Master’s Internships & Doctoral Practicums

Butler University Counseling and Consultation Services has six 20 -25 hours/week internship positions available for the 2024-2025 academic year. These unpaid internships are available to students completing their master’s degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology or doctoral students in need of practicum.

Note: Trainees who complete their practicum at CCS will not be considered for the Doctoral Internship Program if they apply in subsequent years. 

Services and Experience of Internship and Practicum

A typical week includes:

  • 12-15 hours of individual therapy
  • 2 hours of individual supervision
  •  1-2 hours of intakes,
  • 1.5 hours of case staffing
  • 2 hours of outreach
  • 1.5 hours of group supervision

Additional  opportunities that may exist include:

  • Observing psychotherapy groups
  • Consulting with family members or campus constituents
  • Assisting with walk-in crises
  • Providing outreach to student groups across campus

Additional staff development/training opportunities are available to trainees during the year.

Clientel

Butler’s counseling services are available to any matriculating Butler student.

Clients present with a variety of issues, the most common being:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Relationship problems with family or significant others
  • Eating/body image issues
  • Substance abuse
  • Trauma recovery
  • Stress management

Weekly Schedule Expectations

Schedules are determined by the master’s internship coordinator with the collaboration of all of the interns. The center is open 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Monday and Friday and 8:00 AM–6:00 PM Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. We attempt to coordinate schedules to cover all hours that the center is open. Trainees are on site three days per week, either Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday/Friday. It is necessary for all interns to be at CCS on Fridays from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM for case staffing and group supervision. There is some flexibility in the schedule, if necessary, as long as there is available office space.

In addition to the clinical work, outreach is an important aspect of the training program. Outreach programs occur during both the work day and evenings. It is expected that all interns will participate in several outreach programs over the course of the year, with two-three programs per semester during evening hours.

Office Culture and Staff

Butler University Counseling and Consultation Services promotes a supportive, collegial atmosphere committed to training. In addition to our master’s interns and doctoral practicum trainees, the clinical staff is comprised of four licensed psychologists, one licensed mental health counseling, and three doctoral interns who are engaged in the center’s APA-accredited doctoral internship program. The center staff and trainees participate in two yearly retreats (August and January) as well as other staff development activities during the year. In addition, each intern has an office equipped with digital video equipment, a computer, a Butler email account, and access to University resources such as the library and computer labs.

Supervision

We embrace the awareness and use of self perspective as part of our training model. We value personal exploration and expect trainees to examine the qualities and dynamics they bring to interactions with clients, peers, and other work-related relationships. We believe such discussions, as they relate to trainees’ activities throughout the year, can be quite useful when trying to understand transference and countertransference issues and in facilitating professional growth. This may call for trainees to reflect on and discuss personal reactions that might influence their clinical practice. Such disclosure frequently occurs within a supervisory relationship characterized by safety, trust, and respect. Supervision is not viewed as psychotherapy, and the focus of personal exploration is meant to enhance trainees’ growth and effectiveness as clinicians rather than serve as a form of psychotherapy.

How to Apply

Interested students are welcome to submit the following materials starting January 12, 2024:

  • A current vita (please list names of two references who we may contact during the interview process)
  • A letter of interest that addresses the following prompts:
    • Who are you? What is your background, interests, hobbies, etc.?
    • How did you become interested in pursuing graduate work in psychology? What are your career goals?
    • What interests you about completing an internship/practicum at a university counseling center? Is there something specific about Butler that appeals to you?
    • What experiences have you had (paid/unpaid or formal/informal) that have helped prepare you for working in the counseling profession?

Interviews will begin late January and will continue until the positions are filled.

Please direct any questions to Dr. Christine Kiray at ckiray@butler.edu.

Please email all application materials to Diane Garcia at dmgarcia@butler.edu