Clinical Internship Opportunities

For those enrolled in master’s-level counseling, psychology, and social work programs, we offer clinical practicum and internship placements at both our Park Ridge and South Barrington locations.

We believe in fostering a supportive and inclusive space where clinical interns can develop their skills, gain practical experience, and make a meaningful contribution to the field of counseling. Whatever your academic background or specific requirements may be, our clinical internship program is designed to meet your needs.

We know exactly what it’s like to be in your shoes.

Starting your clinical internship can be intimidating. It’s one of the biggest transitions of your career, and it can often feel daunting.

At Feel Good Counseling Center (FGCC), we didn’t just start taking interns as an afterthought. Supporting students has been a core part of our mission since the day we opened — and our leadership team has been mentoring new clinicians long before that. We specialize in this transition because we enjoy the energy, diversity, and fresh perspectives interns bring to our center.

An Investment in Your Future

We don’t just “host” interns; we invest in them. We dedicate a massive amount of time and energy to meeting your specific needs and helping you excel. At FGCC, your internship is truly what you make it — we provide the tools, clinical cases, and constant support to empower you to build the professional identity you’ve always envisioned.

We invest so much into our interns because we want you to enjoy your experience, learn from it, and continue to bring your knowledge to our center. In fact, 80% of our current therapists started as FGCC interns.

What Makes a Successful Intern at FGCC?

We look for students who are ready to dive in and grow with us. You’ll thrive here if you are:

  • Open to Learning: You’re curious, coachable, and ready to absorb different clinical perspectives.

  • A Strong Communicator: You aren’t afraid to ask questions or share when you need a little extra support.

  • Organized & Timely: You have a handle on time management and keep your clinical documentation on track and accurate.

  • Flexible: You understand that the clinical world is dynamic and you’re ready to adapt alongside your team.

Mentorship from Decades of Experience

You’ll be guided by two clinical leaders who prioritize your growth as much as you do:

  • Bianca Gambino, LCPC (Clinical Director): Bianca is the heart of our culture. She has dedicated her career to creating a practice where clinicians of all levels can thrive. Her goal is to empower you to find your own therapeutic voice while ensuring you have a rock-solid clinical foundation.

  • Stephanie Loda, LCSW (Clinical Supervisor): Stephanie brings over 20 years of clinical experience, particularly in trauma and family dynamics. She is a wealth of knowledge who truly views the supervisor-supervisee relationships as a collaborative partnership. She ensures that you feel supported as you navigate the complexities of clinical work.

Two Locations, One Supportive Team

You have the flexibility to choose the environment that fits you best. Our teams at each location bring an inviting and upbeat culture:

  • South Barrington: A beautiful, welcoming space for the community.

  • Park Ridge: Our newly expanded site close to Chicago, easily accessible by train or bus.

Wherever you land, you’ll be part of a team that values your professional identity.

Internship FAQs

  • We have proudly partnered with:

    • Adler University

    • Aurora University

    • Bradley University

    • Capella University

    • Concordia University

    • Judson University

    • Lewis University

    • Loyola University

    • National Louis University

    • Northeastern Illinois University - Counseling Program

    • Northeastern Illinois University - Social Work Program

    • Northern Illinois University

    • Northwestern University

    • Southern Adventist University

    • University of Illinois

    • University of Kansas

    • University of Kentucky

    • Wake Forest University

    If your university is not on this list, no problem. Reach out to us and we will see how we can make your internship happen.

  • We completely understand. You’ll have a structured orientation, opportunities to shadow experienced clinicians, and a “go-to” person available at all times for immediate questions. We prioritize your psychological safety so you can focus on your client.

  • We believe supervision should be a collaborative, reflective space. In addition to your dedicated one-hour, one-on-one supervision session each week, we also provide Group Supervision. This allows you to connect with other interns you might not normally overlap with, allowing you to learn from each other's cases and build a true peer cohort.

  • FGCC serves a very diverse population. Because we accept all Medicaid plans, you’ll gain experience working with individuals from all walks of life, ages, and backgrounds. This diversity is one of the best parts of training here—you’ll leave with a very well-rounded clinical toolkit.

  • Absolutely. We are a growing practice and we love it when our interns transition into full-time clinicians with us. In fact, most of our current employees are former interns! We view the internship as the beginning of a potential long-term professional relationship.

Hear From Our Interns

  • This internship provided a supportive and collaborative environment where I feel encouraged to grow both personally and professionally. I am able to gain hands-on clinical experience while receiving consistent guidance and feedback that strengthens my confidence as a clinician.

    — Kelly Boyle, Current Intern

  • My clinical internship experience at FGCC was incredibly valuable and a wonderful learning experience! The opportunity to work with different populations and diagnoses strengthened my cultural competence, and helped me learn what skills and theoretical orientations I feel most comfortable using. I always felt supported by the other clinicians, clinical supervisors, and management team.

    — Megan McLaughlin, Former Intern, Current FGCC Therapist

  • During my internship at Feel Good Counseling Center, I was given the independence to learn and grow while also having strong support available whenever I needed guidance. The clinic environment fosters an inclusive space for both clients and therapists alike, where collaboration is genuinely valued. Being part of a team of interns and participating in weekly group intern supervision made the experience feel far less intimidating, especially knowing others were navigating similar stages of learning alongside me. The variety of clients I work with has allowed me to explore different areas of interest, and ultimately, has led me to discover my niche. Overall, my experience was incredibly positive, and it led me to join the team as a full-time therapist!

    — Brianna Feyereisen, Former Intern, Current FGCC Therapist

  • My internship has been an amazing experience. I had the opportunity to work directly with clients and truly see how therapy can make a difference in people’s lives. The supportive supervisors and friendly team made learning so much easier, and I felt encouraged every step of the way. It’s helped me grow as a future therapist and feel more confident in my skills!

    - Deeya Wadhwani, Current Intern

  • I feel that my internship here was a positive experience for me. I'd say my favorite part of the internship included the weekly supervision meetings. It was nice to have an opportunity to share my questions, comments and concerns regarding my caseload with the group, and it was interesting to hear about my fellow interns' cases as well! I felt thoroughly supported, and that's important to me.

    - Jake Cummings, Former Intern, Current FGCC Therapist

  • My internship experience at FGCC provided me with a variety of clinical knowledge such as tools and interventions to utilize along with a sense of community among other members of the staff. I enjoyed my time as an intern at FGCC, and I enjoyed not only having my own one on one supervision each week, but I also enjoyed participating in a group supervision with the other interns to help me and others expand on our knowledge and skills in the mental health field.

    - Hannah Adams, Former Intern, Current FGCC Therapist

If you are interested in any of our Internship opportunities, we invite you to complete the contact form below: