Master's-Level Internship

Application Process

Welcome to the Blinn College District Master’s Level Counseling Internship website! We appreciate your interest in our masters-level internship and hope that the information provided through our website will be helpful in determining if this program is a good fit for you. Our office is committed to the highest standards in training and to meet the mission statement set by Blinn College.

Candidates interested in applying for Blinn’s Mental Health Counseling site program must complete the following steps.

1. Complete the application form on the Blinn Mental Health Counseling website.
2. Include a current resume.
3. Submit a current, unofficial transcript.
4. Statement of Interest. Please describe your interest in working at the Blinn Mental Health Counseling Office. In detail, please include how our site fits into your future goals. Please limit your response to two pages.
5. Letter(s) of Recommendation. These writers should be from someone who has directly supervised your work with clients. It should address your progress in the program, current skill level, and areas of growth. The writer may include additional information that helps us better know you.

Please see the following dates for application deadlines. Students may submit their applications earlier than the dates below.

• Fall semester - June 1
• Spring Semester - October 1
• Summer semester - March 1

Upon submission of the application, interviews will be conducted.

Practicum Application Link

Expectations

We seek interns whose interests and goals are compatible with our training philosophy and training program aim. The following qualities are some indicators of a good fit:

• Applicants who are passionate about the work of psychotherapy and wish to develop a stronger integration of their personal and professional identities.
• Prior practicum experience in a counseling center.

Hours:

Interns: 20-24 -hour week

• 12 – 14 direct client hours
• 2 supervision hours
• 4 office hours
• 2 supervision preparation hours
  
  

Practicum: 12-14 -hour week

• 8 – 10 direct client hours
• 1 supervision hour
• 2 office hours
• 1 supervision preparation hour

Business Casual Attire

All interns are asked to wear business casual clothing, which is less formal than traditional business wear but is still intended to give a professional and businesslike impression.

Required Attendance

Master's-level interns will be expected to attend all scheduled supervision meetings. Students who do not meet all program requirements will not receive required evaluations for the internship experience or may have their performance evaluation affected.

Case Load Management

Master's-level interns will be responsible for the schedule management of clients assigned to them during the semester.

• Counseling office staff will work with the intern to identify available appointment times to fit the number of direct hours needed each week.
• In the event the intern has a planned absence, the intern will notify clients and reschedule appointments as appropriate.
• If the intern is out with an unplanned absence such as an accident or illness, interns will notify the Blinn Counseling office as soon as possible and ask that clients be contacted to reschedule.
• Client notes are to be completed on the day of service before leaving the building.
• All recorded materials are to be stored in the supervisor’s office when not being used to tape or review sessions.
• Client information is never to be kept in the practicum trainees’ offices while they are not using them.

Evaluation of Practicum Counselors

At the end of the semester, supervisors will provide written feedback to master's-level interns regarding their performance throughout the semester and will complete the evaluation form from the intern's home university. Supervisors and supervisees are encouraged to discuss progress throughout the semester, but in particular at an informal evaluation meeting at mid-semester. In addition, interns will evaluate their individual supervisors and their internship program as a whole.

Supervisor Expectations

The supervisory relationship is an experiential learning process that assists the supervisee in developing therapeutic and professional competence. Supervision will be provided by persons qualified to be a Licensed Professional Counselor qualified by the State of Texas and in good standing. Specific training in supervision facilitates the professional growth of the supervisee.

Supervisory Goal

• Monitoring client welfare
• Encouraging compliance with legal, ethical, and professional standards
• Teaching therapeutic skills
• Providing regular feedback and evaluation
  (Supervisee’s Bill of Rights)

Evaluation of Practicum Counselors

At the end of the semester, supervisors will provide written feedback to masters-level interns regarding their performance throughout the semester and will complete evaluation form from Student’s home university. Supervisors and supervisees are encouraged to discuss progress throughout the semester but in particular at an informal evaluation meeting at mid-semester. In addition, interns will evaluate their individual supervisors and their internship program as a whole.

Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisors Will:

• Assign at least 20 hours from the Mental Health Counseling Program.
• Provide clinical/counseling orientation and task competencies.
• Provide essential professional identity and ethical code competencies interviewing and counseling (theory and practice) competencies.
• Evaluate and provide assessment and appraisal skills.
• Interviewing and counseling (theory and practice) competencies.
• Assessment and appraisal skills.
• Essential vocational evaluation and adjustment competencies.
• Essential knowledge in the preparation and implementation of treatment plans.
• Essential case management competencies, including knowledge of available references and resources.
• Consultation, administration, leadership.
• Psychoeducational competencies in accordance with the student’s program emphasis and field site placement.
• Oversee case development
• Direct supervision from an assigned Licensed Professional Counselor from Blinn College District
• Individual or triadic supervision 2 hours each week
• The assigned Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor from the Blinn College District will meet with the faculty instructor as requested by the Associate’s college/university
• Formal and informal evaluations
• Opportunity to participate in:
  • Individual counseling
  • Mental health diagnosis
  • Treatment Plan development
  • Group Counseling
  • Review of progress notes
  • Staff/Team meetings