Internship

CACREP Requirements

  • After successful completion of the practicum, students complete 600 clock hours of supervised counseling internship in roles and settings with clients relevant to their specialty area.
  • Internship students complete at least 240 clock hours of direct service.
  • Internship students have weekly interaction with supervisors that averages one hour per week of individual and/or triadic supervision throughout the internship, provided by (1) the site supervisor, (2) counselor education program faculty, or (3) a student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member.
  • Internship students participate in an average of 1½ hours per week of group supervision on a regular schedule throughout the internship. Group supervision must be provided by a counselor education program faculty member or a student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member.

Objectives of the Internship

Supervised clinical experiences in a rehabilitation and/or counseling/clinical setting are required for all students. Clinical practice provides an opportunity for all Interns to develop techniques and skills in connection with the total rehabilitation and counseling process. It gives the Intern an opportunity to apply theory to the practice of rehabilitation and mental health counseling.

The following objectives are appropriate for all Interns and should be achieved by Interns enrolled in a Supervised Clinical Experience. Achievement of these objectives is important for the development of rehabilitation and mental health counselors. Through the internship you will:

  1. Apply and test academic/theoretical knowledge in a rehabilitation and/or clinical setting
  2. Have an orientation to program components, policies and procedures, introduction to staff and their role and function, identification of the expectations for interns, confidentiality and due process procedures, risk assessment, and the Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors and the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics
  3. Be evaluated throughout your Internship experience by both your site and faculty supervisor through formative and summative processes
  4. Experience the realities of the therapeutic relationship and the part that self-understanding plays in this relationship
  5. Develop confidence in your ability (knowledge and skills) in an environment that provides consistent and appropriate feedback necessary for maximum professional growth and development
  6. Demonstrate high standards of professional ethics (e.g., ACA and CRCC) and apply appropriate legal principles and utilize ethical decision-making skills in resolving ethical dilemmas
  7. Develop an appropriate professional identity
  8. Be supervised using audio/visual recordings and/or live supervision modalities throughout your Internship experience
  9. Acquire an understanding of facility structure, protocol, processes, as well as intra- and interagency working relationships
  10. Have experiences that increase awareness and understanding of differences in values, beliefs and behaviors of persons who are different from themselves. Internship shall promote cultural competence, foster personal growth and assist students in recognizing the myriad of counseling approaches and rehabilitation and mental health issues that affect service delivery.
  11. Demonstrate the satisfactory practice of rehabilitation and mental health counseling with individuals, groups, and/or families by some combination of the following:
    a. Conducting individual counseling sessions;
    b. Developing and maintaining a counseling relationship;
    c. Establishing individual goals and objectives of counseling;
    d. Assisting an individual with crisis resolution; and,
    e. Facilitating an individual's independent decision-making and personal responsibility.
    f. Conducting group counseling sessions
    g. Treatment or service planning (including individual employment plans)
    h. Clinical documentation
    i. Assessment
  12. Demonstrate new learning through participation in Internship (this is applicable to students who are completing Internship in an already established work position).