Thank you for your interest our Clinical Internship Program

Thank you for your interest in our Clinical Internship Program at Maria Droste Counseling Center! 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, such as schools, family justice centers, and community hubs. 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.

Apply now for the 2025-2026 internship!

Please note: All internship offers are contingent upon a successful background check and proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a valid exemption letter. Please review the detailed information below on our internship program.

For questions regarding our internship or the application process, email recruitment@mariadroste.org

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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

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.

Community-Based Services

Interns placed at school-based sites provide therapy to children from diverse backgrounds, collaborate with parents, and lead topic-specific groups, such as social skills or grief support. Each intern or fellow is assigned to a specific school—elementary, middle, K-8, or high school—for the academic year. With a strong focus on early intervention, most placements are in elementary schools, where children present with concerns including anxiety, depression, grief/loss, immigration/acculturation challenges, trauma, and divorce. Services are offered free of charge or through Medicaid. Successful interns are self-starters who work independently, navigate school dynamics effectively, and appreciate the intersection of cultural backgrounds with service delivery.

Our broader Community-Based Services also include mental health care for children, adults, and older adults at accessible locations, such as family justice centers and community hubs. Counselors provide assessments and short-term interventions, with opportunities for longer-term care. These services aim to reduce barriers to mental health treatment and support clients in finding greater satisfaction, improved relationships, enhanced self-esteem, and healthier ways to cope with life challenges.

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 an intern at Maria Droste:

• Commit to Professional Growth: Actively engage in learning by seeking feedback, attending training sessions, and staying current with counseling techniques and theories.
• Build Strong Rapport with Colleagues: Foster trust and empathy with clients by maintaining a nonjudgmental, compassionate, and open approach to their needs.
• Be Proactive in Supervision: Take advantage of regular supervision by coming prepared with questions, case notes, and areas where you seek guidance or insight.
• Balance Self-Care with Workload: Practice self-care and establish boundaries to avoid burnout, as emotional resilience is key to effective counseling.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Apply now for the 2025-2026 internship

For questions regarding our internship or the application process, email recruitment@mariadroste.org

How many interns do you accept?

• The size of our intern cohort varies each year depending on the needs of our programs. For the 2025-2026 cohort, we anticipate accepting 8-10 interns.

How long is the internship?

• All internships at Maria Droste span 10 months, starting in August and ending in May of the following year. We are unable to accommodate internships with shorter durations or different start and end dates.

How many hours per week is the internship?

• Interns are expected to commit to 20 hours per week.

What is an internship at Maria Droste like?

• Internships at Maria Droste offer intensive, hands-on training in a real-world setting. Interns take on the role of therapists, working directly with clients, billing sessions, and completing documentation in accordance with Medicaid standards. These internships closely mirror actual therapy jobs and provide invaluable preparation for a career in mental health. Employers consistently express high satisfaction with Maria Droste interns, noting their extensive experience and strong foundational knowledge.

What are the internship program requirements?
Applicants must:

• Be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program
• Commit to 20 hours per week
• Complete a 10-month internship (mid-August to June)
• Attend weekly individual supervision
• Be able to work independently
• Be mission-aligned and committed to personal growth
• Have completed a minimum of 6 counseling sessions (if applicable)
• Attend weekly training on Friday mornings from 8:30 am to noon
• Be available to schedule clients at least one evening per week (4–7 pm)
• Be able to respond to client emergencies as needed
• Complete all required clinical and agency paperwork, including billing
• Submit a minimum of two audio/video recordings

Is Maria Droste affiliated with my graduate program? What if my program isn’t listed?

• Maria Droste is an approved field placement site for several graduate programs. If your program is not listed, you may still apply, but it must be cleared with our Clinical Director. Please email us at recruitment@mariadroste.org with your program’s anti-discrimination statement, an overview of your academic and clinical training, and a contact person from your program for consideration.

Is this a paid internship?

No, this is an unpaid internship; however, we provide stipends to all interns. Maria Droste Counseling Center is also an off-campus site eligible for Federal Work-Study funding. We are actively exploring additional compensation options for our graduate-level providers.

Apply now for the 2025-2026 internship!

For questions regarding our internship or the application process, email recruitment@mariadroste.org