When you think about hiring a counsellor or psychotherapist, you probably think of someone with many years of experience, and you likely imagine a very high cost per session. This is typically what people expect when they seek out therapy – someone with a few years of experience under their belt, and a price to match.
On the other hand, you have probably not ever heard of, or thought to seek out, a student therapist. A student therapist may also be called a practicum student, intern therapist, therapist-in-training, pre-licensed therapist, and other titles depending on how their professional oversight works.
Although student therapists are still in training, they are qualified and capable of providing meaningful support. They are trained to hold entry-to-practice level skills, which include the basic foundational skills associated with Carl Rogers research (one of the fathers of modern psychology) – summarized below ↓
They are also often trained in the basics of several modalities (types of therapy), such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychoanalysis, or Solution Focused Therapy.
Students are highly valuable as therapists. According to some research, therapists’ effectiveness peaks early in their careers (see Scott Miller’s research). Student therapists are fresh, excited, and working hard to help their clients in a different way than a more seasoned therapist. They are constantly researching and looking at the newest studies as new issues come up with their clients, so you may be more likely to get the most current information or treatment for your problems. In the mental health field, student therapists have filled the role of offering free or very low-cost therapy options to those in need. Seasoned therapists also come with advantages – new and experienced therapists both have their place. Unfortunately… it’s sometimes a struggle for student therapists to find clients, because you often don’t know they exist!
Most psychotherapists must ‘run the gauntlet,’ meaning they must pass through rigorous levels of training. First, they pursue an undergraduate degree (often in psychology or social work). Then they pursue a graduate degree in Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Education, Social Work, Divinity, etc… all focusing on counselling and psychology. Those who go on to the PhD in Psychology can obtain the designation of Psychologist. Others pursue doctorate studies in counselling and psychotherapy. In some places one can become a psychologist with a master’s degree. Some, like Social Service Workers in Ontario, can provide psychotherapy with less education, but practice under supervision of Social Workers. Others became therapists long before psychotherapy became regulated (in some regions) and were grandfathered into new systems of oversight and registration. In other regions, psychotherapy isn’t regulated, and anyone can call themselves a counsellor. However, they will usually have registered with a provincial or national professional association to demonstrate they are truly qualified, or be a student working under a supervisor who has.
In their studies, student therapists learn about developmental psychology, the history of modern psychology, and some of the most researched therapeutic methods. Along with Carl Rogers’ necessary and sufficient conditions, they’ll typically learn about Freud and the various psychoanalysts (also called the Humanistic approaches), the origins and application of cognitive behavioral techniques, solution focused techniques, and others. They practice and are tested on the practical application of these skills. Everyone tends to find a type of therapy that they resonate with the most; both therapists and clients may develop these preferences. For example, I lean toward the humanistic approaches as a therapist and as a client. Students also spend time learning the skill of case conceptualization. This means looking at the client’s presenting concerns, history and other factors to hypothesize what’s going on that is fueling their difficulties, and what needs to be done to help them feel better.
As mentioned earlier, student therapists are trained in a few types of therapy. They usually find an affinity to one or a few of them, and study those more in depth. Then, student therapists gain experience applying what they’ve learned by working with clients. They also pursue additional trainings – there are a plethora of approaches to therapy. Some examples are Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Logotherapy… too many to name them all.
Students are also trained in the ethics of the profession. The ethics are outlined by various governing and professional bodies – such as psychological associations (APA, CPA, etc.), governing bodies (e.g. CRPO in Ontario), or the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (a national professional body). These ethics guide therapists’ decision-making processes and try to ensure public safety. Finally, students are also trained in how to conduct high quality research; to discern what sources are reputable. We don’t just depend on Google search results! There are peer-reviewed academic journals which publish the most current research in psychology. They learn about statistical methods at the graduate level, to recognize peer-reviewed, high quality, research. Our work is meant to be evidence-based, and so therapists need the tools to judge the evidence.
Through their clinical placements, or internships, student therapists combine their education, and life experiences with a hands-on experience. Up until this point, their learning has been highly written and academic, with some experience practicing techniques on their peers or in highly supervised settings. Now, students get to meet with clients and put in to practice what they have learned. They have close supervision of their work through case consultations with a supervisor. Their supervisor sits in on sessions, views recorded sessions, or hears their cases described, and provides feedback on the student therapist’s work with their client, their understanding of their client, and their own reactions to their client (countertransference). This ensures the quality and safety of their work; by reviewing cases, working through ethical dilemmas as they come up, and helping with case conceptualization and treatment planning.
Students gain valuable experience in being culturally sensitive and trauma-informed, learning to work with a wide variety of clients from different backgrounds. This enriches their cultural competency and develops their empathy and listening skills. They gain a generalist skillset that prepares them for the next step in their careers. They may also begin to get a sense of their own preferences in working with specific populations (for example, they may prefer to work with youths, or with elderly people, with couples, or with depression).
When it comes to the making of great therapists, there is so much more to say. There’s the development of their “person-as-therapist,” the evolution of their unique therapeutic style, their commitment to ongoing education, and more. But for now, we’ll end here.
Finding a therapist who is educated, skilled, and ready to become fully qualified should be easy. Student therapists come from diverse backgrounds and undergo extensive training and supervision. They follow strict ethical guidelines set by their professional governing bodies. However, until now, they’ve been hard to find. The public has not been widely aware of this stage of professional development, where services are so low cost.
If you’re seeking therapy, you might look for a student therapist who is learning to treat the specific challenges you’re facing or who has a special focus on working with your demographic group. I encourage you to consider working with a student therapist. Their recent education means they are grounded in the latest research and best practices, and their regular supervision helps ensure high-quality care at any stage of their career.
Student therapists bring passion, commitment, and up-to-date knowledge to their work—and they are well-equipped to offer meaningful, effective support.
Visit our directory of student therapists and take the next step toward getting the care and support you deserve.
Rogers, C. R. (1957). The necessary and sufficient conditions of therapeutic personality change. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 21(2), 95–103. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0045357
Disclaimer: Posts by therapy students and third parties do not belong to Find a Student Therapist, and the information is not verified and may not be accurate or correct. Find a Student Therapist does not endorse or support the content. The content on the Find a Student Therapist website is psycho-educational, the sole opinions of their respective authors, and is not psychotherapy. Do not rely on any information on this website as a substitute for medical orpsychotherapeutic advice. Use of the content on this website does not create a therapist-client relationship. Each person’s mental health needs are unique; consult a qualified professional for personalized support. Use this content at your own risk. Find a Student Therapist will not be held liable for this content.
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Practitioners listed in this directory may come from a variety of academic institutions, credentialing bodies, and experience levels, from across Canada. Requirements to practice psychotherapy vary from province to province. Some provinces regulate the title of counsellors, others regulate the act of psychotherapy, and some do neither. This directory is limited to those going through an accredited Master’s level counselling program in Canada. Find a Student Therapist does it’s best to verify credentials of listed therapists, however it does not guarantee the quality, credentials, or qualification to practice, of individual student psychotherapists. It does not endorse or recommend any of the listed therapists. It is the responsibility of each user to ascertain if any individual student therapist meets their needs and is qualified to practice in your area. By using this directory you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy.
