As you are looking for your next therapist, you want someone who is understanding and knowledgeable. Often, clinical trainees and intern therapists are overlooked due to concerns that they do not have the knowledge base necessary to support you, but this isn’t true! Clinical trainees bring lots of knowledge, experience, and benefits to the therapy room which can provide a positive therapy experience.
Clinical trainees have a substantial knowledge base
When a clinical trainee begins with us, they are coming to us while they are in a master’s or doctoral level program. This means that they have completed an undergraduate degree and part of their graduate program. Before interns begin, they will have a substantial education base in human development, human interaction, diagnostic criteria, and more. During their practicum year, clinical trainees will be applying this knowledge and experience in the therapy room with you, along with further learning about therapeutic interventions both at Vanda Counseling and in the classroom. Clinical trainees are excited to apply this knowledge base from their education, as they are in this field to work with people.
Clinical trainees are under supervision
This is like getting two therapists for the price of one! Clinical trainees meet with an independently licensed therapist who is also trained to provide supervision in a trainee’s educational journey. Supervision includes review of diagnostic assessments, treatment plans, and care progress. Supervisors bring years of experience to the table that will help interns understand your case and learn from their experience. You receive the benefit of two different perspectives on your case!
Clinical trainees have more time to dedicate to their caseload
While every therapist cares about you as a client and spends time considering treatment approaches that will meet your needs, full-time therapists have a higher caseload, which leaves fewer hours in their day to spend on clients outside of session. Clinical trainees have fewer clients, which allows them to spend time looking at therapy approaches, planning for sessions, and ensuring that you are receiving the services that you need.
Clinical trainees bring a fresh perspective
All therapists will work to look at each case with new eyes, but it is human nature to fall into patterns when one has been doing the same work for a longer time. As clinical trainees are learning the diagnostic and therapeutic process, they may see parts of your case that a more seasoned therapist could miss due to their different perspectives.
Clinical trainees can be more affordable
At Vanda Counseling, clinical trainees can bill insurance under their supervisor’s license. However, if you are looking for a private pay option, clinical trainees are significantly more affordable than a pre-licensed or independently licensed clinician. Our clinical trainee private pay rate is $30 an hour.
