Graduate Internship Program
Cairn Counseling internship program is designed for students seeking immersive clinical training within a trauma-informed, values-driven group therapy practice. Our internship provides hands-on experience delivering therapy services while supporting professional growth, clinical skill development, and integration into a collaborative group practice. Click here to learn more about our approaches to therapy.
Internship Experience
Interns carry a clinical caseload and are considered active members of our clinical team. Internship experiences include:
Providing individual therapy to approximately 5–10 clients per week, with caseloads adjusted based on client acuity and academic requirements
Opportunities for work with couples, families and groups, depending on availability, interest and readiness
Participation in regular training opportunities focused on clinical skill development
Support with group practice operations as needed to build systems-level understanding of group practice work
Scaffolded learning of intake processes, client–therapist matching, documentation standards, and electronic health record (EHR)
Weekly individual supervision with an experienced clinician
Bi-weekly group supervision focused on case consultation, skill-building, and peer support
Attendance at bi-monthly staff meetings to support collaboration and integration into the practice
The training environment emphasizes:
Trauma-informed, client-centered care
Cultural humility and awareness of identity, power, and lived experience
Openness to feedback, reflection, and ethical practice
Readiness for increasing clinical responsibility within a supportive framework
Training Within a Group Practice
Training in a group practice offers a unique opportunity to develop as an independent clinician while working alongside a team with diverse clinical styles, training backgrounds, and areas of specialization. This model allows interns to build autonomy and clinical confidence while remaining connected to a supportive professional community.
Interns gain meaningful preparation for future clinical work by learning the practical and ethical foundations of building a sustainable caseload. This includes exposure to billing across multiple payor sources, assessing clinical and relational fit, evaluating scope of practice and level of need, and understanding documentation requirements that support ethical and accessible care. Interns will begin developing a professional identity and gain experience marketing themselves within the practice, supporting exploration of clinical interests and the development of emerging niches.
By combining independence with collaboration, our internship supports the development of ethical, competent, and sustainable clinicians who are prepared to transition confidently into post-graduate practice while remaining grounded in community and shared professional values.
Application Process
All applicants for a Cairn Counseling internship must:
Be currently enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program
Mission aligned
Possess self-awareness and a commitment to personal growth.
Complete all clinical and practice paperwork & billing within the required timelines
Ability/Openness to:
Attend one-hour of individual supervision per week
Attend one-hour of group supervision every two weeks
Work independently to maintain caseload of 5-10 clients
Attend onboarding training for the first two weeks of placement (preparing for a Mon-Friday, 9-5 schedule in those first few weeks)
Schedule clients at least one evening (4-7pm)
Respond to client emergencies, such as mandatory reports, as needed (typically occurs infrequently)
Complete all clinical and practice paperwork & billing within the required timelines
Prospective interns are asked to submit the following materials:
Résumé or CV
Cover letter
Cover letters should briefly address:
Your interest in Cairn Counseling and our internship program, including what draws you to a group practice setting and any skills, experiences, or areas of professional growth you hope to develop
Your interest in trauma-informed care, including relevant coursework, volunteer experiences, or personal values that shape how you understand the impact of trauma (clinical experience is not required)
Your approach to cultural humility and diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly your awareness of how identity, power, and lived experience may show up in therapeutic or helping relationships
Your readiness for a group practice training environment, including your experience with—or openness to—supervision, feedback, and independent work
How to Apply
Application materials should be submitted using the button below. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
If you have questions about the internship program, please contact our internship director at taija@cairncounselingdenver.com.
We value curiosity, self-reflection, and a commitment to ethical, trauma-informed care, and we encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and training programs to apply.