Mental Health Counseling/Art Therapy/Social Work Internships

Welcome from the Master’s Internship Coordinator 

Thank you for your interest in a Master’s Internship experience at Counseling and Psychological Services at Florida State University. The practicum/ internship experience begins at different times depending on the program.  For Clinical Mental Health Counseling, the practicum/internship begins Summer semester and ends with the conclusion of Spring Semester.  For Art Therapy, the internship begins Fall and at the end of Spring.  For Social Work interns, the internship is one semester, either in Fall or Spring. 

The Master’s Internship Training Program endorses a developmental model of supervision and training, reflecting a focus on the development of competencies consistent with a master’s intern’s level of experience. To enhance the learning process, the clinicians in the program are committed to providing an experience that integrates development of clinical competence and ethical practice with professional growth and development in a supportive atmosphere.

If you have additional questions about the Master’s Internship Training Program after looking through the information, please do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail at ks22cc@fsu.edu or by phone at 850-644-TALK(8255).

Thank you again for your interest in the Master’s Internship Training Program in Counseling and Psychological Services at Florida State University.

Sincerely,

Katherine Strauss, LCSW
Assistant Training Director

General Information

Counseling and Psychological Services is the primary mental health services provider at Florida State University. The Center’s mission is to enhance the academic experience of students by promoting healthy personal development through brief individual or couples counseling, group counseling, skill enhancement and preventative outreach services. This mission is accomplished within the parameters of a humanistic philosophy that honors and adheres to the individual student’s right to be treated with dignity and respect.

Individual, couples, and group therapies are provided as well as crisis intervention, consultations, presentations and other forms of outreach. Individual and couples counseling are session-limited. Group therapy participation is unlimited. Counseling and Psychological Services provides full-time doctoral internships to counseling and clinical psychology students. Counseling and Psychological Services also offers part-time training opportunities to Florida State University students including internships for master’s students in mental health counseling, social work and art therapy and practicum placement for students enrolled in the Combined Doctoral Program in Counseling Psychology & School Psychology or the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program. The Center is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services (IACS) and is a member of the Association for Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC). The doctoral psychology internship program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Staff

The staff is multidisciplinary with professionals from several mental health disciplines including clinical and counseling psychology, clinical social work, mental health counseling and art therapy. Staff members hold memberships in a variety of professional organizations including the American Psychological Association, the Florida Psychological Association, the American Counseling Association, the National Association of Social Workers and the American Art Therapy Association.

Training and Philosophy

The art therapy, mental health counseling and social work internship program at Counseling and Psychological Services utilizes a mentor-apprentice model of training, whereby the professional growth and development of interns is facilitated by supervised applied practice, augmented by modeling, consultation and teaching. It is our belief that close, collegial involvement with professional counselor role models provides a phase appropriate learning experience for the interns, allowing for enhancement of their professional identity while further developing their skills and competencies as practitioners. The multi-disciplinary environment of Counseling and Psychological Services also provides a diversity of professional involvement and interaction reflective of most post-internship employment settings. The internship year is clearly a time of transition, when interns must bridge and integrate the science of their academic training with the practice necessitated by their developing role as mental health professionals. It is the program’s philosophy that mentoring provides our interns an opportunity to internalize and consolidate that professional role, and makes the transition from graduate student seem both possible and worthwhile.

Developmental considerations are foremost in our training approach. We recognize the need and necessity for our interns to apply, in an intensive manner, the science of art therapy, counseling and social work they have learned in their graduate programs and further develop competencies in assessment, documentation, diagnosis, intervention and consultation. We strive to provide a supportive environment that allows interns to take on increasing levels of responsibility over the course of the internship, thereby building their confidence along with their competence. As part of this process, interns have the opportunity to observe and collaborate with senior clinicians in a variety of activities ranging from individual and group therapy to consultation and outreach. As the interns and their supervisors become comfortable with the intern’s skill level, supervisors function more as consultative mentors.

The Center views interns as professional colleagues and vital staff members whose contributions are encouraged and valued. Through supervision and training, we assist the intern in identifying areas requiring further growth, while exposing them to a broad range of theoretical orientations and specialized expertise of the staff that will enhance their professional development. Interns are thereby afforded the opportunity to pursue somewhat individualized training experiences based on their experiences, interests and goals.

The internship is a vital component of Counseling and Psychological Services and, as such, the goals of intern training are necessarily intertwined with the service goals of Counseling and Psychological Services. Thus the provision of high quality, informed and ethical treatment to a large and diverse student population is of paramount importance. Recognizing the educational mission of the Florida State University, it is also important for the internship to support this mission through the training of interns, engagement in scientific inquiry and outreach and consultation to the greater university community. Permeating the program, through formal training, procedure and example, is an interest in and respect for diversity in all its forms.

The overall goal of the internship is to prepare art therapy, mental health counseling and social work interns to function ethically, competently and independently as mental health professionals. The training is generalist in nature, aimed at expanding the intern’s experience and awareness of self and other, while refining skills necessary to practice effectively. The internship attempts to foster personal growth and self-confidence, along with a sense of professional identity.

Orientation

Clinical orientation of new interns is both a formal and informal process. The formal portion is designed to help new interns begin their training at Counseling and Psychological Services and generally occurs before the start of the fall semester. The purpose of the orientation program is to introduce new interns to the Center’s philosophy, mission, history, organization, staff, and policies and procedures. Included in the formal orientation are mini-seminars outlining crisis counseling, intake procedures, forms and documentation, and supervision requirements. In addition, tours may be conducted of other relevant resources on campus. Informal orientation occurs continuously through interaction with staff members in response to new situations and changing needs.

Seminars

Weekly training seminars throughout the internship will focus on themes related to the counseling needs of the Center’s clientele–a broad spectrum of “traditional” and “non-traditional” college students. Treatment considerations, including a variety of approaches and intervention modes, are highlighted. The training seminars are organized by the Training Director and conducted by Counseling and Psychological Services staff members and guest specialists from the university and local community. Representative topics include: crisis management, eating disorders, suicide prevention and intervention, addictions, LGBTQ concerns, couples counseling, ethics, multi-cultural counseling, anxiety and stress management, assessment, sexual assault/rape issues and treatment of depression. The array of topics reflects the many client issues interns face in this setting.

Supervision

All interns are supervised in the provision of individual, group counseling. Supervision is based primarily on case discussions. Critiquing video recordings of sessions, co-counseling, and in-person observation are used in supervision as seems appropriate to individual interns and their supervisors. Interns typically co-lead group therapies with experienced staff members with whom they can discuss group issues. Training in client assessment is strongly centered around interviews. Clients seeking career information or vocational testing are referred to the FSU Career Center; however, career issues may be a focus of counseling with Counseling and Psychological Services clients.

Master’s interns receive a minimum of one and one half hours of individual supervision and one hour of group supervision per week. Masters and Practicum interns meet together with two supervisors for group supervision. Frequent informal supervision and/or consultation with other staff members (of whatever discipline seems appropriate for a given situation) is encouraged and expected in response to issues that arise between formal supervision sessions. Supervision of interns is provided by professional staff. Interns negotiate the specifics of supervision such as meeting times, goals, and evaluation criteria with their supervisors. Interns present for multiple semesters generally rotate supervisors each semester and receive an evaluation at the conclusion or each semester. A transition meeting with the intern, previous supervisor and new supervisor may be scheduled at the beginning of each new semester to facilitate the change and determine ongoing supervision needs. Issues which can be discussed at this meeting include the intern’s strengths, goals, and recommendations for further training needs.

Diversity

Counseling and Psychological Services staff is strongly committed to addressing the needs of a diverse student population and the Master’s Internship Program strives to incorporate and highlight issues of diversity as a fundamental part of the internship experience. We train interns to be well-rounded professional therapists with the competencies to serve clients representing different forms of diversity. Counseling and Psychological Services is committed to the promotion and affirmation of diversity in its broadest sense, and its mission requires that people of every background be able to use our services with an expectation of respectful treatment.

The professional ethics and standards of the various mental health disciplines represented in Counseling and Psychological Services place a high value on the dignity and worth of individuals regardless of their gender expression and identity, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, age, physical and mental abilities, religious beliefs, and socioeconomic class. Therefore, as part of their professional functioning, all staff members are expected to respect the dignity and worth of the individual, and to strive for the preservation and protection of fundamental human rights.

Services

Individual Therapy

Clients generally walk-in as a first contact and clinical needs are assessed. Some clients may only attend an initial contact, some may continue in therapy and some may be referred to the community. Counseling and Psychological Services has a brief treatment model with most clients typically receiving between four and eight sessions. When clinically appropriate and with authorization from our Utilization Review Committee, it is possible to see some clients beyond the brief model.

Group Therapy

Groups are offered which may focus on issues such as romantic relationships, family relationships, grief, body image, women’s issues, men’s issues, DBT, Social Anxiety, LGBTQ issues, and other topics. Some of the groups are structured with educational objectives; others are unstructured and rely primarily on interpersonal interaction. Master’s interns have the opportunity to process observe a group during the first semester and co-lead a group during the second semester. They must be able to attend Wednesday Group Administration meetings from 8:30- 9:30 am. *Process observing/ co- leading group is based on availability and supervisor approval

Outreach

Staff and interns regularly provide outreach presentations to the university community. Interns are often involved in participating in campus-wide events and outreaches to various campus organizations.

Treatment Coordination Services

When client issues necessitate longer or more intensive care, it may be necessary or best practice to refer a student to a community provider for ongoing mental health treatment. As such, our clinical case managers serve to coordinate, facilitate, and monitor the interchange between Counseling and Psychological Services clients and treatment providers in the Tallahassee community. This service includes referrals out to higher levels of care, as well as supporting students as they re-enter the university setting, following inpatient treatment.

Typical Week

  32 Hours/week 25-28 Hours/week
Professional Development 0-1 0-1
Training Seminar 2 2
Group Case Conference/Supervision 1 1
Individual Supervision 1.5 1.5

Direct client contact*

*Direct Contact hours can be affected by cancelations and no-shows

  12-16 Scheduled per week  7-10 Scheduled per week
Group Counseling (includes supervision of group work) 0-3 0-3
Client walk-in screenings

4.5 (on duty)

(Average 2 hours direct client contact)

4.5 (on duty)

(Average 2 hours direct client contact)
Outreach 0-1 0-1
Staff Meeting/Case Conference 1 1
Case Notes, Other Administrative duties 6 4
Total 32 25-28

Counseling Center activity is “seasonal” by nature. The demand for services tends to steadily increase during fall and spring semesters.

Application Process and Selection

Counseling and Psychological Services accepts applications from currently enrolled Florida State University graduate students for the master’s internship program. Applications are accepted and interviews scheduled mid-Spring semester for Summer and/or Fall start dates (Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Art Therapy and Fall Social Work interns).  Applications and interviews for Spring internship (Social Work) are scheduled mid-Fall semester. 

Guidelines for Applicants who are former clients of Counseling and Psychological Services:

  1. Former clients are eligible to apply for Master’s internship positions.
  2. There must be a minimum of one semester between receiving clinical services at Counseling and Psychological Services and starting a training experience at Counseling and Psychological Services.
  3. The former client’s file will be sealed upon receipt of the application.
MINIMUM CRITERIA FOR ELIGIBILITY

  • Summer, Fall, and Spring semester commitment to the Master’s Practicum/ Internship Program in the Counseling and Psychological Services at Florida State University. (Fall AND Spring commitment for Art Therapy; Fall OR Spring commitment for Social Work interns)

  • Available to engage in training-related activities for approximately 25 (for the Art Therapy and Mental Health Counseling Programs) and 32 hours (for Social Work interns) per week throughout the internship experience.

  • Currently enrolled in Florida State University’s Mental Health Counseling, Art Therapy or Social Work Graduate programs.

If you meet the minimum criteria for eligibility and are interested in applying to the Master’s Internship Program in Counseling and Psychological Services at Florida State University, please submit the following application materials (Please note, the first four documents are available for download below):

Deadline for applications for Masters of Clinical Mental health Counseling Practicum/Internship is Friday, March 1st 2024 at 12:00pm

**Please note:

  • Direct client contact may only be accrued when working at Counseling and Psychological Services office either on telehealth or in person so that in-person supervision and consultation are always available.
  • Direct client contact hours in an outpatient setting can be variable due to unexpected cancellations.
  • If for any reason, the intern is unable to come into Counseling and Psychological Services office to provide individual and group therapy, the intern will be unable to accrue any further direct client contact hours.
  • Non-client hours may be accrued at Counseling and Psychological Services office or offsite as agreed upon with the site supervisor.**

*** Please also note that if accepted into the Master’s Internship Training Program, students must provide proof of their Student Liability Insurance at the start of the internship. ***

 

Please send all completed application materials to:

Attention: Master’s Internship Coordinator 
Katherine Strauss, LCSW
Counseling and Psychological Services
Reuben O’D Askew Student Life Center
942 Learning Way, Suite 250
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4175 
Phone: (850) 644-TALK(8255)
Fax: (850) 644-3150
ks22cc@fsu.edu