Each fall Room for Change brings on one masters student to complete their practicum and internship. This means that a bulk of their studies are behind them and by seeing clients at RFC, they are given the opportunity to put to use what they’ve learned in their classrooms. Its a time of tremendous growth and is amazing for our other counselors and community to witness.

All of the student’s work is overseen by the practice owner, Amanda Esquivel. The pair meets weekly to discuss how to best support the individual, couple, or family. So although Amanda is not in the room with the student and client, Amanda’s 15+ years in the field is helping to guide the client’s treatment. In some instances Amanda or the clinician’s school will ask for recorded video, however that decision to allow for the video is left to each client. The purpose of the video is to focus on the counselor’s growth. Little attention is directed in this teaching exercise to the client.

Services rendered by a student are $40 a session, which tends to extend services to clients who would otherwise be unable to pay for counseling. Other benefits of meeting with a student may include:

Flexible scheduling (including evenings and weekends)
Recency of training (the most up to date topics are fresh on their minds)
Oversight by seasoned clinician (the supervisor isn’t in the room during the session, however their expertise is!)
Due to lower cost, may be beneficial to see twice a week for additional support

Whether you work with a student, LPC intern, or one of the fully licensed professionals, you will have a consistent, heartfelt, and life-changing bond with someone who isn’t your family member or friend. This difference in relationship status allows both you and your counselor to relate to one another without expectations or confusing histories.

We hope you give yourself or someone you care about the opportunity to begin healing with one of the Room for Change counselors.