When I first began my search for a clinical internship site, I knew I wanted more than just a place to complete hours. I was looking for a community and a space where I could not only grow professionally but also feel supported, challenged, and seen. As soon as I interviewed at CAC, I knew I had found the place. What I didn’t realize then was just how transformative the experience would be.
From the very beginning, CAC stood out for its mission and model. The site offers individual, couples, family, group, and children’s therapy, which immediately caught my attention. As a graduate student seeking a well-rounded clinical experience, I was drawn to the opportunity to work with such a wide range of clients and presenting issues. The variety offered at CAC ensured that I would gain exposure to multiple therepeutic modalities, age groups, and relational systems all under one roof.
Even more impressive than the range of services was CAC’s commitment to accessibility. CAC provides high-quality, affordable counseling services to a diverse and often underserved population in the Austin area. This inclusivity was important to me both ethically and personally. As an intern, I had the privilege of working with clients from various backgrounds, cultures, identities, and income levels. This exposure enriched my clinical understanding and reminded me of why I entered the field in the first place: to offer support, healing, and hope to those who might not otherwise have access.
What truly sets Capital Area Counseling apart is the unparalleled support it offers to interns. From day one, I was welcomed into a community of warmth, encouragement, and shared purpose. The culture at CAC is one of openness and mutual respect. Every staff member, from administrators to licensed supervisors, is deeply invested in the development and well-being of the interns. This wasn’t just a place to work; it was a place to belong.
Supervision at CAC deserves a standing ovation. The clinical supervisors here are generous with their time, expertise, and presence. They offer not only practical guidance but also emotional support, modeling what it means to be both a skilled clinician and a grounded human being. Their feedback is thoughtful and affirming, rooted in curiosity rather than criticism. Whether navigating ethical dilemmas, working thorough countertransference, or exploring new interventions, I always felt that I had a safe space to process my experiences.
In addition to individual and group supervision, CAC offers daily peer support groups which are a unique and invaluable part of the intern experience. These groups quickly became the heartbeat of my week. Interns gather to share clinical challenges, celebrate breakthroughs, and offer solidarity in the hard moments. This built-in community created a space where vulnerability was not only accepted but encouraged. Over time, I came to rely on these conversations as a vital part of my learning and self-care.
CAC also heavily invests in continuing education. Throughout the internship, I had access to a variety of free training opportunities, including workshops on trauma-informed care, multicultural counseling, somatic approaches, and more. These trainings deepened my knowledge, expanded my therapeutic toolkit, and kept me engaged in the ever-evolving landscape of mental health care. The emphasis on lifelong learning at CAC reflects a culture that truly values growth, not just for clients, but for clinicians as well.
Looking back, I’m struck by how much I’ve grown both clinically and personally. I’ve learned how to sit with discomfort, how to trust the therapeutic process, and how to attune more deeply to my clients’ needs. I’ve become more confident in my clinical judgment, more flexible in my approach, and more grounded in my own voice as a counselor. The experience pushed me beyond my comfort zone in the best ways, helping me develop the kind of therapeutic presence I had once only hoped to achieve.
Perhaps most importantly, I’ve made lifelong connections with fellow interns and supervisors. These relationships have been a source of inspiration, accountability, and joy. They’ve taught me that doing this work well requires both courage and community, both of which I’ve found at CAC.
To anyone considering an internship at Capital Area Counseling: if you’re looking for a place where you can learn, stretch, stumble, and soar while being supported, then this is the place for you. CAC isn’t just an internship site. It’s a training ground for becoming the kind of therapist the world needs. This experience has surpassed every expectation I had, and I will carry the lessons, memories, and relationships from CAC with me for the rest of my professional journey. I am leaving this internship more prepared, more resilient, and more connected. For that, I am endlessly grateful.
Kimberly Hart (she/her)
Pre-Graduate Student Counselor
