multiple therapeutic perspectives - with combined decades of experience - handling your case.
What is the difference between an Intern and a Post-Graduate Intern?
An Intern is still in their Master's program, while a Post-Graduate Intern has completed their degree but is still working to gain the hours necessary to be considered an Associate or Provisionally Licensed Therapist in the state of Alabama.
Following the completion of the hours Associates (MFT Associates or MFTAs) are required to obtain - as well as completion of the National Exam - they are eligible for their full license (LMFT). The structure is similar for ALCs (Associate Licensed Counselors) in their pursuit of the LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) designation.
Do they charge the same rate as the other therapists?
No. Because they are still in training, their fee is slightly lower than the Associates or Licensed Therapists. This is a great opportunity to receive quality care at a more affordable rate and give a growing therapist experience doing what they're trained to do! I am very grateful for every client I encountered during my own graduate and licensure process - I took their trust in me very seriously.
What happens if I need a more experienced therapist?
This is unlikely, but should an issue arise during treatment that necessitates more experienced care, your Intern Therapist would either ask their supervisor for more comprehensive consultation or to do co-therapy with them. If necessary, your Intern would refer you to a therapist more experienced in those specific issues. Also, as mentioned above, your Intern Therapist is already consulting with more experienced therapists regarding their cases for multiple hours per week.
Regardless of licensure level, any therapist is always ethically bound to recognize when the issues at hand progress beyond their "scope" and refer you to receive the proper level of care or someone more specialized in that issue.
Have more questions? We're happy to answer! Send us an email or give us a call.
Learn more about our amazing Interns on their Team pages or by clicking on their pictures above.
Take care, y'all.
Sarah Bradley, MS, LMFT
Owner, Director, Hope Grows Therapy & Consultation
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