This semester I interned at Calm Clinic Psychiatry and I learned a lot about what it means to work in a mental health setting during my internship. As a psychology major (and sociology minor) interested in pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology and eventually practicing, I plan to be working in mental health clinics for the foreseeable future. This internship has granted me the opportunity to learn how a mental health clinic operates and see interactions between patients and clinicians firsthand. As a result of interning at Calm Clinic Psychiatry through the COLA Internship Program, I feel that I have garnered practical clinical experience that not many have the opportunity to obtain during their undergrad. When I prepare to apply for PhD programs in Fall 2025, I feel that I will be prepared alongside my research experience. I feel confident that this internship reaffirmed my interest in pursuing a career in mental health. Whenever I got to interact with patients and cater to their specific needs, it felt incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, it was by far the best aspect of my internship.
Going into this internship, I think the most valuable experience that translated over was my abnormal psychology class (PSY 341) which delves into many of the mental health disorders that patients experience, as well as the communicative skills I developed in my research lab. I recommend any incoming interns at Calm Clinic Psychiatry to demonstrate determination as you do have to put yourself out there if you want to do the major opportunities such as shadowing, partaking in patient assessment, or any other responsibilities. These are clinicians so they can be incredibly busy at times, but plenty are willing to help you out if you reach out and express interest to them!
This sounds like such a rewarding and transformative internship experience! It’s inspiring to see how hands-on opportunities like this can reaffirm your passion for mental health and prepare you for future PhD applications. Gaining practical clinical experience as an undergrad is such a unique advantage, and it’s clear you made the most of it.
Your mention of catering to patients' specific needs reminded me of the importance of personal connection and tailored approaches—not just in mental health but in other fields too. As someone passionate about sustainability, I see parallels in how businesses cater to customer values, like sourcing shade-grown coffee for environmentally conscious consumers. It’s fulfilling to align what you do with meaningful impact, much like what you’re pursuing in mental health.
Wishing you the best as you continue on this exciting journey!
Hello Jordan,
It's incredibly inspiring to hear how your internship at Calm Clinic Psychiatry has reaffirmed your passion for clinical psychology. Your hands-on experience with patients and clinicians is invaluable and will certainly strengthen your PhD applications. Your advice to future interns about showing determination and initiative is spot-on. Best of luck as you continue your journey toward a career in mental health!