Who Should Apply?
Applicants should be graduate counseling students who:
- Are enrolled in an eligible graduate counseling program
- Have completed the academic requirements necessary to begin practicum or internship
- Have authorization from their university to begin clinical training
- Are seeking supervised clinical experience
- Can meet the clinical placement requirements established by their university and CVMHS
- Have a flexible schedule that includes daytime availability
- Can consistently participate in internship activities in blocks of at least four consecutive hours
- Demonstrate professionalism, dependability, ethical awareness, and an interest in serving diverse client populations
Schedule and Availability Expectations
Clinical internship requires more than evening availability. Interns must maintain a flexible schedule that includes availability during daytime hours.
Interns must be able to commit to internship activities in blocks of at least four consecutive hours. These extended blocks allow interns to participate meaningfully in client care, documentation, supervision, consultation, meetings, groups, community based services, and other clinical learning opportunities.
Applicants whose availability is limited exclusively to evenings or short periods between other obligations may not have sufficient availability to meet the expectations of the internship.
Because clinical opportunities and client needs vary, interns should maintain enough scheduling flexibility to participate meaningfully in the full training experience.
Your Clinical Training Experience
Internship experiences may include:
- Individual counseling
- Group counseling and psychoeducation
- Clinical assessment
- Treatment planning
- Clinical documentation and record keeping
- Case management and care coordination
- Crisis assessment and intervention
- Community based behavioral health services
- Community outreach and advocacy
- Clinical consultation
- Professional development
- Individual, triadic, or group supervision as applicable
University Coordination
Internship requirements vary among graduate counseling programs. Applicants are responsible for providing CVMHS with their university’s clinical placement requirements, including required hours, direct client contact requirements, supervision expectations, evaluation requirements, affiliation agreements, and applicable deadlines.
Acceptance into the CVMHS Clinical Counseling Internship is contingent upon CVMHS being able to meet the student’s university requirements and the student successfully completing all required placement and onboarding requirements.
Before applying:
Please confirm that your academic program permits you to begin clinical training and that your schedule allows for daytime clinical experience in blocks of at least four consecutive hours.
Not Sure Which Opportunity Is Right for You?
Still completing your graduate counseling degree? Explore the Clinical Counseling Internship.
Already completed your graduate counseling degree and hold an active Virginia Resident in Counseling license?
Explore the Clinical Residency Program.