Clinical Internships
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Practicum & Internship Opportunities
New Leaf Behavioral Health is a clinical training site for clinical master’s and Ph.D.-level students at local and national universities. We offer counseling internships and clinical practicum opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds, including social work, counseling, rehabilitation counseling, psychology, and related behavioral health disciplines.
In helping train future therapists and mental health counselors, it is our goal to provide a supportive environment for clinicians-in-training to develop their professional skills. Our clinical internship program is grounded in teaching evidence-based practices, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and the training experience focuses on direct practice and meaningful hands-on clinical experience.
Inquire About Internship Availability
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internships
New Leaf Behavioral Health provides clinical mental health counseling internships designed to help graduate students bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional clinical practice.
Interns have the opportunity to develop their counseling skills through direct practice while receiving training, supervision, and support throughout their experience.
Our clinical training program emphasizes:
- Direct practice and hands-on counseling experience
- Evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
- Supportive clinical supervision
- Professional skill development
- Experience working with a diverse population of clients
- Opportunities to develop confidence and independence as a clinician
We primarily use a developmental model of supervision, allowing students to build their skills, confidence, and professional identity throughout their time at New Leaf Behavioral Health.
Counseling Practicum & Internship Experience
We typically work with students who are interested in completing both their counseling practicum and internship at New Leaf Behavioral Health.
Completing both experiences with New Leaf allows students to build continuity throughout their clinical training and continue developing the skills, relationships, and experience established during their practicum.
If you have the flexibility to divide your internship into two semesters, with 300 total hours for each semester, we recommend doing so for the learning experience. However, we recognize that some graduate programs do not allow for that flexibility.
Who Can Apply for a Counseling Internship?
New Leaf Behavioral Health accepts clinical master’s and Ph.D.-level students from local and national universities.
Interns come from a variety of academic backgrounds, including:
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Counseling
- Social Work
- Rehabilitation Counseling
- Psychology
- Related clinical and behavioral health programs
Program requirements vary between universities, so we encourage prospective interns to provide information about their specific practicum and internship requirements when contacting us.
Hear From Our Clinical Counseling Interns
Students from a variety of universities and clinical programs have completed their practicum and counseling internships with New Leaf Behavioral Health.
Their experiences highlight many of the things we strive to provide: supportive supervision, meaningful direct experience, opportunities to build clinical confidence, and an environment where developing counselors can grow into their own professional identities.
A Supportive Place to Learn and Grow
“I was encouraged to discover my own strengths as a new therapist, while also reflecting on areas I could improve in.”
Laci Wright, Clinical Intern 2025
Liberty University, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
Laci completed both her practicum and internship with New Leaf and describes receiving consistent support while developing her counseling skills and discovering the type of therapist she wanted to become.
Building Confidence Through Clinical Experience
“Throughout the year, my caseload grew at a gradual pace allowing for plenty of opportunities for learning, skill building, experience, and confidence building.”
Lauren Finn, Clinical Intern 2025
University of the Southwest, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
Lauren highlights New Leaf’s consistent scheduling, clear communication, weekly one-on-one supervision, and gradual approach to building her caseload and confidence as an emerging clinical mental health counselor.
Gaining the Hours and Experience You Need
“I had initial concerns about getting my required hours but quickly learned that I would have over and above what I needed.”
Nancy Harrell, Clinical Intern 2024–2025
Lenoir-Rhyne University, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
Nancy describes receiving a variety of learning experiences with clients while gaining the hours, professional development, and confidence she needed throughout her practicum and internship.
Looking for a Counseling Internship or Practicum Site?
If you are looking for a master’s or Ph.D.-level counseling practicum or clinical internship opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.
Please email Patrick Malloy at internships@nlbh.org with your resume and program requirements for more information about current internship availability.
When contacting us, please include:
- Whether you are looking for a site to complete both your practicum and internship
- When you would be eligible and interested in starting; including the date your semester or quarter begins is helpful
- Whether your program operates on a semester or quarter system
- Whether you have the flexibility to divide your internship into two semesters, with 300 total hours for each semester
- Whether your program has any specific requirements in addition to direct practice, such as group experience, telehealth vs in-person direct practice, and any details you can provide