Behavioral Health Counselor Trainee Practicum and Internship Program

Our faculty includes licensed professional clinical counselors with supervisory designation.

Can I still apply for the internship if I completed a practicum somewhere else?

It is highly recommended that counselor trainees complete both the practicum and internship at Nationwide Children’s, but we understand there are circumstances that may warrant completing only the internship. Email CounselorTraineeProgram@NationwideChildrens.org for further discussion.

How many trainees are accepted each semester?

The number of accepted trainees vary per semester based on available site placement and appropriate fit.

What is the interview process like?

After an application has been submitted, candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview with the program directors and other available faculty. This is an opportunity for staff to identify which available program would be appropriate for placement. This is also an opportunity for the applicant to ask questions about Nationwide Children’s, our programs, services and the training process.

When will I know if I have been accepted?

The aim is to complete interviews two to three weeks following the application deadline. After all interviews have been completed and reviewed, applicants will be contacted by email with the status of their application.

What happens after I have been accepted?

After acceptance to the Counselor Trainee Program, students will be assigned an LPCC-S and home site. Trainees will then work with their supervisor to determine the start date and schedule for the semester. Trainees will receive further communication with additional instructions on requirements for onboarding.

Are counselor trainees paid?

No, at this time counselor trainees are not compensated.

Will my placement meet my school requirements for direct hours?

The Counselor Trainee Program adheres to CACREP standards and will work with candidates to provide adequate opportunity to meet both direct and indirect hours.

Will my placement site work around my class schedule?

Trainees will work with their site supervisor to coordinate their weekly schedule. Trainee's class schedules, work schedules, and other pre-existing commitments should be shared at the time of application and with site supervisors to plan accordingly. Program placement and other clinical experiences will be dependent on trainee availability.

Is there weekend availability to complete internship hours?

We offer opportunities for interns to complete hours Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Trainees are expected to offer availability multiple days per week to complete their training hours. Schedules vary amongst programs between the hours of 8am-8pm. Please note that many of our programs provide clinical services in the evenings M-TH, and may require students to have at least 1 evening available to complete training hours.

Do interns have to stay with the same program for the practicum and internship?

Yes, trainees are assigned to their home site for completion of both their practicum and internship.

Will I get to learn about different programs at Nationwide Children’s during my placement?

While trainees are assigned to a home site, they have opportunities to learn about other programs through informational meetings and/or shadowing/observation at different sites within behavioral health. Trainees’ site supervisors will arrange shadowing opportunities based on their interests and the availability of programs.

When do I start seeing clients?

Trainees will typically begin seeing clients independently during their internship. This will depend on the trainees’ home site’s structure, the services provided and individual development.

Will shadowing/observation count for direct hours?

Our shadowing/observation experiences are created in alignment with CACREP standards. While trainees will be primarily observing during shadowing experiences, they will still be included in sessions in some capacity. These experiences will allow trainees to build clinical skills in preparation for delivering services independently throughout their internship. The site supervisor will identify the opportunities in the trainees’ program that will count for direct hours.

Can I extend my internship for another semester?

Yes. Opportunities to extend internships for an additional semester are available.

Can I complete my hours virtually?

Trainees are expected to be on site for the majority of their placement. Some seminars and trainings are offered virtually and the use of telehealth in patient care varies by program. Trainees will work with their site supervisor to determine when virtual participation is appropriate.

Will my placement site accommodate my school breaks (i.e. spring break, winter break)?

Trainees will work with their site supervisor to identify appropriate coverage for clinical care during school breaks. If breaks are longer than 2 weeks at a time, trainees may be expected to complete internship hours during that break for the purposes of maintaining clinical care. Coverage needs will vary and be specific to the program you are assigned. Trainees are encouraged to discuss scheduled breaks with their site supervisor upon initial placement to plan in advance.

Counselor Trainee practicum and internship students are not eligible for salary or benefits.

Click here to complete the online application. Completed applications will require an attached resume/CV and three letters of recommendation.

Applicants will be contacted by a member of the Counselor Trainee Program regarding next steps. Applicants selected to move forward in the process will be scheduled for an interview following the application deadline. Placement decisions will be determined upon completion of all interviews.

Application Deadlines

• Winter/Spring Semester: October 1
• Fall Semester: June 1

For more information, please contact CounselorTraineeProgram@NationwideChildrens.org.