We are so excited that you are considering working with one of our Clinical Student Interns. Below are FAQs about what it means to work with an intern at Little Seed Counseling. Our team values transparency, including demystifying the process of becoming a therapist and being open about how we train and support new clinicians. We hope the answers below help you decide whether working with a Clinical Student Intern is right for you!
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What is a “Clinical Student Intern?”

Internship is required for all clinical mental health counseling programs. Our interns are graduate students currently enrolled in accredited programs including counseling, rehabilitation counseling and social work in the state of North Carolina. Interns have finished- or are about to finish- all required coursework from their graduate programs, and are working towards completing internship hours so that they can pursue licensure in a mental health field.

Here at Little Seed, Clinical Student Interns have the same expectations as other clinicians on the team, including maintaining a caseload and completing administrative tasks. However, interns execute these expectations on a smaller scale with more one-on-one support and monitoring by our licensed clinicians. In this case, Jena Plummer is our clinical supervisor and works in close contact with our interns helping them to learn both the mental health and business side of private practice. 

What's it like working with an intern?

Working with a Clinical Student Intern is like being able to work with multiple providers simultaneously! Interns receive required weekly clinical supervision from Jena. Jena is a dually licensed clinical mental health counselor and clinical addiction specialist. She has multiple certifications in specialty areas and has taken additional coursework in how to support interns through this process. Additionally, interns are under the supervision of professors in their graduate programs. Everything discussed between an intern and supervisor remains confidential; you can be assured of your privacy.

Our interns also receive feedback from Jena about their work with individual clients. This collaboration allows exposure to many different therapeutic styles & techniques which translates to you having a provider who is able to meet your concerns from a variety of clinical lenses! No identifying information about a client is shared during consultations.

Interns are also still working with the newest research which means you will benefit from the most up-to-date techniques in your sessions. 

What is the cost of working with an intern?

Insurance companies are not able to reimburse interns for services. This means that Little Seed interns are able to schedule clients on a sliding scale basis, allowing you to have access to clinical services for $25 per session. For most, this is less than the cost of a traditional insurance co-pay. 

Little Seed believes that finances should never be a barrier to getting exceptional counseling services. Our Internship Program plays a huge role in being able to welcome clients to the practice who are uninsured or otherwise unable to budget for professional therapeutic support. If you need services and are unable to afford $25 we may be able to still help (just ask!).

Also, working with an intern is an excellent option for folks who do have insurance but do not want to submit a mental health claim through an insurance company. Submitting insurance claims requires the need for a mental health diagnosis which becomes part of the client's permanent medical record.

How are interns reimbursed?

Our team take their roles very seriously when it comes to preparing future therapists for success in their mental health careers. 100% of therapy session fees collected are used towards the professional development of our interns. The price per session covers the costs of the interns' supervision, professional headshots, further training, and memberships to organizations that help further benefit their clinical practice & education. By working with a Clinical Student Intern, you are directly impacting the next generation of helping professionals in the field of mental health.