More Than a Title: Understanding Your Therapist’s Role

Written by: Yasmine Mohamed 

I need great support, am I in the right place?

One word that might make you believe you are in the wrong place: Intern.

However, did you know that there are different types of interns in the mental health field? At FTG, we understand that each person is unique and has different needs. Therefore, we have Master’s Level Interns, Registered Interns, and Licensed Clinicians to serve the many different clients that walk through our doors.

Here is a quick overview of what they each mean:

Master’s Level Interns (Student Interns)

Master’s level interns are current graduate students completing their practicum or internship as required by their counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy programs. They are still in school and have not yet earned their degree.

However, being that practicum and/or internship is typically during the final year of their program…student interns have gained the knowledge and skillset to provide amazing support to clients.

Key Highlights

• They provide services as part of their graduate training
• They must work under close supervision from a qualified licensed counselor.

At FTG, our student interns receive extra supervision.

Their clinical hours count toward their degree, not toward state licensure. Student interns sit in on sessions with licensed clinicians for observation.

They also see 2-3 clients autonomously under close supervision from a qualified clinical supervisor.
FTG offers a sliding scale for clients who are interested in seeing student interns. Please call the office for more information.

What clients can expect:

• Interns bring fresh academic knowledge and enthusiasm.
• They cannot practice independently and must review cases with supervisors.

 

Registered State Interns (Registered Interns)

After earning a master’s degree, clinicians in Florida must register with the Department of Health as registered interns before they can begin accruing the supervised postmaster’s hours required for licensure. Many clinicians may not pursue licensure right away, however, may continue working in the field under supervision. Therefore, a registered intern can have years of experience in the field, yet still be classified as a registered intern until the state licensure requirements are complete.

Key characteristics:

• They have completed their graduate degree and are now working toward the state’s required 1,500 hours of supervised clinical experience.
• They must remain under clinical supervision until hours are complete and all requirements have been met.
• They may already have years of experience in the field, specialties, and post-graduate training.

 

What clients can expect:

• They practice autonomously but still consult regularly with supervisors.
• They may have advanced training and specialties for client’s who need specific interventions.

 

Licensed Clinicians

Licensed clinicians have completed all education, supervised experience, and examination requirements and hold an active Florida license. Although licensed clinicians have completed all requirements to hold state licensure, the years of experience will vary depending on whether they pursued licensure immediately after completing their education or if they elected to wait.

 

Key characteristics:

• They have completed their master’s degree, all supervised hours, and passed required exams.
• They can practice independently without supervision and supervise interns.
• They may have advanced training and specialties as they are responsible for continuing education to keep licensure active.

 

What clients can expect:

• Licensed clinicians bring a combination of formal education, supervised training, and independent clinical experience.
• They can provide a full range of therapeutic services without supervision.

 

Remember that the therapeutic relationship is an essential factor for healing in therapy. No matter where you are in your therapeutic journey, Family Therapy Group of Weston has a variety of clinicians ready to guide you.