When you begin counselling at Carya, you may have the opportunity to work with different members of our counselling team, including counsellors, provisional psychologists and even clinical counselling interns.
Clinical counselling interns are an important part of how Carya provides counselling. In one recent practicum year, they provided 1,045 counselling sessions, representing more than 1,245 hours of support for 153 people.
Behind those numbers are people who had the opportunity to talk with someone, feel heard, work through something difficult, develop new tools or take a step toward the change they wanted to make.
If you’re not familiar with what a clinical counselling intern is, you may still have questions about their training, the supervision they receive and what working with one looks like.
Here’s what you should know.
Who are Carya’s clinical counselling interns?
Clinical counselling interns are late-stage students completing master’s-level education in counselling or psychology. Each year, Carya selects six interns from more than 40 applicants through an application and interview process.
By the time interns begin working with clients at Carya, they have already completed significant education in their field. Their practicum allows them to bring their academic training and current knowledge into their work with clients while continuing to develop their skills under the guidance of experienced clinical supervisors. Their learning is further supported through direct counselling experience, regular supervision and consultation with experienced members of Carya’s counselling team.
What does supervision look like?
Supervision is a regular and important part of a clinical counselling intern’s experience at Carya.
Interns receive dedicated one-on-one supervision each week, giving them opportunities to discuss their work, ask questions and consider different approaches.
Support extends beyond those weekly meetings. Interns participate in group supervision and case consultation, are paired with a senior Carya staff member as a mentor and can seek additional guidance from experienced members of Carya’s counselling team when needed.
When something is particularly complex or an intern would benefit from another perspective, they can consult their supervisor, senior counsellors or Carya’s Manager of Counselling as they consider how best to support the person they are working with.
Does my counsellor need to share my life experiences?
Every counselling relationship brings together people with different experiences.
Your counsellor may be a different age than you. They may or may not be a parent. They may have a different cultural background, family structure, beliefs or life experiences.
A counsellor’s role is not to have lived the same experiences you have. Their role is to listen, ask thoughtful questions and take the time to understand what your experiences mean to you.
Counselling can help you better understand emotional challenges, strengthen coping skills and support your mental well-being.
You are the expert on your own life.
Clinical counselling interns are trained and supervised to work with people across different ages, life stages, cultures, family structures, beliefs and experiences. An important part of that training is learning to approach differences with curiosity and respect rather than assumptions.
What have clients said?
Sometimes, the best way to understand the experience is to hear from people who have worked with a clinical counselling intern themselves.
One client came to Carya after experiencing depression for several months. They were matched with a clinical counselling intern and, over the course of 12 sessions, described being able to better understand what was contributing to their depression and work through barriers that had been keeping them from living the way they wanted to.
Another client shared:
“My counsellor was great, even though they mentioned at the beginning that they were in training. Their calm demeanour and listening skills are what I needed.”
And another said:
“I was heard for the first time in my life.”
Among clients who provided feedback about Carya’s clinical counselling interns in 2025–26, 100% indicated that they were satisfied with Carya’s services and that they were treated with dignity and respect.
Finding the right fit matters
Feeling comfortable with the person supporting you is an important part of counselling.
If you are matched with a clinical counselling intern at Carya, you will be working with someone completing master’s-level education in counselling or psychology who brings current clinical knowledge, curiosity and a commitment to their practice. Throughout their placement, they are supported by regular supervision, mentorship and an experienced counselling team.
Like any counselling relationship, what matters most is that you feel heard, respected and supported.
Not sure what kind of counselling support is right for you?
Our Intake team can help you explore your options and answer questions about getting started.
Talk with our intake team by calling 403-205-5244 or email Intake@CaryaCalgary.ca.