At Hale Counseling NW, we believe interns aren’t just learners, you’re integral members of our community.
Our internship program is intentionally small and relational, offering deep support, high-quality supervision, and meaningful opportunities to grow your professional identity as a therapist.
If you’re drawn to attachment work, trauma-informed care, and learning in a warm, collaborative environment, you may be a great fit here.
What Makes Our Internship Unique
A deeply relational learning environment.
We believe therapists grow best when they feel safe, supported, and known. Interns at Hale Counseling NW work closely with each other and in supervision with Sharon in an environment that values reflection, authenticity, nervous-system awareness, and ongoing personal growth.
Training in attachment + trauma models.
You’ll gain exposure to relational therapy approaches including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), and other embodied, attachment-based frameworks we integrate throughout our work.
Hands-on clinical experience.
Interns carry an active caseload, see individuals, couples, children, and families (as clinically appropriate), and lead or co-lead at least one therapy group during their internship year.
Community, collaboration, and real-world learning.
From case consults to group supervision, collaborative intern events, and practice-wide trainings, we hope you’ll feel a strong sense of belonging and support.
What Interns Receive
Weekly Supervision
- Weekly individual supervision with a licensed supervisor (Sharon)
- Weekly group supervision with the intern cohort
- Opportunities for ongoing case support, consultation, and mentorship
Clinical Training & Experience
- Hold individual, couples, and family sessions
- Get special opportunities to run support groups, workshops, and community events
- Receive exposure to attachment-based and trauma-informed modalities
- Have opportunities to develop your own areas of interest with support
Practice Resources
- Access to our full office suite (waiting room, private offices, kids play therapy room, conference room, kitchenette)
- Use of HIPAA-compliant software, EHR, and scheduling tools
- Co-therapy opportunities
- Support developing professional identity and post-graduation planning
What We Look For
We welcome interns who are:
- Warm, relational, and client-centered
- Open, curious, and reflective
- Able to hold space for emotion, including their own
- Responsible and responsive to communication
- Organized and able to follow through
- Open to trauma-informed thinking and body-based awareness
- Hunger for growth, even when (especially when) it feels vulnerable
- Enjoy working collaboratively with a team
Internship Requirements & Expectations (Non-Negotiables)
To create a strong experience for clients and for your own development, interns must:
Be in-person at the Tigard office at least 2 days per week. This allows for real-time support, team connection, and embodied learning.
Hold virtual sessions from a private home office as needed. A combination of in-person and telehealth sessions ensures flexible scheduling for clients.
Run or co-run at least one therapy group during the internship. You’ll receive support in designing, planning, and facilitating a group experience.
Participate in marketing + outreach efforts. This includes occasional social media contributions, event promotion, community outreach, or content support – nothing overwhelming, but part of learning the business side of private practice.
Additional expectations
-
Consistent attendance and communication
-
Commitment to ethical standards and professional boundaries
-
Willingness to learn our charting, note-taking, and documentation processes
-
Engagement in supervision with openness and honesty
Hours, Start Dates & Timeline
-
Start Date: April/May of each year
-
Hours: Varies by program; most interns carry ~8–12 clients weekly by mid-placement
-
Minimum Commitment: Full academic year
-
Schedule: Minimum two in-person days + optional virtual work from home
-
Application Window: Applications are now closed for the 2026-2027 academic year. For internships starting in April 2027, you’re welcome to send an email to Sharon@HaleCounselingNW.com if you’re interested in applying early.
FAQ
Do interns get paid?
No, sorry! We intentionally set our rates low to allow for services to be accessible to clients. This means there isn’t a fund to pay interns for their time. Instead, we hope to provide non-monetary benefits (in the form of free learning opportunities) to interns to compensate them for their time.
Do interns choose their own schedule?
You’ll collaborate with us to set a schedule that serves both your availability and client needs.
How many clients will I see?
Most interns build to 8–12 clients per week, depending on your program’s requirements.
Do you take students from all graduate programs?
Yes, however, we are prioritizing applicants from George Fox University at this time.
What support do interns receive for groups or events?
Full support. You do not plan or run a group alone unless you want to. We help with planning, marketing, and co-facilitating.
What happens after internship ends?
At this time we aren’t in a position to hire interns after graduation. However, we are happy to provide references and support for finding post-grad jobs elsewhere.
Ready to Apply?
We’d love to learn more about you and see if this is a good mutual fit.
Click here to apply
Questions? Email sharon@halecounselingnw.com
Come grow with us, in a place where your presence matters, your learning is supported, and your voice is valued!