About The Program
Wounded Healer Project’s practicum and internship program for student veterans enrolled in a master’s level clinical mental health counseling program provides aspiring mental health professionals with valuable hands-on experience, mentorship, and specialized training in serving the veteran community.
Designed for student veterans who wish to give back to their military community, our practicum and internship program offers comprehensive training in evidence-based counseling practices, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive approaches to mental health. Interns will work directly with veterans, active-duty service members, and their families, gaining experience in individual, group, and family therapy sessions. They will also learn essential clinical skills, including assessment, treatment planning, crisis intervention, and case management, all while receiving support and guidance from seasoned mental health professionals.
Each intern will be paired with a licensed clinical supervisor who has experience in veteran-focused mental health care, providing weekly supervision and tailored mentorship. This program also includes specialized workshops and training sessions on military culture, common mental health challenges among veterans, and ethical considerations specific to the veteran community. Through this immersive experience, student veterans gain both clinical competence and a deeper sense of purpose in their role as mental health providers for their fellow veterans.
Program Components
Direct Client Experience
Conduct individual, family, and group counseling sessions under supervision.
- Individual and family counseling can be conducted in person at our offices in Englewood, Colorado or via HIPAA compliant video conferencing.
- Group counseling is offered through our Justice-Involved Veterans Programs and requires travel in person to the various county courthouses we work with. We currently operate in Arapahoe and Jefferson county.
Clinical Skills Training
To help enhance your clinical skills, Wounded Healer Project provides training in the following modalities:
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (IHRP)
- Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Additionally, receive training and attend workshops on the following areas:
- CPTSD
- Moral Injury
- Depression and Anxiety
- Dissociative Identity Disorder (severe dissociation & attachment wounds)
- Codependency
- Personality Disorders
Supervision & Mentorship
- Weekly one-on-one or triadic supervision sessions with a licensed clinical supervisor who is also a veteran.
- Biweekly large group supervision with other interns and clinicians from various backgrounds and specializations.
- Optional mentorship for beginning your own private practice upon graduation.
Case Management & Community Outreach
- Learn how to connect clients with additional resources, coordinate services, and advocate for veteran-specific needs.
- Options for involvement in the veteran community to help YOU stay connected and care for yourself through grad school.
Eligibility
- Active duty, Reserves, National Guard, or Veteran status.*
- Currently enrolled in a master’s-level clinical mental health program.
- Applicants should have completed foundational coursework in counseling theory and techniques and possess a strong commitment to serving the veteran population.
- Reliable transportation is required as is the ability to pass a criminal background check.
Current University Partnerships
- Regis University
- Adams State University
- Colorado Christian University
- Is your university not listed? We’d be happy to be add your university as an approved partner. Request it here.
Placement Commitments
- Minimum of 2 semesters required
- For student veterans only needing 1 semester of a placement, please inquire about short term openings. Contact form
- Openings available for 2025 Summer & Fall
*While we appreciate those who feel called to work with the veteran population who are not veterans themselves, our program is specifically tailored to those with current or prior service themselves. We’d be happy to consult with you on how best to serve our community, however!