Clinical Internship Program
Grow your clinical career at MDCC
We are dedicated to advancing the careers of therapists-in-training by offering a comprehensive internship program that provides hands-on experience and support from a team of skilled, professional therapists. Many employers report that counselors who have completed our program are exceptionally well-prepared to help others due to the thorough training they receive.
At Maria Droste Counseling Center, we offer both in-person and online behavioral health services to individuals of all ages, including adults, children, teens, couples, and families, regardless of their ability to pay. We accept referrals from churches, schools, hospitals, clinics, and other local agencies. Clients referred through our Access Center often face challenges accessing care due to being uninsured or underinsured, and typically utilize a sliding scale fee, Medicaid/Medicare, or grant funding to cover services. We provide therapy for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, anger management, grief, trauma, relationship issues, and chronic illness.
All internship positions at Maria Droste Counseling Center involve working with outpatient clients while also being placed in community-based settings; this dual experience allows interns to gain valuable exposure to both clinical environments and community outreach, enhancing their skills and understanding of diverse client needs.
Clinical Experience
Interns provide outpatient counseling to children, teens, adults, couples, and families in person and through telehealth. You'll gain experience working with diverse clients, presenting concerns, diagnoses, and approaches to care.
Community-Based Experience
Clinical training extends beyond the counseling office. Interns also gain experience in community-based settings such as schools and community organizations, developing skills in outreach, collaboration, referrals, and reducing barriers to care.
800+
Therapists have trained through Maria Droste’s Clinical Training Program since 1994.
Have questions or want to see where our interns have studied? Explore our FAQs and represented universities.
What We Offer At a Glance
- 30+ years of clinical training experience
- Unpaid internship with stipend and work-study eligibility
- Weekly group and individual supervision
- Weekly advanced training
- Monthly case consultation
- Diverse, inclusive environment
What You'll Learn
Learning Beyond the Counseling Room: Interns participate in ongoing training designed to strengthen both clinical practice and professional development. Recent training topics have included:
- Couples & Family Counseling
- Psychopharmacology
- Art-Based Interventions
- Play Therapy
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Secondary Traumatic Stress & Burnout Prevention
Training evolves throughout the year and includes learning opportunities led by MDCC clinicians and community partners.
choosing internship tracks
Outpatient Counseling Program
Residents from anywhere in Colorado, regardless of legal status, can receive counseling through the Outpatient Counseling Program at Maria Droste. This program serves individuals across the lifespan (ages 4 and up), as well as couples and families. Services are provided onsite at Maria Droste Counseling Center or via telehealth, with a variety of payment options available, including a sliding scale, Medicaid/Medicare, and grant funding.
Our outpatient providers work with a diverse group of clients experiencing a wide range of presenting concerns and diagnoses, with a strong demand for Spanish-speaking providers. Couples and family services are prioritized for providers with caseload expectations set by their universities and are offered to all providers when availability allows.
Important Considerations
Interns at Maria Droste will work in both outpatient and community-based site environments, which may feel comfortable for some but challenging for others. It’s important to reflect on your confidence in making quick decisions in these settings, as you will have opportunities to discuss these decisions during supervision. Those who excel in this program often enjoy developing their clinical judgment and are proactive in seeking consultation and support when needed.
Clinicians will also gain experience working with different types of client engagement. At the outpatient site, clients are typically scheduled with a provider, while at the community-based site, clients are often referred by site staff, and multiple outreach attempts may be necessary for initial engagement. This dual experience allows clinicians to understand and navigate the unique approaches, rules, and requirements of each setting. While working across both sites expands your clinical knowledge and skills, it can also present the challenge of balancing the demands of each environment.
How To Succeed as a Clinical Intern
How to succeed as an intern at Maria Droste:
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Commit to Professional GrowthList Item 1
Actively engage in learning by seeking feedback, attending training sessions, and staying current with counseling techniques and theories.
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Build Strong Rapport with ColleaguesList Item 2
Foster trust and empathy with clients by maintaining a nonjudgmental, compassionate, and open approach to their needs.
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Be Proactive in SupervisionList Item 3
Take advantage of regular supervision by coming prepared with questions, case notes, and areas where you seek guidance or insight.
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Balance Self-Care with Workload Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.List Item 4
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Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability
Be open to various client populations and therapeutic methods, adapting your approach as needed to meet each client’s unique needs.
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Engage in Team Collaboration
Be a collaborative team member by sharing insights, offering support to colleagues, and learning from the collective knowledge of the counseling team.
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Embrace Cultural Competency
Be mindful of cultural differences and demonstrate sensitivity to diverse backgrounds, incorporating cultural awareness into your counseling approach to better serve clients.
Colleges Our Interns Come from
For more than 30 years, graduate students from universities in Colorado and across the country have completed clinical training at Maria Droste, building their skills through hands-on experience, supervision, and professional development.
