One way that MDS is able to meet the needs of those individuals and families who would otherwise not be able to obtain counseling services is by utilizing graduate level interns from area counseling programs. At any given time, MDS is providing internship training for up to 25 interns completing masters’ degrees in counseling psychology, clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy, and social work, as well as doctoral degrees in psychology. These interns provide many of the services offered through our OPTIONS and CHILDREN FIRST programs while they receive monthly in-services, training, and weekly supervision from our licensed therapists. Since 1989, we have trained more than 300 graduate school interns. Our program offers them a diverse training and educational experience.

Our Master's Level Internship consists of two components: participation as a therapist at MDS, serving a broad range of clients, and participation as a therapist in the school-based CHILDREN FIRST program. Our Doctoral Level Internship involves working with only adult clients at MDS, though Doctoral students may discuss completing a 20-hour Internship that would include counseling children through the CHILDREN FIRST program.

At MDS, we use a holistic approach. Our counseling is reality based and oriented to insight and behavioral change. We assist individual adults, couples, children, adolescents and families. Our goal is to help clients experience more satisfaction and peace of mind, to improve relationships and self-esteem, to parent lovingly, and to find positive approaches and solutions to dealing with life challenges.

Our intern supervisors are highly experienced and have tremendous respect for the important role that interns play in our mission of providing quality services to the community.

Through our internship program, we offer:

• Individual Therapy
• Couples Counseling
• Family Therapy
• Group Therapy (at Children First schools)
• The Children First Program
• ADAD Level I & II Education
• ADAD Group Therapy

Internship Program Requirements

• 20 hours/week minimum (10 hours at a CHILDREN FIRST school, 5 clinical hours at MDS and 5 hours in training and supervision)
• Nine month minimum commitment (September to May)
• Monthly process recordings or audio/video recordings

• Friday morning meetings, every Friday, 8:30 - noon, include in-services on a wide variety of clinical topics, case conferences, and working with children groups.
• Ability to schedule some weekend clinical work
• Ability to respond to client emergencies as needed
• One hour individual supervision per week
• Completion of all clinical paperwork
• Ability to work independently
• Professional attitude
• Purchase of student liability insurance policy (approximately $35)
• Self awareness and a commitment to personal growth

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MDS is an approved field placement site for several graduate programs. These currently include:

• Naropa Institute
  Masters in Transpersonal Psychology
  Masters in Somatic Psychology
  Masters in Contemplative Psychology
   
• Regis University
  Masters Professional Counseling Track
   
• University of Colorado at Denver
  Masters in Counseling Psychology
  Masters in Clinical Psychology
   
• University of Denver
  MSW
  PsyD
  Masters in Counseling Psychology
   
• University of Northern Colorado
  Masters in Community Counseling

For more information about our graduate training program, please call or e-mail our Intern Program Director, Judy Wilkinson at 303 756-9052, ext. 116, judy_wilkinson@mdscounseling.org.

See Also: 

Master's Level Internship Application 2008-2009

Doctoral Level Internship Application 2008-2009

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