Clinical Internships

Training Future Identity-Affirming Therapists

Are you a graduate student seeking a dynamic and supportive clinical internship? At Divergent Minds Collective, we are committed to providing an exceptional training experience focused on building competency in identity-affirming, neurodiversity-affirming, and gender-affirming care. We invite you to join our mission to create a new generation of skilled, ethical, and compassionate therapists ready to serve diverse and often underserved communities.

Our Internship Philosophy

Our program is more than just a place to get your hours; it’s a foundation for your professional identity. Rooted in a developmental, systemic, and relational framework, we adapt our supervision to meet you where you are. Our AAMFT-Approved supervisor, Dr Rachel Hughesis dedicated to helping you integrate theoretical knowledge with practical skills. You’ll learn to move beyond just “what happened” in a session to a deeper understanding of “how and why it happened” through a reflective and supportive process. Let’s build your unique therapy voice together.

What You’ll Learn: Core Competencies & Skills

Our curriculum is designed to help you build a cohesive theory of change and a strong professional identity. Throughout your internship, you will become competent in:

• Identity-Affirming Care: Offering validating and culturally humble care to individuals and families from a broad range of backgrounds and identities.

• Assessment & Treatment Planning: Using the latest DSM to conduct assessments and create effective, client-centered treatment plans that align with your theoretical framework.

• Intervention Skills: Developing a diverse set of therapeutic skills that you can confidently apply with a varied caseload.

• Ethical & Legal Practice: Navigating ethical dilemmas and understanding the legal requirements of providing mental health care in Washington State.

• Crisis Management: Addressing crisis situations with a supportive supervisor in a way that lines up with your theory of change.

Internship Requirements

To ensure a productive and safe learning environment for everyone, we require that all interns:

• Are currently enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program in a mental health field.

• Can commit to at least a 6-month internship, with 9- and 12-month placements being most common.

• Maintain their own professional liability insurance throughout the duration of the internship.

• Adhere to our strict HIPAA and confidentiality protocols, including the exclusive use of our secure EHR system, SimplePractice.