This post is for social work and counseling students who are choosing a practicum or internship site. You will get seven questions to ask before you say yes, what good answers sound like, and how Eden Valley answers them.
Why the site matters
Your internship is where classroom ideas meet real clients. Two sites can both count toward your hours and still teach you different things. Some give you steady client work and close support. Others give you a desk, a few observation shifts and little feedback.
Ask hard questions at the interview. A good site will welcome them. Take this list with you, write down the answers, and compare sites side by side afterward. If two sites seem equal, trust the one where the supervisor made time to answer you fully.
First, know what your program requires
Your school sets the rules, so read your field manual before you interview. The standards behind most programs are public:
- For social work, the Council on Social Work Education's 2022 standards call for at least 400 field hours at the bachelor's level and 900 at the master's level. Field supervisors need a social work degree and at least two years of post-degree practice.
- For counseling, the CACREP 2024 standards describe a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship. They also set targets for direct client hours and for weekly individual and group supervision.
Not every program follows these standards. Your field director has the final word.
The 7 questions
1. Who will supervise me, and what are their credentials?
You want a named person with the license your program requires. Ask how long they have supervised students and how many students they supervise at once.
2. How much supervision will I get, and in what form?
Look for a regular, protected weekly hour. Ask whether you will have individual supervision, group supervision or both. "We will check in when we can" is a warning sign.
3. How many hours will be direct client work?
Observation has value early on. Over time, you need real clinical practice. CACREP, for example, sets minimums for direct service within practicum and internship hours. Ask what a typical week looks like and when you will start carrying your own clients.
4. What training will I get?
Ask about orientation, workshops and how documentation is taught. Strong sites teach ethics, confidentiality and note writing on purpose, not by accident.
5. What happens when a case is hard or a client is in crisis?
This question tells you the most about a site. You should hear a clear plan: who you call, who is on site, and what you do after hours. Interns should never face a crisis alone.
6. How will I get feedback?
Ask how and when your work is reviewed, and how problems are raised. Look for regular, specific feedback, with a mid-term and final evaluation that match your school's forms.
7. What happens after the internship?
Ask where former interns have gone. Some sites hire from their intern pool. Others help with the next step toward licensure. In Vermont, anyone practicing psychotherapy after graduation must be on the state's Roster of Non-Licensed, Non-Certified Psychotherapists for hours to count toward a license. A good site will know this and can point you to the right office.
A note on fit
Fit is more than a checklist. Some students learn best with a lot of structure. Others want room to try things early. Tell the interviewer how you learn and listen to the reply. Also think about the populations you want to work with, since a site that matches your goals will give you better stories, better references and a clearer next step.
Other things to check
- The paperwork. Confirm the agreement between the site and your school, plus any background check or insurance steps.
- The schedule. Make sure your hours fit your classes and your job.
- The culture. Ask current or past interns how supported they felt.
- The pay. Many placements are unpaid. Ask early, so you can plan.
How Eden Valley answers
Eden Valley's Clinical Internship Program in Burlington is open to undergraduate and graduate students. It is selective. Here is what the program describes:
- Each intern is paired with a dedicated clinician-mentor.
- Interns take part in weekly individual supervision and weekly group supervision.
- Interns hold weekly client sessions and take on more responsibility over time, with direct supervision.
- Onboarding covers clinical ethics, client confidentiality and a documentation bootcamp.
- Monthly workshops cover topics such as trauma-informed care and CBT techniques.
- The program ends with a reflection and evaluation phase.
Details such as hours, pay and the schools Eden Valley works with are best confirmed directly. Use the application link on the internship page or the contact page. If you are a recent graduate looking for a clinical home, see the careers page.
This post is general information, not medical advice. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a clinical internship site?
Start with your program's requirements. Then compare sites on supervision, direct client hours, training, crisis plans, feedback and what happens after you finish.
How many hours of supervision should an intern get?
It depends on your program and accrediting body. CACREP's standards, for instance, describe an average of one hour of individual supervision and one and a half hours of group supervision each week. Check your field manual.
Can an intern be supervised by someone without a license?
Programs set their own rules. Social work standards require a qualified degree and two years of post-degree experience for field supervisors. Ask your field director before you accept a placement.
Are clinical internships paid?
Many are unpaid, though this varies by site. Ask in your first conversation.
