Melanie was fortunate enough to begin her career at the faith-based, non-profit agency, The Refuge Center for Counseling in 2010. There she was able to work with adolescents, adults and families with diverse backgrounds and range of concerns. It was here that her love for walking along side women in their struggles and empowering them with a voice was realized. She also discovered a passion for working with trauma and seeing lives transformed in ways her clients never knew was possible after going through such pain.
With over 9 years of experience, she has been so fortunate that her private practice continues to grow! She is now able to use her love for connection, teaching and facilitating growth by welcoming Lauren Schores, a Master’s Level Clinical Intern and Graduate Teaching Assistant from local university, Austin Peay.
Please contact Melanie@IntegrativeTherapyNashville.com if you would like to schedule an appointment. We can’t wait to meet you!
Why See A Master’s Level Intern?
- Getting an appointment sooner. Therapists often have waitlists and these clinicians are ready to get started with you in your healing process.
- Significantly reduced session fees. Sessions with Master’s Level Clinicians are only $60.
- They are heavily vetted before they are placed at a clinical site.
- I am supervising all of their cases with them, so it’s almost like getting two therapists for the price of one!
- They are enthusiastic and ready to put their years of education to work for you!
- They have smaller caseloads, which means more time and attention to your case.
- They are more willing to ask questions and learn at this point in their career and have access to highly skilled clinicians in the practice and in their program.
- They have fresh eyes and less assumptions since they have not had repetitive cases.
What’s the Difference Between an Intern, Pre-Licensed Therapist & Licensed Therapist?
Intern Therapists
“Intern therapists” are students at the Masters or Doctoral level who are earning hours towards licensure. They have gained all of the “book knowledge” but are learning to put it into practice as a clinician. They are supervised both at their internship site (where they do therapy) and at their university.
Obviously, intern therapists are “green” as they are new to the field, and their fees are significantly lower than the average licensed therapist.
Pre-Licensed Therapists
“Pre-licensed therapists” have graduated from either their Masters or Doctoral programs but have not yet met the state requirements to possess a professional license. They have graduated from college and completed therapy internships. They continue to meet with a clinical supervisor. These clinicians will cost a bit more than interns. They may have 3-4 years of experience doing therapy and may already specialize in one area or another.
Licensed Therapists
Licensed clinicians (i.e. Psychologists, Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists and Licensed Clinical Social Workers) have met ALL of the state requirements to hold and maintain a professional license. The process of getting licensed takes a lot of education and follow-through. There are state exams, several years of fieldwork, recommendation letters, etc. so you can rest assured that these therapists have earned their credentials! You will certainly find licensed therapists with niches and specialties, whereas pre-licensed clinicians are more likely to be working to find their “treatment of choice” and “best fit” client. If you see a licensed clinician, your wallet will probably know the difference. They are almost always more expensive than their unlicensed colleagues, but you will likely notice the difference that experience brings.
Info: Blog
