Counseling Internship Program

  • Grow with us.

    In this competitive program, Masters-level counseling students will participate in at least 12 hours a week of internship during the following hours:

    Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 8am-6:00pm Mountain Time. We are closed 12p-1p for lunch.

    This position is unpaid and can be done hybrid in Colorado Springs. We meet all CACREP and Department of Labor requirements.

    Our program focuses on trauma in adolescents and adults, as well as social justice and the interplay between privilege, power, difference, and mental health.

  • Thrive.

    At-your-own pace training begins before the first day of classes. From there, interns will begin a 2-3 week intensive training program during their scheduled hours.

    From there, students will see around 12-14 clients per week for individual, group, or family therapy.

    Interns are trained in diagnostics and assessments, treatment planning, crisis intervention, CBT, DBT, MI, and client-centered approaches.

    Interns will also participate in recordings or reviews of their sessions, shadowing, clinical consultations, staffings, and more to further develop their skills as a clinician.

  • Plant seeds.

    Students are supported throughout the year with 3 hours per week of group supervision including:

    Mondays 10am-11am Mountain Time: All team meeting (case conceptualization with multiple providers). An additional meeting Tuesdays 11am-12pm is encouraged but not required.

    Thursdays 9am-11am: Intern supervision (role playing new skills, reviewing ongoing trainings, process recordings, reviewing tapes of sessions, and case conceptualization)

    By the time interns leave our program the following spring, they are prepared to be an entry level therapist.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Tell me a little about yourself.

Our clinic primarily serves Medicaid. We are passionate about serving clients who have traditionally struggled to find high quality, long term mental health care from dedicated, caring clinicians who are not suffering from burnout. We believe in equity, inclusion, diversity, and justice in the work that we do. 

Our values: 

  • Integrity and ethics

  • Quality patient care

  • Happy, healthy staff

  • Fiscal responsibility

  • Learning, education, and research

  • Social justice

  • Community

  • Prevention and education

  • Strengths-based

I have a different timeline, availability, or degree. Can I still participate?

Our program has been carefully tailored to give interns and their clients the best experience. Due to this, we are unable to be flexible with the start date, hours of availability (unless more than 12 are required), degree, or other requirements described above. A cohort is started each semester. Students must stay in the program for at least 2 consecutive semesters although most will be present for about a full calendar year.

Can I complete my practicum with you?

Students may complete both their practicum and internship with us, but not exclusively their practicum. Please contact us to arrange this timeline.

My school does not have a partnership with you but I am interested. How can I get started?

Once you are accepted to the program, you will provide the contact information for your school if we do not already have an established relationship with them. Our office will then handle any paperwork or agreements required to continue your placement with us. Only CACREP-accredited programs or schools in the process of achieving accreditation will be considered.

How can I make myself a good applicant?

The ideal applicant has an attention to detail, excellent communication and writing skills, good organizational skills, a passion for trauma and social justice, and the ability to work as both a team player and independently. Interns do not need experience in the mental health field, although this is helpful. Preference is given to interns who are located in Colorado, as they may be eligible for hire after the internship ends.

Apply today.

The first step of the application process is to email a PDF format of your cover letter, resume, and unofficial Masters-level transcripts to danielle@thepattersoncenter.org. Additionally, please complete our online application by clicking here.

Your documents will then be reviewed. From there, our office may schedule an interview with you.

Upon completion of the interview, your references will be contacted and a background check will be completed.

Final decisions will be made on an ongoing basis until the program is full.

Incomplete or incorrect applications will not be considered.