My Therapist is an Intern/Partially Licensed Should I be Worried About Their Expertise?
During my three-year Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Johns Hopkins University, I interned at a private practice in Baltimore city. One of the most common questions clients asked was,
"What does it mean to be a therapist intern?" followed by "Do you have the experience to help with my concerns?"
I explained that as a graduate-level clinician, I was completing my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling while receiving supervision from a licensed psychologist. This training involved weekly supervision sessions to refine my clinical skills and prepare me for professional practice in counseling. Clinical supervision helps supervisees assess, diagnose, and treat complex cases, navigate ethical dilemmas, learn new skills and techniques, and adjust therapeutic approaches as needed when client progress stagnates.
However, I understood that therapy involves vulnerability, and clients often seek relief in a time-consuming and expensive process. I welcomed skepticism into the therapeutic space, recognizing that being young and fresh out of grad school might make clients cautious, especially regarding confidentiality during supervision.
Before delving into the benefits of seeing an intern or provisional therapist, it's essential to understand what these terms mean.
What does it mean to be a trainee therapist?
An intern (or graduate-level clinician) in mental healthcare clinics sees clients while pursuing a Master’s or Doctoral degree. They work under the supervision of fully licensed professionals.
On the other hand, a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC/LG) is a clinician with a provisional license who has graduated from a Master’s degree in counseling or a related field. LGPCs complete extensive internship hours—around 600 or more—and undergo supervised practice for a minimum of two years post-graduation to qualify for full licensure.
Are trainee therapists less efficient due to their limited experience?
The answer is nuanced. While trainee therapists have fewer client-facing hours compared to licensed professionals, their effectiveness varies. Much depends on their training, the quality of supervision, and their commitment to professional development.
Benefits of Seeing Trainee Therapists
Trainee therapists offer the advantage of dual perspectives. When you see a trainee therapist, you benefit not only from their direct input but also from the expertise of their supervisor behind the scenes. This arrangement ensures a collaborative approach to your therapy.
Burnout and compassion fatigue are common among therapists, impacting the quality of care. Trainee therapists often manage smaller caseloads and benefit from a supportive supervisory alliance, potentially reducing burnout risk and enhancing the quality of individualized care.
Fresh out of grad school, trainee therapists bring updated knowledge and enthusiasm to their practice. They are eager to apply recent education and training in evidence-based practices, often exploring innovative therapeutic approaches.
Moreover, trainee therapists may offer more affordable therapy options since they have lower overhead costs and may accept insurance plans like Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, Evernorth, and CareFirst.
In conclusion, while many experienced therapists deserve recognition for their expertise, others may face challenges like burnout, unethical practice, or lack of updated training. Ultimately, the client-therapist relationship significantly impacts the therapeutic process and has been known to predict positive outcomes over factors like therapy models and therapist characteristics. Choosing a therapist based on their specialties and your personal rapport with them is crucial for effective care.
Aanchal is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor who sees couples, adult individuals, and families with varying relational concerns. She is supervised by Alice Zhao, LCPC. Learn more about Aanchal’s work and schedule your first therapy session with her here.
