Graduate Counseling Intern Program

Graduate Counseling Intern Program

We are proud to offer an internship program for graduate students pursuing a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Social Work.

We are proud to offer an internship program for graduate students pursuing a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Social Work.

McLean, Falls Church, Old Town, Ashburn and Richmond

Please note we require two weekday evenings and/or one weekend day in order to meet university hour requirements

Our internship program is part of our commitment to both the professional field of counseling and to our community. Graduate Interns receive in-person weekly supervision from licensed therapists and through weekly peer consultation groups. The internship program exposes interns to a variety of client populations and clinical issues. Clients, in turn, benefit from reduced session rates and access to professional counseling services which may otherwise have been inaccessible due to financial restrictions.

Sunstone strives to provide a supportive and collaborative workplace where students can develop their careers. Our practice is designed to help all counselors develop a strong caseload of preferred clients, as well as cultivate their clinical skills and competencies.

Students may fulfill practicum requirements at Sunstone if they are completed along with an internship semester.

We are now accepting applications for Summer 2025 and Fall 2025 Internship Placements. We invite all Master’s level Counseling and Social Work Students to apply now!

Please note:
  • Applications for Summer 2025 will be reviewed until all spots are filled and/or February 28, 2025 (whichever comes first)
  • Applications for Fall 2025 will be reviewed beginning February 15, 2025 until all spots are filled and/or March 21, 2025 (whichever comes first)

Intern Responsibilities

Job Responsibilities
  1. Perform 16-20 hours/week of clinical (direct) and administrative (indirect) functions
  2. Conduct intake sessions with potential clients
  3. Conduct 55-min counseling sessions (minimum of six to eight hours of psychotherapy per week)
  4. Attend weekly supervision to gain clinical support and feedback
  5. Attend weekly peer supervision groups and cohort meetings
  6. Conduct relevant assessments and mandatory reporting as necessary
  7. Participate in individual and practice development
  8. Please note we require two weekday evenings and/or one weekend day in order to meet university hour requirements
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  1. High degree of ethics and a practice of discretion and confidentiality
  2. Strong written and oral communication skills. Excellent listening skills required
  3. Ability to consider internal and external resources to develop a client treatment plan
  4. Possess high levels of patience, empathy, and respect

Supervision and Support

Individual Clinical Supervision

Weekly 1-on-1 meeting with Licensed Supervisor

Weekly Intern Group Supervision

Weekly group meeting with Clinical Director (all interns participate)

Weekly Peer Group Meetings

Optional peer consultation (peer groups offered daily; join as many as you wish)

Monthly Cohort Meetings

Discussion of specialized interests (e.g. Eating Disorders, Race and Identity, Women’s Issues)

Additional Benefits
  1. Paid psychologytoday.com membership
  2. Online counseling bio/profile, including professional headshot
  3. Marketing of counseling profile via social media
  4. Flexible scheduling

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