Clinical Internships

Clinical Internships
Council for Relationships

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Table of Contents

Overview
Clinical Supervision
Applying for Clinical Internships
2024-2025 Clinical Interns
Diversity Scholarship for Emerging Clinicians
Featured Expert Voice Blogs
Questions & Contact

Our Clinical Internships program, supported by our Postgraduate Certificate Program and various Masters-Level academic programs in the Philadelphia region, aims to enhance interpersonal connections through accessible and expert therapy for individuals, relationships, and families, along with clinical training and research.

As an intern at Council for Relationships I have been able to learn so much about myself as a future clinician, along with critical skills such as proper documentation, various interventions, and what it means to truly join with a client.

Hannah Kirby

CFR Clinical Intern 2023-2024

CFR Clinical Interns offer affordable therapy services to individuals, couples, families, and other relationships, enhancing access to mental health care by eliminating financial barriers.

Our program’s goal is to give students diverse clinical experiences. To ensure comprehensive training and delivery of high-quality care, Postgraduate and Master’s-Level students in our programs receive supervision from licensed clinicians.

CFR has provided me with a nurturing and supportive environment…I have had the chance to conduct individual and group therapy sessions with a diverse population, including children, shelter residents, and immigrants. My experiences here have significantly enriched my knowledge and skills in addressing a variety of mental health issues.

Sherry Zhang

CFR Clinical Intern 2023-2024

Clinical Supervision

CFR provides Clinical Supervision to students as mandated by their academic programs and COAMFTE standards. Our supervision includes individual, dyadic, peer, and group settings to offer diverse insights and feedback to students as they start their clinical practice. The following are key elements of the supervision in our Clinical Internships Program:

  • Reviewing clinical work through audio/video recordings
  • Case conceptualization
  • Treatment planning
  • Assessment and evaluation

Students in our program have access to two one-way mirror rooms at our University City Office. These rooms allow students to engage in Live Supervision, where supervisors observe and provide immediate feedback during sessions to enhance and deepen the student’s clinical practice.

Applying for Clinical Internships at CFR

We offer hybrid clinical placements for accredited MSW, MS, and MEd program students. Initially a partnership between CFR and Thomas Jefferson University, our program now welcomes students from esteemed institutions, including Temple University, West Chester University, and the University of Pennsylvania.

We are not currently accepting Master’s-Level interns for a fully virtual placement nor postgraduate students from other programs. All postgraduate interns must be enrolled in CFR’s Postgraduate Certificate Program.

Applicants that are interested in beginning their clinical placement in Summer 2025 or Fall 2025 should send their resume, cover letter and academic program placement requirements overview to cfrclinicalinternships@councilforrelationships.org.

CFR Mailing List

Meet Our 2024-2025 Clinical Interns

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Kay Anderson

Kay F. Anderson, M.DIV
(she/her/hers)
Postgraduate Program

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Sophie Barkhordari

Sophie Barkhordari
(she/her/hers)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Alexander Benaim

Alexander Benaim
(he/him/his)
Naropa University

Headshot of CFR MFT Clinical Intern Christian Billalba

Christian Billalba
(he/him/his)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Sarah Bowman

Sarah Bowman
(she/her/hers)
University of Pennsylvania

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Rachel Brown

Rachel Brown
(she/her/hers)
Postgraduate Program

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Hannah Bushner

Hannah Bushner
(she/her/hers)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot for CFR Clinical Intern Casey Butcher

Casey Butcher
(he/they)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Julia Cash

Julia Cash
(she/her/hers)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Deborah Correll

Deborah Correll​
(she/her/hers)
Bryn Mawr College

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Courtney Cranton

Courtney Cranton​
(she/her/hers)
University of Pennsylvania

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Sage DeRosa

Sage DeRosa
(she/her/hers)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Charlotte Fay

Charlotte Fay
(she/her/hers)
Thomas Jefferson University

A close-up headshot of Sue Fendrick, featuring a woman with a warm smile, medium-length graying hair, and clear skin. She is wearing a grey blazer over a darker grey top and is set against a blurred background with a hint of brickwork. The focus is sharp on her face, with soft natural lighting enhancing her features.

Sue Fendrick
(she/her/hers)
Postgraduate Program

A professional headshot of Seth Fisher, a person with neatly groomed facial hair and a subtle smile, sporting a white shirt and a dark green cardigan. His direct gaze and confident posture are set against a light grey background, conveying a composed and trustworthy appearance.

Seth Fisher
(all pronouns)
Postgraduate Program

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Charlotte Fitterman

Charlotte Fitterman
(she/her/hers)
Temple University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Lillian Freundlich

Lillian Freundlich
(she/her/hers)
Temple University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Alison Gibbons

Alison Gibbons
(they/them/theirs)
Bryn Mawr College

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Olivia Gold

Olivia Gold
(she/her/hers)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Marnie Hackman

Marnie Hackman
(she/her/hers)
University of Pennslyvania

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Shannon Hoffman

Shannon Hoffman
(she/her/hers)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Emily Hyde

Emily Hyde
(she/her/hers)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Lou Lee

Lou Lee
(they/she)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Jannah Madyun

Jannah Madyun
(she/her/hers)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Emily McQueen

Emily McQueen
(she/her/hers)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Makenzie Meehan

Makenzie Meehan
(she/her/hers)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Jessica Michels

Jessica Michels
(she/her)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Jeremy Miller

Jeremy Miller
(he/him/his)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR MFT Clinical Intern Grace Murray

Grace Murray
(she/her/hers)
Thomas Jefferson University

A headshot of Karen Nelson, a woman with a bright smile, sporting short hair, round glasses, and a blue knitted scarf over a black top. The natural outdoor background shows a blurred stone wall, complementing her cheerful and stylish appearance.

Karen Nelson
(she/her/hers)
Postgraduate Program

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Loren O’Brien

Loren O’Brien
(she/her/hers)
Thomas Jefferson University

A picture of Carol O'Donoghue smiling woman with shoulder-length straight auburn hair wearing red-framed glasses, small drop earrings, a black T-shirt, and a silver necklace with a leaf-designed pendant. She is posing in front of a textured stone wall with a soft-focus background in natural daylight.

Carol O’Donoghue
(she/her/hers)
Postgraduate Program

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Kathy O'Hearn

Kathy O’Hearn
(she/her/it)
Thomas Jefferson University

A vibrant headshot of Polly Palmer, a woman with a radiant smile, shoulder-length dark hair, wearing a dark green turtleneck and a light-wash denim jacket. She's standing with her arms crossed against a plain white background, exuding a friendly and approachable demeanor.

Polly Palmer
(she/her/hers)
Postgraduate Program

A headshot of Jennifer Phelps, a woman with a friendly smile, wearing glasses and a purple collared shirt with a clergy collar. She has her hair pulled back and is sporting a circular pin on her top. The background features an outdoor setting with a stone wall, highlighting her cheerful demeanor in a natural light.

Jennifer Phelps
(she/her/hers)
Postgraduate Program

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Abby Ponticello

Abby Ponticello
(she/her/hers)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Lois Richman

Lois Richman
(she/her/hers)
University of Pennslyvania

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Ren Sahlman

Ren Sahlman
(they/them)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Emma Schutzius

Emma Schutzius
(she/they)
University of Pennsylvania

Headshot of Clinical Intern Davina Scott

Davina Scott
(she/her/hers)
University of Pennslyvania

Headshot of CFR MFT Clinical Intern Madeline Skjefstad

Madeline Skjefstad
(she/her/hers)
West Chester University

Headshot of CFR postgraduate intern Kerrith Solomon

Kerrith Solomon
(she/her/hers)
Postgraduate Program

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Emlen Smith

Emlen Smith
(he/him/his)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Julianna Strati

Julianna Strati
(she/her/hers)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR MFT Clinical Intern Stephen Strauss

Stephen Strauss
(he/him/his)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Jenna Strusowski

Jenna Strusowski
(she/her/hers)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR MFT Clinical Intern Kali Thomas

Kali Thomas
(she/her/hers)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR MFT Clinical Intern Caroline Twohill

Caroline Twohill
(she/her/hers)
Thomas Jefferson University

A headshot of Alison VanBuskirk, a woman with a genuine smile, long straight hair, and small earrings, wearing a v-neck, long-sleeve maroon dress accessorized with a heart-shaped necklace. She is pictured outdoors with lush green trees in the soft-focus background, giving the image a serene and natural ambiance.

Alison VanBuskirk Philip
(she/her/hers)
Postgraduate Program

Headshot of CFR MFT Clinical Intern Adeline Williams Gayman

Adeline Williams Gayman
(she/her/hers)
Thomas Jefferson University

Council for Relationships is a nonprofit organization. Help us provide grants to clinical interns to cover the cost of their training and supervision!​

Donate

Clinically and professionally, being supervised at CFR has enhanced my awareness within the field and helped me feel more confident applying therapeutic techniques in session.

Fiona Williams

CFR Clinical Intern 2022-2024

Diversity Scholarship for Emerging Clinicians

CFR strives for an equitable Clinical Internships Program. The Diversity Scholarship for Emerging Clinicians seeks to provide support for individuals from marginalized communities as they work to complete their clinical placement and academic requirements before launching into the Mental Health field. Eligible individuals include those who identify as Black/African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian/Asian American, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Latino/a, or Spanish origin, LGBTQIA+, bi/multilingual, or an individual with one or more disabilities.

 

2024-2025 Diversity Scholarship Recipients

The 2024-2025 Diversity Scholarships were made possible by the generosity of the Hearst Foundations. Please donate today to support future scholarships for aspiring therapists from marginalized communities.

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Kathy O'Hearn

Kathy O’Hearn
(she/her/it)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of Clinical Intern Davina Scott

Davina Scott
(she/her/hers)
University of Pennsylvania

Featured Expert Voice Blogs

Enjoy these Expert Voices blogs by CFR Clinical Internship alumni.

This is a collage of black and white images with a central color image, laid out to create a promotional graphic for an article or a discussion topic. The central color image shows two people, with a focus on their hands gently resting on one another, showcasing rings, implying a significant relationship. Surrounding this image are various black and white photos depicting different forms of affection or companionship: two people laughing together, a person resting their head on another's shoulder, two individuals sitting by a body of water, an elderly couple smiling at the camera, and a person cuddling with a dog. Overlaid on the collage is a block of text that reads "QUEERPLATONIC RELATIONSHIPS & QUESTIONING ROMANTIC HIERARCHY BY ANDY PHAM & CASEY HERGER" with the logo "COUNCIL FOR RELATIONSHIPS" at the bottom. The composition suggests a focus on the depth and variety of relationships beyond traditional romantic frameworks.

Andy Phạm & Casey Herger

Read

Talia Higgins

Read

Yasmine Beydoun

Read

Questions & Contact

To learn more about our Clinical Internship program or opportunities at Council for Relationships, please contact:

Allen-Michael Lewis, M.S., LMFT, AS (he/him/his)
Senior Director of Clinical Programs
alewis@councilforrelationships.org
(215)-382-6680 ext. 4206

Michael Butera, MFT (he/him/his)
Coordinator of Clinical Internships
mbutera@councilforrelationships.org
(215)-382-6680 ext. 4346

Click here to learn more about Council for Relationships’ Postgraduate Certificate Program.

Portrait of a cheerful bearded man wearing glasses and a gray sweatshirt with the year '1989' printed in navy blue. He has short curly hair, a warm smile, and is posing against a plain, light-colored background.

Allen-Michael Lewis
(he/him/his)
Senior Director of Clinical Programs

Headshot of Michael Butera, MFT

Michael Butera
(he/him/his)
Coordinator of Clinical Internships