Clinicians

Our graduate interns are master's-level students completing their required clinical practicum or internship hours as part of an accredited mental health counseling, social work, or related graduate program. They are in the final stages of their academic training and are gaining supervised, hands-on clinical experience under the direct oversight of a fully licensed clinician.

At Awaken Wellness, interns do not work independently. Their role is carefully structured to support their development while protecting the quality of your care. Interns:

• Observe clinical sessions conducted by licensed clinicians

• Develop and apply clinical skills within a supervised framework

• Participate in case conceptualization and team discussions around treatment goals and interventions

• Are supervised by a licensed clinician who reviews their work and remains accountable for the care provided

Working with an intern means you are receiving care from an emerging clinician who is enthusiastic, current in their training, and closely guided by experienced supervision. Intern sessions are offered at a reduced rate, making quality mental health care more accessible.

A Limited Permit Mental Health Counselor has completed their master's degree in mental health counseling or a related field and has been granted a limited permit by New York State to practice under supervision while working toward full licensure. They have met the academic requirements for licensure and are in the process of accumulating the required post-graduate supervised clinical hours.

MHC-LPs at Awaken Wellness:

• Hold a completed master's degree in mental health counseling or a closely related field

• Are authorized to provide individual, group, couples, and family therapy under supervision

• Receive ongoing clinical supervision from a fully licensed clinician

• Bring current, graduate-level training and a high level of clinical investment to their work

• Are working actively toward full licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Clinicians at this stage are often deeply motivated, highly trained, and bring a fresh clinical perspective grounded in the most current evidence-based practices. Sessions with an MHC-LP are offered at a mid-range rate that reflects their training and supervised status.

A Licensed Mental Health Counselor has met all requirements for independent clinical practice in New York State. This includes the completion of a master's degree, a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical experience, and passing scores on the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).

LMHCs at Awaken Wellness:

• Are fully licensed to practice independently in New York State

• Have completed all required supervised hours and examination requirements

• Bring years of post-graduate clinical experience across a range of presenting concerns

• May hold additional certifications or specializations such as CASAC, CEAP, trauma certifications, or other advanced credentials

• Provide individual, group, couples, and family therapy across a full scope of practice

Our licensed clinicians are the clinical backbone of Awaken Wellness. They lead the care of our clients, supervise our developing clinicians, and uphold the clinical and ethical standards our practice was built on.