Top 5 Myths About Seeing a Therapy Intern

 Thinking about working with a therapy intern, but not sure what to expect? You're not alone. A lot of people wonder what it's like to sit down with an intern, whether they'll get the support they need, and how interns fit into the bigger picture of therapy. This series is here to answer your questions, clear up myths, and show you the real benefits of working with a therapist-in-training. 

If you've ever thought about working with a therapy intern, you might have a few worries. Clients often ask: "Do they know what they're doing?" or "Am I just their practice client?"

Totally normal questions. But the truth is, a lot of the fears people have about interns are based on myths. Let's clear some of those up.

Myth #1: "Interns don't really know what they're doing."

Truth: By the time someone is an intern, they've already spent years learning theory, practicing skills, and training in real-life situation. They're not brand new - they're putting everything they've learned into action. And remember they have a licensed supervisor guiding them every step of the way. 

Myth #2: "I'm just practice for them."

Truth: Interns take every client seriously. You're not a "test run" - you're a person with real goals, and interns care deeply about helping you. They prepare for sessions, reflect afterward, and bring what they learn to supervision to make sure they're supporting you well. 

Myth #3: "The quality won't be as good."

Truth: Research shows that interns can be just as effective as licensed therapists when it comes to client progress. Why? Because they're highly motivated, closely supervised, and invested in your success.

Myth #4: "Interns are too young to understand me."

Truth: Interns come in all ages and from all walks of life. Some are in their 20s, other are starting therapy careers after years in another profession. What matters most isn't age - it's empathy, training, and their commitment to meeting you where you are. 

Myth #5: "They'll leave soon, and I'll have to start over."

Truth: Yes, internships eventually end, but interns and supervisors plan ahead with you. They'll talk openly about timelines and make sure you have a smooth transition, whether that's continuing with them if possible or connecting with another therapist who's a good fit. 

Final Thoughts

The idea of seeing a therapy intern can feel a little uncertain, but once you look past the myths, you'll find caring, capable, and well-supported therapists-in-training who want nothing more than to help you thrive.

This post is part of our "Intern Insights" series - a closer look at the world of therapy interns and the unique value they bring to clients. If you're curious to learn more, check out our next post: Behind the Scenes: How Therapy Interns Are Supervised