At Hope Mountain Behavioral Health we love to train new interns and budding therapists. Below is some general information, a list of intern requirements, FAQs, uniques that we offer, and our application process. Please read carefully as not all interested parties will be eligible to apply.
Our practicum and internship program provides training for those in their Master’s of a psychology-based counseling program. We work with our intern and practicum students in developing professional skill sets and resources as they grow in their counseling training. We provide opportunities for individual therapy, couples or family therapy, Medicaid documentation compliance training, case management, and clients of a wide range of symptoms, diagnoses, life experiences, and needs.
Internships with Hope Mountain are intensive placements that provide high-level, real-life training. Interns are expected to function as therapists, meaning they regularly meet with clients, bill for sessions, and complete comprehensive documentation training–including meeting Medicaid compliance standards. The internship closely resembles a real-life therapy job in private, group practice, and provides invaluable preparation for post-graduation entry into the mental health field. Our interns are guaranteed a position as an LPCC therapist within our company post successful completion of our internship program.
Supervision for our interns looks like weekly, 1-hour individual supervision with one of our supervisors (assigned based on site or addictions emphasis*). We additionally have every-other-week group supervision where you get to learn with all of your site location’s pre-licensed counselors.
To learn more about our supervisors, click the link for each site’s supervisor: Colorado Springs • *No Lakewood-based Internships Available
Accepting Applications for the Colorado Springs location only.
Next start dates: Jan-Feb 2025
The progression within our practicum and internship programs is as follows:
Practicum student
Intern I
Intern II
(post graduation)
LPCC
see company information for full-time clinician progression
*For those planning on pursuing their LAC or are in an addictions emphasis we have a supervisor who is available to supervise for that. Therapists and counselors are supposed to help you along your road. But too often, they don’t understand the path you’re on, and you wind up feeling even more alone.
You must be a Master’s student in a psychology based counseling program.
(No social work students at this time.)
You need to be within commuting distance to our location (Colorado Springs only!)
You must be planning on pursuing your LPC post graduating with your Master’s.
You need to be passion-driven, willing to work with challenging or diverse populations, self-motivated, growth-oriented, and excited about our company’s vision.
Possess self-awareness and a commitment to personal growth*
*Interns who have not had their own counseling will be asked to complete their own on-going therapy.
We can take interns on at any point in their internship/practicum progression.
We pay our interns after 7 months of working with us and when they meet the requirements for our Intern II position.
We are a passion-driven organization focused on meeting the needs of underserved populations. We offer a wide range of diverse clientele to develop a depth and scope of practice you won’t get in many other places.
We deeply care about your sustainability in this profession. We work hard to create a work environment that is positive, burnout preventing, and one in which you can thrive.
You’re guaranteed a position as an LPCC within the company upon successful completion of your internship and graduating from your Master’s program. You keep the client caseload you built during your internship which makes an easy progression for you to hit the ground running as an LPCC!
No particular orientation is required. We support you as you develop your strengths and preferences in the modalities and theories you resonate with.
We primarily offer individual counseling. Couples and family therapy is available upon specific placement. Group therapy is only provided in the Colorado Springs location at this time.
Yes, this is quite common and shadowing opportunities are available.
We require practicum students to stay within the company from practicum to internship in order to provide consistent care to clients. Each student will need to have active student insurance. When students transition from practicum to internship at programs such as Adams State, we have noticed the school does not usually provide supervision over the summer for students seeing clients. This requires you to take off the Summer semester from your clients due to the student insurance requirements (which state you will need to be supervised by a school supervisor).
If you are required to take the summer off from clients, Hope Mountain will not be a good fit. If you are able to gain supervision over the summer from a faculty member to support you in seeing clients, we would be open to having an interview with you to determine if our company is a good fit for your needs and ours!
• Practicum students work up to seeing 4-8 clients per week
• Internship students work up to seeing 6-12 clients per week
• Once you become an LPCC you have a minimum of 12+ clients you see per week.
The type of contract is an Independent Contractor style position, providing you with a 1099 form at the end of the year in order to navigate taxes come April. Taxes are not withdrawn from your pay and you will need to account for the expenses when filing your taxes.
The pay structure is a percentage of the company pay-out from the insurance companies and self pay clients. Clinicians will be paid based on sessions completed and billed through the company.
No, we do not accept students of social work programs nor anyone desiring to pursue their LSW/LCSW post graduation.
At this time, we do not.
We have working relationships with:
• University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
• Naropa University
• Colorado Christian University
• Grand Canyon University
• Adams State University*
We are developing relationships with:
• Denver University
• University of Colorado, Denver
• Colorado State University
• University of Northern Colorado
If you are attending a school not listed above, that doesn’t necessarily mean we won’t be able to work with your program. We love to develop new relationships and you are welcome to still apply; as long as it is a psychology based counseling program.
*See FAQ about summer break for more information about this school.
Most often we aren’t a good fit for interns of a Sports Psychology program due to the requirements for the types of internship hours. Now, if you want to pursue your LPC post graduation in addition to Sports Psychology, we may be able to work with you. If you have additional questions feel free to reach out.
If you are an Internship Program facilitator and want to connect with us about our program, please email marketing@myhopemountain.org to get connected.
