The opportunity to sequentially to receive and provide supervision enables interns to note developmental differences between beginning and intermediate therapists. In addition, the act of providing supervision helps interns learn to maximize the opportunity for skill development in their own supervision. Apprentice relationships become the vehicle to develop skills in a protected environment. In addition, individual supervision utilizes a case management approach so that each client receives supervisory attention. These mechanisms allow interns to calibrate their need for supervisory intervention based on their comfort level along with the complexity of the case.
Clinical practice is the medium that fosters the professional growth of the intern.
Although training and supervision take a higher priority than service delivery, clinical practice becomes a medium for the intern to learn about the complexity of providing services. Interns are taught to respect the individuality and universality of our clientele. Fortunately, we work with a diverse clientele from different countries, sexual orientations, cultures, races, physical attributes, socio-economic groups, religions, and who have many other distinctions. Interns are taught to respect and learn from their clients and to accordingly adapt their models and therapeutic techniques. Many interns report that their clients are also key promoters of personal and professional development.