Rebekah was an intern for Family Haven during Fall 2024.
Briefly explain what you did and the result of your internship.
I worked at a non-profit agency that focuses on prevention and treatment of abuse and trauma to provide mental health services to children and adult clients. My internship experience at Family Haven has both challenged and improved my skills. It is my first experience providing play therapy, and my supervisor, Stuart Harper, has provided me with support, encouragement, and insight in learning this new clinical skill as well as improving my ability to provide caring and competent therapy to adult clients. My internship experience has enriched my life and expanded my heart and ability to care for others.
What did you learn in your internship that you were not expecting to learn?
My internship has given me experience in the application of what we have studied through course materials and classroom training that has expanded and deepened my knowledge and clinical skills. I was not expecting the impact of learning over the course of time and through hours of clinical experiences with clients, nor did I anticipate how much I would learn from the clinical team at my internship, who have generously shared their knowledge with me and given me the benefit of the wealth of their experience and expertise.
How have your future plans changed because of what you learned from your internship experience?
My future plans have adjusted because of my internship. I am now strongly considering working at a non-profit agency post-graduation. Getting to see a client and family grow in confidence and functioning is thrilling and an honor to be a part of. My internship experience has shaped my expectations for full-time employment post-graduation in helping me clarify the type of work I am most interested in and the qualities of the agency and team I would like to work with.
Please share how your experience led to personal inspiration or insightful revelation.
Beginning a new internship was filled with many opportunities to lean into prayer for assistance in learning, in serving, and in increasing my competence. It invited me to rely upon the Lord to increase my capacity and energy, to enlighten my understanding and to bring to remembrance evidence-based theories, principles, and interventions that could support client healing and positive change. I relied on my faith and on prayer when feeling discouraged, overwhelmed, or tired. I am inspired with the resilience and beauty of human souls who strive for healing and growth, even amidst challenging circumstances.
Would you recommend this internship to other students?
Yes! This internship places a strong emphasis on education and development of their clinicians and interns, which is improving my clinical skills. The team is warm and welcoming.
Is there anything else you would like to say regarding your internship?
My internship experience at Family Haven has both challenged and improved my skills. It is my first experience providing play therapy, and my supervisor, Stuart Harper, has provided me with support, encouragement, and insight in learning this new clinical skill. I highly value Stuart's clinical experience and expertise as we have discussed my clients' care and intervention strategies during supervision. Stuart has extended to me grace and trust in the process of becoming a clinician. The other agency clinicians have also been generous in sharing tools and guidance, and the administrators and staff have been welcoming and kind. All have contributed to enrich my internship experience and to improve my clinical proficiency and to expand my heart and ability to care for others.
