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
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.
 

Applications are not being accepted at this time. Join our mailing list to be notified the moment our application period opens.

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 – Clergy Track

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Sophie Barkhordari

Sophie Barkhordari
(she/her/hers)
Virginia Tech University

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 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 – Clinical Track

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 – Clergy Track

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 Olivia Gold

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

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Shannon Hoffman

Shannon Hoffman
(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

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 – Clergy Track

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 – Clinical Track

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 – Clinical Track

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 – Clergy Track

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Abby Ponticello

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

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Ren Sahlman

Ren Sahlman
(they/them)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Emlen Smith

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

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Elise Stendal

Elise Stendal
(she/her/hers)
West Chester University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Julianna Strati

Julianna Strati
she/her/hers)
Thomas Jefferson University

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Jenna Strusowski

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

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Nia Tift

Nia Tift
(she/her)
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 – Clergy Track

Headshot of CFR Clinical Intern Matthew Venuti

Matthew Venuti
(he/she/they)
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

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
(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