Mental Health Services

The counseling practicum/internship experience runs the full academic year starting in mid-August and running until the end of term in May. In order to provide continuity and consistency for our student-clients throughout the school year, we request counseling/interns commit to the full academic year experience.

We consider our interns an integral part of our treatment team, and we look forward to working with you during your tenure here. We value the strengths, energy, and knowledge that our interns bring to the table and to their work with our student-clients. Importantly, we recognize that as an intern, your time with us is a vital part of your counseling education, and we want to ensure that you get what you need out of this experience. We strive to create a culture where you can feel safe to find your way – a culture that encourages “not knowing” and the seeking that comes from being in such a place.

Eligibility

Students who are completing requirements for a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. Applicants must submit a completed application form and provide two letters of recommendation with contact information. One reference/letter of recommendation should be from a graduate professor who can confirm the student’s readiness for an internship experience. The other may be from an employer or supervisor who has knowledge of the student’s current counseling skills.

*Please note that students in Psychology master’s programs are eligible to apply, however, we may not have an approved supervisor on staff that meets the requirements for your program or licensing board.

Qualifications

Minimum academic requirements include 1 year of training in a master’s-level counselor education program. We look for students with strong communication skills, professional demeanor, commitment to counseling in a higher education environment, and a willingness to complete all the requirements of the internship.

Candidates must be able to work within the normal operating hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.). Every effort will be made to accommodate interns’ outside commitments. However, some scheduling flexibility may be required. Occasional evening hours will be necessary for outreach programs.

Responsibilities

1. Orientation: Interns are encouraged to attend fall Student Affairs orientation sessions, as well as review the internship manual and Center policies and procedures. They will be trained in electronic medical record keeping.
2. Screenings:  Initially, interns will observe staff counselors conducting Needs Assessments (NAs)  with new clients and learn how NA summaries are written. After observing several screening sessions, interns will conduct screening sessions while a staff counselor observes the session. When both staff counselors and an intern are satisfied with the intern’s level of proficiency, the intern will conduct needs assessments without a staff counselor present.
3. Individual Counseling: Counseling Services staff meets once a week to review clients. After the intern has received training on screenings, the office staff will assign clients based on the student’s schedule and counselor/intern availability. The intern is responsible for monitoring his/her level of comfort with cases and caseload; however, clinical supervision will be available to assist the emerging professional through this process. Every effort is made to provide interns with a variety of clients and presenting issues.
4. Group Counseling: Counseling Services offers group counseling opportunities based on client interest. Interns are encouraged to develop groups based on their own interests.
5. Outreach Activities: Interns are encouraged to participate in outreach activities to the University community, which may occur during evening hours. Outreach will not conflict with student coursework requirements.
6. Liability Insurance: Interns are required to carry professional liability insurance, which is available at a reduced student rate. Proof of insurance must be included in the application packet.

Supervision

Weekly group supervision is provided by Counseling Services staff members. Individual supervision will be provided by Katie Green, LCSW, LCAS. Intern counseling sessions will be audiotaped for use in supervision.

Personal issues or difficulties sometimes arise for interns that exceed the limitations of supervision. The supervisor will help the intern monitor emotional reactions to clients, the work, and ways in which this may impact the counseling relationship. Whenever stressful life events emerge, interns are expected to seek the help necessary to mitigate these events’ impact on client work.

Evaluation

The intern’s work is continually monitored both formally and informally. Evaluation guidelines are determined in conjunction with the policies of each intern’s academic department and the expectations of the Center. Interns meet with their individual supervisors to discuss their evaluations.

Required for the Application Process

The application deadline for the 2024-2025 school year is February 15, 2024. Please check back for future opportunities.

• Cover letter
• Internship Application
• Curriculum Vita or resume
• Proof of liability insurance
• Transcript from graduate program
• Three letters of recommendation. One must be from a graduate professor who is familiar with your work as a graduate student. One must be a personal reference.

Please contact Katie Green at kgreen6@unca.edu for more information.

Scope of Clinical Practice

• Counseling Services provides individual, group, and couples counseling; case management; and outreach programming to students. The Counseling Center offers solution-focused short-term therapy. For those experiencing an urgent or life-threatening mental health crisis, we have a counselor available – please call 828-251-6520. 
• Individual and group counseling is provided to address issues that interfere with academic effectiveness such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, family/relationship issues, career issues, assertiveness, and communication.
• Case management services may include help with campus or community referrals and connecting students to psychiatry at the Health & Counseling Center.

• Students are to give 24 hours notice for any appointment they are not able to keep. After the first missed appointment fee, a student may be required to pay a $15 fee before scheduling further appointments.  Students who are no-show for any psychiatric appointments will be charged $30. This no-show fee policy is designed to ensure that our campus resources are used most effectively.
• To access psychiatric services for evaluation or medication management, it is advised that a student meet with a Health & Counseling Center staff member to identify the professional that will best meet their needs.

• Counseling Services does not provide documentation to support withdrawal from courses unless we have an ongoing relationship with you.
• Counseling Services does not provide documentation for emotional support animals.
• To ensure that the needs of all UNC Asheville students are addressed in a timely manner, Counseling Services provides time-limited, solution-focused therapy. Because of this, some student issues may be beyond the scope of what the Counseling Center can offer in terms of therapy. The following client situations may require a referral to an off-site counselor:

• Presenting issue suggests that the client will likely require weekly or long-term therapy (e.g., severe, chronic depression).
• Client is likely to require extensive emergency intervention, crisis services, or extensive case management (e.g., history of chronic, self-destructive behaviors that are life-threatening; alcohol or drug addiction that requires intensive treatment; psychosis).
• Client requires expertise/resources unavailable in the Center (e.g., alcohol/drug treatment; eating disorder treatment).
• Client does not appear to benefit from therapy received at the Center.

• Counseling Services may utilize Telehealth services in order to protect the health and safety of UNCA students, faculty, and staff.
• Counseling Services does not provide mandatory counseling or court-ordered evaluations. We can provide brief assessments to determine recommendations for clinical needs.
• Counseling Services DOES NOT provide documentation for emotional support animals.