Building your real-world skills and knowledge is an important part of pursuing a career. But how can you gain experience in the mental health field?

There are plenty of opportunities available for aspiring mental health care experts to develop a foundation of practical, hands-on knowledge, many of which may occur before you even complete your graduate degree or earn licensure.

Field placements, mental health counseling internships, practicums and supervised clinicals all provide pathways to get the training and development necessary for a successful career. By undergoing these experiences, often as part of earning a master’s degree in counseling, students get the chance to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations, developing essential skills and gaining experience that will translate to a mental health counselor career.

Mental health counseling internships and practicums are mandatory to become a licensed counselor because they can equip you with vital skills. While field placements for online students can pose unique challenges, online mental health counselor programs like the one we offer at Wake Forest University can help students thrive in this essential part of the education process.

Students working toward their Master of Arts in Counseling are required to complete experiential components such as mental health counseling internships or practicum to earn their degree. In addition to their foundation and core courses, they will take part in real-world experiences such as the following:

• Counseling practicums: Pre-internship coursework designed to help students develop individual and group counseling skills. For Wake Forest University students, these experiences involve around 150 hours of field experience in a school or mental health setting and 35 hours of individual and group university supervision.
• Mental health counseling internships: Internship programming typically requires 600 hours of experience at a clinical mental health counseling facility or school site. During mental health counseling internships, students are exposed to the comprehensive work experience of a mental health professional with group and individual supervision to continue developing counseling skills.

As you prepare for your mental health counseling internships and practicums, it is helpful to identify your goals and objectives, like what you want to achieve and what skills you want to gain.

Researching requirements and expectations of potential field placement locations can help you determine if that site suits your needs so that you get the most out of the experience. In fact, goal setting is essential for student growth and development, as it personalizes the learning experience while creating intention and motivation.

Researching field experience sites for your mental health counseling internships and practicums will help you ensure you select a location that suits your needs and aligns with your goals. You can find site-specific information on the facility’s website, online forums or newsletters, or by contacting the facility directly.

Looking into different sites will give you information like:

• A location’s standing in the community
• The range of mental health issues addressed
• Supervision quality
• Chances for hands-on experience

The research phase is also a good time to network with your professors, classmates and other industry professionals who might be familiar with placement sites under consideration for more in-depth insight and feedback. Reaching out to these colleagues and professionals to ask questions about placement locations also gives you the opportunity to develop connections and expand your professional network.

By gaining pertinent information about potential placement sites, you will be able to determine if a site focuses on student success and offers ample learning opportunities to ensure you have the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to succeed in your mental health counseling career.

Once you have chosen a field placement site for your internship or practicum, you will want to review their specific application requirements and deadlines. Requirements can vary depending on the location, but there are some common requirements you can expect. These include the following:

• Application form detailing personal information, educational background and relevant experience
• Your current resume with updated skills and work history
• Letters of recommendation from professors or professionals with whom you have worked
• Statement of interest or personal essay describing your appeal to that site
• Official transcripts to verify academic qualifications
• Criminal background check or other clearances

It can be helpful to prepare a portfolio that clearly displays your previous work, education and relevant skills to provide potential placement sites. It’s also crucial to be aware of application deadlines. Application deadlines for internships and practicums can vary from site to site, with some having rolling deadlines and others requiring applications a semester early to allow for applicant review and interviews.

Interviews for mental health counseling internships and practicums allow the employer to learn more about you — and give you the opportunity to learn more about the field placement site and the people with whom you may be working.

First, you’ll want to research common interview questions for a mental health counselor. Some common questions and topics you can expect to cover during these interviews include the following:

• Can you describe your experience working with individuals who have mental health disorders?
• How do you keep up with the latest research and developments in mental health counseling?
• How do you measure progress or success in therapy?
• How do you approach developing a treatment plan for a new client?

Preparing answers to these common interview questions will help you formulate a response in the actual interview. You will also want to get ready for your interview by reviewing your experience, top skills, career aspirations and any more information you can share to help you stand out from other candidates.

It is also vital to be ready to ask the interviewer meaningful questions that highlight your interest in the field and position.

As you prepare for your interview, consider asking for information on topics like the ones below. Sample questions are included.

1. About the role Be sure to read the listing and any pertinent information about the internship or practicum role for which you are interviewing. If you’re still unclear, you can ask questions like the following.

• Can you describe the typical responsibilities and duties associated with this position?
• What specific populations or demographics does this role primarily serve?

2. Supervision and support

Your goal is to learn and grow while partaking in this experience, so your supervisors, support network and available resources are crucial.

• What kind of supervision and support structure is in place for counselors in this role?
• Will there be opportunities for regular supervision meetings and professional development?

3. Client population

As a mental health counselor, you may interact with patients and families across all backgrounds. Diversity in client population may be a consideration for you.

• Can you provide insight into the demographics and backgrounds of the clients I would be working with
• How diverse is the client base, and how does the organization ensure cultural competence in its services?

4. Collaboration and teamwork

A vital component of being successful and effective as a mental health counselor is your ability to collaborate. Your internship or practicum may provide a terrific opportunity to build your skills in this area.

• How does collaboration with other professionals, such as psychiatrists, social workers or case managers, factor into this role?
• Are there opportunities for interdisciplinary teamwork and case consultations?

5. Professional development

As a mental health counselor, your education and development never end. The internship or practicum may be one of your first opportunities to develop your skill set and knowledge outside of a classroom environment.

• Are there opportunities for further training or specialization in specific therapeutic modalities or populations?
• How does the organization support counselors in pursuing licensure or certification, if applicable?

6. Ethical and legal considerations

Patient rights, ethical practice, laws and regulations are all important factors that determine the capacity in which you interact with clients or go about your duties. You can get familiar with these factors during your internship.

• What policies and procedures are in place to ensure ethical practice and client confidentiality while navigating ethical dilemmas or challenging situations
• How does the organization handle issues related to mandatory reporting or legal requirements?

7. Organizational culture and values

An organization’s culture goes a long way toward defining the experience its patients and staff have. For the optimal internship or practicum experience, you’ll want to make sure you share the same values.

• How does the organization promote diversity, equity and inclusion in its services and workplace?
• What do you think sets this organization apart as a place to gain valuable experience in mental health counseling?

8. Day-to-day operations

This is a good opportunity to ask how the organization functions beyond your role so you can better understand how you fit in with operations.

• What does a typical day or week look like for a counselor in this role?
• How do counselors manage their caseloads and prioritize client needs?

Remember to tailor these questions to the specific organization and context of the interview. Asking thoughtful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and can help you gain a better understanding of what to expect if you were to join the team.

To ensure success during your mental health counselor internships and practicums, you will want to strike a balance between academic coursework, personal responsibilities and counselor fieldwork responsibilities. Balancing these areas involves effective time management and organizational skills, which can reduce stress and improve your academic performance.

Networking and mentorships are also important for success in your counselor fieldwork. Connecting with peers allows for the exchange of ideas and assistance overcoming general challenges of field placement.

Mentorships are equally important, as mentors help students develop a professional identity while providing feedback and guidance. In fact, mentorships that provide insight and direction for a variety of professional activities throughout the fieldwork process are considered a foundational standard of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the flagship accreditor for counselor education programs.

Taking advantage of mentorships with industry professionals and connections with peers is a great way to expand your network in the mental health counseling field. The relationships you make during your mental health counselor internships and practicums can lead to future employment opportunities.

Across all career fields, interns often make meaningful connections that lead to full-time employment, with an estimated 68 percent of student interns receiving offers for full-time positions, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Reflecting on successful mental health counselor internships and practicums and translating what you learned to your career will help you flourish as a licensed mental health counselor.

Wake Forest is here to help you find the right field placement opportunities with our supportive and knowledgeable faculty combined with our real-world-focused mental health counselor programs. Since the field placement process is part of the Master of Arts in Counseling curriculum, Wake Forest’s programming ensures each student receives clinical instruction through practicum and internship experiences.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of Wake Forest’s network of industry partners to find and secure placements for both mental health counselor internships and practicums. Learn more about our online counseling program today.