Our Training Philosophy
At Feelings First Counseling, we believe that clinical training is not only about developing skills it is about becoming a grounded, reflective, and compassionate clinician who can be fully present with another person’s emotional experience.
We approach training as a relational process, where learning happens through connection, curiosity, and thoughtful reflection. Our goal is to support emerging clinicians in developing both clinical competence and a strong sense of professional identity.
Training That Honors the Whole Clinician
We recognize that each intern brings their own strengths, lived experiences, and perspectives into the therapeutic space. Rather than expecting a “finished” clinician, we meet trainees where they are and support their growth over time.
We value the development of:
Clinical confidence grounded in humility
Emotional awareness and regulation
Cultural responsiveness and sensitivity
Ethical and reflective decision-making
A sustainable and authentic professional identity
Feelings First in Clinical Training
Just as we support clients in understanding their emotional experiences, we encourage trainees to bring the same curiosity inward.
In our training model, we emphasize:
Feelings as information rather than problems to fix
Curiosity over judgment in clinical work and supervision
Process over performance, allowing space for learning and growth
Connection as the foundation of effective therapeutic work
We believe that the way clinicians learn directly shapes the way they practice and that safe, supportive training environments lead to more thoughtful and effective therapists.
Supervision as a Reflective Space
Supervision is not only a place for case review, but a space for reflection, exploration, and professional development. We aim to create an environment where interns feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and deepening their clinical thinking without fear of judgment.
Our supervision approach is:
Collaborative rather than hierarchical
Supportive while still developmentally challenging
Focused on both clinical skill and self-awareness
Grounded in evidence-based and relational frameworks
Commitment to Ethical and Culturally Responsive Care
We are committed to training clinicians who provide ethical, inclusive, and culturally responsive care. This includes ongoing attention to identity, power, context, and the ways these factors shape both the therapeutic relationship and the client’s lived experience.
We encourage trainees to develop:
Cultural humility
Awareness of systemic and relational influences on mental health
Respect for diverse identities and lived experiences
Ethical integrity in all clinical decision-making
Our Hope for Trainees
Our hope is that interns leave our program not only with stronger clinical skills, but also with a deeper sense of confidence, self-awareness, and connection to their work.
We aim to support clinicians who are:
Thoughtful in their approach
Grounded in their clinical identity
Compassionate in their presence
Committed to lifelong learning
Join Our Clinical Training Program
Clinical Internship | Beginning Fall 2026
At Feelings First Counseling, we believe that becoming a therapist is not only about learning skills it’s about developing presence, self-awareness, and the ability to sit with another person’s emotional world with care and curiosity.
Our Clinical Training Program is designed for graduate-level interns who are seeking a meaningful, supportive, and growth-oriented training experience. We are committed to helping emerging clinicians build confidence, deepen their clinical thinking, and develop their own authentic therapeutic style.
We welcome interns who are eager to learn, open to feedback, and committed to providing compassionate, ethical, and culturally responsive care.
What You Can Expect
Individual Supervision
Interns will receive one hour of individual supervision each week with a licensed clinician. Supervision is collaborative, reflective, and tailored to your developmental needs as a clinician-in-training.
Weekly Didactic Training
Interns will participate in two hours of weekly seminars and clinical didactics focused on integrating theory, research, and practice. Topics may include:
Evidence-based therapeutic approaches
Trauma-informed and attachment-based care
Ethics and professional development
Cultural humility and identity-affirming practice
Case conceptualization and clinical reasoning
Documentation and clinical skills
Therapist identity and self-reflection
Group Therapy Experience
Interns will have opportunities to co-facilitate therapy groups alongside a licensed clinician, gaining hands-on experience in group process, intervention, and therapeutic relationship building within a supported environment.
Optional Research Opportunities*
For interns interested in research, there are optional opportunities to participate in ongoing projects, including relationship research, program development, and scholarly writing. Research involvement is not required but is available for those who wish to deepen this area of their training.
Who Should Apply
We welcome applications from graduate students in counseling, psychology, or related mental health fields who are seeking practicum or internship placement and are eager to grow in a supportive, structured, and emotionally grounded training environment.
Ideal candidates are:
Enrolled in a master’s-level Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Mental Health Counseling program and completing required practicum and/or internship field placement hours as part of your degree requirements.
Open to providing counseling services in a fully tele-health environment.
Interested in working collaboratively as part of a supportive training environment.
Committed to ethical, compassionate, and culturally responsive clinical practice.
Reliable, professional, and accountable in meeting clinical and administrative responsibilities.
Apply to Join Us
If you are looking for a training experience that values both clinical excellence and human connection, we invite you to apply.
We would be honored to support your growth as you take the next step in your clinical journey.